Minnie Moore Mine
The Minnie Moore mine has produced lead and silver
ore of greater value than any other in the district. In 1881, a half
interest was sold to Henry E. Miller for $10,000.00. On the date of
sale to Dent, Palmer & Co. of London, England, on February 25, 1884,
with the price of silver at $1.14 an ounce and of lead at $100 a
ton, the gross value of the reserves was $673,329. In this condition
the mine was sold for $450,000. There is no accurate record of the
value of the output for 1884 and 1885. The mine filled with water
and lay idle from 1889 to November, 1900, when I. E. Rockwell, C. R.
Carpenter, and others, having purchased the property for $30,000,
began to pump out the workings. Ore was struck in a raise from the
crosscut on the old 900-foot level in June, 1902, and from that time
the lower part of the mine was vigorously explored. In July, 1904,
60 per cent of the stock in the Minnie Moore Mining Co., Ltd., was
sold to Charles M. Schwab, who operated it on company account until
August, 1905. The mine was worked from time to time by various
companies until May, 1927, at which time it was abandoned.
It is not possible to present a comprehensive summary of the
production of the Minnie Moore Mine. The most complete record is
that compiled in 1902 by I. E. Rockwell, who, having access to the
books of the Hailey sampler, which handled the ore during the early
years, estimated the gross smelting returns at $7,316,600.12. During
the period 1902 to 1906 mining operations below the old 900-foot
level yielded about $1,100,000, net smelter returns. A small stope
on the Singleterry vein above the 1000-foot level yielded $31,000,
net smelter returns. Approximate total production $8,447,600. With
so many mines so near at hand working to capacity, Broadford soon
became a town. It had stores, hotels, saloons, etc., but mostly
dwelling houses for the miners. A story is told of one of its
merchants who had the habit, when asked by a customer for some thing
which he did not have in stock, to always say in a most pleasing
way, "We are just out, but have a carload on the way." One day a
little girl asked for some chewing gum, and, believe it or not, the
force of habit was so great, that he said, "We are just out, but
have a carload on the way." "I know not what the truth may be, I
tell the tale as 'twas told to me."
But it should be true because an Angel (Texas) told it to me. Near
Hailey were the Star, Croesus, Hope group, Idaho Democrat and other
mines. Up Greenhorn Gulch were the Imperial and other mines, now the
property of the Hailey Bonanza Mining company. On the East Fork of
Wood River were the North Star, Triumph and others. The company
operating the Triumph mine recently completed an aerial tramway
between the mine and the railroad siding about one mile south of
Ketchum. The tramway is approximately four miles in length. In a
northerly direction from the last mentioned mines were the
Independence, Elkhorn, Parker group, Noonday and others. About 12
miles in a westerly direction from Ketchum were the Boyle Mountain
group and other mines. At Boulder were the Ophir, Bazouk, Trapper,
Tip Top, Sullivan and other mines.
Alturas County |
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