The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1910-06-21

exposed part of the island. 1t had base
OF y feet, strongly framed, with five
separate bulkheads, and was given an
angle Of As degrees on the outer face,
the highest point being Is feet above
the wnter. At last structure had been
reared that defied the strength OF the
waves, but it was not high enough to
prevent great volumes of water from
rolling over into the enclosure. TO pre-
vent this water from pouring into the
mine, n system of water-tight timber
ing was constructed, and tho space be-
tween the timber work and the Golfer
dam was filed with stone and n.y.
draulic cement.
Notwithstanding Interruptions to
mining nearly $1.OOO.OOO worth Of ore
was taken out in 1871. During the
period of navigation in 1872 nearly
100000 worth of ore WIS shipped. In
1873 the shipments declined to $42C..
900. In the fall Of that year the lake
Carried away $50 feet OF submerged
cribs. 10000 feet of timber. $4,000
pounds of bolts and 5000 tons of rock.
The blacksmith shop WINS completely
demolished, great stones were hurled
around the island like beans, and an
accident to the pumps allowed the mine
to begin TO fiji with water. But after
y continuous fight with the water in
and out of the mine the crib work was
restored and the pumps put in shape.
Besides the great expense entailed
by the ceaseless combat with the elc-
ments, the company had to build houses
on the mainland for it's men, construct
docks and whnrves, harbor brenkwat-
ers and lay in large stores of supplies.
Heretofore all the ore utilized was
packing ore"--thnt is, the very rich
est ore TO be found in the VEIN In 1874
and 1875 the company erected stamp
mill and began the reduction of The
poorer ores. Though the stamp mill
was not SO successful as it was expected
to be. the mill produced 1926, $50 dur
ing the last half Of 1875. The vanners
introduced into this mill by Capt. Frue
have been gradually adopted the world
over and bear his name.
The output of silver from the mine
in 1875 fell to 145,002 ounces, and the
total product of the first six wears of
its operation was 1861, 1922 ounces of
fine silver. The continued decline in
the amount OF the product and the
enormous expenses OF operation re-
suited in deficit in 1876, and a conse-
quent examination of the mine by a
special committee. At that time. the
ninth level, which was reached by Il
winze 148 feet south of the shaft and
directly under the lake, was GA feet
below the level of the water. The com
mittec found that all the silver-bearin
indications kept up MS far as the vein
had been followed, but that the silver
was not as prevalent in the vein as it
had been. But us the mine had been
''pockcty" from the start, it
was felt that the poor quality of the orc
ut that time was no reason for dis
enlargement. A rich pocket of fabu-
lous extent might be struck at any
time. Between the sixth and seventh
levels n corner near the shaft had
yielded 65 tons of ore valued at $l13,-
900. This report resulted in the reor-
of the company under the
name of the Silver Islet Consolidated
Mining & Lands company. This was
effected in April, 1877.
The new company soon had it's faith
rewarded. 1t had just been decided
TO undertake the work of removing the
roof of the mine, where it was known
there was about 100000 worth of orc.
when the work of exploring the differ
ent levels and pushing them in the d.
rection indicated by drill holes result
ed in the discovery of immensely rich
deposits. in this year, with produce
lion of 7:1, 623 ounces of silver, was the
high-tide OF the mines prosperity. But I
1879 witnessed big slump and in 1880
The production fell to 36,374 ounces.
The two following years were even
worse and the hunt for new pockets
~as unsuccessful, though the silver
bearing vein was still a. we'll defined
Is ever.
In 1883, when the lowest level was
l,260 feet below the surface of the
AXE, the directors undertook to Sc
'ure some assistance from English cap
talists. but were unsuccessful. Mr..
rrctheway. the superintendent Of the
nine, was still exploring and searching
or the bodies Of wonderfully rich orc
'lwnys in prospect.
Then it was that the coal boats cap
ain went on II spree and became ice-
,ound. Vainly the islet people watched
'or his coming. March drew near,
he engines were reduced to the SMALL
at possible ration OF coal. and the
water gradually rose in the shaft. The
water crept higher and higher against
he feeble pumps, and still no coal
tcnmer came. Then the pistons OF
be last engine made their last stroke,
he waters filed the first level and
ose to the top Of the shaft. A feeling
Il despair settled upon the little com
nunity whose world had been centcred
n the mine. The mine was aban-
loncd.
With the opening of navigation all
Il the inhabitants of the town that had
'een built upon the main shore moved
way. leaving the streets and the build
ngs. the mills and tho boarding houses
s silent as was the little cemetery.