Arizona republican., 1909-07-30
WILL REOPEN
 B|G SHELTER
Some Interesting Facts Re counted Concerning Inno- vations Introduced by c. E. Finney During Regime of Humboldt Shelter.


 MT. Frank M. Murphy. president of the A. & C. and the Santa Fe, Prescott & Phoenix railroads, has returned to Prescott from New York and other Eastern points. Mir. Murphy was in terviewed by representatives of the Journal Miner and Courier or Pres cotf, to whom he said that the Hum boldt smelter would undoubtedly open within a short time, that the meeting to elect directors was held last Thurs day and that immediate plans would be outlined to put the smelter in commits sion. Also that the management would issue a statement to the public outlining the policy to be pursued The starting of this plant will mean much to Yavapai county and the Bill Will Hams country. It will enable many splendid properties to be developed by providing market for their ores, and will exert a large influence on the copper production of Arizona, as there are many copper properties that can be operated with the Humboldt smell ter receiving their ores, whereas they would be unable to stand the expense of shipping to Fl Paso. Another thing. the ores of the Bouse country will be of great benefit to the smelter, as here tofore the proper fluxing ores have been very scarce. This fact made it extremely difficult for the shelter to give proper service in the past. That this section Of Arizona is to be the scene of great activity this fall is an assured fact. The completion of the A. X c. railroad is absolutely assured by MT. Murphy as soon as the heated spell is over This road will open up much new territory and will aid great ly in solving the transportation ques- tiOn. It seems that the Bill Williams country is to be especially favored and a great deal of work will be ac- complished iIi developing this lorgs and promising section of the country, which is, in itself, a commonwealth in extent and riches.
 The re-opening of the smeltcr calls attention to a bit of interesting history and also to some important innova- tions in copper smelting that were in augurated by MT. c. E. Finney Four very important metallurgical improve ments were first used at Humboldt and each one meant d wonderful ad- vance in the copper smelting industry. HUMBOLDT SHELTER HISTORY.
 The Santa F'e railroad people. recog- nizing the-necessity of smelting facili- ties for that section of Arizona, and that the erection of such a plant would bring about a much needed develop ment, undertook the erection of the Humboldt and secured Mir Finney to build and manage it. Under the first plans the shelter was to be owned and operated by MT. Murphy and his rail- road associates. However these plans were not entirely carried out. John Elliott. who owned the DeSoto and Blue Bell mines, induced those interested to let him build the plant, the Santa Fe taking bonds on the plant for the mon ey they had expended and for some additional funds which they put in. So Elliott hitched up the smelter with his two mines and began the promo tion of the enterprise under this con solfdated arrangement. in association with Charles w, Morse, the New
 
 The Santa Fe people agreed to this having only the interest of the mining section in view and not caring to engage in the smelting busi- ness if they could avoid it, with the that MT Finney was to be retained to complete the plant and manage it. MT. Finney accepted the with the understanding that MT. Elliott would provide the necessary capital to make the Hum boldt a large and successful smelting This, however. the new owners were unable to do, for the plant was never provided with the necessary money nor was the machinery in stalled as promised. The plant. ac- cordingly was in many particulars in- complete and not in position to make a commercial success although it did from a metallurgicsd stand point, being as far as it went one of the finest smelting plants in the coun- try
 While the plant was in operation an option was given to the Guggenheims on forty per cent of the stock. This was six months option and Elliott.
 
 and that the new owners would install the machinery required to complete the plant, made no effort to equip it him. self. and when the option was allowed to expire the financial panic had hit the country and it was impossible to provide new capital for the plant or even sufficient money to meet the daily running expenses. During this time when the promises for equipment that had been made to him were not fulfilled and the needed machinery was not forthcoming, MT. Finney resigned and a new manager was secured, who remained as such until the enterprise was forced into the hands of a re- ceiver.
 MANY NEW FEATURES.
 The metallurgical improvements may not be entirely understood by The lay nan, but are of great interest to the copper and metallurgical industry. The Humboldt was the first shelter 10 sue ,essfully use crude oil as fuel in .re- furnace. This was accom- olished by introducing the oil in the 'irebox through a ieJ burner, using our in number. These jets were steam acketed, the oil was under pressure md the steam being used at tEe point 'f introduction of the oil in the fire