THE SUMPTER MINER
VOL II.
SUMPTER, OREGON, JANUARY 2, 1901.
NO. 17
' )
DOUBT HAS VANISHED.
BRIGHT FUTURE OF SUMPTER
AND DISTRICT ASSURED.
Facti and Figure Are Not Adequate
to Demonstrate the Great Progress
Made Things Not Tangible Tell the
Story Spirit of Confidence and Hope
Pervades the People Knockers In Dis
repute. During the past few weeks THE
MINER has published some statistics re
gard the various improvements that have
been made In Sumpter during the past
year; facts and figures relative to the
lumber Industry; about the stocks of goods
carried by local merchants, the vast
amount of freight handled by the Sumpter
Valley railroad and the Sumpter Trans
portatlon company; especially pertaining
to the large consignments of mining
machinery received here and distributed
through this and adjoining districts.
These statistics have been compared and
contrasted with similar facts representing
business conditions of the previous year,
all demonstrating that wonderful strides
iiave been made in1 this town and district
during the past twelve months. These
material facts furnish tangible proof of
progress to outsiders, and are perhaps
necessary for that purpose.
But to those who reside here and keep
In touch with the spirit of Industrial
movements; have some personal knowl
edge of the work being done In the mines
and of the personnel of the men who are
engaged in these various mining enter
prises, all these figures are not neces
sarry to convlce them that this is a bet
ter, almost a different, country from what
it was a year or eighteen months ago.
They know that the most encouraging
evidences of progress and improvement
noticable on every hand can't be tabu
lated, can't be expressed in either figures
or a few concise words. They know that
it is impossible to estimate the amount of
development work done In the district
during the past season, and that on the
result and extent of I liar work the con
tinued prosperity of Sumpter and the east
ern Oregon gold fields depend.
To fully realize what the future holds
for this region, one must know, not one
or two, but many prospectors and mining
men, who are actually engaged in the
fascinating work of uncovering and block
ing o.ut gold-laden ledges; must talk with
them as a brother, and learn of the true
condition of affairs. He who has done
this is inspired with hope and confidence.
It is because we who are here have
done this very thing, unconsciously may
be, that the old spirit of doubt and fear
has vanished. It Is a noticeable fact that
no one any longer discusses the possibility
of eastern Oregon mines ever proving to
be failures. Their permanent worth has
been proven tothe satisfaction of the most
skeptical. As a natural result, Sumpter's
bright future, which Is dependent upon
the neighboring mines, is a thing assured.
It will always be a good trading point and
will grow in response to that law
that cannot be repealed it will sup
ply the demand. That some other town
will spring up and usurp its place as the
trading center for this and adjoining dis
tricts, is also one of the too timid theories
advanced a year ago, that Is heard no
more. Nature has guarded against such
an event, by so corstructlng the surround
ing topography that all roads lead to
Sumpter.
Rut best of all, public sentiment has
changed. The mossback, who persist
ently predicted the failure of every enter
prise started, is a dishonored prophet.
The knocker is In disrepute. The dog in
the manger Is ostracized. People are
working together for the general good,
knowing that they will come in for a
share of the benefits to be derived.
The proposition Is all right.
Liberty Bell Company Elects Officers.
At a meeting of the stockholders of the
Liberty Rell Consolidated Mines com
pany, held at Its (illices in the Basche
block Monday, these directors weie elect
ed: C. C. Basche, Nat Cooper, P. B.
Polndexter, Robeit W. Henry, Joseph G.
Hurt, G. H. Wilson and J. Clifford
Rowen. The directors elected the fol
lowing efficers: President, Claude C.
Basche, manager Basche Hardware com
pany; vice president, Nat Cooper, man
ager B. Basche & Co., Mining Supply
Co.; secretary, Joseph G. Hurt, treas
urer Basche Hardware cempany: treas
urer, Roy H. Miller, cashier First Rank of
Sumpter; general manager, Paul E. Poln
dexter, mine operator. The properties of
the company include the Leviathan, Lit
tle Gertrude, Hardware and B and B
quartz mining claims, situated in the
Alamo division of the far famed Red Boy
district. Three distinct, well defined
ledges course through the limits of the
claims, and may be traced for a distance
of 1,000 feet on the surface, from 14 to 30
feet In width. An average sample from
the cropplngs yielded $7.28 In gold per
ton. Trie development consists of a 30
foot shaft sunk at the junction of three
ledges, a working tunnel 5x6 in the
clear, in on ore, six sets of timbers in
length, numerous cross country trenches,
open cuts and adits thoroughly prospect
the width and value of the veins.
Encouraging Outlook for Prairie City.
Elmer E. Cleaver passed through town
Monday on his way to Prairie City, to
look after business connected with the
townslte company coming up on the first.
Lon Cleaver Is now in Chicago working
in the interest of that section and reports
that the outlook Is encouraging. E. E.
returned last week from Portland. While
there the Oregonlau published a two col
umn Interview with him on the John Day
valley and tributary country, In which he
stated that his greatest handicap In talk
ing on the subject is in the consciousness
of the fact that if he tells the simple truth
about the resources of the reglon,the unin
formed would conclude that he was draw
Ing the long bow. For this reason he has
to select facts of so mild a type that they
won't strain the credulty of the average
reader.
Work In the Cable Cove District.
Eugene Bartholf came In from Cable
Cove district Monday. He Is engaged
there driving a too-foot tunnel on the
Evening Star, for its new owners. He
brought in some rock, taken near the sur
face, that assays better than twenty dol
lars. It is characteristic of the district,
bing an iron pyrites. This property Is
only 1400 feet from the famous Gipsy
King group. He reports heavy snow at
that high altitude, and packing in sup
plies is very arduous work.
Prompt attention to orders for cut flow
ers and floral pieces. City Green House
Baker City, Oregon.
MOVING MACHINERY.
Hauling to the Columbia. Bald
Mountain and Red Boy.
There has been a great movement of
mining machinery since the roads have
been sufficiently Improved by the heavy
fall of snow to permit the comparative
easy hauling of he.ivy loads.
The monster sinking pump lor the Col
umbia mine arrived last week and has
been transported to the mill. It Is the
heaviest pump in the distiict, welglilng
)4,ooo pod nds, and has a capacity of 600
gallons a minute from the 500 loot level.
The Columbia people are adding to their
plant and keep it well in the lead will)
up to date machinery and equipment.
During the coming year they will sink
their shaft an additional too feet. The
deepest level Is now 62; feet.
Friday of last week two car loads of
machinery arrived for the Raid Mountain
company. This is a portion of the equip
ment for the 2o-stamp mill which it is
now erecting, the Joshua Hendy Machine
Works, of San Francisco, being the man
ufacturers. Yesterday-five four-horse teams and
wagons, loaded with the Red Boy deep
sinking plant, left for the mine. The
lightest load weighed 6500 pounds and
the heaviest 8000 pounds. The immense
drum shaft with its stationary attach
meiits, weighing ij.ooo pounds, will be
loaded tomorrow or next day.
Woodmen's Annual Masquerade Ball.
The local lodge of Woodmen gave its
annual mask ball New Year's eve at the
opera house, which was, as usual, well
attended, consequently a financial and
social success. The majority In attend
ance were in costume, of which there was
too great a variety to attempt a descrip
tion. It can be safely said, however, 110
jollier time was ever hid by the dancers.
The evening entertainment was Inter
spersed with tableau, presented by mem
bers of the lodge In costume and the par
aphemalla of the order, under red light
effects. At midnight a scene was given
representing the passing of the old year
and the entrance of the new, illustrated
by an old man who was discovered as the
curtain arose and who slowly made his
exit from the scene, to give place to a
pretty little child who greeted the audi
ence with "Happy New Year." The pic
ture was applauded, as It deserved to be.
The lady friends of the order outdid
themselves with delictus cakes, coffee
and other refreshments. The floor was In
excellent condition, as usual; in fact there
Is no better in eastern Oregon, a fact con
ceded long ago.
Municipal Affairs.
At the meeting of the city council Satur
day evening, little was done except the
granting of liquor licenses, fifteen in num
ber. This is a reduction of three from the
last quarter. A special meeting will be
held tomorrow evening to further con
sider the new charter, which the legisla
ture mIII be asked to grant. J. H. Rob
bins will be installed as mayor, Ed Rand
as marshal, J. b. Stoddard, T. D. Bellin
ger and H. B. Griffin as aldermen next
Tuesday evening. E. L. Manning, re
corder; W. R. Hawley, treasurer, remain
in the same positions. A. W. Ellis,
William Stinson and W. W. Looney
are the hold over councllmen. The latter
has left town and his chair will be de
clared vacant. The names of several
gentlemen are mentioned for the place. It
is said that Al llillier cm have it, If he
does not wish to remain as health officer.
It is generally thought that C. II. Chance
will be appointed city attorney, and It is
conceded that ;i better appointment can
not be made.
Child Born With the Century.
The first twentieth century girl born in
Sumpter artived at the home of Mr. and
Mrs. Joe Hint at one minute past twelve
uMock New Year's morning; weight sev
en and a hall pounds. Dr. Rrock was in
attendance. Joe seemed to have learned,
somehow, that something of the kind
was on the program, so took to the woods
early in the evening and every detective
In town failed to get a clue to his where
abouts, lie returned home befoie morij
ihg, however, and is now clamoring Id
"hold" the little lady, which privilege Is
firmly withheld by those in command.
Roth mother and child arc doing well. '
Local Monte Carlo.
The new resort to be known as Hie
Sullivan house, corner of Granite and
Cracker street, Is approaching comple
tion and will be formally thrown open to
the public soon. The Sullivan boys have
made Important changes In the old corner
and will have a modern Morte Carlo in
stitution when It is complete. A circular
bar fifty-seven fret In length, virtually
provld.-s two separate places for their
patrons comfort. Their aim Is to offer
the best merchandise in the line, comfort
and entertainment to all.
Bend on Golconda Forfeited.
It Is reported that the bond held by
Frank J. Watson, of Portland, on the
Golconda mine, has been forfeited, and
that Spokane capitalists who mean busi
ness are now negotiating for the purchase
of the property. It is perhaps well for the
district that Spokane Instead of Portland
men should get control of this valuable
mine, and it Is hoped that the deal will be
consummated. I he price at which the
Golconda Is said to have been bonded to
the Portland people Is Hoo,ooo.
The Olympia Reopened.
E. E. Hauser is ousy these days arrang
ing the Interior of Henry Finger's former
liquor house on Center street, of which
Mr. Hauser Is now proprietor. The new
ly remodeled Healy building permitted the
raising of the ceilings, thus making a ma
terial improvement in the appearance of
the rooms, 11s Is noticable to nil patrons at
first glance. The same high standard of
goods which made the Olympia popular
will be maintained and every comfort pro
vided for the old and new trade.
Dancers, Attention I
Professor Nichols, of Raker City, will
be at the opera house tomorrow (Thurs
day) evening to conduct a dancing school.
The success of the school in the past In
sures a pleasant time this week.
The Capital hotel, under the manage
ment of Mrs. Tedrowe, serves special
Sunday dinners. Families should take
advantage of this. Rest table board In
town. Try it.
Wanted A position as stationery eugi
geer by a man of experience. Address
Engineer, care THE SUMI'TER MINER.
Dunphy & Gertridge's Club saloon is
the popular resort for mining and com
mercial men. ,
The best is always cheapest buy Glaut
powder.
Always reliable Giant powder.