CHAPTER VII—MINES OF BATTLE MOUNTAIN (EAST GROUP). 
GENERAL INTRODUCTION. 
Battle Mountain rises directly north of Victor, in the southern part of the 
volcanic area. On the northwest it is separated from Raven Hill by Arequa Gulch, 
and on the southwest from the granite mass of Squaw Mountain by a well-marked 
saddle. On the south Battle Mountain merges into the granitic slope upon which 
is built the town of Victor. On the southeast it is separated by Wilson Creek from 
Big Bull Mountain and on the north is connected by an open saddle with Bull Hill. 
5 The principal rock of Battle Mountain is a volcanic breccia of mingled phono- 
litic and granitic detritus. This breccia, which is bounded on the south In the 
nearly vertical rim of the Pikes Peak granite, is intricately intruded by masses of 
syenite and latite-phonolite and by phonolite and “basalt dikes. 
The mines of Battle Mountain are not only numerous, but constitute the most 
productive group in the entire district. Some of the ore bodies are entirely in 
breccia, others are entirely in granite, and still others are partly in breccia and partly 
in granite, or in some cases in phonolite or “ basalt dikes. On the northwest slope 
of the mountain are the Eclipse and Carbonate Queen mines. On the south slope, 
nearest Squaw Mountain, are the Ajax, Dead Pine, and Gold Coin mines, the latter 
in the town of Victor and not strictly on Battle Mountain. East of these mines is 
another line comprising the Granite, Monument, Dillon, and Mary C ashen mines. 
East of these again are the Portland, with workings extending under the summit and 
northern slope of the hill, the Strong, and Stratton’s Independence mines. 
PORTLAND MINE. 
INTRODUCTION. 
The Portland mine, the largest in the district, is on Battle Mountain, just 
north of Victor. The original Portland claim, located by James Doyle early in 
1892, was a small triangular fraction on the south slope of the mountain and about 
300 feet northwest of Stratton’s famous Independence claim. Doyle entered into 
partnership with James Burns, and soon afterwards John Harman was gN on a 
third interest. In a short time the three prospectors discovered ore, but were at 
once involved in litigation with surrounding claim owners. W. S. Stratton, how¬ 
ever, came to their aid, additional claims were acquired, and in 1894 the present 
company, capitalized at $3,000,000, was organized, with Stratton as its first presi¬ 
dent. The holdings of the company at that time included the Portland, Anna Lee, 
Bobtail, Hidden Treasure, Scranton, and Captain claims. Other purchases followed 
in succeeding years, until at present the Portland Gold Mining Company owns about 
430 
