Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-02

ago when the overflow of prospectors and
investors scattered all over this section.
There were no meansof transportation in
those days, but still on all siles of the
mountain there was rock that paid to
ship to Austin. across the desolate desert
800 miles distant. Only the high grade
stuff could be handled, and the burros,
mules and horses that were used as the
means of transportation required a month
to make the round trip. Only the very
besa product was shipped, as the cost of
transportation was too great. and thou
sands of tons of ore were piled on the
dumps and left blocked out in the old
workings. as only the high grade streaks
could be followed. No power hoists were
installed. Twenty years ago or more a
little arastra was put in at Old Camp.
This was kept busy grinding out values
| in crude way until the Tonopah and
Goldfeld excitement broke out and the
miners deserted the camp. the plant clos
ling down owing to lack of labor.
Fifteen years ago five-stamp mill was
put in at Thorpes Wells, now known as
Montana station, and the ores from the
Rattlesnake and Courbet mines were
treated by amalgamation and cyaniding
for years. Then came investors who pur-
chased the holdings of the original own
ers and organized a company named the
I Bonnie Claire.
They rejuvenated the old plant and in
stalled model mill. up to date in every
respect, that is treating sixty tons day.
The capacity is being doubled The mill
was not built ahead of the mine. as a
large force of miners has been employed
| IL opening up the companys acreage. On
the Rattlesnake the winze has been sunk
400 feet below the tunnel level. which
gives a depth of 800 feet from the sur
face. From this depth drifts have been
! extended along theore shoot for 500 feet.
where there is six feet of milling ore be-
tween granite wallis
High Grade Developed
The FRENCH mine, situated on the south
west slope of Gold mountain about three
miles from Old Camp in southerly di-
rection has developed a large body Of
high grade ore and arrangements are
now being made to install a large hoist
This company will begin shipping as soon
as its plant is installed and active devel-
opment of the ledge started.
This property was worked for thirty
five years by Frenchman. who extracted
ore running as high as $500 ton and
carried It on his back down to the aras-
ira at Old Camp, where he had it worked.
and carried the proceeds back to his
cabin He lived The life of hermit and
refused to part with his property, al
though many liberal offers were made for
1t. Finally he grew old and became a
charge upon his relatives, although he
had "in the rusty cam large sum OF
money derived from his patient toll.
| After his death the property was sold
by his relatives to a French syndicate.
with headquarters in Paris. They have
expended a large amount of money dur
ing the past summer in explSiting the ore
body Operations have been suspended
until the machinery is installed. after
which the mine will be worked on large
scale.
Gold Mountain Carbonate company.
which Immediately adjoins the French
company, expects to resume active oper-
ations in short time.
The Gold Dollar group of mines. which
Immediately adjoins the French mine.
also the Gold Mountain Carbonate. has
an excellent showing and is right in line
to become a shipper. This property is
now under consideration by eastern capi-
talists and from latest reports will un-
doubtedly be taken over by them gefore
the expiration of their bond
! Next comes the Whitcomb group OF
claims. 1t is also under bond to eastern
capital and their experts are expected
to arrive any day to examine the prop
erty.
Goldfield Concordia is another Of Gold
lMourtain's good properties. This estate