The Daily Inter Mountain, 1900-12-21, p.21

# THE UNDERGROUND WORLD OF BUTTE ## Progress and Development of the State's Great Industry ## It's Great Copper Mines Are as Enduring as the Ages. ## Millions Distributed In Dividends and Pay Rolls --- ### Depth of Butte Mines, Shaft Development During 1900 and Number of Men Employed at Each Mine The following table shows the depth of the various mines in the Butte district, the shaft development in feet during 1900 and the number of men employed. In the Bell and Diamond, the number of miners employed in the two mines is given under the Diamond head. The same statement applies to the employees of the Mountain Con. No. 1, No. 2 and the Buffalo. | Mine | Depth | Shaft Development in 1900 | Men Employed | |---|---|---|---| | ANACONDA - - - | 1800 | 100 | 853 | | ST. LAWRENCE - - | 1600 | 100 | 708 | | NEVER SWEAT - - | 2000 | 200 | 478 | | HIGH ORE - - - | 2200 | 500 | 223 | | BELL - - - | 1650 | | | | DIAMOND - - - | 2260 | 400 | 731 | | GREEN MOUNTAIN - | 2200 | | 213 | | MOUNT. CON. NO. 1 - | 2000 | | | | MOUNT. CON. NO. 2 - | 1500 | | 726 | | BUFFALO - - - | 1600 | | | | LITTLE MINAH - - | 800 | | 43 | | PARROT - - - | 1600 | 400 | 288 | | PENNSYLVANIA - - | 1400 | 300 | 231 | | MOUNTAIN VIEW - | 1700 | 100 | 278 | | MOOSE - - - | 300 | | 22 | | LEONARD - - - | 1200 | 100 | 433 | | WEST COLUSA - - | 1300 | 200 | 309 | | EAST COLUSA - - | 900 | | 80 | | MOONLIGHT - - | 1300 | 163 | | | SHAFT NO. 4 - - | 200 | 200 | 12 | | SHAFT NO. 5 - - | 275 | 275 | 24 | | GAGNON - - - | 1800 | 100 | 316 | | SILVER BOW NO. 1 - | 1000 | | 158 | | SILVER BOW NO. 3 - | 575 | 200 | 73 | | EASI GRAY ROCK - | 1600 | | 178 | | BLUE JAY - - - | 1075 | | 95 | | BERKELEY - - - | 900 | 250 | 63 | | SHAFT NO. 6 - - | 400 | 400 | 12 | | SNOHOMISH - - | 400 | | 50 | | COLUSA-PARROT - | 1400 | | 195 | | STEWART - - - | 1000 | | 152 | | ORIGINAL - - - | 1200 | 100 | 186 | | ALICE - - - | 1500 | | 23 | | BLUE WING - - - | 650 | | 11 | | MAGNA CHARTA - - | 700 | | 23 | | VALDEMERE - - | 275 | | 19 | | RARUS - - - | 1200 | | 408 | | NIPPER - - - | 800 | 800 | 210 | | MINNIE HEALEY - - | 800 | 200 | 88 | | SMOKEHOUSE - - | 400 | 400 | 14 | | ELLA - - - | 500 | 200 | 21 | | BRITTANIA - - - | 250 | 150 | 11 | | SPECULATOR - - | 1200 | 600 | 148 | | ADRIONDACK - - | 475 | 275 | 10 | | MONITOR - - - | 200 | | 30 | | DUTTON - - - | 165 | 165 | 36 | --- *THE HISTORY OF MINING in Montana constitutes at once one of the most fascinating and one of the most noteworthy parts in the annals of any state in the union. Advancing while a few years to undisputed leadership not only of this continent, but of the entire world in the output of minerals, it can be truthfully asserted that the growth of Montana's vast storehouse of treasure has as yet not been tapped.* *Estimating the state's mineral output for 1900 at $62,000,000, Montana has produced in gold, silver, copper and other minerals since 1862, the enormous sum of $602,328,05. Its production for alone during the last 15 years has amounted to about one-third of this* [column continues] --- ## Column 2 the production of its gold and silver mines, today Montana owes its proud position in the mineral world mainly to the splendid development of the copper mines in the Butte district. ### WHAT OF THE FUTURE. How many years can the mines of Butte be worked before becoming exhausted? The future generation may worry over this question, but the present generation need not, for the best experts of the country who have studied the underground world of Butte unite in declaring that the present generation will not live long enough to see the ore bodies of this district exhausted. Copper will undoubtedly be the chief product of Butte for the next quarter of a century. The deepest shaft in the district is down only 2200 feet—less than one-half of the depth of some of the greatest copper producing mines of the Lake Superior district. The High Ore and Diamond shafts reach 2260 feet in depth—show copper glints at the bottom and some of the richest copper ore that has been taken from this district has been taken from the mines named. The Parrot M. & M. company is at about 2200 feet. At this mine the ore body shows no signs of pinching out at a depth of about 100 feet but 200 feet deeper the lode has changed to a kindly metal-bearing character, and the veins have sent up their roots into the inclosing rock and resumed its fertility. It is true that in some of the older mines of the Anaconda company the copper values have on the ore increased with depth, but what they have lost in this metal has been largely made up for in silver and gold values. The production of gold and silver more than pays for all the copper treatment charges. The majority of other mines of the same company, notably the Never Sweat, have greatly increased in richness with depth, and the amount of ore now in sight in this mine is larger than at any previous time. In the St. Lawrence the ore body is found at a depth of 1,600 feet. This ore body pinches out toward the surface, but comes in strong and rich toward the bottom of the shaft. The B. L. veins are running an ore that averages 3½ per cent grade, but the average will run between 3 and 4 per cent, with high grade values in gold and silver. The Never Sweat averages between 3½ and 3¾ per cent copper. The ore body in the Anaconda contains an average of from 5½ to 7½ per cent and averages about 2 per cent for the high grade and as high as 6 per cent for first grade. The ore reserves at this mine are considerably those of a year ago. The Rarus is one of the splendid returns of the Boston & Montana. In the Leonard mine the ore has a width of from 25 to 150 feet down to the 1000-foot level, and increasing in width at that level down. The ore runs from 7 to 25 per cent copper, and the average will run 4½ per cent, but with smaller values—silver, gold, etc.—than in the Anaconda mines. The ledge of the Pennsylvania averages from 8 to 16 feet and averages 4½ per cent for the high grade and 1½ per cent. The ore in the Stewart is increased in width in this mine. The bodies are from 8 to 14 feet. The ore in the Colusa-Parrot is increased in copper from 36 to 42 per cent. The Blue Jay ledge has increased in width from 12 feet at the 300 to 400 feet at the 1000, the ore showing high grade, fine glance and sulphide running about 4 per cent, with fair values in gold and silver. ### EXTENSION OF COPPER BELT. One of the most interesting discoveries tending to confirm the long cherished belief of scientists that the copper belt of Butte will be very materially extended toward the east is vouched for by one of the best mining engineers of the Butte district, who believes that it will be discovered toward the east. The great Anaconda vein system is composed of a coarse granular, dark green [word?] rock. The Blue slope, on which the great Anaconda, St. Lawrence, Mountain View and others are located, is exactly the same formation, with this exception that in unknown copper belt the deterioration of the various of other phenomena attending upon the eruption of the "Big Butts" makes a large area there. Another difference, however. The veins in this part of the district are for this reasons, as they seldom show a well defined contact, which will account for the many suits in the district. While few geologists believe that the copper belt will be extended very much, there are a number of well-informed mining men in Butte who be- lieve that nothing but depth is required to open up a large copper bearing area in that portion of the district. On the west the copper belt seems to break off abruptly in the Gagnon property. It is worthy of mention in this connection that the dip of the Gagnon is greater than that of any other mine in the district. This mine will probably prove to be the "Big Butte." The Gagnon, like many other mines in the western portion of the district, was originally a silver mine, and it was only when it was turned into copper, one of its owners having purchased the Anaconda of an interest for a trifle. The rock on the surface was copper stained. Over in the western portion of the district, in nearly all of the silver mines, the rock is not only copper stained, but much of it carries a fair percentage of copper. Why should not they also develop into copper mines with depth? The copper-bearing area of Butte, has been extended considerably in the past few years. What is known as the flat, covering the southeastern portion of the city, has now some very profitable producers, and there is every indication that the copper lodes extend out under the flat to the south. There is every reason to believe that copper will yet be discovered in paying quantities on the flat south of Butte. Possibly after the indications are stronger indications in fact—by the original owners of the Anaconda had when they began work on the lode. Possibly all that is needed to develop another Butte is a deep shaft on some very prospective location on the flat. Some may think this a visionary suggestion, but the naysayers of the earlier days called the same suggestions of Parks and others, lunatics, when they broached the development of Butte's earlier deposits. The Gagnon Company and the High Ore were supposed to be the northern boundary of the copper belt, yet within the past year several very promising copper leads have been found to the north of these mines, notably the Glengarry and Felton strikes, and much rich copper ore has been taken during the year 1900. With thorough development it is more than probable other rich discoveries will reward the searcher in the same locality. The Park company director announced at the annual meeting very year as depth is attained. The very figures being made by the Parrot during the year justify the belief that its ore from the copper belt next year will be large. --- ### BUTTE'S MINERAL PRODUCTION IN 1900 ### IN ROUND NUMBERS IT WILL AMOUNT TO $52,000,000. The mining district of Butte has so far outstripped any other mining locality in the world in the production of minerals during the last quarter of a century. People unacquainted with numbers, and the extent of wealth distributed here, could scarcely conceive the enormous output of precious metals which Butte added to the imperishable wealth of this country. The figures of the production reached, in round numbers, $52,000,000 during the year 1900. The figures of the recent census give the total population of Butte at 30,000. This means that Butte's mines allow each of its inhabitants an income of considerably over $1,000 for every man, woman and child in the community. The most gratifying showing has been made by the copper companies and on the part of the companies operating in the Butte district. In this connection, the the centuary, several of the richest ore bodies that have ever been struck have been these taken from the mines during the last few months of the year coming to the for last summer, and the final returns of the year's production show a remarkable increase over the preliminary figures that were given in the aggregate at the beginning of this article. There are many [column continues] --- ## Column 3 ### Total Number of Men Employed at Butte Mines During 1900 The following list gives the total number of men employed during the past year in the mines of Butte: | | | |---|---| | ANACONDA - - - - - - - - | 3931 | | BOSTON & MONTANA - - - - - | 1389 | | BUTTE & BOSTON - - - - - - | 629 | | MONT. ORE. PUR. CO. - - - - | 618 | | CLARK'S PROPERTIES - - - - | 533 | | COLORADO CO. - - - - - - | 316 | | PARROT - - - - - - - - | 288 | | WASHOE - - - - - - - - | 163 | | SPECULATOR - - - - - - - | 148 | | MINNIE HEALEY - - - - - - | 88 | | ALICE - - - - - - - - | 76 | | MISCELLANEOUS MINES - - - - | 500 | | TOTAL - - - - - - - - | 8679 | --- ### DIVIDENDS PAID BY BUTTE COPPER MINES. The following dividends were paid during 1900 by the leading copper mines of Butte: Anaconda & Montana ......... $6,450,660 Anaconda ................... [illegible] M. O. P. Company ........... 160,000 The Colusa Parrot produced approximately 6,000,000 pounds of copper, 609 ounces of silver and 250 ounces of gold. Total value of the production was $1,121,308. The Boston and Montana company furnished an estimate of 30,000,000 pounds of copper, 3,500,000 ounces of silver and 500 ounces of gold. This estimate includes the production of the smelter, and from it should be deducted the amount paid for ores. This includes the production of the Colorado company and a large amount of other custom business. An approximate idea of the actual production of the M. O. P. company is given at $5,000,000. The Parrot company's production is 14,113,832 pounds copper, 1,053,437 and 614,912 ounces of silver and gold. As the property is not equipped with a smelter of the company, the amounts of each coal added from the concentrates. In order to get the net value of the company's production it is necessary to deduct $468. The Washoe company's production was 3,987,512 pounds of copper, 41,000 ounces of silver and 401 ounces of gold. Total value of the production was $459,000. The following tables shows the estimated production and value of copper, silver and gold of the various companies: ### ANACONDA COMPANY. Copper, 113,362,575 pounds, value $13,- [illegible] Silver 7,000,000 ounces, value $7,385[illegible]. Gold 21,000 ounces, value $485,000. Total value of production $12,030,000[?]. ### BOSTON & MONTANA. Copper, 75,000,000 pounds, value $11,- [illegible] Silver, 1,152,568 ounces, value $840[illegible]. Gold 13,000 ounces, value $85,783. Total value of production $12,098,563. ### BUTTE & BOSTON. Copper, 21,000,000 pounds, value $3,0[illegible]. Silver, 330,409 ounces, value $174,869. Gold, 5,500 ounces, value $56,000. Total value of production, $4,175,000. ### COLORADO COMPANY. Copper, [illegible] pounds, value $1,451,- [illegible]. Silver, [illegible] ounces, [illegible]. Total value of production, $2,000,000[?]. ### COLUSA PARROT COMPANY. Copper, 22,000 pounds, value [illegible]. Silver, [illegible] ounces, value [illegible]. Total value of production, [illegible]. ### PARROT COMPANY. Copper, [illegible] pounds, value [illegible]. Silver, [illegible] ounces, value [illegible]. Total value of production, [illegible]. ### WASHOE COMPANY. [illegible] pounds, value [illegible]. [illegible] ounces, value [illegible]. Total value of production, [illegible]. ### SPECULATOR. [illegible] pounds, value [illegible]. [illegible] ounces, value [illegible]. Total value of production $1,500,000[?]. --- ### FATAL ACCIDENTS IN THE BUTTE MINES. There were 38 fatal accidents in the mines of Butte during the year, the victims being as follows: Frank Dowd was killed at the Diamond mine by a cage accident, December 4, being caught between the cage and wall plates. Patrick Tyrrell was killed December 17, at the St. Lawrence mine, by a cave of rock. Patrick Joyce was killed December 24, at the St. Lawrence mine, by a fall of rock. Ed Farrow was killed December 26, at the Never Sweat, by a fall of rock. Thomas Dillon and Mike Pianta were killed January 7, at the Anaconda mine, by a blast. John Sullivan and Thomas Smith were killed January 12 at the Mountain View mine, by a fall of ground. J. H. Maxwell and J. Ashnewich were killed February 8, at the Never Sweat by a blast. Charlie Shea was killed February 27, at the Moose mine by a fall of ground. Gus Anderson was killed in February 27, at the Mountain by a fall of rock. Alex McInnis met his death March [illegible] at the Parrot, by being caught between the cage and the shaft timber. Ed Peachy fell down the shaft of the Colusa on June 19 and was killed. Ed Cavanaugh met his death June 11, at the Original Con. mine, by falling down the shaft. J. A. Trowbridge was injured fatally June 11 at the Gagnon by an explosion of powder. Ed Young lost his life June 27, at the Butte & Boston by a cave of rock. M. L. Donley was killed July 19 at the Anaconda by falling down the shaft. J. F. Donoher was met his death July 31 at the High Ore mine, by a fall of rock. [illegible] Murphy was killed August 3 at the Anaconda mine by a fall of rock. M. Oconnor [sic] lost his life at the Parrot mine September 14 at the Stewart mine by a fall of rock. Bernard McDaniel fell from the bucket at the Montana mine, on October 1, and lost his life. L. L. Forrester was killed October 11 at [word?] ore mine by a cave of ground. [illegible] Connors was killed at the Anaconda on October 21 by falling down the shaft. J. T. Donovan met his death October 28 at the Blue Ore mine by being struck by a blast. Charles Parks, William Whitmore and Chris. O'Brien were three of the victims of the Smokehouse mine, October 28, and died from the effects. Joseph Mastin lost his life in shaft No. 5 on October 28 by a fall of rock. [illegible] was killed on October 21 by falling down the shaft. --- ## Peripheral items - **Masthead/dateline:** "DAILY INTER MOUNTAIN, BUTTE, MONTANA, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1900" — page number 21 printed at upper right. - **Decorative border elements:** Ornamental rule borders separating the main headline and subheads from the body text columns throughout the page. - **Continuation text (bottom of column 2):** Partial text running off column describing copper companies operating in the Butte district; incomplete due to column continuation. - **Bottom of column 3:** Partial text listing fatal accident victims; some entries illegible due to print quality/degradation at page edges.