The Harrison times., 1915-07-24
Rush to Arkansas Zinc Fields
Recalls Gold Scramble
During 18+9
Each Day Brings New PTOspectOrS TO
Strive for Fortunes Egualling Those
Massed Since January Last
Correspondent of Little Rock Glzettel

The north Arkansas zinc and lead
field now resembles the good old
days back in the late '90S when peo-
pie rushed into that section by hack,
stage coach and wagon, from the
railroad points then 50 miles away,
The present rush, however, is en-
tireIy different. Railroads run right
into the heart of the field, the far
thest mines being located not more
than 20 miles from railroad points
In the other rush it was the specu.
latorS and wildcattcrS that were IN
the majority. Those who are com.
ing now are operators or men who
are hoping to be operators. From
% or 80 mines that were operating
the first of January, the number has
jumped to approximately 100, New
ones are being started every day,
and there is a mad scramble for
leases. New mills are building in all
the camps in the field Prospectors
are going over the ground like ants,
and every shine has three or four
leasers biddlrg for it, Ore shipments
have jumped from a few cars a
month to 40 or 80,
! The great attraction that the field
offers is the carbonate and sllicate
ores that are found in the majority
OF cases in free form and need no
milling, These ores lie shallow, are
easily mined and it takes but little
capital to start operations, Many
small fortunes have been taken from
such mines in the field during the
last few months. Sawmil hands
aud other laboring men who were
glad to get work at a dollar a day
a few mouths ago are operating
leases and making many times that
much, with the leases worth in some
instances several thousand dollars.
The greatest number of operators
in the field are these small operators
working forces Of from two 20 FIVE
men Every free ore deposit is being
worked 60 the limit, On one tract
Of land near Zine, known as the
Coon Hollow 20, sixteen different
mines are being worked at this time,
the mountain sides that have the
outcrops being rs full Of tunnels rs n
mud dauber'S nest aud each has its
ore bin and its stack OF free ore
Within radius OF two miles around
Zinc some 80 of these small mines
are in operation and four mills are
running, Most oi the mills are op.
Grating in the lower levels, and are
producing high grade lack
In the Rush camp on Rush creek |
south of Yellyillc every wheel is turn.
ing, More mills are in operation
there than in any camp in the field, !
and from the mouth Ol Buffalo river |
where it empties It's clear waters
into the White, clear to Gilbert in |
Searcy county a distance ol 80 !
miles every mountain has It's ear. |
Donate miners In the vicinity OF |
Rush and on Rush creek the Bo. |
nanza Morning Star, Red Cloud |
Philadelphia, Mockiotosh Sure Pop !
and Silver Hollow mines, all big mill !
propositions, are working double
shifts
Probably no other mining field in |
the United States presents the un.
usual conditions that exist in the |
North Arkansas field today Like
pearl fishing in the White river, zinc
mining can he started on very small |
capital Free ore leases eau be had |
now the only requirement being !
that u ~ per cent royalty has to he |
paid and the work he continuous,
weather permitting With ore IN |
sight, and the necessary pick aud
shovel, powder, caps and fuse, one
can start to work Sure, the pros.
pcrt may not pan cut \ SjU,OOO
Investment may not pan out but
heres a lopiu ' aud they start to
work There is an unlimited posi-
billWiH every free ore prospect 1t
may turn ont e. bca bonanza with
s, months developments II may
make the little fellow who drives his
tunnel one ol the big operators
within year 10 the credit OF the
htld it must be said lhat by far the
majority Of the winnings have been
made by the operators, and many OF
these men who are working mines
nov and who were down to the last
bacon find ON a day wage OF SlOO,
aud work scarce even at that figure,
are CARRYING good su0 bank &C.
counts nov, and walk with head up
4 IN the air, aud own leases that they
can turn for several thousand d0la