Page 33 - The Mines of Kingston, New Mexico

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bearing evidences of chemical action left by the mineral currents in their flowing. Where the ledge was broken off, as described in the foregoing, there happened to be a rich ore shoot and the conse- quence was that the sides of the hill were covered with immense pieces of "float" after the glacier had done its work of erosion. In the course of the ages that have since passed most of this original "float" being exposed to the corroding influences of air and water,
gradually disintegrated;, the quartz and other gangue matter being eaten and washed away, leaving the metal in the form of the huge
chunks of sulphide of silver afterwards discovered by the prospectors. The ledge itself at the surface was also acted upon by the same
natural and powerful influences, and at places along the ore shoot the silver is almost as plentiful as in the "float" which strewed the
hillside. As might be expected, however, this zone of atmospheric
decomposition does not extend to any great depth upon the ledge and need hardly be looked for in the deep workings of the mine.* There the ore will be found as "live rock" and while undoubtedly it will be of exceeding richness, no sensible mining man would look for it to be found as it was first discovered upon the surface. From this it will be seen and understood that the Solitaire differs only locally from the balance of the mines located upon the quartz ledges of the country. It happens to possess a richer ore shoot than any ledge yet discovered, although there is no reason to sup- pose but what others equally as good may be opened up. Therein lies the opportunity of the capitalist. As determined by work done, the Solitaire mine shows a shoot of ore about 500 feet in length that will average fully twenty feet wide. It dips off to the west from the
surface at an angle of perhaps eighty degrees. It is opened in several places, all of which show ore in large bodies. The richest is that which lies against the east wall. The mine is now being actively developed by Mr. J. F. Tabor in the interest of his brother, Senator Tabor. Ore is being daily extracted and sacked for ship- menttothemarketatDenver,Colorado. ItistheintentionofSen- ator Tabor to thoroughly open the mine and determine what is neces- sary to the Successful and economical treatment of its ore. When that is decided, the proper kind of works will at once be erected and the ore handled here in the district. As now being produced, the first- class ore runs close to $1,000 per ton, while the general average of