davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-12-19
4OTH ANNIVERSARY Of FIRST MINNESOTA
IRON MINE At SOUDAN.
Vetran Producer at Soudan Celebrates 40
Years of Shipping by Spending Several
Hundred Thousand Dollars in Improve.
mentS.

(From SIllling's Mining Review
The undermining of the veteran
Soudan mine at Tower, Mimi, on
the Vermilion range, by the Oliver
Iron Mining Company, lis one of
the most interesting things that has
happened in the iron mining INDUS
try OF Minnesota for many years.
IL Is a matter of statewlae and
district, ana moeeQ OF national, IN
teresu mat TINS mine, which was the
nrst 70 produce and ship ore IN TINS
state, Is still such an important
property that>It Is worthy or ne eX-
penQIture OF some hundreds or
thousands OF dollars for new ana
up-to-date equipment, ana better
mentS of permanent character,
after continues operation tor Az
years.
Minnesota today, and for many
years past has enjoyed the disrlnc-
Uion of producing and shipping
more iron ore than any other point
zeal division of the world, and this
Soudan mine on the Vermihon
range was the beginning, and its
record to the close of navigation,
1924, was 9,S50,S32 gross tons
shipped.
Ship First Ore August Is, 1884.
The first cargoes of Soudan mine
ore were shipped from Two Har-
bors, Mimi, August Is, 1884, on
the steamer Hecla and her eonsort,
the schooner Ironton. The steam
er took 1,427 gross tons and the
schooner 1891 tons. The ore was
consigned to G. H. and S. P. Ely,
of Cleveland The transportation cost
from mine to Lake Erie was $3.50
per ton, the railroad getting s1.50
and the boats S1.10.
The Introduction of Minnesota
iron ore was accompanied by the
difficulties which usually attend the
mining interests that seek to create
demand for the product of any new
iron ore district. Of the 62,122
tons of iron ore shipped from the
Soudan at Tower in 1884 but 523
tons were sold that year, and it
took until 1887 to sell an amount
equal TO the ore shipped that first
season. Then all of a sudden, the
furnacemen decided that Vermilion
range iron ore was very desirable,
and they are still of that mind.
Seven Open Cuts at Early Day
Soudan.
It is not widely known that the
Soudan mine of today originally
consisted of seven open cuts on the
outcrop. The names of these open
cuts, or pits, are now traditions.
They were known as the Breitung,
Tower, Stone, Ely, Stuntz, Lee, and
Montana. The first ore to be load
ed at the Soudan, in 1884, came
from the Breitung, which, ike the
other open cuts, was developed on
a finger of ore extending upward
= TO surface. These outcrops. it has
since been disclosed by the develop
ment of the mine in subseouent
years, united with the main BODY at
depth
Further interest which attaches
to this beginning at the Soudan
mine in 1884 is found in the fact
that the Vermilion was first of
three iron ranges to be develoued
IN Minnesota, and from that begin
nlng, with shipments from the Sou
dan Of 1922 tons in 1884. Min
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-12-19

ing man.
Chariemagne Tower, Sr., First
President.
During the early years of the
Minnesota Iron Company, Charlie
magne Tower, ST., was president.
George c. Stone was general man
ager and treasurer, and later was
given the title of managing direct
or. Mr.. Stones secretary was j. H.
Gruber, now of ST. Paul, and he
was also paymaster of the Mime
sofa Iron Company and carried the
payroll from Duluth to Tower, walk
ing over the old Vermilion trail, a
distance of go miles, and packing
his blankets and provisions. This
was necessary only prior to and
during the period that the Duluth
q Iron Range railroad was under
construction. The late A. II. Viele
was auditor of the old Minnesota
Iron Company. R. II. Lee of Phila-
delphia was a director of the COM
pany. Elisha Morcom, who was
superintendent of the Quinnesec
iron mine, Menominee range, in
Michigan, was mine manager at the
Soudan. He brought with him Amos
Sheppard and large crew of Corn
ism miners to inaugurate active de-
velopment and mining.
Capt. Frank A. Kent, now vice
president and general manager of
the Chandler Mining Co., of Ely,
Mimi, was shift boss at the Soudan
mine IN 1884 and 1885. His en-
ployment was mainly at the Stone
open cut. Nick Cowling was head
mining captain IN those days.
Elisha Morcom, present day super
intendent at the Soudan, under
Charles Trezona, general superin-
tendent of the Vermiiion range
mines for the Oliver Iron Mining
Co., Is son of Elisha Morcom. the
early day mine manager at the Sou
dan.
Early Day Struggle of Iron Company
The Minnesota Iron Company was
capitalized at $10,0O0.O0O. which
was high for the period, in the earlv
eighties. Then followed several
years OF the hardest kind of strug-
gle to keep the enterprise going.
1t was a new field, SO miles from
Agate Bay Two Harbors1, the
nearest lake shipping point. and
prejudices were many. For several
years supplies were received by
sleds during the winter, when the
swamps were passable. and during
other times were packed in on the
backs of men, Then came the con.
struction of the Duluth & Iror
Range Rail Road. promoted by tbs
same energetic group that started
and financed the Minnesota Tror
Company. which was. begun in 1885
and completed in 1884.
W. A. McConagIe, president o.
! the Duluth. Missabe & Northern
Railway, conducted the survey for
! the line Of the Duluth & Iron Rang.
Rail Road from Agate Bay to Tow
er and the mines at Soudan loea
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-12-19

ton He started the work in Dec
ember, 1882, with a corps of en-
gineers, experienced, like himself,
IN locating lines for new railroads
Duluth & Iron Range Rail Road.
The original incorporation of the
Duluth & Iron Range Rail Road was
in 1874. 1t was the intention at
that time to build to the eastern
Mesabi, where low grade ore was
discovered by Peter Mitchell of On
tonagon, but in the absence of dis
closures of ore of commercial grade
the enterprise was held in allegiance
The incorporators were George c..
Stone, w. W. Spalding, J. B. Cul-
yer, W. r. Stone, Clinton Markell,
Calvin B. Bailey, John D. Howard,
John c. Hunter, Josiah d. Ensign,
of Duluth, and Peter Mitchell and
Louis M. Dickens of Ontonagon,
Mich.
The first officers of the Duluth &
Iror Range Rail Road were: Presi-
dent, Charlemagne Tower, Jr.; vice
president, George C. Stone; chief
engineer, r. 81. Lee; auditor, A. H.
Viele, and superintendent, George
II. White. w. A McGonagle, who
was IN charge of the engineering
crew that laid out the line of the
new railroad, continued in various
capacities in the engineering de-
partment. He was successfully in
charge of bridges and buildings,
resident engineer and finally assist
ant chief engineer. Mr.. McGonagle
rs now president of the Duluth, Mis-
sabe & Northern Railway, which
office he has occupied since 1909.
Men Who Now Operate Duluth &
Iron Range Rail Road.
The present head of the Duluth
& Iron Range Rail Road is F. E..
House. He has occupied this Office
since the fall of 1901. It is the
policy of the United States Steel
Corporation, which controls the Du-
luth & Iron Range, to put employees
| of long and efficient service on
boards of directors, and all of the
men, both directors and officers. are
working for the railroad. The di-
rectors are as follows: R. P. Moore,
W. A. Clark, II. Johnson, F. E.
House. B. R. Moore, Thomas Owens
and c. E. Wachtel.
R. P. Moore is purchasing agent.
W. A Clark is chief engineer. II.
Johnson, the vice president, is gem
eral passenger agent and auditor.
He has been with the Duluth & Iron
Range for So years. B. r. Moore
IS superintendent of motive power.
Thomas Owens is superintendent.
He has been with the road since the
beginning and was the first loco
motive engineer, and used TO guide
"old 3-Spot". the first locomotive,
wood burner, on construction.
G. E Wachtel is secretary -treasur-
er and formerly was secretary to
President House.
Early Dav vision and Courage.
/ The Duluth & Iron Range Raj
Road was built from Two Harborz
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-12-19

nesota up to the end of 1924 navi-
cation season had furnished 1885,
674,399 gross tons of the grand
total of ISL, 437 ,628 tons shipped
from the Lake Superior district
since the birth of the iron ore in
dustry more than 20 years ago.
So, the fact that this veteran iron
mine at Tower, this pioneer OF
pioneers of the ore industry of Min
nesota, has been provided with
every modern facility for a further
period of activity of indefinite
/ length, is a matter of outstanding
1 interest.
The Vermilion has been described
as the aristocrat of iron ranges.
/ There are some able mining men
who are convinced that this area,
whose ores lie deep, will, in the
course of time, produce as much ore
as any of the old ranges of the
Lake Superior district. Its record
to date is 47,479, 1868 gross tons.
Minnesota Iron Company.
The development of the Soudan
mine at Tower was conducted by
the Minnesota Iron Company, which
was organized for the purpose, and
which had z long and important
career 1t is now one of the sub
sidiary mining companies of the
Oliver Iro Mining Company, the
mining division of the United States
Steel Corporation.
The Minnesota Iron Company
was organized, largely as result
of the efforts of George c. Stone,
and it was due mainly TO his energy,
persistence and faith that the hard
ore deposits at the Soudan were
brought to the light of the CONNER
cial day. He interested Edward N.
Breitung of Marquette, Mich, and
Charlemagne Tower, senior and
junior, of Philadelphia. Mr. Bret
tung, IN the early eighties, owned
large interest in the Republic iron
mine, in Michigan, which he sold for
100000, so that he was IN a posi-
ton to be of very material assist
ance. Before committing himself
to the expenditure of much money
in the development of the Soudan
mine, however, Mr.. Breitung sent
John N. Jack Armstrong of Mar
quette to examine and report upon
the property. The report was very
favorable, and relying upon the wis
dom of Mr.. Armstrong in sucn
matters, Mr. Breitung entered upon
the new mining enterprise with en-
thusiasm. Prof. Albert H Chester,
of Hamilton College, New York,
was sent to examine the property by
Charlemagne Tower, ST., and his re-
port also was favorable. The Phila-
delphia capitalist then inclined to
give his support to the new mining
enterprise, but it is also said that
one of the facts which finally infiu-
enced his decision was that Edward
Breitung believed in it, and was
investing in it. Mr.. Tower had
much faith in the abilities of Jack
Armstrong, mining engineer and ex-
plorer. In the final analysis of all
the early history of the Vermilion
range, the report which Jack Arm
strong made of the Soudan prop
erty at. Tower for Edward N. Brei-
tung is entitled to honorable place
in history It convinced Mr.. Bret
tung and carried weight with the
Tower family, through the con-
fidence which the Philadelphia men
had in the Marquette pioneer min
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-12-19
PHILLIP COLEY
FATALLY INJURED.
YOUNG MAN HIT BY FALLING
TREE AT STONEY
RIVER CAMP.

Philip Coley, 20 years Of age who
with his brother was working at the
Consolidated Power & Paper Co.
camps at Headquarters on the
Stoney River, was brought to the
hospital here Friday evening suf-
fering with fractured skull sus-
tanned by falling tree. The young
man died during the night from his
injuries.
Accompanied by his brother the
remains were taken to his home at
Stratford, Mimi for burial Sunday.
He is survived by his parents and
brother and sister.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-12-19
merrY Christmas

ME@HRISTA1AS is day of cheer because we make it
ERSSm So We bestow gifts upon those who dear
k5 us by ties of blood friendship, contribute
the happiness of children and turn kindly thoughts
upon the unfortunate Each year greater tendency
to assist these latter with something substantial than
thoughts In all parts of America and that the
of other portions of the civilized world there
manifested an increasing desire to help
Few communities lack organized efforts for
the carrying of real Christmas cheer every family
every hungry and especially every child poverty
that the latter at least regard the day. symbols
and promises things of empty significance This accord
with the teachings of Him for whom the day named
and evidences the growth Of spirituality in the world
How little we know of how well off are How we mag
nifty the trivial things life! How prone forget the
and Liberties of American citizenship How hard
realize that the elements of happiness lie within
ourselves and within what possess But be-
ginning know, and the spirit Christmas important
element teaching Right crystalline into
The phrase merry Christmas upon all lips is an
incentive make merry hence the becomes
to forget strife and gloom and spread peace and joy
taking place Modern arrangements may have done away
with the ye log but still have the holly and the
green They but symbols The tender emotions In our
hearts for much We blend voices and
souls full jubilee this festive occasion which
the announcement of all time
that of the religion of peace and love- Merry Chstmas
GHE PUBLISHERS
81 ssessee.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-12-19

H0ld 3-Spot" was the name by
which the first locomotive delivered
to the Duluth & Iron Range was
known It arrived from the Bald
win Works in the summer of 1883,
and was Of the wood burner type.
It was transported from Duluth to
Two Harbors in a scow.
This ancient engine has been pre-
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-12-19

The original mainline of the Du-
luth & Iron Range Rail Road be-
tween Two Harbors and Tower was
SO miles. The railroad today has
Ito miles Of main line, SO miles Of
mainline branches, and a total OF
$50 miles of track.
Houo- Eo< OH $3.50
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-01-05
OAKLAND HAS
HEAVY SALES

Oakland sales during the last quar-
ter OF 1928 were three times as large
as the sales during the same quarter
o. tho previous year and within 800
cars Of the record last quarter Of
igfs--,he previous high mark
The sales OF oaklands In both No.
vember and December Of 1879 were
tho highest for these months in the
company's history.
To produce tho $1,000 cars planned
for the calendar year OF 1924. the
company expects to attain a monthly
production OF 5000 cars, starting
February I.
so we'll sustained has been the de.
nand for Oakland cars since tho an.
nouncement OF the new line early IN
September that the factory hns not
yet been able 10 accumulate any sur
plus OF cars for spring delivery when
the demand is the greatest Of any
period Ok the year.
This IS attributed to the increase
in the dealer organization with the
increasing result in sales d1ring the
last year.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-01-05
MUCH MILEAGE
IN ROAD PLAN
State 10 Surface 200 Miles
of Roadway; Build so

New highway construction con.
templa,sd BY the state highway
committee for the year 1854 In,
eIudes the building OF Il miles .,
concrete highway and surfaclng Of
200 miles Of roadway. with all
sFsdgss necessary. % an estimated
cost Of se.AT0.00o. il was harmed
Saturday In addition 70 this new
work. contracts awarded during
1924 on approximately ITO miles Of
grading and surfacins will b. com
pIoicd during the coming year.
The state highway committee will
open bids on approximately al
miles OF highway and on three
bridge Jobs during tho first half Of
1884. James Allen. state highway
engineer. announced Tho work win
include clearing. grading, surfaoing
with gravel. paving and bridge con-
struction.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-01-05
GARDNER PRICES
SHOW REDUCTION

Tho smailwood Motor company,
local distributor OF the Gardner car,
has jus. received advice Of draa.
tic reduction in price on al open
models. This reduction places the
Gardner NJ the lowest price in its
history. with the best automobile
they have ever built.
For over co days tho Gardner or.
SANITATION, with al the experience
and knowledge gained thru their
long and succcssfui business career.
has been carefully studying ihe
automobile situation from every
possible angle is order to definitely
lay out plans for 1894 As a re-.
suit. they have announced this re.
duction OF 500. which places the
Gardner phaeton at 1895. T. o. b.
factory. and puts Gardner disirlbu.
tors and dealers In an cnyinhlc
position.
Tho Gardner II now manufactur,
cd in nine various body styles.
four open models. four closed
models and tho new nil-scason
phaeion. combination Of the
open and closed cnr. There nre
now over goS,ooO Gardner owners.
with over 1900 Gardner distributors
and dealers IN all parts OF tho eoun.
try. They have Just received from
tho factory one OF each model OF
the now 1924 line and these cars
viii be displayed this coming week
at their nhowrooms ut 1924 T.
pike IT.. At nth ave
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-01-05

posture. There is a noticeable
roominess In front with plenty OF
foot room. The large fitting seat
next 10 the driver when in position
for use gives the front section all
most all the advantages Of n single
vide cushion. IL folds compactly
out OF the way 50 that entrance
and ext thru the large doorway is
easy for those occupying the rear
seat which Is amply large for three
persons.
Because Of the location OF the
door. the driver has convenient ac.
cess 20 Ills seat without folding UP
the extra seat alongside, Tho gaso-
line tank is located under the
drivers seat making II unnecessary
for him 10 disturb any other pms
sengers when filling the tank.
Interior fittings are attractive.
The upholstery is in special Ford
fabric OF dark brown with floor rug
TO match Both the doors ana side
windows have pogn equipped with
revolving type window regulators.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-01-05
New Ford Tudor Sedan
Meets Public Approval
Daily Production of $50 Cars Falls Short Of
Dealers Demands

Production OF the new Tudor
sedan. latest addition 70 the now
complete lire o. Ford models. has
reached $50 daily. Demand FAR N
excess Of that figure proves that l,s
new and distinctive design fuiflls
a definite desire for beauty and
comfort These qualities are highly
excmplifisd In this FIVE passenger
closed car.
Several new features are win
ming immediate favor The roof line
Is low and straight. which with the
larger radiator. now standard on nil
Ford cars gives most graceful
effect.
The two doors are usually vide
2sA inches. and arc set at the
front OF tho car in exceptionally
heavy frames. swinging open for
wBrd.
side windows running back from
the doors are oblong IN shape, 81
inches in length. nffording unusual
vision 10 all occupants, while a
large rear window adds TO the vlh'
bllity. al window glasses when
lowered are flush with tho framing
affordlng the maximum in yentila'
ton.
Exterior appearance IS enhanced
by a Windshield visor. cowl ven
tilation and secure rear tenders o.
new design.
Interior arrangement Of tho Tu'
dor sedan meets all comfort re-
quiremonis both for driver and
passengers The drivers scat u
OF the bucket design, With easy
cushion and back. assuring restfu
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-01-05

c. c. Baldwin has been appointed
sales manager for tho willyaover'
iand-Pacific company. distributors
for WHY'S knight and Overland cars
in Seattle.
Baldwin was formerly sales man.
agcr Of tho Fred S. Halnss company,
Chevrolet dealers. and no has tho
reputation OF being tho leading sales.
man FOR that firm, ms we'll as one OF
the leaders In this community.
Leo Kearns. former sales manager
Of tho WHY'S Overland Pacific com
pany, has resigned 70 enter business
for himself as WHY'S. knight and
Overland dealer. particulars Of which
he has not yet made public.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-01-05
STARS SHOW
HEAVY CAIN
California Leads in Sales,
Monthly Digest Proves

Tho heaviest gain in sales among
low priced cars during November. in
California. was made by the Star car,
according 10 figures made public in
the December issue OF Motor Regis.
tratlon News.
Star car sales were % per cent
better than they were in November,
1922, this statistical magazine re.
vcals. The extent OF this increase Is
more forcibly realized when II Is
known that tho registrations Of all
cars and trucks was only Is per cent
improved over the same month OF
last year
As car sales have increased so has
the dealer organization been strength.
cned. There are now nearly $50 Star
dealers and sub agents on the Pacific
coast selling this product
Oregon registrations show n mate.
rial gain over 1922. All sections OF
this state have accepted tho Star In
manner which assures It's future
success in tho Webfoot state. Port.
land was n particularly responsive
market.
In Washington the 1924 models
met with an acclaim which caused
repeated toiegraphIc requests TO the
factory in Oakland for increased ship.
monts OF cars in excess Of originally
designated allotments, according TO
w. s. Dulmage. Seattle distributor.
Idaho and Nevada were not far be.
hind other western states in demand.
ing their quota OF new Star models.
Arizona started out in November
and continued during December 70
take a healthy apportionment OF open
and closed cars, and dealers arc
being added In that state at n reason
ably rapid rnte.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-01-05
CAR RAILS MAY BE
SMOOTH, BUT KEEP
OFF THEM IN RAIN

THE car rails may be smoother
l. than tho cobblestones but
keep Off them when It Is raining
or showing. The motorman can
sand the rails bu. the motorist
can't. II sudden stop is neces-
sary. no brakes can stop the
automobile. The locked wheels
win act like skates on ice. In
forcing the car out OF the wet
tracks there is the evcr-present
danger OF skidding.
II caught on wet tracks, bring
the car TO a stop gradually by
shutting off the power and apply.
ing the brakes slowly. Then put
into first gear and work out
slowly.-The National Safety
Council.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-01-05
Road Bulletin
by THOMAS r.. pEEMAN

W
ALL PAVED ROADS ~ GOOD CON-
DfTION
GRAVEL ROADS
Rrnton Maple Ynllsy-Honton 10 Mapis
wood farm closed balance IN excellent
condition. DctOur 90 Maple valley via
cedar Grove and Hobart roads
Keni-fglnek Diamond Pavement for &
miles out Of Kent, balance good.
Maple Valley Black Diamond-g0od.
Enumelnw Franklin Good.
Sunset Highway --Good TO North Bend.
closed 1t summit
Issaauah- Prrston-pnved.
Prestnn-TnIl Ciiy-Cnder construction:
rough and soft Mt Preston.
Iisntan- tssRquah-pavcd.
Issnqunh- Newpart-EKrrii
Auburn Black Diamond win soos Creels)
Gravel ssrtirn excellent.
stevens Pass Highway 80 open 70 sky
komlsh; fair condition.
woodinviile- Duvall--Good.
Nent-Dea Moines Excellent.
Des Monochrome IIlEhiine-Etesli
Saches Pass Excellent condition IN King
county, open 90 silver creek. snow
above Greenwatcr
Lake Forest Park-North Trunk ConBec-
tian-One mile pavement excellent,
gravel good.
Bellevue Redmond Good
Redmond Fall flty-oood gravel.
Dea Moines Trestle SO. o20A, on brlei,
road north RI Dea Moinca. closed 10 all
trucks Load limit, three tons. speed
limit eight miles an hour.
Tor further information call MA ln-590o.
local IS.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-01-05

According TO NJ. r. Hoepli. chief
Of tho automobile division OF the
department Of commerce. there will
bo 100000 passenger cars and
trucks In the worlds on january /.
1874 Of which i4.00o.u00 will be IN
tho United States The number n
this country Is an increase OF II
per cent over the snme date a
year ago.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-01-05
EHEnEnHzlzEzEzHHHHEEHEHHE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

IT IS estimated that the volume OF
retail passenger automobile sales for
the current calendar year will APP
proximaie ss.375, 100000 for tha
United States. This total represents
q per capita expenditure OF about s32
and an average expenditure OF sl4s
for a family.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-01-05

The smallest automobile produced
in France ia only seven feet long.
II has a single cylinder three-and-
s-haif horsepower engine, three
speeds and Is capable OF doing IS
miles per hour with a consumption
II 90 miles % the gallon.