The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1911-01-28
OLD CORTFz mine
TO BE RE-OPEN[D

/ Nearly half century ago Cortez,
about fifty miles east of Battle Noun
tain, Nevada, was one Of the liveliest
camps in the west. Today it is prac-
tically unknown. In that day it made
millionaires, but for over decade an
almost gloomy silence has enwrapped
the famous old camp, which had over
forty miles of underground workings,
and shafts down into the bowels of the
earth nearly 1,50O feet Here great
riches were discovered.
Yesterday Tom G. Parker, editor of
the Battle Mountain Herald, was in
Salt Lake. He just returned from Des
Moines. IOWA. where he has interested
capitalists in taking over the old Rossi
mine. 7. w. McNear, proprietor of the
Oxford Silverware company of Des
Moines, and associates, will finance the
rejuvenating company, and within a
short time the old camp of Cortez will
assume some of its whilom life and
vim. 1t is said that recently an offer
of 100000 was refused for this prop
| erty.
The intention is to begin at once TAX
ing out ore which is in sight. 1t will
run from $50 to 800 to the ton in sill
yer and lead. Shipments will be made
to the Salt Lake smelters.
The following is summary Of re-
port on the property:
The old Rossi property consists of
$50 acres situated on the southwest
slope of Mt. Tenabo, thirty miles from
Beowawe on the s. p and w. P. rail
ways. Tanabo, an Indian name mean
ing Lookout is a high peak COM
manding an extensive view of middle
Nevada. There is a good wagon road
to Beowawe. The ground adjoins the
Tenabo Mining & Milling company
ground on the south. This property
has forty miles of underground work
ings and depth of 400 feet. The
drop in silver closed the Cortez mines.
Ore worth 5000 ton was not unusual.
Ore in Dozen Places.
On the Rossi property an S00foot
tunnel is the principal workings, driv-
en- on porphyry dixie. There are nu-
merous shallow shafts and open cuts on
the contacts, exposing ore in doz-
en- places over distance of 5000 feet.
One sixfoot vein gave an average of
\ $62.70. The ore occurs along both con-
facts, eminating from the intrusives
and extending into both quartzite and
| lime.
Concerning this district, the United
States geological reports says in sub
stance that Cortez was one of the most
productive mining camps of Nevada.
/ al har of min
prospects in Mill canyon on the north
slope of Tanabo peak and on the north
slope of Tanabo peak and on the
slopes of Bullion hill at the head of
Mill creek. The mines of Cortez and
Mill canyon were discovered in 1863
and rich ore yielding several hundred
dollars to the ton was hauled to Austin
for metallurgical treatment Siemon
Wenban, an early locator, organized
the Tanabo Mill & Mines company and
operated the mine and mill for years.
A small stamp mill with roaster and
silver pans was built in 1864, and for
three years was employed treating ores
from various mines nearby.
In 1885 fifty-ton teaching plant
was built, and water piped seven miles,
the fuel was pine timber, scattered
/ 2TOWLl OF WHICH is IOuuu ou the nOuh-
tains From the best sources of infor-
nation available, the production of
Cortez and Mill canyon is estimated at
$10,000,000, the larger part from the
Garrison mine. In the summer of 1908
cyanide tanks were built to treat the
mill tailings, estimated at 10000 tons.
Geology of Cortez.
Tanabo peak is composed of lime
stone and quartzite, which are intrud-
ed by granite rocks and porphyries.
High on the slope massive ledge of
quartzite from 200 to 800 feet thick
forms an abrupt wall, distance of
about two miles, nearly vertical This
bed strikes a few degrees west of south
and dips twenty-three degrees east.
On the southwest slope end Tanabo
peak descends steeply toward the val
ley flat and is covered by flows of
tertiary lava. Under the quartzite is
limestone. At the top of the mountain
is grey limestone, cherry near the base
and passes upward into thinly bedded
limestones with some silicious bands.
Some faulting is shown in the st. Louis
mine.
Nevada mining men will be glad to
see new life is to be infused into this
long neglected distriet.-Herald-Re-
lnuhlicau