The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1908-08-31
The Spring Valley Mining District
Jim Butler Mine and Adjoining Properties at Fish Greek Well.
Proving Their Worth as Probable Large Ore Producers

the past year. They have put down sew
eral shafts to q considerable depth. and
are now engaged in running a tunnel to
tap surface showings at q depth OF 800
feet. This tunnel is now in about 200
feet. Their assays RIM as high as 40 per
cent copper and from $50 to $40 in gold.
silver and lead.
Thus far in the development OF this
district lead seems to be the predomi-
mating metal in value. although the
gold and silver values are such as to
warrant the prospector in developing
his ground. and the copper values may
predominant when the mines are ex-
tensively developed. The lead values
are considered phenomenal. an ordinary
piece Of the ore picked from a vein
IS or 30 inches in width in the face OF
the second tunnel Of the Smitt work
ings by the SENTINEL representative
having gwen an assay of rs per cent OF
this metal.
Mr.. Smitt owns three claims situated
about a mile north of the Wells. in
which there are three caves ranking IN
interesting features among the most re-
markabls phenomena ia the State.
The first ave is about 40 feet below
the surface. and is about 40 feet long,
40 feet wide. and 80 feet high; the Sec
ond cave is lower aud is about 100 feet
long, 40 feet wide and so feet high 400
feet below the surface. and connected
with the second Is q third cave which
is probably smaller than either OF the
other two, but which has not been ex-
plored further than to ascertain that a
thick layer of carbonate ore constitutes
the bottom Of the cave. All Of the
caves are immensely rich in stalactite
and st llagmite specimens. No real
development work has been done on
these claims.
The geological formation of this dis
trict is n that will attract the mining
expert from the first as being most fav.
orable to the location of immense ore
bodies. The lime hanging wall and
porphyritic foot wall ~encasing a quartz
ledge six feet in width on the surface
extends more than a mile through Mr..
Smiths claims and the Jim Butler
property to the south of them. This
district has an abundance of wood and
water most conveniently situated for
use in connection with the mines de.
scribed above.
The West End aud Independence
mines, sold last week to Charles Hol-
loway by the administrator Of the ]. l..
estate. lie about four miles
north of the Wells, on the west side OF
Spring Valley. This property was
worked for several years on q small
and is also reported to have pro-
duced a considerable quantity of val
liable ore. Several new claims have
been taken up close by the West End
and the independence, and two men
are now at work putting this property
in shape for the beginning Of active
development work in the near future.
The old workings consist Of several
hundred feet of tunnel and a few shafts
Of no great depth. The indications are
good, and some good assays have been
taken from this property. but at present
it Is impossible to give much of an idea
Of actual mining values further than o
general estimate. However. any part
Of this district will warrant the fullest
| Investigations by mining experts.