PECK, YAVAPAI COUNTY
This district lies southeast of Prescott and is bounded on the north by
Turkey Creek District, and on the west by Walnut Grove. It contains gold and
silver ore ledges, some of which are remarkably rich. The
Peck mine, the most noted in the district was discovered in 1865, and the
richness of its ores created quite a
gold rush of excitement in the vicinity. A ten
stamp mill was erected, and the mine worked continuously for several
years, yielding a large amount of silver. The Silver Prince, on a parallel
lode, has also yielded a large quantity of high-grade
native silver. The Black Warrior, in the same vicinity, is
also noted for its richness. In all of these mines are found beautiful
specimens of wire silver. At present but little work is being done in the
district, but ere long it will no doubt be the scene of active mining
operations. A good supply of wood and water for mining purposes can be
obtained in this section.
PIONEER DISTRICT, PINAL
COUNTY
The largest and most important portion of this noted district lies in
Pinal County, another portion overlapping into Gila and Marcopa Counties.
Upon the discovery of the renowned Silver King mine in 1875, a large number
of prospectors entered this section, and many locations were made. Since
then prospecting has been vigorously prosecuted, resulting in the discovery
of many rich ledges of gold and silver ore. This district also contains
ledges of rich
copper ore, but as yet they have not been developed to any great
extent; in the near future; however, it will no doubt be producing a large
amount of copper as well as gold and silver. The mineral belt is about five
miles wide, running the whole length of the district, a distance of about
ten miles. On the mountains are found a good supply of timber for mining
purposes, and Queen Creek and other small streams furnish an abundant supply
of water for milling purposes. The climate like that of other mountain
regions in Arizona is unsurpassed.
The Silver King.—This celebrated mine, discovered in 1875, is situated in a
little valley on the southwestern slope of the Pinal Mountains. The
discovery was made from croppings on the apex of a small hill, which had
been left by the elements that denuded and carried off the sedimentary and
basaltic rocks that at some previous time covered it and the valley more
than a thousand feet in depth, as shown by the sheer precipice to the south.
The formation incasing the vein is
granite. The mine was first worked by an open cut on the top of the
hill, the vein being sixty feet wide and of wonderful richness. It has
produced some of the richest specimens of ore on record. Masses have been
found of500 lbs. weight which gave 75 percent silver. Assays of considerable
quantities have given the contents at $20,000 per ton.
The mine paid its way from the start, high grade ores being selected and sent at great expense to San Francisco for reduction. Up to January, 1880, the mine had paid in dividends $710,000. From May 5th, 1877, to December 31st, 1879, the product was $819,141.58. The dividends for the same period were $450,000. In the upper levels of the mine the ore was free milling; but as the mine attains greater depth the ore becomes rebellious, and that from the lower levels has now to be worked by the lixiviation process. The ore is some of great variety—native silver, silver copper glance, tetrahedrite, green, brown, and black sphalerite, bornite peacock copper ore, galena, chalcopyrite and iron pyrite. The gangue is heavy spar quartz and porphyry. The lowest level is now, January, 1881, 408 feet. The vein here has been worked from the hanging wall 36 feet in width, and it is said the foot wall has not been reached. On the 350-foot level the vein is 56 feet wide. It is said that no level has yet been exhausted. The main shaft is now down over 700 feet. In January, 1881, the superintendent reports 2,000 tons of ore on the dump, which will work $200 per ton. The receipts for the year ending December 31st, 1880, were $586,886.68 ; expenses during the same period, $352,234.18 ; dividends, $75,000; cash on hand, December 31st, 1880, $159,652.50.
The Windsor Mining Co. own several locations, among which are the Last Chance, Copper Top, and Mountain View. These properties have all been developed to a considerable extent, and are yielding a large quantity of rich ore. The company has a five-stamp mill and furnace at Pinal City for the reduction of their ores, the yield from which adds materially to the stream, of bullion which is now flowing from this district. L. Elmore is Superintendent. The Wide Awake Mining Co. own the Gem, a gold mine which has a four-foot ledge carrying high-grade gold ore. This company have a ten-stamp mill on Queen Creek, near their tunnel. All the machinery is new, of the latest improved pattern, and will work about 18 tons of rock per day. It is said the ore will average about $45 per ton, and that it costs about $6 per ton for mining and milling. A. Showers is Superintendent. The Alice Bell Mine, situated about two miles from Silver King, is developed by a shaft over 100 feet in depth, from which several cross-cuts have been run. Ore of a very high grade has been found, resembling in many respects that of the Silver King. Good hoisting works have been erected, and the mine is being energetically worked. The Eastland Mining Co. owns the Tilden Mine, which adjoins the Silver King on the east. They have erected extensive hoisting works and are sinking a two-compartment shaft, which is now over 100 feet in depth, and progressing at a rate of about four feet a day. The engine is forty-horse power.
The Pike mine is situated about half a mile north of the Silver King. It is developed to a considerable extent, and is yielding high grade ore. Equal in merit as regards ores or location to the last mentioned mine, are the Lewis Consolidated, Surpriser, Northern King, Silver King South, Bilk, and Mowry mines, all of which are being energetically developed. In addition to the above are the Belcher, Eureka, Webfoot, Union East, Union West, Telegraph, Cedar Tree, James A. Garfield, Silver Queen, Athens, News Letter, Helpmate, Redeemer, London, Orphan Boy, Black Diamond, Emma, Silver Duke, Beebe, Columbia, Silver Belle, Martinez, Santa Maria, Pinal Chief, Blue Bird, Victoria, New Year, and others, which have been more or less developed, and from which good ore has been extracted. At Happy Camp, about three miles from Pinal City, is the Uncle Bill, Augustin, Leon, Lancing, Rockland, Hard Scrabble, etc., which are now being worked and yielding good ore.
POORMAN’S, YUMA COUNTY
This new district, situated in the western part of the county, has
recently attracted considerable attention, and prospecting on a number of
locations is vigorously going on, notwithstanding the hot weather and the
difficulty of obtaining wood and water. The latter obstacles can, however,
be overcome by the erection of mills and furnaces on the Colorado River, and
the construction of a wagon road from the mines to that point. The ledges in
this "'district .are large and well-defined, the croppings frequently
standing up for long distances, eight to ten feet in height. Float ore is
found in great abundance, and with good facilities for reduction, there is
but little doubt that large quantities of it could be profitably worked. The
ores are generally of a smelting quality, although free milling gold ore is
also found.
Considerable prospecting has been done on the Amelia, and recently the owners have commenced sinking a new shaft four by six feet, on the ledge. It is now down thirty feet, all the way in good ore, with about eighteen inches of fine galena, which will average 100 ounces silver to the ton. The company have erected a boarding-house and blacksmiths' shop and are now prepared to push developments vigorously. The Boston is an adjoining claim, on which a vein of high-grade cerargyrite chloride and argentite sulfide silver ore was recently discovered. The Diamond, a short distance off, is located on a ledge nearly parallel with the Amelia, and thirty feet in width, showing a six-inch vein of very rich ore. Opposite to the Diamond, at a short distance, is the Florence Caton, which has three ledges cropping out of the ground, in places, ten feet in height, and it is claimed that these croppings will all pay. The Luz is the north-east extension of the Diamond; the croppings on this mine rise twenty feet above the mesa, and are thirty feet in thickness. In addition to the above, are the Brilliant, Russell, Myers, Hoodlum, and Thistle Dew, which are said to be valuable locations.
SADDLE MOUNTAIN, PINAL
COUNTY
This district is situated on Gila Canon, 50 miles east of Florence. The
first locations were made in March, 1880, since which time some work has
been done on several mines, developing rich silver ore, carrying gold. A
shaft 80 feet deep has been sunk on a claim bonded to San Francisco parties,
in which the ore has increased in value as depth is attained. The formation
is
limestone. The ores are black argentite sulfides. Some ore has been
milled averaging $156 to the ton for pulp. About one hundred locations have
so far been made. Timber is abundant, principally pine. Water can be easily
obtained from the Gila River the year around.
SAN FRANCISCO, MOHAVE
COUNTY
This district is situated in the western part of the county, bordering
on the Colorado River. A number of mines were located here a few years ago,
and worked to some extent. The long distance to centers of trade, and the
high rates of freight have been great draw-backs to this section, but on the
completion of the 35th Parallel Railroad these evils will be remedied, and
this section will take a new start on the road of progress.
SAN PEDRO, GRAHAM
COUNTY
This is a new district, situated in the western portion of the county. The
Walston, a silver mine, has a shaft down eighty feet, and is extracting good
ore. The Pioneer is also being vigorously prospected, and taking out good
ore. The Sample mine has a shaft 100 feet in depth. At this point a
cross-cut exposes some ore which sparkles with virgin silver.
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