( i, ' tZ VOL. IV. SUMPTER, OREGON, MAY ij, iqoj. NO. 36. DEAL TO TAKE OVER HARDWARE STORES. Prominent Sumpter and Baker City Business Men Associated to Acquire Basche's Holdings in Both Cities, A deal is now pending which it is definitely understood through reliable (sources, is likoly to bo com pleted within the uoxt few days for the organization of a joint stock company 'composed of promluont Sumpter and Baker City business men to take over tho holdings of tho Basche Hardware company, now doing business in both cities. Mr. Basche, it is statod, will retain a largo interest in tho stock of tho now corporation, aud it will still bo known as tho Bascho Hardware company. This move is undertaken from tho fact that tho business has grown to such proportions that it is doomed ndrisablo in order to iucreaso tho general scope aud moro properly cover the field. Tho capital stock of tho now company, it is said, will bo placed at $125,000. Thoso con cerned in tho transaction horo uro reluctant to give out details, as tho deal has not yet boon closed, but it is stated, there is no doubt but that It will be in a very short time. The Basche Hardware company owub large stores at both Sumpter and Baker City ,and is conducting tho largest retail hardware business lu tho state Outsldo of a few firms in Portland tho company represents tho largost gonoral hardware trado in Oregon, aud tho prosont incorpora tion will provide a means of moro properly taking euro of tho bus lu ess nnd increasing tho field of operation. and Pine Creek placer districts, aud report the placers in that region working' with a good flow of water. These gentlemen own placer grouud on Cornet creek on which work is to bo started soon. TO ORGANIZE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. THINGS DOING AT HIGHLAND. Snow Disappearing: And Lead to Be Opened Up Through out Property. News from tho Highland mine is to tho effect that the drift which la boiug driven as rapidly as possible, is lu fair grade ore aud looks perma nent. Tho snow is fast disappearing around the Hlghlaud aud it is understod that as soon as tho suow is gone that the company intends to do considerable work in tho way of opening up tho lead in a great many places throughout tho property. Anothor tunuol will also bo started further up tho mountain and above the Baunock Burn. This now proposed tuunel should reveal large bodies of exceedingly high grade oro. The president of the company is going to visit the Highland this week in company with a party of stock holders. A great amount of development work is going on in the nearby mines and great activity has been displayed immediately around tho Highland since this company acquired this property. Tho Chlorido ml no Is still workiug in very fluo oro and tho Maxwell has ton or twelvo men at work. It is understood that it is going to start its mill in tho very near future. Tho Maxwell mine is a well dovolopod property; thero is over a in Ho and one-half of tunnel which has uncovered a number of very large oro shoots. The above information regarding tho Highlaud was received uuolllclally through reliable sources, as President Soreuseu did uot caro to discuss tho situatlou for publlctiou. Muting Called (or Wednesday, May 20, at The Ellis Opera House. It has boon decided to postpone tho meeting for tho organization of tho chamber until next Wednesday night, May 120. Tho call for Monday night had Jo bo reconsidered on account of tho absonco of Chairman Kiolmrds. Thou Friday night was selected, but this was found to conflict with tho K. of P. entertainment lu which many of the leading prospective members will participate. Tho meet ing is now culled for next Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., to take place at tho Ellis Opora honso. " "r - Over a hundred havo signified thoir willingness to join tho organi zation by signing the subscription list which was circulated. Its success is assured beyond any reasonable question. GOOD WORK AT THE STANDARD. THE I. X L. AND HIDDEN TREASURE. STAMP MILL TO BE INSTALLED RIGHT AWAY. Superintendent Kelly Returns and Will Resume Work at Once Sawmill Will Probably be Put In Cross Vein to be Opened Up Connecting Properties High Averages. Company to Erect Extensive Treating and Reduction Plant In Early Fall. CONTINUING ORIFT AT CRACKER SUMMIT. Air Pipes Being Put In to Relieve Low Ventilation. Superintendent Jackson is still continuing tho drift in the Cracker Summit. Lately ho has been troubled with low veutllation and is putting in an air pipe to remedy the defect. Four feet a day is being made and the work is being pushed ahead with satisfactory results. Placer Working. U. II. Fought and U. L. Harvey returned yesterday from the Comet Most satisfactory results have been obtained by tho Standard Consoli dated (iold Mlucscompaiiy since tho now management assumed charge of tho duvt'lnvpiuout work. Tho drift on tho Standard vein, lato reports from tho property state, Ih opening up soino flue oro bodies showing high values lu gold, cobalt and coppor. Work is also being prosecuted on tho Cleveland-Willie Hoy crosscut. It is expected that the vein will soon bo reeached ou this level, giving a depth of :i.r0 feet. The Cleveland Willie Boy voiu is uno of tho strongest gold bearing veins in tho district. Any quantity of oro is on the dump ready for shipment or treatment. It is tho present plan of the com pauy to erect iu tho early fall one of tho largest treatlug aud reduction plants to be found in tho country. The fact that tho company has one of tho big propositions iu the district will warrant a mill of extetisive proportions. F. T. Kelly, superinteude-ul of tho 1. X. L. aud Hidden Treasure, in tho Greenhorns, returned yesterday from Spokane, after an absence of several moutliM from the district. He leaves immediately for tho properties with a crew of men to start work. A steam mill with a capacity of live stamps is to bo installed at once. Tho machinery has been ordered and is now on tho way. It Ih expected to havo tho mill In operation by tho middlo of Juno. Suiwrlntendont Kelly stated that it is probable a sawmill will also Ih Installed later iu the season. Both properties are well developed. On the I. X. L. there Ih a 'J 00 foot shaft mid 100 feet of drifts; ou tho Hidden Treasure, the shaft Ih down 11(1 feet with t!00 feet of drifts. Averages from 110 to f Ifi have been obtained, with some exceptionally high assays from picked samples. When opertlous were suspended last February a cross vein connecting tho parallel veins iu tho two properties was Iwiug opened up. This connect ing vein is 100 feel in length, and it Is the purpose of tho management to resume operations at this point. Superintendent Kelly spent much time while away In Spokane, Seattle and Tucoiim. He says that great interest Is expressed regarding thlio Sumpter district iu IIicmi cities. A gieat many are already Inteiested lu mining properties hero aud moro capital is likely to flow iu from these points. PUTTING IN NEW IRON AT SNOW CREEK. Company Arranging for Its Permanent Workings. The Snow Creek company Is reiron Ing Its tunnel. The present eight pound rails are being taken up and replaced with twelve pound rails. A (1x12 drainage box is iiIhi being put lu, aud tho company is arranging for its permanent workings. It is probable that this preparatory work will occupy about a mouth, during which development opera tions will naturally have to bo suspended.