–Mr. Kingly arrived from the White Oaks yesterday. He says there is not so much a boom in that camp as formerly, but that a steady development is continually going on.
— Mr. M. Whiteman who is indefatigable in his efforts to learn of the hidden mineral wealth of this Territory received Sunday 20 sacks of carbonate ore from White Oaks. He will have this thoroughly tested and if this quantity proves as rich as the smaller assays have shown, it will be just the commencement of mining in New Mexico. It will create an excitement greater than that of Leadville for the ore is inexhaustible. (Aug 4, 1880)
The mining interests of the Territory are assuming quite a boom and she will soon rank with most of the mineral producing states of our country. The New Mexico Mining and Improvement Co., have been doing a great deal of work in the White Oak region during the Summer and have met with most gratifying results. One mine, the Great Prize, assays $416 gold and 13 per cent, lead, with a 26 inch vein which can be easily worked. This mine, with a number of others, are owned by members of the engineer corps of the Santa Fe road who hail from Topeka.Carbonates have also been discovered in the same region, and there is every prospect of its becoming one of the most prosperous camps in the country. The Santa Fe road is pushing its way southward and by next Spring will probably cross the old Mexican line on their way to meet the eastern extension from Guaymas,–Commonwealth (Aug 5, 1880)
The following items concerning Lincoln County are gathered from the Mesilla News: J. A. Tomilson Esq. is reorganizing the Lincoln County militia; Major John De Laney has been appointed suttler of the organization. From 40 to 60 claims have been made in the Sierra Capitan, Nogal, S’erra Blanca and White Oaks. Quite a number of men are working in these mines constantly. Mr. Ellis has a mine, the rock from which assays $372 in gold to the ton. The White Oak district is coming to the front also, Messers Dowling, Watts and Gill owning some very rich loads in that district.
The Camp Still Showing up Well.–Wire Gold in the Homestake. The camp is looking well. The mines generally upon development increase in richness, and new discoveries of valuable deposits are being made every day. The latest excitement is over new carbonate discoveries. They are getting assays right on the surface all the way from $5 to $12 and at ten feet many assays have been had from $20 to $29. Experts claim that the ore can be milled at an expense of $3 per ton. If this be so these mines are of incalculable value, as there seems to be no exhaustion of the deposit which is shown by a canyon on the north end of the lava beds. This canyon is at least one hundred and fifty feet deep at the center and the carbonate extend from the top to the bottom, showing conclusively that the ore is of uniform depth. Several parties representing Chicago companies have returned to that city for mills, and gave positive assurances that they would return by October 1st with their machinery. They were very enthusiastic over their locations and as they are all men of responsibility and high character, as well as mineral experts. I think there can be no question of their sincerity. These parties had all their assays made in Chicago and in every case the assays were “pay ore.” The tunnel on the Homestake is now 70 feet. It is reported here that another immense deposit of wire gold had been struck. There is much talk concerning it, but as I have not yet been up to see, I will not give it as a fact. Yours Truly, C. Ewing Patterson (Aug 10, 1880)
–Mr. A. M. Janes arrived from White Oaks mines Sunday evening. He says the little town of White Oaks is improving right along, Twelve buildings are now in course of construction, The mines, too, are assuming a more encouraging aspect. The “black Prince” is opening up into a magnificent mine, The tunnel in the “Home Stake” is almost to the shaft. They have struck the same kind of ore as is shown on top. A tunnel is also being run on the “Black Prince.” (Aug 10, 1880)
–Messrs. George Hilty, Judge Arthur Morrison, J. J. Mackley, Rev. C. Monjean and C. Moise, start this morning for the Jacarillas, White Oaks and the Nogals. These gentlemen go to examine these mining districts in the interest of eastern capitalists.
–M, Whiteman shipped 19,000 pounds of freight to the White Oaks yesterday. He has contracted to ship 80,000 in all. Evidently he has a practical faith in the carbonates.
— Dr. Davis and mr. Slide came up from the White Oaks yesterday. They report much prospecting with good results generally. The Dr. estimates the number pf people in that county including, the White oaks, Nogal, etc. at twelve hundred. –Mr. Peek, who has been at the White Oaks all summer, returned yesterday en route to Fort Scott. He will be back by November. he is convinced that if the white car onates prove as rich as anticipated they will be the biggest thing on earth.
–A gentleman, Mr. W.P. McClure, writing from White Oaks, under the date of August 9th, to a friend in Topeka, Kansas, says:
I do not believe I have written you of the great wonder that is now exciting the people here. The late discovery of the white carbonates plain that lies between the mountain range and the “lave beds,” or as they are called here, the “Malpies.” A scope of country seven to ten miles wide by twenty long has been claimed and staked off–most of it in the last 10 days. Assays have been made at Chicago, Denver and St. Louis, and many other points, with results averaging about thirty ounces of silver per ton. I have from the first been an unbeliever in anything good coming out of them, but I must say now that the evidence is truly convincing, that the white carbonates are a wonder, and the greatest discovery ever made. I have seen the assays and read the different letters, and I must say that theories and formations need not be quoted hereafter. A mill run of 800 pounds of top ore has produced in silver $13. These assays may look small, but when you learn that the carbonates can be put on the dump for fifty cents per ton, and the ore smelted for $3, you will see the big profits there will be in it. The Trinidad mining company now have 100 acres of the best of it, and by the last of the week they will have more. Our company has two-thirds of the largest spring in the country, that is from 300 to 500 feet above the carbonate plain. A pipe three miles long will pour the water on a turbine wheel with more fall than would be safe to put on it. I bought this spring with a view of using the water for placer washing, and it can be used with profit for that purpose. but I think I now see the water will be needed more in the carbonates. If this be as we now think it is, and the carbonates are a success, I will expect to see five hundred smelters on the carbonate plain before twenty-four months shall have come around, and twenty thousand men employed in the wells, smelters, and mines. Drops of water will be as valuable as nuggets of gold. Stone coal and fire-clay can be had here plentifully. I do not desire that you or any of my friends should think that I am excited, for I am not. I have written no one but friend Guthrie, Mr. Prescott and yourself, not do I advise any one to come. They may do as they like. There are many hardships and dangers to encounter. I like this kind of life, and although the dreaded Apache Indians have broken out again and are on the warpath, I would rather climb the mountains and take the chances with the red devils, than be a poor man in a gay city, I have many dear friends in Topeka, and I love the pretty little city better than any point in America, but I cannot live there. I will tell you, friend Stringham, if I make a big strike of say $100,000 or half a million, I may stop off at Topeka. My greatest desire now is to get some good property for my company, and I believe I have some already. I have no money and do not know when I will get any, but I am not discouraged. I know you will remit me money or call me out of this country. I have faith enough in this mineral belt to invest fifty thousand dollars if I had it of my own. My judgement may be wrong, but I am human, and may not set it as you might. I will go tomorrow to the Nogals mountains, in the direction of the Indian reservation. The trip may be a little risky, but I think it safe; there are many mines in there. I do not desire to go down to the Tularosa just now, as I would have to pass through the hostile country. If the Indians come this way and bother the miners, I assure you old Krout-cater at Washington will have some trouble in saving his lousy stinkers from the miners.
— The New Mexico Mining and improvement Company, which have a number of the most valuable mines in the White Oaks district, will meet this evening at the depot office for the purpose of electing officers for the ensuing term, Stock in this company is appreciating rapidly.
–M. Brunswick has received a letter from the White Oaks confirming the good news in reference to the big strike in the Homestake. It is an established fact that the mine has opened up a depth of 80 feet where the tunnel reached it. richer than ever.
–Yesterday M. Whiteman shipped 8,500 pounds more of freight to the White Oaks. This makes over 100,000 that this gentleman has sent to that point within the last few weeks.
— Mr. Hilt, who has just returned from the tour of inspection of the White Oaks, brings a glowing report of the richness of the mines there. The Homestake he pronounces as rich as the most sanguine could have anticipated, The owners are in high delight over the discoveries made by the tunnel. And it is not only in the Homestake but there are plenty of other mines in the vicinity which prove of equal value. He pronounces it the richest mineral country he ever saw.
