The Harrison times., 1915-10-02
NORTH ARKANSAS
ZINC FIELDS
Shipments to the Value OF Quarter Of
Million Dollars Monthly.

North Arkansas is at last coming
into its own. 1t is estimated that
100 car loads of zinc ore per month
are being produced in the district
This is worth in the market as
quotations run now about S225 900.
There are about 100 producing
properties now, and between 500
and 1000 men are actually employ.
ed in digging ore. For thirty years
it has been known that Arkansas
above the Ozarks, especially in the
counties of Marion, Boone, Newton
and Searcy, are underlaid with great
beds of valuable zinc ore. But there
was comparatively small demand
for it, and the mines were remote
from railway connection. The pro-
moter and land speculator were the
ones who lpro6tted chiefly from the
presence of the great fields of Jack J"
and carbonates. Fortunes were
sunk in development, but still the
faithful held on against the time
when their faith was sure to be re-
warded. Great quantities of ore
were piled upon the surface from
tunnels, drifts, shafts and open cuts.
Great faces of the richest ore were
uncovered so near the surface that
it could be quarried out like so
much stone.
Then the railroads came, the
White River branch and the NJ. & n.
A. but still the prices were so low
that only relatively small shipments
were made.
1t was the demand for zinc created
by the European War which gave
the industryits first impetus. Other
fields could not supply the demand,
and prices jumped to $3.50 where
they had been less than $40
Long neglected mines were re-
opened, and everywhere activity
ruled in the mining district.
No more are there heard many
reports of sales, The period of ex-
ploitation has been succeeded by
the period of realization. Mining
lands are not being sold, but are
being leased for actual operation.
From one man propositions, to
mines employing scores of men,
there comes a constant steam OF ore
that is quoted as high on the mar
ket as that of Webb City, or higher.
Concentrating mills are being
erected at The Markle, Bear Bill, and
other mines, and at number of the
old, well-developed properties
large, modern mills have been in
operation for some time. Up to
the present time, there has been
sufficient local labor to take care of
all demands, but so rapid is the de-
velopment that in a short time the
industry will have become the
greatest source of revenue in the
"Four Zinc States of North Arkan.
sas."
Levi Stortbz, Little Rock capit-
talist, who owns 4,500 acres of
mineral land in the four counties,
values his property at Sl,OOO,OOO.
The Consolidated Zinc and Lead
Company Of Lawrence county has
hoated 100000 worth of bonds, to
secure fluids for operation.
Zinc ore that has lain on the dump
for a generation, in Newton county,
is being hauled "a miles to Harrison
and shipped at a big profit.
A body of ore which is reported
to assay 2212 per cent pure silver
has been uncovered on the property Y
of the Buffalo Mining Co. near
Pouca City, Newton county.
From other points come frequent
reports Of gratifying finds that
promise to yield heavy returns when
they are developed-and now there
is no doubt about the development.
The price of zinc ore huctuates
greatly, 1t is now quoted at from
$40 to 500, according to grade,
with general average OF $50 for
the most common qualities Of high
grade ore
Thirty tons is a car load, and each
car load is therefore worth about
S225O, and the monthly out put of
the district $225,000, or the annual
product more than $2,500,00O.
Considering the comparatively
small area, these figures are almost
staggering, but we are assured by
those who have made a close study
OF the situation that it is by no
means exaggerated.
That North Arkansas is Just be-
ginning to oct into it's stride is rec