The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1921-03-17
THE WESTERN UNION
TO CRGSSCUT NORTH
Work of Great I'M
portanCe to the
Property
PRESENTVEIN OFFSHOOT
Theory of Those Best Inform
ed--Leasers Secure Addi-
tional Ground
CONTRACT WAS let by tn

A CONTRACT WAS let by the
~ Western Union Mining COM
~ pany this week which will
have an important bearing
upon the future of the mine. This
contract is to run a crosscut from
the main drift starting a short dis
lance west of the place where the
leasers have opened up Slopes, north
200 feet to intersect a parallel vein.
A crOsscut was started several years
ago. but was discontinued after run
ming so or 60 feet. The contract just
let will be a continuation of this
crosscut The contract has been tax
en- by the leasers and will necessitate
putting on about four more men, ma
king the total working force now
employed in the Western Union 20
men. The opinion has frequently
been advanced by practical miners
and others who have inspected the
Western Union that the vein from
which shipments are now being made
is not the true vein; that while it
carries much ore of excellent grade
and is proving a mighty valuable as
set. it is in fact an offshOot from the
main vein which lies $50 or 200 feet
to the north. Assuming that this
theory is correct then the main vein
should prove to be a real bonanza
in view Of the richness and extent of
the ohshOot.
Exposed in Level Above.
That there is a parallel vein to the
north is not a matter of speculation.
The vein is there but its mineral
value remains to be determined, and
there are evidences that in this re-
spect it will not be disappointing. In
the first place the vein has "A strong
iron outcrOp characteristic of the
mineral bearing veins of the district /
Before the consolidation of the Au-
rora Sampson and the II. f & NJ
under the name of the Western /
Union, the Aurora Sampson com
pany had crosscut this vein in an up
per tunnel on the east end of the /
consolidated group. while on the ]
west end the Fl. r. & NJ. company in
tersected it in its No. tunnel $50 .
feet above the present working level. (
A drift was run easterly 200 feet. dis
closing much iron, quartz and other .
vein material. but no mineral of
value Going back to the point of in
tersection the crosscut was extended /
$50 feet further when the second vein |
was cut A drift on this 200 feet al .
so failed to disclose ore, but upon
continuing the drift lead silver came /
in making a showing which induced
driving No. crosscut tunnel and .
raising to No. 3. The amount of ore,
however proved disappointing and
particularly so on account of its be-
ing in a slate formation
Companies Combine.
Soon after this development work
had been accomplished a consolida- i
ton was effected by the II. E. & NJ.
and the Aurora Sampson companies, I
and drift explored the second vein /
ground While this drift opened up
the ore that is now being mined by
the leasers, it was nevertheless dis
appointing in its ending. although it
strengthened the belief that the main
vein was to the north. Further sup
porting this theory, the first vein cut
by No. tunnel in the H. f. & NJ. is
said to have been more promising in
appearance than the second; that it
was larger, and that it had a strong
flow of water while in the second
there was no water at all. Another
indication of a large mineral body to
the north is the iron stained water
that seeps through on the north side
of the drift This is particularly in
evidence in the face of the crosscut
that is now being extended north. AL
together the driving of this crosscut
is a move of very great Importance
and will be watched with growing in
terest until the vein is reached. \
Shipments.
Ben Collins. of Spokane manager ]
of the Western Union. returned home
yesterday after spending several days s
here in connection with the contract {
to crosscut TO the north vein and at Z
tending to numerous other company s
matters. Speaking of shipments be- {
ing made by the leasers. Mr.. Collins {
said that the thirteenth car was ship {
ped last Monday and assuming that 7
its value would equal the average, it
would bring the total net smelter re- {