The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1918-11-28
THE ANCHOR GROUP
STORY OF DISCOVERY
Ledge Uncovered in
Digging a Placer
Ditch
HOW LOCATOR LOST
Nelly Gets Ground After it
Had Long Been Open
for Relocation
HOW LOCATOR LOST

North Side is the Anchor
interesting because it give
evidence of becoming permanen
producer of ead-silver ore and thu
: infuse new life into the old gold caml
of Murray, and for the further reason
that the story Of its discovery ant
subsequent acquisition by the present
owner is one of those strange recitals
so often connected with the history Of
bonanza mines and which contribute
to the romance, mystery and faScina
ton of mining. 1t was along about
1902 that the Occur d'Alene Mining
company, in carrying out plans for
working the large tract of placer
ground extending for miles along Pri-
ehard creek above and below Murray,
the same that is now being dredged
by the Yukon Gold company, found
it necessary to construct ditch along
the slope of Alder gulch. In the
course Of this work one of the en-
ployes observed that in excavating
for the ditch well defined ledge was
uncovered, showing particles of ga
lena and much rusty iron, and as
suming naturally that it was his priv
iiege as an American citizen to enter
upon the unoccupied public domain
and locate, claim and hold the same
by right of discovery, he proceeded to
do 50. A few days later the boss, one
Brown by name, chanced along the
ditch grade and observed the discov-
cry and the location notice of his
humble laborer. 1t appears that
Browns cupidity was at once excited,
and he proceeded to match his cum
ming against the ignorance of the To-
Gator in order to gain possession of
the coveted claim. AS told by old
timers, Brown represented to the To-
Gator that under the law any ground
that he located while employed by
the company belonged to the COM
pany and that he could either deed
the claim over to the company or look
for another job. The bluff worked
and the claim was duly transferred by
deed, not to the company, however, |
but to Brown, while the deluded To-
Gator retained his job with pick and
shovel digging the ditch.
Abandoned by Brown.
1t appears that Brown flattered
himself upon his knowledge of geOl-
ogy and proceeded to the develop
ment of the ledge with that as his
guide The fact that this vein was
enclosed in quartzite, such as pre-
walls in the lead regions of the South
Side was not pleasing to Brown !
Eedged about this quartzite was Pri-
chard slate, sometimes considerably |
called black quartzite," and it was
into this that "Geologist" Brown in
sisted upon twisting this vein. He
contended that ore could not exist in
the quartzite and refused to visit the
South Side in order to be convinced. |
tie therefore drove his tunnel toward /
the Prichard slate and failing to pull
the vein with him, he eventually |
abandoned the effort. Finally the
claim reverted to the government for
failure to do the annual assessment |
work, and for several years it re-
NAMED open to location.
MeIIey Makes Location.
A few years ago Mike Melley, one
OF the old-time prospectors and min
ers of the North Side, wandered up
Alder gulch. The ledge looked good
10 his experienced eye and he located
IT, In order that no one could en-
croach upon him he located ten |
Claims, and the group is now known
as the Anchor. He quietly went to
work developing the property intelli-
gently but slowly, for he was depend
cut upon his personal efforts and his
means We're limited. His work was
encouraging from the start, the vein
Niuened as depth was gained in the
tunnel and the amount of ore stead
ny increased. year or two ago the
showing he had developed convinced
.'"i that he had mine and that the
,''ie mad arrived when capital could
y enlisted to speed up the work. He
naturally sought local capital first and
!. sas successful in interesting the Days
'he enterprise, who are now fin
0ihs 1t. Incidentally 1T may be
s@'ed that another strong concern
f'ouio have got behind the property
later. s y
Drive Lower Tunnel.
Z az This time there is in the main