In 1879, the former superintendent of the Northwest Company, James K. Pardee, organized a new venture to develop the Algonquin lode, Dan Brown's best discovery. Like the Northwest Company, the Algonquin would be financed out of Philadelphia, and, also like the Northwest, the most expensive component would be a dry roasting-pan amalgamation mill, which was depicted in a drawing in Northwest Magazine in 1887 (left). It started up in February of 1880 and ran for several years on rich ore from the upper part of the Algonquin vein. It also processed the first ore from the Granite mine, and the mill served as the "pattern" for the huge stamp mills used to process the Granite ores.
The mill, designed and erected by Thomas Fisher (though there was a lively dispute in the press over how much Mr. M. Carey was involved) had 20 stamps and was supplied by the same firm, Griffith and Wedge, that had built the Alice and Moulton silver mills in Butte. In 1880, Hector Horton, the district's discoverer, lived in Hasmark, the town next to the mill, and was no doubt engaged in the construction as a brick mason.
The Algonquin mill burned on December 31, 1898 and little sign remains of it other than a stone retaining wall (below left, Ted A. photo) and the remnants of a flue and stack (below right, Jim Waldbillig photo).
 |
| Jo Antonioli at the Algonquin millsite |
 |
| Dave Harris at the site of the Algonquin mill smokestack |
Hi there- I'm writing a historical fiction novel set in Montana during the 1920s. In my story there's been a murder in a stamp mill, and I'm having a hard time finding the info I need online. So I figure I'd go to the experts. I sure hope you can help me out.
ReplyDeleteHere are a few of my gruesome questions:The particular stamp mill in my book is the Strawberry mill near Pony. I'm trying to label what the gangway is by the wheels that turn the stamps.
Right now the victim is crushed by a stamp, but I can't figure out why the amalgamation table wouldn't have dragged him away. And the gap is very small according to my research (7")- which is a writer's dilemma.
Would it be more plausible for him to have fallen into the ore-bin? How? I have the schematic of the Blake rock-breaker from the diagram below.
Or maybe I'm way off-base here. Any other suggestions for how a man might get murdered by stamp-mill equipment?
Thank you so much for taking the time to consider the questions. I really appreciate your help. Shari
My email is sdecterhirst@gmail.com
Where is the mill and the rest of Hasmark Located?
ReplyDeleteThe remains of the mill and the few buildings left of Hasmark are located on the hillside east of Philipsburg. The town of Hasmark is owned by a private citizen and she has restored the building that was the original saloon. You get to the area by heading up the road to Stumptown and turn right just before you see buildings on the left. It is all private property. There is another article on this blog titled "Hasmark and Algonquin with more pictures and discussion.
DeleteThere are many different routes into Stumptown, I'm assuming you mean Algonquin Mine Rd? Near the Gonk there is a road that goes up a bit before there is the saloon and a sign that reads private rd then there is a sign that says "Ghost Town" Where is the Mill building located in reference to the Algonquin Mine. Can you send coordinates in Lat-Long
ReplyDeletePlease contact the mine and mill expert Ted at the following email for the answers to these questions. ted.antonioli@gmail.com
ReplyDelete