The Ely miner., 1937-07-29

does not appear in the picture. The
little cabin near the No. / shaft was
occupied by Frank A. Kent, then shift
boss at the Chandler. The mine Of
flee was not in the scope of the camera
when the photograph of the Chandler
was taken, but it was occupied in 1888
by the late A. M. Chisholm, of Duluth,
and one of the best known mining men
in the country. His title was book
keeper in those days, and he was in
general charge of the clerical work.
The late John Pengilly was Superin-
tendent. The late Harry Roberts was
head mining captain and Thomas Ross
was night mining captain. As already
mentioned, Frank A. Kent was shift
boss.
There is no definite record as to how
much iron ore was mined in the
Chandler open pit. There was con-
siderable tonnage near surface, but drill
exploration had disclosed that the ore
dipped rather sharply and the over
burden increased in corresponding de-
gree. This accounts for the shafts
which were sunk not far from the open
pit at the outcrop. 1t is perhaps need
less to add that the open pit oper-
ations would have been vastly increased
had the operators at that time been
provided with the equipment which is
available today.
Was First Mine on Ely Ore Trough
The discovery of iron ore in what is
now known as the Ely district of the
Vernilion range was the second i'm
portant disclosure on that range. The
original discovery and development was
near Tower. The Vermilion was the
third iron range to be opened in the
Lake Superior region, though the Go
gebic came in the same year. The
Marquette, in Michigan, was the first,
in 1854. The Menominee, in Michigan,
was the second, in 1877, and the Ver-
million in Minnesota, was third in 1884.
The Ely district was opened four years
later, the Duluth & Iron Range rail-
road having been extended to serve the
Chandler in 1887-1888.
The ore at Ely was discovered by
James Sheridan and A c. Camp.
These men were prospectors and they
profited modestly by their information.
They informed Jimmy James of Duluth
of their find, and further investigation
was made. Mr.. James interested Joseph
Sellwood of Duluth and others in the
prospect.
The Chandler mine was opened up
in 1888 by the late Joseph Sellwood Of
Duluth and he later interested Don H.
Bacon, who was for great many years
president of the Minnesota Iron Com
pany. This company later acquired the
Chandler and made important history
from that time forward, on the Ver-
million range, until in 1902 the COM
pany was taken into the United States
Steel Corporation and it became a
subsidiary of the Oliver Iron Mining
Company.
Welcome News for d. & /. r. r.
The development of ore at the present
site of Ely was welcome news to the
promoters of the Duluth & Iron Range
Railroad, who had built the line from
Two Harbors to Tower solely on the
good showing at Tower. Coming sc
soon after the opening of the deposits
at Tower, it was Immediately concluded
that many other mines would be dis.
covered over the 81 miles separating
Tower and Ely. One may walk the
entire distance almost on iron for
nation, and some mining men eXpec
that this territory will yield other orr
, deposits in due course of exploration.
If the promoters of the Duluth & Irol
Range Railroad found the news o
; discovery of ore at Ely welcome, the.
were mistaken if they thought that al
the good news was out. Other grea
tonnages were awaiting the Duluth &
Iron Range, when the Mesabi rang
was really discovered in 1890 and wa
opened in 1892. The Duluth & Irol
Range was prepared to invade tn
| Mesabi by the simple process of eX