The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1912-12-20
MAKING 4 MINE.

Just at the present time there is
more activity in this part of north
central Washington than during any
period for a number of years. Fur
ther more. better results are following
mining operations than have hereto
fore marked efforts in that line in this
upper country. This is largely due to
the Inauguration of a better system of
mining on the one hand, and the en-
ployment of practical and experienced
mining men in the development of
claims on the other. In the old days
II was customary to place large
amount of money intended for mining
purposes in the hands of incompetent
managers, with the natural result that
failure followed almost every under
taking in that field of industry. No
matter how honest may have been the
men intrusted to superintend the Op-
ening of claims. or how earnest they
may have been in their 'endeavor to
make mines, ignorance of practical
mining was too heavy handicap, and
most of the money spent by that class
of operators was absolutely thrown
away The presence of mineral in this
country cannot be questioned, the evil
dence Is too strong for successful de-
NAL, but in order to get it out in
quantities and at a cost to make a pay
ing proposition it must be gone after
In the right way, and that is what
mining operators are now doing.
Among the properties in this neigh
borhood that are being handled right,
and which are giving promise OF re-
turns on the investment. is the Ell Do
RADIO group, situated not far from the
old Wehesville postoffice, few miles
southwest of Oroville. This property
Is being handled by Henry Bahrs,
mining operator who understands the
business, having gained his knowledge
In the hard school of experience eX-
tending over many years in many min
ing districts of the west.
Mention has been Made in former
Issues of this paper of the nature OF
the work that is being done on the Ell
Dorado, and the encouraging indica-
tiOns of ore within the boundaries of
the claims embraced in the group.
The hills in the vicinity of the Ell Do
RADIO are scanned with distinct veins,
and excellent mineral has been discov-
cred in the process of prospecting in
numerous places. There has been no
deep mining at any point within this
mineral zone, and until the investiga-
ton tnaigurated by Mr. Bahrs the
work done has been largely confined
to surface prospecting. The largest
and best surface showing Is on the FL
Dorado. These ore bodies have been
opened to some depth by prospect
shafts and open cuts, but no cOncen-
trated effort was ever made to deter
mine the extent and value of the ore
until the claims fell into the hands of
Mr.. Bahrs. After a careful inspection
and close study of the formation and
geneal trend of the lodges. Mr.. Bahrs
decided that the most economical and
best wy of reaching the ledges was by
means of a working tunnel that would
cut the ore at right angles. He flg-
ured that tunnel would have several
advantages over a shaft, especially as
the presence of ore had been demon
strated, and to reach it only depended
upon his ability of driving the tunnel
far enough By this means depth OF
several hundred feet could be gained
within comparatively short distance,
the tunnel would act as drain, Obvi-
ating the expense and trouble of op-
Grating pump, as would be the case
II shaft was sunk, it would be a more
economic and expeditions method OF
handling ore when reached, and better
than all else it would cut the ledges
below the broken and shaken up FOR
nation noticeable near the SURFACE.
and when the Lodges were once cut
they would be found in place without
danger of slips and faults. After his
decision was made Mr. Bahrs broke
ground for his present tunnel. and FOR
months he has been gradually creep
ing toward the goal. If he had ample
means he would have reached the
lodges he is heading for long before
this date but funds have been SO
scarce that he has done great deal OF
the work with his own hands. Slowly
but steadily the tunnel has been ex-
tended until it is now far under the
hill. If Mr.. Bahrs had not been con-
fident of ultimate success, II II were
not for the nature of the rock, Win
the indications of mineral always
present to encourage renewed exer-
tons, If he was not positive OF tne
cropping lodges just ahead, he wouia
have abandoned the enterprise anu
turned his energies to some other
quarter. Every sign that cheers on
miner to exertion was in evidence, ana
thus sustained by the fiattering pros
pect he stuck to the undertaking WIN
praiseworthy tenacity. The ledge has
not been reached, but appearances IN
dicate that it is close at hand, and may
be encountered at any round or holes
When he reaches the ore. and shouid
it pan out to expectations, Mr.. bahrs
will reap an ample reward in the I'll
Dorado for all his hard labor anu
months of sefl-denial.
Recently Mr.. Bahrs succeedeo III
interesting eastern investors IN the
ElDorado, and with the means tnus
secured has made more rapid progress
in the extension of the tunnel. every
dollar that he obtained for mining
purposes has been applied where II
will make the best showing. Neces-
sary equipments, including ran 10
supply air for the tunnel, were Sc
cured, and the manager is now IN a
better position to hasten Developments Is
than at any time since the tunnel
started. Mr.. Bahrs is OF the oplh.on
that he is very near the ledge, as .ne
waste bears the appearance OF a cas-