TOMBSTONE, COCHISE COUNTY
This district is located in the southwestern part of the county, between the Dragoon and Whetstone Mountains, the most prominent mines being about nine miles east of the San Pedro River in a low range of hills sometimes called the Tombstone Mountains. Several of these mines have already produced such a large amount of rich silver ore as to give this district the lead of all others, and to form an era in the silver production and material progress of the whole Territory. The climate of this section is temperate and healthful, the altitude being about 5,000 feet above the level of the sea. Wood and water are scarce, the most of the timber for mining purposes being brought from the Huachuca Mountains, while most of the water for drinking and other purposes is brought in pipes from the Dragoon Mountains, a distance of about eight miles. The first discovery of ore in the district was probably at the old Bronkow mine, referred to more particularly below. The first discovery, however, in what are generally called the Tombstone mines was made in 1877 by E. A. Scheiffelin, an energetic and intelligent miner, who sought to penetrate the fatal precincts of the Bronkow Hills, where already three prospectors at different times had been foully murdered. On disclosing his intention to prospect these hills to some miners more timid than he, they informed him of the fate of the former prospectors of the ill-omened district, and suggested that the first work that he did there should be the erection of a tombstone, so that when the country became safe they could find his resting-place, and write his epitaph. These sad associations suggested to him the future name of the district. He however adhered to his resolution, and after a few weeks' prospecting discovered a rich ledge of silver and gold, now known as the Lucky Cuss mine. Scheiffelin was subsequently joined by his brother and Richard Gird, both practical miners. In February, 1878, they located the Tough Nut, Contention, and other mines, which have since produced a large amount of bullion. The Hon. P. Hamilton, Commissioner for the Collection of Mineral Statistics, etc., who recently visited this district, says: "The mineral belt of Tombstone extends about three miles east and west, and four miles north and south. The general character of the country rock is lime and porphyry, the former largely predominating. Quartzite is found in some localities, and on the extreme western edge of the district a granite formation is encountered.

The indications of eruptive agencies are found on every side, showing plainly that this country has been the scene of active natural disturbances in ages gone by. But although the country formation is not one to accord with the theoretical views of gentlemen learned in the schools, the vast ore bodies, rich in chlorides and cerargyrite horn silver, show this spot to have been one of Nature's grand laboratories in times when the earth was young. The ore bodies, as far as can be ascertained, have a general direction east of south and north of west, and nearly all have a dip varying from 60 to 25 degrees. The ore is a free milling, composed mainly of chlorides and horn silver, with some carbonates. Some of the ores show a heavy percentage of gold, while nearly all carry slight traces of lead. The ore is easily reduced—about three tons to the stamp being the average at the different mills. The main ore channel is situated in the low hills which rise immediately south of the town, and has been traced and followed within the limits of the town site. Shafts have been sunk and drifts run under the houses, and the dull thud of giant powder cartridges makes the earth tremble with frequent explosions. The ore bodies of Tombstone district are large—varying from three to twelve feet—and their extraction is less costly than in any camp I ever saw. The ore is hauled to the mills on the San Pedro River, at a cost of $4 per ton. Nearly 500 tons per day are now shipped, and the yield of bullion is close on to $500,000 per month. This is a good showing for a camp which did not drop a stamp until last April a year ago. "There are six mills on the San Pedro, with 125 stamps, besides one 5 -stamp custom mill at Watervale, about three miles from town, making in all 130 stamps now in operation in this district. It is almost certain that several new mills will be erected during the coming season. Eleven claims have put up hoisting machinery of the most complete and approved style—most of them having safety cages and every facility for the mining and hoisting of ore. The hillsides are dotted with these structures, and the shrill music of their steam-whistles wakes the echoes of the surrounding hills, and proclaims the dawn of a new era of civilization, progress, and prosperity, where hitherto solitude and savagery have held undisputed sway."

The Western. This mine, generally known as the Contention, was purchased from the Scheiffelin Brothers and Richard Gird, by J. H. White, its present Local Manager, and W. E. Dean, its present President, for $10,000. A company was formed and incorporated in 1880, under the laws of California. The stock was divided into 100,000 shares at $100 each. The mine has been opened by two shafts, situated 500 feet apart and 400 feet in depth, and six levels run, one, 812 feet in length, and the others from 50 to 100 feet. All these levels are in rich ore. The vein averages six feet in width and pays about $150 per ton. The working shaft is a double compartment, four and a half by five feet. The steam hoisting works are of the best quality, and capable of working the mine to a much greater depth. The company has a twenty-five stamp mill, situated at Charleston, on the San Pedro River. Twelve consecutive monthly dividends of $75,000 each, have been paid by the incorporated company, and sufficient ore is said to be in sight to continue these dividends for a long time to come. The Tombstone Mill and Mining Company. This company has eleven locations, several of which have been sufficiently opened to entitle them to the name of mines, and at least three have developed large bodies of rich ore. They are, however, included in one incorporation, prospected and worked by one management, and their results unsegregated. This renders it difficult to give a particular description of any one of them, however much its rank may entitle it to a prominent position. These locations are the Lucky Cuss, Toughnut, Goodenough, Survey, Defense, West Side, Tribute, East Side, Owl's Nest, East Side No. 2, and Owl's Last Hoot. The first two were the first locations in the district. The Toughnut and Goodenough have been the two principal locations worked up to the present time. On these are seven shafts and many hundreds of feet of prospecting tunnels and crosscuts, which have developed an immense quantity of ore, which will be stoped as fast as required for crushing in the mills. Up to the present time, the prospecting tunnels have furnished most of the ore required, and but few chambers have been made. The ore runs from $35 to $500 per ton; at last report it was milling $144 per ton. The vein is very irregular in width, sometimes contracting to a foot or two, and then widening out into a mass forty feet wide. The ores are principally chlorides and carbonates, carrying about twelve per cent, of lead, native silver, horn silver, and polybasite are also found. The company has good steam hoisting works, ore bins and shops, in fact all the necessary appliances for the steady and successful working of this great property. It also has two mills on the San Pedro, running thirty-five stamps. Up to March last, $1,000,000 had been- paid in dividends, leaving in the treasury, $200,000, and seventy tons of ore were being hauled daily to the mills. Nearly 200 men are employed in the mine. The office of the company is in New York. George Burnham is President, and John A. Church Local Manager and Superintendent.

The Grand Central. This mine is incorporated under the laws of Ohio, where one of its principal owners resides. The capital is placed at $10,000,000, in 100,000 shares; E. B. Gage is Superintendent. Active work commenced a little over fifteen months ago. The mill commenced crushing ore on the 1st of March, 1881. No dividends have yet been paid. The mine has been well opened by a main working shaft, and several prospecting shafts, and many hundred feet of prospecting tunnels and crosscuts. In making these prospects and opening three levels ready for stopeing, six thousand tons of fine ore have been mined, and are now being hauled to the mill. The main shaft is down 400 feet. The largest development of ore is found in the 300-foot level, where it expands to the width of a hundred feet. The ore is of the same general character as that previously described; somewhat softer and more easily mined and milled. It is estimated that between the floor of the 300-foot level and the surface of the mine there are 80,000 tons of ore which will mill $100 per "ton. Everything in and about the mine is now in complete working order, with a new thirty-stamp mill, and large proceeds maybe confidently expected. The Head Center. This mine is incorporated under the laws of California, with a capital stock of $10,000,000, divided into 200,000 shares. Thomas E. Farrish is its Superintendent. It has a double compartment working shaft, which is now down over 650 feet. Four levels have been opened and partially explored; the first, to the distance of 330 feet ; the second, 630 feet; the third, 650 feet ; the fourth, which is the 410-foot level, 260 feet. All of these levels disclose a large amount of good ore, similar in character to that spoken of in Contention and Goodenough. The company has just erected new hoisting works of the best style. It has a ten-stamp mill on the San Pedro River, and everything is now ready to commence a steady production of bullion. A strong flow of water has just been struck at a depth of 525 feet. The Vizina. is incorporated under the laws of New York, with a capital stock of $5,000,000, divided into 50,000 shares, 12,500 of which were set aside for working purposes. A small portion of these shares, however, has been sold, as the mine has not only paid all working expenses, but the purchase price also. The mine has three shafts, thirty-six, fifty-six and 380 feet respectively; the latter is the working shaft, over which is placed good steam hoisting works. Only one level has been thoroughly explored in this mine, and from this level fifteen tons of ore are shipped daily to the mill, which returns a yield of $1,200. A. H. Emanuel is Superintendent. The Sulphuret is incorporated under the laws of Pennsylvania; capital stock, $5,000,000 ; number of shares, 200,000, with a paid-up working fund of $40,000. H. Disston is President, and Hank Smith, Superintendent. The mine is opened by two shafts, one 300 feet, and the other over 500 feet in depth ; the latter is a double compartment, and is intended for the main working shaft. Over it is erected first-class hoisting works. Two levels have been run, one at a depth of 150 feet, and the other at 350 feet. In both of these levels some ore has been found. Rich ore has recently been found in a crosscut at a depth of 500 feet, and at the same point a heavy flow of water rushed in, which has to some extent impeded developments.

The Empire is incorporated in Boston where it is principally owned. W. S. Pollard is President, and D. P. Pierce Superintendent. The shaft in this claim is down about 450 feet. The first level was opened at a depth of 200 feet, and several hundred feet of prospecting tunnels were run. A large body of ore has recently been found on the 400-foot level, which averages over $200 per ton, and from the winze on the 200-foot level a fine quality of chloride ore is being extracted. The vein on the 400- foot level is large and well-defined, carrying gold and silver. The silver is found in the usual shape of chlorides and carbonates, but the native gold is free. The main shaft is well constructed, four by five feet double compartment; the hoisting machinery is good and the buildings substantial.

The Girard has a good double compartment shaft down over 400 feet, and has erected steam hoisting works. Two levels have been opened; the first at a depth of 150 feet, and the second at 350 feet, showing a 4-foot vein of good ore. There are 600 tons of this ore on the dump, which is estimated to be worth $100 per ton. It is said there are several thousand tons of similar ore in sight. The company employs 25 men vigorously prospecting. The Wedge Consolidated. This property embraces two locations of the usual size, trending northwest and southeast along the western slopes of the hill. It was incorporated in San Francisco in January, 1881, on the basis of $10,000,000, divided into 100,000 shares. It has been worked almost continuously since then. In April, $4,455.42 were realized from a small parcel of this ore reduced at the Head Center mill. The main incline shaft is now about 120 feet deep. The ore is an admixture of the pyrolusite black oxides of manganese, and other mineral crystalizations. There are now some 200 tons of ore piled on the dump at the mine, while a hundred or so tons more stand in sight in the 100-foot level, ready to be extracted. While much of this ore has given assay values of from $75 to $225 per ton, it is probable the average will not overtop $90 per ton.

The Grand Central South. This mine was incorporated in San Francisco in January, 1881, with a capital stock of $10,000,000 divided into 100,000 shares, with $20,000 paid-up working capital. R. F. Morrow is President, and B. Frank Hall Superintendent. The mine has two shafts 600 feet apart; one is a prospecting shaft down over 150 feet, the other is a double compartment shaft over which hoisting machinery is to be placed. This shaft shows a number of bunches of good ore. The Mountain Maid. This mine, located within the limits of the City of Tombstone, was worked to a considerable extent by Mr. C. Bilicke, its first owner. It now belongs to an incorporated company; capital stock $10,000,000. It has been developed by three shafts. No. 1 was sunk in low-grade ore from top to bottom. In No. 2, which is down 150 feet, some rich ore has been found. Shaft No. 3 is sunk on the Goodenough ground to the depth of 95 feet, and from this a tunnel has been run to the Mountain Maid ground, disclosing a vein of high-grade ore assaying $450 per ton. The Tranquility, Contentment, Sydney, Bob Ingersoll, Flora Morrison, Hawkeye, Survey, Way-TJp and Arizona Queen, are mines of great promise, and are being energetically developed. In addition to these are the Grand Dipper, Stonewall, Gilded Age, Naumkeag, Cincinnati, Winfield, Gentile Belle, True Blue, Hercules, Blue Monday, Intervenor, Phoenix, Tombstone Consolidated, Mamie, Junietta, Little "Wonder, Mesa Consolidated, and others too numerous to mention, which have been worked to a considerable extent, and are considered valuable locations.

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