The following East Mojave Desert news items were copied from the Barstow Printer by Ted R. Weasma. Spelling errors and grammar were copied as printed.

Barstow Printer News Items: 1915 - 1917

 

March 5, 1915

Kelso

August 20, 1915

Barstow

Auto Trucks take place of Twenty Mule Teams on Desert- At the Wild Rose Antimony mine six auto mooreland trucks are carrying two and one forth tons each trip in transporting the ore to the station at Torona. To the end of economy and to more readily fill the urgent orders for their product, the mine has placed in operation, two Renard “Auto trains” capable of hauling from thirteen and one half to twenty five tons per train load over the desert and the mountain ranges. These trains have been successfully operated between trona and a point half way to the mines where large ore bins have been built. Twenty five tons per train have been carried over this part of the road. Last week one of the “trains” made a complete trip to the mine carrying thirteen and one half tons. This new auto train, or tractor, consists of a gasoline tractor with a series of trailers all connected with the engine by a flexible shaft. The engine striking a bad piece of road, where the wheels block or turn, the power is transmitted by the flexible shaft to the trailers, and the trailers push the engine out of the mush or sand to more solid ground. Fast time is made.

The method of mining at the wild is that of quarrying, antimony ore being found all through the hills in lease. It is hand sorted and the 50 per cent ore brings about $500 per ton. The mine is situated 45 miles from the rail road shipping point. The autos make a round trip each day.

At the carbonite mine in Death Valley, autos make the trip hauling ore to Zabrisky station. The ore is in the neighborhood of $30 grade, lead and silver. The slow and expensive ten and twenty mule team freighting of a few years ago, is rapidly disappearing where auto trucks and tractors can be used. Owen Valley Herald.

September 10, 1915

Desert Mining News

October 22, 1915

Ivanpah

November 5, 1915

Providence Mountains

The Bonanza King mine and mill are working day and night, with a force of thirty men. E. H. Tracy, superintendent, has a well-organized force under J. F. Guerney, foreman of the mill, and Walter Schinnle in charge of transportation. The mill is working between forty and fifty tons of ore daily and producing a high grade concentrate, as well as precipitate. High grade ore is also shipped from the mine.

Many changes have been made by Superintendent Tracy and results are repaying him for his efforts. He has installed an electric lighting plant and a water service, which is of great benefit.

There are five families now in camp, thus giving a more charming appearance to the surroundings. Two trucks are operated between Fenner and the mine, hauling ore and supplies daily. Several properties near the Bonanza King are being investigated and no doubt some of them will be working in the near future.

January 26, 1916

Barstow

March 10, 1916

Kelso

July 21, 1916

Low Grade Ores

February 23, 1917

Kelso

March 16, 1917

Kelso

March 16, 1917 is the last article that I could find that covered news from areas within the Mojave National Preserve. Papers were searched through 1919.

 

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