Gilpin observer., 1907-02-07
OPERATIONS TO CEASE.
Driving Of the Newhouse Tunnel Will be
Suspended.

Contractor Knowles extended the
heading OF the Newhouse tunnel dis
taace OF 1875 feet during the month of
January working but one drilling shift
part OF the time. This makes the total
length Of the big tunnel 17,477 feet on
February l, which is 3l7 feet over three
miles and quarter.
General Manager George E. Collins of
the Newhouse tunnel was in the city
Wednesday and announced that driving
in the breast would be discontinued
within the next few day. Mr.. Collins
declined to give reason but stated that
work on the heading would be suspend
cd for an indefinite period. To those ia
miliar with the conditions it is evident
that the work OF continuing the tunnel
will be stopped for the very reason that
it was stopped two years ago, which was
lack of cooperation by the mine owners
benefited by the tunnel
A number of veins have been encount.
cred during the last half mile of driving
but as has always been the case, at the
exact point Of intersection the veins did
not carry astonishing values. The veins
intersected are nearly all well defined
and well mineralized and carried values
OF from s3 to Sl1 per ton. While the
ownership OF these veins can be accur-
ately established by the strike and pitch
Of the lodes, owners have SO far declined
to start development work as they had
led the management Of the Newhouse to
believe they would do when their prop
erty was reached by the tunnel.
II the fact that the ore was not all of
high grade smelling character is the rea-
son they have not begun work, it is
unfortunate that they do not realize the
possibilities and advantages in working
with the ore bodies entirely overhead in
stead OF underneath. \ surface showing
in location shaft OF similar vein of ore
would warrant the expenditure OF thou
sands Of dollars in shaft sinking and drift
ing, and just why these mine owners
should have cold feet in starting develop
ment work at depth of 1,500 feet below
the surface, with power, ventilation, and
transportation facilities at hand, is diff
cult to understand.
Since the Newhouse tunnel was start
ed il has never yet intersected body of
pay ore where the vein was cut, but in
every instance where laterals have been
driven, pay ore OF milling to a smelling
grade has been opened up. Two of these
richest ore bodies have been found with
in fifty feet of the line OF the tunnel, nota-
bly, in the Gem and Saratoga VEINS.
II any one of the veins cut by the tun-
ncl in the last half mile had disclosed
streak of ore carrying 5000 per ton, it is
likely that there would be scramble TO
claim ownership Of the vein which would
inevitably result in litigation. AS an illus
tration, nothing was said at the time the
Saratoga vein was cut, as the vein was
eight feet wide and carried values OF but
$3.50 per ton, but as soon as six feet of
rich ore was opened up in the lateral fifty
feet east, the vein was promptly claimed
by a man who owned adjoining property.
Every one of the mine owners along
the line OF the Newhouse tunnel have
had the value Of their holdings enhanced
from 500 to 1900 per cent by reason of
the advantage Of drainage ard transpor-
tation, and they should show their ap.
probation.
This is matter that should be taken
up by the Gilpin county chamber OF
commerce. That organization is a
wide awake body and it should by con.
cerned action be able to accomplish
much in bringing about the development
OF Gilpn county mines. The greater
part Of the Newhouse tunnel is now in
Gilpin county, and If the mines now work.
ing on the surface will just step down
from 1,500 to 1000 feet below, and go to
work at the level OF the Newhouse tunnel
they will find greater profits than CO.
phering around on the surface as they
have been doing for the past forty. seven
years.-Idaho Springs Siftings.
rknu - A.. A..