LINOGREN AND~| rivcr^ T\lT-\n?Q 1 Q 



RANSOME. J THE MINES. iy 



of the Gold Coin is the Ajax, working partly in veins, partly in large, 

 irregular ore bodies in the granite. The total production is very con- 

 siderable. The depth attained is 1,200 feet. 



Between this and the Portland vein system, almost within the town 

 of 'Victor, are the Granite, Dillon, and Dead Pine veins. They are 

 worked at present at depths of from 800 to 1,000 feet. 



The Portland vein system begins on the south at the Strong mine, 

 now worked at a maximum depth of 900 feet, on a vein in granite 

 that follows a " basalt" dike, which is in places accompanied by a 

 phonolite dike. The mine is an unusually regular and profitable 

 producer, the total dividends since 1892 amounting to $2,500,000. 



The veins of Stratton's Independence run about parallel to those of 

 the Strong, a few hundred feet eastward. They extend from the 

 granite into the breccia, following for some distance a phonolite dike. 

 The production of this mine amounts to over $11,000,000, with a divi- 

 dend record of $4,000,000 since 1899. At present the company is 

 leasing the various levels to tributers. From the two properties last 

 described the vein systems continue into the Portland mine, but in 

 the northern part of that great property are replaced by another and 

 still richer aggregate of veins, the Captain system. The Portland is, 

 beyond question, the most prominent mine of the Cripple Creek dis- 

 trict. Its total production from 1894 to the end of 1903 amounted to 

 $18,000,000, derived from 466,000 tons of ore (both in round figures), 

 from which $4,600,000 has been paid in dividends, the remainder going 

 to acquirement of territory, extensive milling and mining plants, and 

 operating expenses. 



Outside mining properties. The area outside of the principal vol- 

 canic area contains very few productive properties, but it is by no 

 means barren. A great deal of money has been spent here, usualty 

 with unsatisfactory results. Although there are many properties of 

 merit and although much honest effort has been made in this part of 

 the district^ it has long been the favorite camping ground of concerns 

 more or less lacking in stability. 



The granite hills west and south of the city of Cripple Creek con- 

 tain few prospects; phonolite dikes occur in places, but usually show 

 little value. Along Gold Run and Arequa Gulch prospects with a little 

 ore have been found, down to the junction with Cripple Creek, and 

 even at isolated places below this locality. Grouse Mountain, with its 

 phonolite cap, shows many prospects from which occasional good assays 

 have been obtained, but neither here nor on Straub and Brind moun- 

 tains has anything of permanent value been developed thus far. It is 

 claimed that ore bodies of low grade, containing a few dollars per ton, 

 exist. 



The breccia caps of Mineral, Carbonate, and Tenderfoot hills are 

 dotted with prospect dumps, and even shafts several hundred feet 



