Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-09
WILL WORK IN
FRENCH GULCH
OPERATORS SHIP MACHINERY
FOR PLACERS
SECURE LEASE ON t44o ACRES IN
PROVED SECTION
Absence of BouIders Makes Possible
the Successful Mining of Deposits
by Huge Centrifugal Sue
tion Pumps

PRESCOTT, Aug. 8.-R. p. Duncan,
president of the Eleanor Placer Mining
company, reached Prescott few days
ago from Indiana to begin the prac-
tical working of the French Gulch
placer beds near Walnut Grove. Re-
garding the plans outlined several
months ago Mr.. Duncan says that the
machinery for the project is en- route
and it is the intention of the company to
| Immediately begin the installing of the
same and to get to work as soon is pos
sibe probably about October /.
The company has secured a lease of
1440 acres, and prior to taking it over
an extensive prospecting was given the
area, and in each instance where the
soil was penetrated gratifying results
We're shown. In addition to the placer
gold returns another desirable condi-
tiOn was found, that of the adaptability
of the machine 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 centrl-
fugal suction pumps of gigantic power,
a manganese steel pump, and other
utilities. In handling the soil power
| full force pump goes into cutter head
which ioosens up the dirt. 1t is then
brought to the surface and sluiced in
the ordinary manner.
Expect No BouIders
In speaking of the possibility of the
machine encountering boulders AMI
thereby interfering with its operation.
Mr.. Duncan explained that this oh
stacle, usually encountered in placer
mining work, is but of little concern to
his company. In the first place, in all
samping along French gulch no extern
| siVe deposits Of boulders have been en-
countered, and if they were in existence
! the powerful suction machinery would
| handle them up to eight inches square
as readily 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 10
! the surface as readily as If 1t 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 auriferous con-
ditions prevailing there. If the operat-
ing of the project terminates as he be-
lieves it will it is the intention of the
Eleanor people to install at least six
| other machines.
Water in Evidence
An abundance of water is in evidence
along the gulCn at all points, ana III TACT
every favorable condition faces the
enterprise.
The site of the project is between
Placeritas and Walnut Grove, the for
mer enjoying a favorable rating in gold
production. through quartz and placer
mining. The creek that cuts through
the Placeritas empties into French
gulch, and the latter winds around and
| finds an outlet into the Hassayampa.
At any point in that zone placer dust
has been produced in past years, the
only obstacle to face being the lack of
necessary machinery and enough water
for the customary methods of sluicing
or rocking the deposits. The introduce
! tion of this new device is considered by
placer mining men of experience as be-
ing 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 125-
horse power engine. 1t should reach its
destination in few days, and it will
! be Immediately put in position. A force
of twenty men will be required to
handle it on a basis of two shifts dag.