Bisbee daily review., 1909-01-06
OF MINE READS LIKE A REAL ROMANCE
Rich Claims In the SierritaS Mountains Near Tucson Have Been Kept From Man By Nature and Indians.
Caueson star.)

a4 En lulGINaGM NllA k1Qn. sun daghes on the Sierritas mining dit gr1ct he stated that he first visited he range in 1872 in company with Dr. Goodwin, Jose Fontes. Jesus Al wares and Jesus Ma Mungia. They went for the purpose of examining gold property iD Fresno and Ash canyons, and on looking the country over discovered a big dyke Of quart site or lime, and on a further exam nation came across what was then known as Major Stickney's mines, now known as the Purcell properties. Although in the country since 1858 and had grubstaked numerous pros. pectors he had not before visited the district.
 doned the claims and quit the coun try. They were then located by a man named Juan Diego. This Diego had been grubstaked by Mir. Hughes and Stephen OchOa. Diego was a miner and he represented the ores to be self fiuxing. Working tests of the ore were sent to Arivaca at which place there was a small adobe smelt. CT. and also to Ruslni, Sonora, for treatment. These proving satisfac- tory an adobe smelteT was erected at the mine and the ores were treat. ed on the ground While thus en- ployed the Apaches raided the camp shot Diego. took Ill the animals and destroyed whatever property they could lay hands on Apache raids al that time were Of SO frequent occur renee that further work ceased and the property was again abandoned. J. c. McElliott and w. c. Davis took 1t up and tunneled for the pur- pose of cutting the ledge which had a surface showing of about SO feet in width. Shipments of ore were made to San Francisco but excessive freight rates and the great distance made the working of the property unprofitable and McElliott dying, it was again opened for location, whicn 1 in due time. was done by Purceils, the present owners.
 The property Is located in toe Sierrita mountains and is by Mir. Hughes, considered one of the most remarkable ore bodies to be found in the country. A great lime and quartz dyke cuts into the entire mountain for a distance of two miles. There are two lodges proper, one carrying silver and lead, the other red car bonates of copper, both ledges ap- parently ending in an immense iron deposit. In early days, nOtwithstand- ing it's remoteness from Tucson. and the desperate chances one had to take in the country, it was never lost sight of Because of it's great sizo it was always an object Of attention and could be seen from any of the high points in the surrounding coun- try.
 The abundance and grade of the ore was never questioned. but al. most superhuman difficulties had to be encountered in getting the ore to market The smelter, erected aJ much trouble and cost, had been de- stroyed by the Indians at the time 1 they killed poor Juan Diego. Under the circumstances il was almost i'm. possible to build another because of the omnipresent Apache His home was supposed to be at San Carlos, but ! his daily travels on murderous CT Tands led him always in the direction | of the white man of thrift. If | sent elsewhere for treatment the ore had to be packed on burros, which ' in those days was slow, dangerous and expensive work No man dared venture from his home after dark | and a hundred times, with rife in i hand. they waited the coming of anxiously expected daylight, never
 knowing from one moment to an. 1 other when they would be attacked l While working the property they ! discovered that the ore contained platinum and although they employed
 an expert prOspector they could | not determine where the mineral came from. Several small specimens
 were found but the ledge was elusive
 Tt is there" said Mir. Hughes. "and ! I know it." The largest specimen 1 found was sent to the Smithsonian in
 stitute at Washington, and the re
 mainder was sold foT one dollar pei
 ounce to an assayer. named Salazar then doing business in Tucson. Since that time repeated efforts to locate
 the ledge have been made without effect.
 Mir. Hughes stated that he still has mines in that section, but because o
 increasing years ne has not don'
 much with them. He has two pal
 ented claims on the Purcell dyk'
 from which much is to be expected
 But capital and time are required tC
 put them on a paying basis and a
 his advanced age he can give then
 but little attention. Water for cam purposes is had from living springs The Purcell mines were also knowr
 as the Big John mines. Wheeler S
 Perry have some claims on the sam, dyke but about five miles from th,
 Purcell group. They are kEown a,
 the Little John mines Much ore has at different times, been sent to tn,
 Fl Paso smeiters. The whole district
 Mir. Hughes states, is mineralized ana
 big strike some day will, in hi.
 opinion. uncover the wonder mine o
 the southwest.