SANTA FE MINE-- 1924 TO 1931 February 27, 1923: “…and the Santa Fe shaft is touching the hundred.” –Bakersfield Californian February 19, 1924: “ SANTA FE AND SILVER PICK CLAIMS SOLD AT RANDSBURG—Randsburg Feb. 19, Clark Wortley and associates, have closed the deal for the much sought after Santa Fe property, also taking over the Silver Pick adjoining, making $10,000 as a first payment on a well up in the five figures. Following payments are to be made during the next 12 months. The ground lies north of the California Rand Silver No. 6 shaft and adjoins the Flat Tire, Randsburg Associated, and the Big 4, all under the prospective stage. The Santa Fe consists of two full claims, the Santa Fe and Santa Fe No. 2. The Santa Fe railroad and the county road running through the property and much of Osdick siding camp being built on the Santa Fe property. A well timbered shaft is down 514 feet; surveys of adjoining developments give the encouragement that in an additional depth of 150 feet that they would be in schist. Another transaction wherein the Randsburg Associated Mines have purchased a one-half interest in the Truman group, adjoining their Silver Queen group, was made this week.” – Bakersfield Californian February 22, 1924: “RANDSBURG, FEB. 22,--That the new owners of the Santa Fe claims intend to start things might be construed from their making a survey of the field in quest of a plant that would be capable of sinking 1500 feet.”—Bakersfield Californian February 29, 1924: “SURVEYS MADE FOR Santa Fe BUILDINGS—Randsburg, Feb. 29. – Surveys for the several foundations, head frame, hoist, compressor and buildings were going Tuesday morning over on the Santa Fe workings. The old hoist and equipment will be started at once, timbering and retimbering, the lower 100 feet of the shaft, now down 514 feet, will be the first work done below. This outfit is about the fastest that ever hit the desert. From the time the first payment of $10,000 was made, the owners have been up and doing every day, all of which means that new hopes will center on entirely new investors that confidence in their neighbor, the California Rand Silver, the great ore producer of the Rand mining district.”—Bakersfield Californian April 16, 1924: “A CONTRACT FOR POWER to the Santa Fe group has been signed up, with the nearness of the lines the connection will be ready to whirl. With the lumber coming regularly in the Santa Fe there will be no delay in the finishing of the 70-foot head frame now being erected. Clark Wortley, the prime mover in this development, is en route to the Rand district from Michigan and eastern points.” –Bakersfield Californian May 9, 1924: “SANTA FE SHAFT ALMOST COMPLETE –Owners Expect Mine to Be on Producing List in Short Time –Randsburg, May 9. – By Saturday it is expected to have the hoist running on the Santa Fe shaft, but owing to the long idle period since the Coyote management ceased operating this prospect, considerable retimbering and relagging in the 514-foot shaft must be completed first. With the knowledge that water has been encountered in the neighboring No. 6 shaft of the California Rand Silver, Inc., the new owners of the Santa Fe group can also prepare for a pumping plant that will handle any kind of a flow. The new owners and operators of the Santa Fe group are eastern capitalists, men that believe that there is a splendid chance to bring in a mine. This belief is so strong that they are expecting their intensive operations to put them on the shipping list long before the next payment on the mine of $30,000 is due. Adjoining a producing mine of good silver ores, there is reason to believe that shafts now being sent down will make showings. Success of the mine will surely have much weight in the resumption of a number of deep shafts in the silver zone.” –Bakersfield Californian August 22, 1924: “SANTA FE IS DEEP –North of the No. 6 shaft, the Santa Fe shaft, owned and controlled by a few Michigan capitalists, who have no stock to sell, is nearing the 800 foot depth. Situated only 600 feet from the Big Silver’s No. 6 shaft, where they are now extracting both silver and gold ores, the keenest interest is shown when the first bucket of muck comes up on either of the two shifts now making record time for fast sinking. J. R. White, superintendent, has a full supply of lumber, mining timbers, material and supplies on hand ready to meet any emergency that may arise.” –Bakersfield Morning Echo September 11, 1924: “A CONSIGNMENT OF ASSAY SUPPLIES has arrived and is now being installed in the new office building of the Santa Fe group. With the arrival of the furnace and the office furniture, the general superintendent in charge, J. R. White, will be fully equipped in every way to keep in touch with the advancement that is now being made toward entering the so-called silver zone.” –Bakersfield Californian October 22, 1924: “GET MORE WATER—North of the Big Silvers now famous No. 6 shaft, some 600 feet, the Santa Fe shaft is being put in readiness to handle any unexpected flow of water. A sump hole is now being finished and the station cur in at the ninth level. Superintendent J. R. White states that they are making about 1000 gallons a day. He is now arranging to tank enough water to keep the work going and will tender the balance to the Big Silver if they wish to connect. The water is fit for domestic purposes.” –Bakersfield Californian November 12, 1924: “MASTER GEAR BREAKS –Randsburg, Nov. 12—Due to a complete break of the master-gear in the new hoist of the Great Western plant, the Santa Fe shaft will lose a shift and a half in hoisting the heavy flow of water in the deep shaft, below the 500 foot level. In its ready policy to assist any of the local operators, the Big Silver machine shop force were placed on making the repairs.” –Bakersfield Californian February 10, 1925: “STRIKE PAY ROCK IN SANTA FE SHAFT NEAR RAND NO. 6—Saturday’s day shift on the Santa Fe’s 335 level brought in good-looking rock with ruby silver crystals shot through it: Sunday morning the cross cut 50 feet south of the shaft shows five feet of vein matter with characteristic silver and gold rock as found in the adjoining No. 6 shaft of the California Rand Silver Inc. Samples for assaying will be made immediately after the mucking and clean-up of the lower level. The Santa Fe shaft is owned and operated by Michigan capitalists under the name of the Great Western Mining Company, with no stock on the market. Much delay in the advancement has been caused by the heavy flow of water that has only recently been overcome by three powerful pumps that handle better than 200 gallons a minute. The orders from the principals to J. E. White, superintendent, were to see that the pumps worked satisfactorily before any development or advancement was resumed. This plant is one of the best surface-equipped in the silver zone; at no time have they to shut down for material or supplies. “Go” is and always has been their slogan. Ever since the Michiganders took hold of this property it has been considered the one best bet in the white metal country. Their constant activity and go-aheadness has been a stimulant to all of their neighbors: the Flat Tire, Silver Glance, Belcher Ex and the Randsburg Associated Mines shafts Nos. 1 & 2. No doubt the McKay (Montana Smelter, McKay) interests will be delighted to hear of this new find. McKay and associates have good holdings here and are now looking up a near-by idle prospect with the view of taking it over.” – Bakersfield Californian February 11, 1925: “SANTA FE STRIKES RICH ORE LEAD – Fifteen Feat in Values Are Shown on 625 –Foot Level With Ruby Stain—Showing 15 feet of mineralization in a cross-cut at the 935 foot level the strike on the Santa Fe Claim of the Great Western Mining Company operating north of the famous California Rand Silver Shaft No. 6 near Randsburg, is regarded as one of the most important developments in the district for some time. Confirmation of the strike was received yesterday in telegrams from the mining camp. Roy We__ was also in Bakersfield from the mining camp and he reports that the strike encountered on last Saturday is showing up big. Ruby Silver has been encountered and gold values are also found, affording a real excitement for the hardrock miners. STREAKS OF RUBY—Sunday and Monday hundreds of visitors at the mine were fortunate in obtaining fine specimens with streaks of “ruby silver.” Saturday’s day shift on the 935-foot level brought in good looking rock with ruby crystals shot through it. Sunday morning the cross-cut 50 feet south of the shaft shows five feet of vein matter with characteristic silver and gold rock as found in the adjoining No. 6 shaft of the California Rand Silver, Inc. Samples for assaying will be taken, immediately after the mucking and cleanup of the lower level. The Santa Fe shaft is owned and operated by Michigan capitalists under the name of the Great Western Mining Company, with no stock on the market. Much delay in the advancement has been caused by the heavy flow of water that has only recently been overcome by three powerful pumps that handle better than 500 gallons a minute. The orders from the principals to J. R. White, superintendent, were to see that the pumps worked satisfactorily before any development or advancement was resumed. This plan is one of the best surface equipped in the silver zone, at no time have they had to shut down for material of supplies.” –Bakersfield Morning Echo February 13, 1925: “RICH STRIKE OF EIGHTEEN-FOOT LEDGE RUBY SILVER AND $40 GOLD ORE IN SANTA FE MINE SATURDAY. Saturday last the working crew in the Santa Fe mine at Osdick uncovered a rich ledge of ruby ore carrying some $40.00 in gold on their 935-foot level and since that time the reports are that the ledge is 18 feet wide. This is indeed good news for the Rand Mining District, but new that has been daily for the past several months. This discovery will give to the district another producer that is likely to equal the California Rand Silver in richness. Two or three months ago the ore was just uncovered, but it was accomplished with so much water that the months between the find and the development of it as far as it has gone, had to be spent in finding a way to get rid of the water. A few days ago the new pumps installed in the mine unwatered the shaft and the ledge was uncovered sufficiently to tell the glad news that another mine had been found in the celebrated Rand Mining District. The Santa Fe is owned by the Great Western Mining and Milling Company, with J. R. White as superintendent and manager. The company is not a stock corporation, but just the association of moneyed people, who have had the faith and have from month to month of development work, dug down and put up the development capital. This body of ore is sufficient to make all the members of the company wealthy and will doubtless lead to much building and installation of machinery in the near future. The Times hopes next week to have a more full report of the new strike, but this week everybody concerned was full of business and joy; too full for stories for newspaper men.” –Randsburg Times February 14, 1925: “LATELY THE HOPES OF THE CAMP and the operators there have centered about the outcome of a strike on the 935-foot level in the Santa Fe shaft of the Great Western Mining Company. In mining a cross-cut northeast it is reported that the workers went through and 18-foot vein of commercial ore showing splashes of ruby and carrying a gold value of better than $3, Future development of the strike will not be slow, it is predicted by local miners, in view of the fact that the principals are Michigan capitalists who have placed no stock offerings on the market.” –Bakersfield Californian February 17, 1925: “DRIFTING ON THE BIG 18-FOOT brought in on the 935 level of the Santa Fe workings is progressing in good looking ore matter; specimens of the rock rich in the ruby silver can be found in the car brought up in the skip. Sunday the drift had advanced to 15 feet. The pumps handle the heavy flow of water with ease. Superintendent J. R. White, in behalf of Great Western Mining Company, owners of the Santa Fe group, has offered the citizens and business men of Osdick and Inn City, the excess water now being ditched alongside of the Santa Fe railroad track towards Johannesburg, on condition that the people of the twin camps will supply the hose connections. As the underwriting of fire risks is now in vogue the generous offer may be accepted.”—Bakersfield Californian May 15, 1925: “SANTA FE TO GO DEEPER – As the principals of the Great Western Mining and Milling Company have decided to sink and additional 100 fee in their Santa Fe Shaft, the same being now under way, it is as good a piece of news as could break in the silver zone of the Rand Mining district. On their 925 level, where they opened up 18 feet of milling ore they have every indication of developing the same character of high-grade ore that is extracted from the No. 6 shaft of the California Rand Inc., holdings. In all of the many drifts and cross cuts they find ore showing well in ruby. Every foot of the new work now planned will be keenly watched by the Santa Fe neighboring shafts, as well as by all of the operators in the silver zone.”—Randsburg Times A Page Out Of the Wortley Mining Co. Prospectus. Collection of the Rand Desert Museum 1929? Wortley Consolidated Mines Company. (Formerly Great Western Mining and Milling Co.) Thiscompany owns or controls several groups of claims in the Randsburg silver belt. The most important are: The California Rand Silver Company’s property (quite recently acquired), the Santa Fe Group and the Silver Glance Group. Below is a description of the Santa Fe only, for other see under the names of the various properties. The Santa Fe Group comprises 15 claims and is in the town of Osdick on the Kramer-Johannesburg branch of the Santa Fe Railroad. It adjoins the California Rand Silver property on the northeast. Owner, Wortley Consolidated Mines Company; C. C. Wortley, president, 502 North Brand boulevard, San Fernando, California; A. W. Ham, secretary, Las Vegas, Nevada. The northeast-southwest and north-south fissures of this district traverse the Rand schist on this property. It is believed by the operators that the Antimony and Williams (?) veins, so extensively worked in the California Rand Silver Mine, have been encountered in their workings. Also a vein which has been called the Schist vein. This latter vein has great width, in places as much as 80 feet. These veins are similar to the veins of the California Rand Silver Mine, in that the schist is mineralized along the two systems of fracturing. Vein filling consists of silicified schist and brecciated schist, recemented with quartz. The mineralization consists of antimonial sulphides of silver, pyrite, chalcopyrite and stibnite. The widths of the veins vary from about 2 feet to 80 feet. A Page Out Of the Wortley Mining Company Prospectus. Collection of the Rand Desert Museum The principal development consists of the Santa Fe shaft. This shaft is vertical and is 1200 feet deep. To the 935-foot level it is 1 ½-compartments, below this level it is 2 ½-compartments. The Rand schist was first encountered at a depth of approximately 850 feet. Levels were driven at the 935, 1000, 1100, and 1200-foot horizons. The total underground development at this shaft is 7575 feet. The Antimony vein was first encountered on the 935-foot level about 100 feet northwest of the shaft. It crossed the shaft between the 1000 and 1100 foot levels and has been crosscut on each of the levels. Its width varies from 12 to 30 feet. The Schist vein has been crosscut on the 1000, 1100 and 1200-foot levels; it varies from 12 to 80 feet in width, and according to Mr. C. W. Mitchell, E.M., it averages 19.36 ounces of silver and 0.13 ounces of gold. The amount of development work done on the veins at the various levels is as follows: Antimony Vein 935-foot level --- Crosscut showed a width of 20 feet. 1000-foot level---200 feet of drifting; average width 15 feet. 1100-foot level---225 feet of drifting; average width about 18 feet 1200-foot level---crosscut showed a width of 38 feet. Schist Vein (This vein was encountered on the 1000-foot level) 1000-foot level---150 feet drifting; average width about 20 feet. 1100-foot level---100 feet drifting; average width about 12 feet 1200-foot level---200 feet drifting; average width unknown Raise about 120 feet from 1100-foot to-1200 foot level. Raise about 120 feet from 1000-foot to 1100-foot level. Williams (?) Vein 935-foot level---350 feet drifting. 1000-foot level---100 foot drifting. (It has not been definitely identified below this level) There are several other small veins that have been encountered in crosscuts on the various levels. A drift has been driven some 700 feet southwesterly and an incline raise here put up to hole the bottom of the No. 6 shaft of the California Rand Silver Mine. Equipment at the mine consists of 50-h.p. single-drum hoist, motor driven; 12 inch by 10-inch Ingersoll-Rand air compressor, driven by a 60-h.p. motor; 14- inch by 12-inch Chicago pneumatic air compressor, driven by 100-h.p. motor; 3 Byron-Jackson Multiplex pumps, each driven by 30-h.p. motor. The pumps are installed on the 1200, 900 and 600-foot levels; each has a capacity of 200 gallons per minute. There is also a blacksmith shop and assay office. The mine makes 15,000 gallons of water daily. This water has recently been used in the California Rand Silver Company’s mill. Four men are employed driving a raise from the 1200 to 1100-foot levels. California State Minerologist January 30, 1930: “The Consolidated Metals Corporation, operating the Kelly Rand Mine at Randsburg, California, has opened several new faces in ore of both milling and shipping grades. The company is now negotiating for the purchase of a quicksilver property, which, if acquired, will considerably increase its earnings. About 1,180 tons of ore and concentrates, with a gross value of $126,156, were shipped from October 1, 1929 to January 1, 1930. S. A. Reid of Randsburg is superintendent.”—The Mining Journal July 15, 1930: “The Wortley Consolidated Mines Company, Clark C. Wortley, president, 501 North Brand Street, San Fernando, California, is making plans for the installation of machinery, to develop its original ground, and the Kelly Mine, adjoining, which it has recently acquired. Ore will not be produced during the low price of silver. It is understood that the new owners have a process of their own, whereby they can mill ore of very low grade, and this process will be installed in their present reduction plant without incurring any great expense.”-- The Mining Journal August 12, 1930: “RANDSBURG, AUG. 12.—THE “KELLY” MINE is again in the production class, and that the large reduction plant is now running. Frank H. Lamley, a former Randsburg mining and milling man, is in full charge of operations and L. B. Scheu, for many years in charge of the milling will again be in his former position. Walter Smith, lately the Atolia tungsten plant, will be superintendent of the mine. Mr. Smith, is better known in the mining world as “Bull Frog Smith” of Rhyolite and the Bull Frog district. For the time being the mill will run one shift on clearing up ore on-hand. Following up the gold showings made on levels 11 and 12, Number 1 shaft, is the principal intentions of the management. At the present time, nothing definite could be given out by Mr. Lamley other than the principal work would be done on the Kelly underground workings, of which levels 2 and 4 would be subject to further examination of the gold showings opened in the early operations. The Coyote would in time, as well as the Silver Queen, be exploited, the dewatering of the No. 1 shaft and the Santa Fe, will be determined (later) on. Locally, the Wortley Consolidated Mines, Inc., C. C. Wortley, president, is known as the Santa Fe, the name of the claim that their main working shaft was on. The “Kelly “group was purchased from the Bakersfield owners. As the California Rand Silver, Inc., was legally dissolved, the mine will be known as the “Kelly.” –Bakersfield Californian September 24, 1930: “Frank H. Lamley, general manager of Wortley Consolidated Mines Inc. Mrs. Mrs. Lamley and Miss Lamley are visiting at Los Angeles.” Bakersfield Californian. October 1, 1930: “ORE IS SHIPPED FROM RAND MINES—Mojave, Oct. 1l – A cheering letter from P. H. Lamley, engineer in charge of the Wortley Consolidated Mines, Inc., in which he writes: “We shipped this week one car of concentrates, two cars of bulk ores, besides a shipment of very high grade sacked ore. The bulk ore was from the eighth level and the high grade from the eleventh level.” Both levels referred to are of the famous “Kelly” mine, of the California Rand mining district.” –Bakersfield Californian October 6, 1930: “$150,000 Mine Deal Reported in County—Consolidate Metals Corporation agreed to sell and Wortley Consolidated Mines, Inc., has agreed to buy for $150,000 mining claims as follows: J. W., W. H. Nos. 1 and 2: Iron Mountain Nos. 1 and 2; Iron Mountain; portion Silver King Nos. 2 and 4; Juanita lode; portions Uranium group Nos. 1 to 11; also mill, machinery and mining equipment.” –Bakersfield Californian December 4, 1930: “The Wortley Consolidated Mines, operating the former workings of the California Rand Silver has 35 leasers in No. 2 shaft, 7 each in 6 and 1 shafts and 25 employees.” –Bakersfield Californian December 11, 1930: “Wortley Consolidated Mines, Corporation report Harden and Harden, leasers, shipped a carload December 5, from the second level No. 1, of their “Kelly” shaft followed by a carload each, of Fernandez, Jacia, and Rayas, eighth level No. 2. This lease is known as the Big 4. Gerblick and Phillips shipping from the four hundredth level No. 2. On December 5, Felix and Wanos will have a car from the eleventh level No. 2 for shipment.” –Bakersfield Californian December 16, 1930: “The Butte mill is running five stamps on leasers’ ores. The Wortley Consolidated mill handles both leasers’ and company’s milling ores and the Atolia Tungsten Company plant takes care of the placer tungsten.” –Bakersfield Californian December 30, 1930: “Tom Whithey, B. R. McKenna, C. L. Fisher and George Cole, known as the Big Four, leasing on the eleventh level of the Wortley Mines, “Kelly” No. 1 shaft, have made a carload shipment as have also George Rust, U. Fernandez and Olaf Anderson, from the tenth level of the “Kelly” No. 1 shaft. As automatic weigher and an ore sampler has been added to the Wortley milling plant, and is giving general satisfaction to both the leasers, who now that they are in position to learn what they may expect and to the management that there will be no more disappointments to the men.” –Bakersfield Californian December 30, 1930: “The Wortley Consolidated Mines Company, Frank Lamley, General Manager, Randsburg, California, has cut a station at the No. 12 Level of the Santa Fe Mine, and has started sinking a winze on a body of ore, 28 feet wide. More than 400 tons of ore were mined from the cutting of the station, and were treated in the mill. The new hoist at the Kelly No. 6 Shaft is functioning well, and lessees are taking out both shipping and milling ores. They have made several shipments during the past two weeks.”-- The Mining Journal Santa Fe Mine Rosecraft Studios Postcard. Collection of the Rand Desert Museum. January 6, 1931: “WITH THE LOW PRICE OF SILVER, the Wortley Consolidated Mines, owners of the “Kelly” and Santa Fe producing silver mines, should be commended, for keeping up activities in production, milling and shipping ores. In so doing they have carried 60 on the leasing board and some 25 employees. Should the price of silver continue on its downward course, many of the leasers will turn their attention to prospecting the gold fields for an opportunity to secure a leasing block of ground on a 15 per cent royalty after hauling and milling charges are taken out.” –Bakersfield Californian January 15, 1931: “The Wortley Consolidated Mines Company, Frank Lamley, General Manager, Randsburg, California, has shipped its first carload of concentrates, from the big orebody in the Santa Fe Mine. This vein is 28 feet wide, and contains streaks of shipping ore, along with mill grade. Better values are reported in a winze that is being sunk. The above shipment was accompanied by 100 tons of ore mined from the Eighth Level of the Kelly Mine, by Lessees Rust, Fernandez, and Andreason. Forty-nine lessees, living mostly at Red Mountain, are working through the Nos. 1, 2, and 6 Shafts.” The Mining Journal January 21, 1931: “George Cole, B. R. McKenna, C. J. Fisher and Tommy Whithey, known as the “Big Four” successful leasers at the Wortley Consolidated Mines “Kelly” shaft are now prospecting in the Black Hawk ground for the purpose of securing a lease. The Black Hawk was among the early gold producers that was among the early gold producers that was made a mine from the grass roots.” –Bakersfield Californian July 4, 1931: “START CONSTRUCTION WORK ON FAMED RANDSBURG PROPERTY –Randsburg, July 14.—Sound of activity at the Famous “Kelly” mine, which soon will be placed production again, is bringing comfort to the citizens of this district, who firmly believe that the Rand mines are about to enjoy a revival of the days when silver was king and there was a market for every ounce brought to the market. Preliminary construction work in renovation of the old “Kelly Mine” is under way. Cleaning out of shafts, repairing of the 400-ton flotation mill, cleaning of the dryer for concentrates and a general housekeeping of the entire plant is under way. The Blacksmith shop, changing rooms of miners, shower rooms, assay offices, office buildings and residences are all coming in for their share of the clean-up work. The mine recently was purchased from the Consolidated Metals Corporation by representative mining men of Nevada, California, and Canada in a deal closed at San Francisco. Gordon Cole has charge of the work; shafts No. 2 and No. 6 are being repaired. Working parts will be replaced, shafts will be repaired and other necessary reconstruction work will be affected. Approximately 100 leasers who were given blocks of ground in shafts No. 2 and No. 6 and who turned in their tools with the drop of silver last fall, probably will ask for their old blocks. Ventilation of No. 2 will be one of the most important jobs for the present, and exploration of the shaft’s bottom for gold ore is expected to be one of the first jobs when the work is completed. Frank W. Royer, well-known mining engineer of California, Nevada, and Mexico, made the examination previous to closing the deal. He worked quietly while here. A new 150-tob cyanide process plant will be installed as part of new equipment planned for the mine property. This plant will handle ores, dumps, old stopes and tailings that carry a value which will give the owners a profit over the milling and transportation costs. Sale of the mine is reported to have been a cash proposition. Owners of the mine intend to work hand in hand with the Wortley Consolidated Mines, Silver King, Silver Glance, Silver Moon and others of the district, carrying out the spirit of co-operation for which Randsburg miners are noted.” –Bakersfield Californian PHOTO 1--Sante Fe Headframe From Top Of Coyote. Wortley Mining Company Collection of the Rand Desert Museum PHOTO 2--A Page Out Of the Wortley Mining Company Prospectus. Collection of the Rand Desert Museum PHOTO 3--A Page Out Of the Wortley Mining Company Prospectus. Collection of the Rand Desert Museum PHOTO 4--Santa Fe Mine Rosecraft Studios Postcard. Collection of the Rand Desert Museum.
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 02:39:38 +0000
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