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Show INTER-MOUNTAI- MINING REVI Congress, and that he will also take occasion to explain more fully in what manner the interests of the public will be promoted by selling at auction the mineral lands upon that reservation. He might also Inform Congress whether any of his Georgia relatives are interested in a huge asphaltum scheme, and, furthermore, the people of Utah would like to know whether he has yet taken or contemplates any action upon the request of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, that Acting Agent Randlett and all other obstacles to the execution of the law be removed. It is a shameful thing that subordinate officials are permitted to defeat the will of Congress in a matter of such Importance to the people of the West. UTAHS FIRST MINE. Recent litigation has brought to light the interesting fact that the old Rollins lead mine, situated in what is now known as Lincoln mining Beaver county, was not only the first mining location made, but was also the first mine patented in Utah. The records show this location to have been made In 1859, and it consisted of 3000 linear feet by 100 feet in width, the maximum allowed under the first mining laws. Individual locators were then permitted one claim of 200 feet for discovery and one by and subsequent locators but one claim of 200 linear feet upon the same ledge. Some few years later a consolidation was arranged and a company organized, known as the Lincoln Smelting company, and shares Issued to those Interested bearing 12 per cent per annum in lieu of interests in feet. A smelter was erected upon the Beaver river at a point which formed the nucleus and suggested the name for the now flourishing town of Miners-vill- e. di&-tric- t, pre-emptio- N n, Lead mining soon became one of the leading industries of Southern Utah and gave employment t oa large number of men and teams. The product found a ready market, but was mainly shipped to Salt Lake by team, where it commanded a cash price of about 40c a pound until the advent of the Union Pacific railroad. But this, like many other mining enterprises since, had a checkered career. Some of the original owners disposed of their interests, until in 1875, George R. Maxwell, C. C. Clements and John M. Moore of Salt Lake secured a controlling interest, reorganized the company and made the then leading banking firm of "White & McComick trustees to secure a loan of $25,000 with which to increase the working facilities at mine and smelter. In 1882 the property was sold on foreclosure proceedings by the trustee and the indomitable Thomas Taylor came upon the scene. P. T. Farnsworth then secured control and complications continued to multiply thick and fast. Sinec 1883 work upon the property has been done at intervals only, until 1894, when Farnsworth again began operations upon a large scale and has continued uninterruptedly since. Much valuable data concerning this pioneer enterprise was destroyed wThen the courthouse and records burned at Beaver in 1889. By recent order of the court the property is advertised to be sold under proceedings in partition and to quiet title on the 20th of the present month. Shipment from the mine will no doubt be resumed after a lapse of many years, as soon as the ownership is determined. Some eight men have been employed for more than a year past sinking a new shaft and putting the property in shape. It is to be hoped that Secretary Hoke Smith will promptly accede to the request of the House for an explanation of his failure to throw open the reservation, as directed by Un-compah- gre n O |