The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1935-12-20

Power will be generated by a 500 h. p. venn-
SEVERN Diesel oil engine, purchased by the
writer in Chicago. direct-connected to an
Ideal Electric. fly-wheel type, 480-volt A. O.
generator. It Is expected that power will cost
between $SS and so per Horsepower ysaf.
However, commercial natural gas has been
found eight miles from the property and the
company expects to drill promising gas land
on its own properties even closer than that.
With natural gas, power costs can be cut
down below SO per horsepower year. as the
machinery used in operations . number Of
years ago.
The new mill should be in operation some
time in January. 1896. and dividends prob
ably will be again resumed early in 1886, Just
about a year after the present owners started
operations. This, like the accomplishment at
the Little Ben. Is indeed a record. as prac-
ticaly everything will have been paid for
with a years production from the mine.
To say the least. these accomplishments
speak well for the district and its operators.
Beaver Creek Mine
With money obtained from the August
Little Ben and the Ruby Gulch. Charles
Whitcomb developed the Beaver Creek prop
erty, about three miles north Of Ruby gulch.
The ore is Of low grade gold content and a
substantial tonnage has been developed. The
values are found disseminated in lime and
on a lime-porphyry contact and the milling
problem is as simple as with the other ores
in the district. A test mill produced around
500. 600 a few years ago, but was destroyed
by fire. The property is now controlled by
the Little Rockies Mining Co., Of which
Charles Whitcomb is the head. Sam Good
man Of Great Falls Is also heavily interested
in the
Future of District
The Ruby Gulch Co. controls several prop
critics that may be grouped and operated as
separate units, such as the Pole Cullen group.
In an area six miles long and several miles
wide. there are other large deposits Of low
grade gold ore that can be mined and milled
on a large scale at a profit. especially with
gold at s35 per ounce.
The late Thomas Fortune Ryan, Equitable
Life Insurance. New York Street Railway
close to 100000 600. was much impressed
with the district when he inspected it on
one Of his vacations nearly 80 years ago.
Although Mr.. Ryan was not q mining man,
with his vision he could easily see the pos
s%ibilities. similar to those of Utah Copper.
and he proposed to Phillips that the ore be
mined with steam shovels on a basis of TO-
900 tons per day, transported by rail to the
Missouri river. IS miles distant. and there
m!lled. He also proposed to generate electric
power on the Missouri river. Ryan agreed to
furnish the money for mill. power plant. rail-
road and mining equipment. His ideas were
too big for Ben Phillips, although Wh:tcomb
aereed to go ahead with the Ryan program.
Phillips objection stopped the proposed Ryan
Investment Of capital.
Charles Whitcomb is 10 years old today.
but is much spryer than many a younger
man and has many mining interests in Mon
tana. Next summer he and the writer will
test with power shovels and a test mill, a
large low grade gold dyke, south Of Ruby
gulch. which contains more than 100. OO0, 900
tons Of material. from which a profit should