The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1922-03-23
THE GOLDEN. CHEST
ITS EARLY HISTORY
LOUISVILLE COMPANY
Sudden Shutdown After Lar
&c Outlay---Analysis of Ore
Shows Good Pay

(By Adam Aulbach Murray, Idaho)
"HE largest group of gold mining
claims in the Murray district IS
the Idaho, consisting of 10 claims,
some patented and others requir-
ing annual labor. The group is a COM
bination formerly divided and owned
by three distinct and independent op-
orators, called syndicates, in two cases
(the Idaho and Golden ChesD practi-
cally performing the functions of in
/ been organized as such in their re-
spective states, but il really never be
came apparent locally except in the
title of the companies. This does not
matter, however, now as both went out
OF existence, leaving one syndicate
(the Golden ChesD until it had ac-
quired the Idaho and the Katie and
Dora, which We're consolidated with
the Golden Chest making the combina-
ton OF 40 locations, including few
individual holdings and subsequently
covering also a number of placer
claims, on Butte creek, and a substan-
tlal water right for power purposes.
So far as collecting all available min
ing ground and for protection nothing
more could be desired from a strictly
safe and continued exploration. AIDE
quate dumping ground was partially
overlooked. but this can be readily Sc
cured in the creek bottom convenient
for the mill tailings and needed build
ing sites for reduction modern ma
chinery has made necessary.
What title Vivian Green, the present
nominal owner, has given to the terri
tory, whether the Golden Chest Consol-
idated or Idaho Consolidated, the writ
er does not know definitely, but we
will assume that it is the Golden Chest
Consolidated for the purposes Of this
article. because it is a distinctive and
rather suggestive name, notwithstand-
ing that the old Idaho covered the most
prominent features of the first efforts
of extensive gold quartz mining on the
hill and in the district. Also because
it must always be the initial point for
mining operations But, what value is
in a name? "A rose'-etc.
Golden Chest Con.
The Golden Chest Consolidated
group is situated one and a half miles
due east of Murray, about 1000 feet
north, across Prichard creek from
Ophir mountain, with the county road
passing 25 feet from the mill. The loca-
tons start from the creek level the
extreme base, and run north for moro
than a mile, covering the entire ridge
between Butte creek on the east and
Reeder gulch on the west, taking in
most of the eastern slope of Reeder
gulch. This makes the width from east
to west about a mile. This surface is
all located. The Paymaster lode loca-
ton was made by Patrick Flynn, we'll
in the Occur d'Alenes in
1884, and covers the center of the
southern point of the ridge exposure,
which exhibits an enormous ledge out
crop its entire length for 1900 feet.
Adjoining on the north the Golden
Chest group covers the area, and from
this northern extremity the Katie and
Dora group claimed ownership. These
groups comprise the present holdings,
including of course, the numerous side
claims and fractions located and pur-
chased from the time of the main To-
cations until the present day, and now
under individual control.
Elaborate Operating Plans.
The Paymaster and Golden Chest
groups were purchased about the same
time by Louisville Ky, citizens in the
fall of 1884. They were leading men
of the southern metropolis and all
well to do. Leo A. Scowden, a rela-
tive of one of the principal purchasers
of the Paymaster and a civil engineer,
but innocent of mining, was sent out
and took charge of the property en-
ploying a large force of men, gradually
running up to 100 or more. Two paral-
lei tunnels were started, huge build
ings erected, office building, large sta
BILE and an assay office that cost s10,-
O00 including equipment. A 5-foOt
span V-flume to convey water from
Butte gulch to the proposed mill was
also promptly built. Then the founda-
ton for a 50~stamp mill, high up on
the bar, was excavated. and soon after
the huge building was erected. Inso-
far as the plans and character of the
work done were concerned Mr.. Scow-
den exhibited surprising managerial
skill, but his judgment was bad in the
location of the mill site. indicating
woeful lack of experience with stamp
milling, requiring the firmest founda
ton and the construction of the flume.
Instead of excavating a grade solidly
along the hillside of Butte creek to its