THE MOGOLLON DISTRICT.

Down in the southern or Mogollon district the activity is very great, and increased capacity is steadily marked. The Confidence is turning out from 80 to 100 tons of ore every day with a force of 70 miners. The ore is of good quality, and the proprietors are enjoying a well-deserved period of profits.

The Deadwood mine, in the same district, is now run in connection with the Deep Down mill, which is using daily considerable ore which averages $16 in gold and $21 in silver. There are immense bodies of this ore in sight and very easily gotten out. Numbers of smaller mines in the same district are being worked, and prospectors are actively looking up that region, and with considerable success. The Philadelphia men who are interested in that section are reported as pushing the formation of their big company, and it is expected their operations will be commenced in the near future, giving numbers of men in that region employment.

THE HILLSBORO OUTPUT.

And at Hillsboro, in practically the same district, the output from the mines last week amounted to 180 tons. This is a section which could be advantageously prospected. Other regions in the Territory have become so well known to mining men that their attention has been diverted to a great extent away from the promising Hillsboro country, although it has been demonstrated there is plenty of gold and other mineral in that region only awaiting development.

In the Ortiz mine grant things are looking lively. The men who have control of the Edison interest there do not say much, but it is generally known that the machinery for the intended gigantic operations on that grant by the Edison Company is being gotten ready in the East as fast as possible, and that before very long a large number of men will be finding employment in producing the yellow stuff from that immense deposit of ore.

THE ORTIZ MINE.

The Ortiz mine is now being run to its full capacity, about 50 tons per day being the average. This mine bids fair to become a wealth producer, and it is significant that but a few months ago the boiler horse power at that mine was but seven. Within a few months two changes, both for more power, have been instituted, and to-day they are using a 100-horsepower boiler, to its full capacity, with the probability in the near future of being compelled to add more as their property reaches a higher state of development.

The Shoshone, in the same country, is another proposition which is very well thought of, and the owners are now engaged in sinking another shaft. At a depth of 20 feet, 4 feet of mineral has been disclosed, and predictions for the future of that property are very bright.

THE COCHITI DISTRICT.

In the Cochiti district and around Bland and Golden things are particularly promising. Bland seems to be a trifle more favored so far as new people and prospectors are concerned, it being reported that new arrivals to that camp have averaged 10 per day for some time back. As few of the new prospectors seem to have any thought of leaving, it must be taken as conclusive evidence that the camp is in a sound, healthy condition. Most of the new arrivals are those directly concerned in mining, and as there is a large unexplored and unclaimed body of land in that vicinity yet, the prospects seem to be alluring for the prospector. Newlyopened claims are very easily disposed of, but the owners seem to be inclined to hold on, knowing that time will increase the value of their properties. The Cochiti is undoubtedly the best paying region in the Territory.

NOT A BOOM MOVEMENT.

The unusual developments, both under way and projected, are not the result of a boom; they are but the honest, gigantic stride forward of a surpassingly rich country, whose resources are beginning to be known. The latest big project is the substitution of electricity for steam as the motive power in that district. With a big dam constructed across the Rio Grande about 12 miles above the Albemarle group of mines, and an electric-power house at that point large and powerful enough to furnish power to not only the mills, but for the tramways and lighting purposes, it is plain to be seen that the Cochitis will be prosperous. This scheme is a bona fide proposition and will be carried out by the manager of the Albemarle, backed by his company. One mining deal was consummated this week whereby a Mr. Weatherhead, of Cleveland, Ohio,

gained control of the Gleason mine at Golden. He proposes to immediately install new reduction and smelting works on his claim and the property will no doubt pay out big. It has a 24-foot vein ranging from $20 to $200 to the ton.

In the Crown Point active work is being done, drifts being run, and the contractors report the ore improving at every foot of advance. The Monte Cristo has been enjoying a run of luck, and the owners have ordered 100 tons of machinery for their placer claims. On the Ermine extension development has been recently done, the results proving highly satisfactory, the property showing a 4-foot vein running through. On the Albermarle Group everything is humming. The pay roll of this mine already averages $16.000 per month, and that property bids fair to make a national reputation as a producer of gold. While gold commands the most attention, the silver propositions are all right, and should silver ever be restored to its rightful place, prodigious production of that metal in central New Mexico would be chronicled. Opals are frequently found in this part also. In Santa Fe and more particularly Taos County, deposits of copper are being exploited with good results, and the Copper Glance mine in Taos County has been bonded to Chicago capitalists.

THE RED RIVER COUNTRY.

Up in the Elizabethtown and Red River country everything betokens a very busy summer, and, like the other mining districts of the Territory, seems to be very sanguine of pronounced and abundant success.

Every able-bodied man in that region is able to instantly command work. At the Mallette property very fine free gold specimens have been shown up, with the full expectation that the good prospects will continue. The "I Own" is undergoing considerable development. H. B. Tompkins's property on the Black Mountain, in the same vicinity, is panning out well, his shaft at 35 feet showing up a 4-foot vein of excellent ore. One of the promising claims is that of Henry Young, who has been actively at work taking out ore that assayed $500 per ton. The Anderson property at Elizabethtown is authoritatively reported as sending $100 ore to the mills. In the northern region, and, in fact, in the several mining districts of the Territory, the mining outlook for the coming season is particularly enticing, and there is no doubt but the present success will prove a great benefit as a sound advertising medium for the undoubtedly great and rich mining resources within our borders.

THE MINES OF NEW MEXICO.

[From Territorial Bureau of Immigration.]

GOLD, SILVER, COPPER, LEAD, IRON, COAL, AND ALL THE PRECIOUS AND USEFUL METALS AND MINERALS-FIELDS FOR THE PROSPECTOR AND INVESTOR IN EVERY COUNTY OF THE TERRITORY A CLIMATE THAT AFFORDS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE MINER TO WORK THE YEAR 'ROUND THE ATTENTION OF MINING MEN FROM THE NORTHERN STATES NOW BEING ATTRACTED TO THIS TERRITORY, RICH IN MINERAL, AND LARGE-SIZED INVESTMENTS ARE BEING MADE.

A vast mineral field.—Mr. J. D. Bone, a mining expert of good standing, who has a practical knowledge of the different mineral districts in the Territory, says: "As a broad assertion, we may say the whole mountain region in New Mexico is a fair and a reasonably sure prospecting field. It is a very false idea to suppose that a few favored spots, at which development has taken place-merely little pin points on the vast area of known mineralized territory-are all, or one-thousandth part, of the great resources of our mountains.

We do not hesitate to say that quite a promising field for prospecting would be right in the midst of any one of our oldest camps. This being true in the oldest and livest mining camps of the Territory, surely the vast field of known mineral-bearing area has been but indifferently prospected, if indeed, at all.

"The seeker after hidden wealth has here in New Mexico a wide field, one which it is not at all improbable will exceed in value anything yet discovered. The areas most likely to produce results are where eruptive forces have been most active and the disturbances and crystallizing of the strata most pronounced.

In this Territory, with its 122,444 square miles, are rich and inviting fields, practically untouched by the pick of the prospector, and offering the miner and capitalist opportunities for rich returns for labor and money expended, such as are very seldom found in any mining section of the great west. As good, if not better, chances are presented within the boundaries of this Territory than were found in Leadville or Cripple Creek, Colo.

"Mining districts.-This Territory has now some eighty-five mining districts, which are scattered widely, and cover a large section of country, thus showing

that the mineral wealth is by no means confined in any one special place, but largely distributed over a great extent of territory.

66

The territory in New Mexico already more or less developed equals 30,000 square miles of mineral-bearing country, and the better developed districts of this vast extent are as rich as any exploited elsewhere in the United States, and its as yet great undeveloped areas offer to the intelligent prospector and energetic man of means opportunities found in no other mining country.

64

66

The great mineral belt.—By examining any ordinary map of the Western States it will be seen that all of the most valuable recent developments of minerals in southern Colorado are on a well-defined line following the Rocky Mountain system into and across New Mexico, and that that line extends through the central west and southwest portions of the Territory without a break of any considerable extent. • That conditions along this extent of country, almost 400 miles in length, in many respects resemble the gold and silver bearing formations of Creede, Cripple Creek, Rosita, Silver Cliff, and the great San Juan country of Colorado can not be doubted, and in the coming years it is not unlikely this section of New Mexico may develop many places as productive of wealth as the above-named Colorado districts.

66

New Mexico gold fields.-Lying just south of the great Commonwealth of Colorado, our first counties are San Juan, Rio Arriba, Taos, Colfax, and Union.

"The evidences of gold throughout San Juan are such that this county becomes attractive as a point where extensive hydraulic operations may be conducted with every assurance of success.

Passing east from this county we come to Rio Arriba, where the mineral deposits, worked to any great extent, generally take the form of placers and vast fields of coal. It would seem to us that in the vicinity of Tierra Amarilla and Good Hope would be a good and most promising prospecting field for the precious metals.

66

· Rich placers.-Near Abiquiu, along the Chama River, are gold placers that cover nearly 20,000 acres, which show a remarkable average yield of gold, and as water seems to be plentiful for most of the year, this vicinity is unexcelled as a point where large and paying mining enterprises may be conducted. Examination of these deposits along the Chama River are now being made by Prof. F. A. Reynolds, acting under directions from an Eastern mining syndicate, and the daily press report this gentleman as saying that gravel tested by him runs from 50 cents to $3 in gold per cubic yard.

The deep placer deposits of Taos County, along the Rio Grande, are probably the most extensive in the United States, and investigation warrants us in saying that nothing since the discovery of California and Australia is comparable for its measurable resources of gold available by the hydraulic process. Reference to the report of Prof. Benjamin Silliman, of Yale College, to the Commissioner of the General Land Office, published in 1880, will fully convince even those who are sending men and money to explore Alaska's frozen fields that right here in New Mexico-a land of perpetual sunshine-are equally rich and much more desirable gold-placer deposits. The altitude of these deep placer deposits is perhaps 7,000 feet; still, because of this locality being sheltered by the encircling mountains, and because of its more southern latitude, placer mining can be carried on quite nine months of each year and at points the entire year. These great placer deposits do not alone constitute Taos County's great undeveloped resources, for her mountains are rich in metals, as is fully shown at numerous points where there are producing gold, silver, and copper mines.

· Quartz mining.-The Red River country in Taos County is fast becoming known to mining men throughout the world as a district destined in a very short time to rival any one of our greatest gold-producing sections.

At La Belle, Amizette, and other points development is being rapidly pushed, and it may be said that Taos County has fairly entered upon a bright mining future.

"To the east of this rich county of Taos lies Colfax County, a district which has produced many millions in gold, and which to-day gives brighter promise than at any time in its history. A very large proportion of the rich mineral lands of this county are comprised within the boundaries of the Maxwell Land Grant Company's property. The liberal policy pursued by this company in its dealings with the prospector is worthy of notice. The management of this grant has laid down rules very similar to those governing mineral locations on public domains, and the property is thrown open to the prospector and miner, who can at a nominal cost acquire title and develop mining properties on the grant. The old Baldy district on this grant is a large gold producer, so also is the Ute Creek district, where is located the famous old Aztec mine, with a record of almost a million in gold. The

Montezuma mine, on what is commonly known as Montezuma Hill, has produced between $200,000 and $300,000.

There is greater activity in the west Moreno Valley district than ever before, and only 3 miles from the new but promising camp of Hematite are the worldfamed Elizabethtown placers, which have produced over $200,000 in gold. Aside from these famous placers it is said that miners, in a crude way, produce large sums in gold from placer ground but little known.

66

Grand opening for prospectors.-Little mining of the precious metals has been done in Union County, but it is not an unlikely field for prospecting for our undeveloped mineral resources.

"Passing from Union County, we next take up Mora and San Miguel counties, two sections of the Territory which seem to have been but indifferently prospected. The mountain range west of the city of Las Vegas lies directly in the goldproducing belt, and surface indications are most favorable.

"South from the city of Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, and not far from the town of Cerrillos, in a disconnected range of mountains, with perhaps an average width of 7 miles, is one of the most remarkable mineral regions of New Mexico, and we may say of the world. This range travels north and south and is known as the Ortiz Mountains. The surface indications are unsurpassed, and a number of fine bodies of low-grade, free-milling gold ores are found, among which may be especially mentioned the famous Cunningham Hill and adjoining properties near Dolores. The main western lode, especially in its southern extension, is rich in copper, as found in the workings of the San Pedro Copper Company. This region was known to the early Spanish explorers, who, upon their advent into this country, discovered and worked the rich gravel deposits at the base of Ortiz Mountain, in and about San Pedro, Golden, and Dolores.

"A million a year.-An experienced and reliable expert who examined these extensive placers a few years ago reported that, if sufficient water were placed thereon, these placers could be made to yield $1,000,000 in gold per year for over twenty-three years.' The 'country rock,' being soft and porous so that the vein matter lying near the surface rapidly oxidizes and the oxidized 'honeycomb' quartz remaining with its vast supply of free gold, is eroded by degrees and being carried down the slope to feed the placers below.

"The famous turquois mine.-In the vicinity of Cerrillos is a small section of mountainous country, in which is located one of the world's best known and most productive turquois mines. There are, as near as we can learn, some sixty or seventy turquois claims in New Mexico, some ten or a dozen in active and profitable operation.

The output of turquois in New Mexico, as taken from official sources, was $150,000 in 1891, $175,000 in 1892, $200,000 in 1893, $250,000 in 1894, $350,000 in 1895, and $475,000 in 1896; but it is openly asserted that the true value of turquois mined since 1890 has been greatly underestimated. As an illustration, one of these mines sold in 1893 for $250,000, and, according to the statements of a former owner, has paid a million and a half a year since that time. One single stone taken out is reported to have been bought for $6,000 in New York.

Cochiti and Hell Canyon.-Leaving Santa Fe County, we next take up Bernalillo, which has an area of 8,000 square miles, of which 5,000 square miles are classed as mineral lands. The well-known Cochiti mining district practically dates from discoveries made in 1893. Progress was retarded by title suits under old grants, but a decision favorable to the miners was recently handed down by the United States Supreme Court, and now development in this wonderful camp goes steadily forward.

66

East of the city of Albuquerque some 20 miles is the Hell Canyon district, destined in the near future to attract widespread attention. The large bodies of free-milling ores disclosed in the workings of the mines are probably as extensive for amount and character and work as any in the United States. These large bodies of ores are deserving of investigation, and if operated on proper lines will produce handsome returns for many years to come. Considerable mining machinery is now being placed in the camps and active operations will soon

commence.

"In our travels south we have now come to Socorro, a county blessed with abundant natural resources, extending as it does about 170 miles east and west by 100 miles north and south, and containing over 10,000,000 acres, some sections of which have produced millions in mineral wealth. This county, which for many years past has been steadily adding to the mineral wealth of the world, stands today upon the threshold of a brighter future than at any time in its history.

A carload of bullion a day.-Just west of Socorro City there are large deposits of lead-silver ores, but only at one point in the county is this class of ores now

being mined to any great extent-in the Magdalena Mountains. Water Canyon and Copper Creek districts, west of Socorro City, are very rapidly coming into prominence as gold producers, and with the improvements now being made bid fair to rival the best-known sections of the Territory. At the town of Kelley, some 30 miles west of the city of Socorro, are located the famous Kelley mines, heavy producers of lead-silver ores. Under the able management of Capt. A. B. Fitch the Graphic mines are producing with ease sufficient ore to keep in full operation day and night the 100-ton smelter. A carload of bullion is turned out by this plant every twenty-four hours, thus making lively times not only for the many miners in and about Kelley, but every man in this section reaps a measure of benefit from this industry.

"Away to the west in Socorro County, near where the Territorial boundary line joins Arizona, is located the Cooney district, a section at one time producing highgrade silver ores, but whose mines are now being worked largely for the gold values contained in the ores.

"The far-famed Black range.-We have now reached the county of Sierra, wherein are located the well-known Mimbres, or Black range of mountains, which in many respects are among the most remarkable in the United States. It has been most truly said that an extent of country from San Augustine plains on the north to Cooks Peak on the south, a distance of over 120 miles, is mineralized in a greater or less degree throughout. Mines located along this mineralized belt of country have long been famed as steady producers of high-class ores of all the useful metals, including gold, silver, copper, lead, and iron. The Black range extends in a northerly and southerly direction, and is about 40 miles in width. The apex or summit of the range forms what is known as the Continental Divide. The topography of the country is such as to make any point easily accessible." A yet undeveloped field.-A large percentage of the known mineral-bearing area of New Mexico has been but indifferently prospected-very much of it not at all. Consequently there is still here a wide field for the seeker after hidden wealth. It is therefore not impossible, or even improbable, that there are yet here quite as profitable fields, untouched by the pick of the prospector, as any that have been developed. There is good reason to believe that the southerly western portions, nearly all mountainous, bordering Arizona and Old Mexico, abound in all the valuable minerals equally if not beyond the northeasterly portions of the mountain areas, nor that in due time, under the rigorous search of the energetic and intelligent prospector, great values will in the not distant future be developed, and to an extent and value equal, if not beyond, any that have yet been reached. The capitalist, the miner, or prospector who decides to cast his lot here will find the foundations of a broad and enlightened society well established. They will find a generous, progressive, and liberal-minded people, ready to lend a helping hand to every comer. They will find order, society, law, and an enlightened public sentiment ruling the Territory.

Favorable climatic conditions.-Not only the character of these deposits as given by conservative and reliable correspondents, but the accessibility and value as shown by the daily record of output and the vast extent of the field covered. mark this as the most attractive field covered to the minor and mine hunter yet developed on the American continent, if not in the world.

The annual report of the New Mexico section of the United States Weather Bureau for 1897, published in Bulletin No. 1. 1898, contains valuable information in regard to the climatic conditions in New Mexico, especially to prospectors and miners. While it shows, as compared to more northerly latitudes, that the mean temperature of the mining sections of New Mexico was seldom below the freezing point and the weather was very rarely too cold for prospecting or surface-mining work. If so disposed, the miner can put in the entire year prospecting or mining, at his pleasure or convenience.

Mining claims, how located.—The bureau frequently receives inquiries asking for information concerning the manner of locating mineral claims in New Mexico, and if our laws differ from the regulations prescribed by the United States General Land Office.

We can say that, in the main, the United States laws, as found in the Revised Statutes, governing the location of claims, govern also in New Mexico; the laws of New Mexico making one additional requirement relating to the locating of mines, which is set out in section 1 of chapter 25, Laws of 1889, as follows:

That the locator or locators of any mining claim, located after this act shall take effect, shall, within ninety days from the date of taking possession of the same, sink a discovery shaft upon such claim to a depth of at least 10 feet from the lowest part of the rim of such shaft at the surface exposing mineral in place, or shall drive a tunnel, adit, or open cut upon such claim to at least 10 feet below the surface exposing mineral in place."