Weekly journal-miner., 1909-08-11
FRENCH GULCH IS
 TO BE WORKED
(From Fridays Daily)

| h. r. Duncan, president of the
 Eleanor Placer Mining company,
 reached Prescott a few days ago
 from Indiana, to begin the practical
 working of the French Gulch placer
 beds near Walnut Grove. Regard
 ing the plans outlined several months
 ago, MT. Duncan says that the ma
 chinery for the project is en route,
 and it is the intention of the com
 pany to immediately begin the in
 stalling of the same, and to get to
 work as soon as possible, probably
 about October ].
 The company has secured a lease of
 l ,440 acres, and prior to taking it
 over an extensive prospecting was given the area, and in each instance where the soil was penetrated gratify- ing results were shown. In addi- tion to the placer gold returns, an- other desirable condition was found, that of the adaptability of the ma chine to be placed on the ground to handle the product. The method of mining or handling this vast deposit will be by a system of centrifugal suction pumps of gigantic power, manganese steel pump, and other utilities. In handling the soil a powerful force pump goes into a cutter head which loosens up the dirt. It is then brought to the surface and sluiced in the ordinary manner.
 In speaking of the possibility of the machine eneountering boulders and thereby interfering with its Op- eration, MT. Duncan explained that this obstacle, usually encountered in placer mining work, is but of little concern to his company. In the first place, in all sampling along French Guleh, no extensive deposits of bOuld- CTS have been encountered, and If they were in existence the powerful suction machinery would handle them up to eight inches square as read fly as if sand or pebbles. Tests to this end were made of the machinery before the plant was ordered, and an eight inch square slug of lead was taken through the pipe and carried to the surface as readily as if it was of wood. He predicts no trouble whatever along these lines.
 In speaking of the tests made of the ground over a year ago, he IS equally enthusiastic. and believes the yield from it will be a surprise to those who do not appreciate the aur- iferOus conditions prevailing there. If the operating of the project term mates as he believes it will, it is the intention of the Eleanor people to install at least six other machines. An abundance of water is in evi- | denee along the gulch at all points, and in fact every favorable eondi- tiOn faces the enterprise.
 The site of the project is between T ldCtIlldS anu W d4hub NiONts hhN former enjoying favorable rating in gold production, through quartz | and placer mining. The creek that cuts through the Plaeeritas empties into French Guleh, and the latter winds around and finds an outlet in to the Hassayampa.
 At any point in that zone placer dust has been produced in past years, the only obstacle to face be- ing the lack of necessary machinery and enough water for the GUS tomary methods of sluieing or rock ing the deposits. The introduction of this new device is considered by placer mining men of experience as being adapted to practical work for that section, and its future operating will be attended with much interest. The shipment that is on the road consists of a 150-horse power boiler and a 125-horse power engine. It should reach its destination in a few lays, and it will be immediately put n position. A force of twenty men will be required to handle it on a oasis of two shifts per day.