Tintic, Bestelmeyer East Tintic Mines

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This page was last updated on October 31, 2025.

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Overview

(The focus of this page is the surface workings of the East Tintic mines developed by John Bestelmeyer, as visible in photographs, as well as a general description of the mine, with minimal coverage of the geology and financial returns. Also to establish a timeline using sources not previously readily available.)

The properties in East Tintic developed by John Bestelmeyer include:

All properties lay adjacent to each other, and lay along the west sides of the North Lily and Eureka Lily properties.

Bestelmeyer Family

(Alternate spellings of the family surname included "Bestlemeyre, ""Bestlemyre" and "Bestelmeyre." The spelling used here follows that used in later years, including death certificates and obituaries.)

John Bestelmeyer (1843-1912)

John Bestelmeyer was a well known pioneer miner. "Back in the early 90s, John Bestelmeyer, then a young German baker fresh from the east, decided, with the late Charley Lamersdorfer, that Eureka did not have all the mines in Tintic and that East Tintic was the location of a large parallel ore zone. For years Bestelmeyer labored in the Tintic district roaming the hills, prospecting and working in Eastern Tintic in spite of fun that was poked at him for his ideas. Lamersdorfer decided that the work was top slow for him and went to Marysvale where he cleaned up a fortune and died a few years ago a wealthy banker. Not so with Bestelmeyer, who is known as the father of the East Tintic district. For years he worked upon his claims and patented them. Today they are among the most valuable in the district." (Salt Lake Herald, July 13, 1919)

Jesse Knights' success with the Humbug mine inspired others to look harder in less likely places. "In the following years, prospecting brothers John and August Bestelmeyer would stake and patent several claims of their own even further East, where little ore had previously been found. In the summer of 1907, John Bestelmeyer found himself in Ely, Nevada at a conference regarding railroad development. It was there he met a Utah mine manager by the name of Emil J. Raddatz, with whom he shared his interest in the potential of East Tintic. That fall, Raddatz visited the area himself, and with great eagerness examined the Bestlemeyre claims. Raddatz eagerly bought several claims from the Bestelmeyers and by October of that year he had organized the Tintic Standard Mining Company to develop them. It would take nine years for these claims to begin shipping ore, which is not a short time to wait for a return on an investment." ("The story of Dividend and the Tintic Standard Mine" By Christian L. Wright, 2012, n.p.)

August 2, 1907
"E. D. Raddatz of Salt Lake, representing the Intermountain Exploration Company, was out in East Tintic last Sunday and visited some of the mines of that section. Mr. Raddatz may form a company for the purpose of taking over some of the ground owned by John Bestelmeyer. He was highly pleased with that section of the district." (Eureka Reporter, August 2, 1907)

August 2, 1919
The mining claims of four companies, Eureka Bullion, East Tintic Coalition, Tintic Bullion, and Tintic Chief were all among the original holdings of John Bestelmeyer prior to his death in 1912. His two sons, John M. and August were working the four properties to the best of their ability. (Salt Lake Telegram, August 2, 1919)

August 17, 1912
The following comes from the Salt Lake Tribune, August 18, 1912.

Provo, Aug, 17—John Bestelmeyer of Provo, a prominent mining operator of this county, was found dead this afternoon near his cabin on the Grutli mining property in East Tintic. Bestelmeyer's body was discovered at 4 o’clock by Mrs Westenthal at a point about one-quarter of a mile from Bestelmeyer’s cabin. It is supposed Bestelmeyer was overcome with an attack of heart failure.

Acting Coroner E. L. Jones went to Tintic upon receiving word of Bestelmeyer's death. The body was brought to Provo tonight.

Bestelmeyer was a native of Germany and was 69 years of age. He was a baker by occupation and had been head baker at the state mental hospital at Provo. For many years he was actively engaged in prospecting and mining and located a large number of claims, many of them in the Tintic district. In 1907 he sold several of his claims, receiving therefor about $20,000. For some time Bestelmeyer had given his attention to developing the Grutli mine in East Tintic.

Bestelmeyer leaves a widow, two sons and two daughters. The sons are John M. Bestelmeyer, who was engaged with his father in mining operations, and August Bestelmeyer, an employee of the Salt Lake Security & Trust company. Mrs. Bestelmeyer and two daughters live In Provo.

August 17, 1912
The following comes from the Salt Lake Herald, August 18, 1912.

Eureka, Aug. 17.—The body of John Bestelmeyer, aged sixty-nine, of Provo, mining operative, former sergeant in the German army, and a well-known character in this section of Utah, was found this morning lifeless by the side of a trail leading to the Grutli mine, owned by a mining company of which he was the president. His death had evidently been caused by a fall.

The discovery of the body was made by Mrs. Westerdahl, who was passing down the road leading to the mine. About 200 yards from the cabin where Bestelmeyer made his headquarters she saw the head of a man lying near the trail. Investigation showed that it was Mr. Bestelmeyer. She notified the authorities and Deputy Sheriff A. C. Hills, Coroner Ed. L. Jones and H. C. Hicks, secretary of the mining company of which Mr. Bestelmeyer was president, all of Provo, left immediately for the scene of the accident.

It was found that the aged man had taken a short cut along the upper part of a hill near where his body was found and had evidently slipped and plunged head foremost down the side of the hill. Several concussions found were sufficient to cause death.

Mr. Bestelmeyer was born in Nuremberg, Bavaria, in 1843. He served as a member of the Bavarian police when a youth and was a sergeant in the German allied army which besieged and finally entered Paris. He came to America in 1880, living two years in New York and Brooklyn, then coming to Utah by way of Kansas City.

At one time Mr. Bestelmeyer was connected with the Utah state mental hospital. He has been a mining promoter and operative for nearly twenty-five years, and at the time of his death owned about twenty claims in the Tintic district besides valuable water rights.

Mr. Bestelmeyer leaves a widow, Katherine of Provo, two sons, John M., a mining engineer of Eureka, and August, employed in Salt Lake, and two daughters, Kate and Clara. His body will be taken to Provo for burial tomorrow morning.

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Catherine M. Bestelmeyer (1860-1936)

"She was born June 22, 1860, in Bischop Green, Bavaria, Germany, a daughter of Fredrick Wilhelm and Margaret Schrier Wanderer. She came to this country in 1880 and was married to Mr. Bestelmeyer on May 6, 1882, in Brooklyn, N.Y. They came to Utah in 1889 and settled in Provo. Mrs. Bestelmeyer had resided here since that time. Her husband pioneered mining on the property which is now the Tintic Standard mine. He died in August, 1912." (Salt Lake Tribune, August 1, 1936, obituary)

(Catherine Bestelmeyer was partners with her husband and sons on almost all of their patented mining claims, as well as being an occasional director on their mining companies.)

John M. Bestelmeyer (1885-1973)

John Michael Bestelmeyer was born on March 21, 1885 in New York. He died on January 4, 1973 in Los Angeles at age 89. He married Margaret Poulson on July 5, 1916. They lived in Provo, Utah. By 1965 he was living in Hawthorne, California. During the early 1920s, he was the developer of the Bay View subdivision southeast of Provo, Utah. Bay View, together with Steel City, filled in the area between Provo and Springville, along the eastern edge of the Columbia Steel iron plant at Ironton. (He lost the Bay View property to bankruptcy in December 1932.) During the 1930s, Bestelmeyer was superintendent of the Fortuna Gold Mining company mine in the Fortuna district near Beaver, then in 1935, superintendent of Ophir Midland mine in Ophir Canyon, north of Tintic. In later years after leaving Utah, he worked as superintendent and manager of a wide variety of mining ventures in several western states.

(Newspaper references suggest that John M. Bestelmeyer ended his association with East Tintic mines in about 1922. References after this date show him buying property south of Provo in the Bay View tract.)

August A. Bestelmeyer (1889-1965)

(August Bestelmeyer graduated fro Provo high school in January 1906. He was among 46 students.)

(His first involvement with the Bestelmeyer mines was in 1909 when he was elected as a director of the Grutli company.)

(August Bestelmeyer appears to have ended his direct association as an officer or director with East Tintic mines when the East Tintic Coalition company was taken over by the North Lily company in 1926.)

(August Bestelmeyer's son Donald, age 18, was killed on November 12, 1944 as the result of a crash of a B-17 during a training flight in Tennessee. He had been drafted in December 1943, at age 18. He had been just 16 when he moved to California in February 1942 to work at Douglas Aircraft.)

December 26, 1965
"August A. Bestelmeyer, 78, Inglewood, Calif., formerly of Provo, died Sunday in Inglewood of a heart attack. He was born Aug. 1, 1889, in Provo, the son of John and Catharine Wanderer Bestelmeyer. He married Margaret Dooley on Dec. 2, 1914, in Salt Lake. She died Sept. 2, 1962. Mr. Bestelmeyer was a graduate of Brigham Young University. He was active in the brokerage business and past president of the miner's group, "The 49'ers." He moved to California 18 years ago." (Provo Daily Herald, December 27, 1965)

Big Hill Mining Company

The following comes from the USGS Professional Paper 1024, published in 1979, page 113.

The Big Hill mine is in the central part of the East Tintic district approximately 1 mile due west of Dividend. It is named from the prominent conical hill a short distance southwest of the mine that rises to an altitude of 7,004 ft.

The original claims in the area apparently were patented by John Bestelmeyer, and a company was organized June 15, 1899. In 1919 controlling interest in this company was acquired by Jesse Knight and his associates, who enlarged the shaft that was on the property and deepened it from 200 to 600 ft. Briefly in 1926 the property was leased to the Tintic Standard Mining Co. In 1929, the North Lily-Knight Corporation assumed controlling interest, and the property was leased to the North Lily Mining Co., who extended the shaft to a total depth of 1,940 ft. in 1931. During this same year the Big Hill 1,600-ft level was connected with the North Lily 1,200 level, and the Big Hill 1,900 level was extended onto the properties of the North Lily and Eureka Bullion Mining Companies. The connection at the 1,200 level of the North Lily mine was reportedly made to improve ventilation in the Big Hill mine and to utilize the excess water-pumping capacity of the North Lily mine. All operations from the Big Hill shaft were suspended in May 1932.

The property of the Big Hill Mining Co. consists of all or part of five patented mining claims and an additional 1.58 acres of patented surface rights, all totaling approximately 72 acres. The claims cover the north half of Big Hill and extend northerly along its north-trending spur ridge. Of the outstanding stock, 50.02 percent is owned by the North Lily-Knight Co., 95.47 percent of which company is owned by the North Lily Mining Co., 56.97 percent of which, in turn, is owned by the International Smelting and Refining Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Anaconda Co.

The Big Hill shaft is collared at an elevation of 6,430 ft, and has workings as deep as 1,900 feet. The 1,091-ft level is approximately equivalent to the 700 level of the North Lily shaft. The 1,600- and 1,900-ft levels were both driven in conjunction with the exploration and development of the North Lily and Eureka Bullion properties, and within a short distance east-northeast of the shaft, extend across the boundary of the Big Hill claims.

No ores are known to have been produced from areas within the Big Hill claims, although some ores were produced from Big Hill workings that extended onto adjacent properties.

John M. Bestelmeyer was working the "Big Hill group" as early as June 1905. (Eureka Reporter, June 23, 1905; he was barely 20 years old at the time)

Work from the Big Hill shaft was suspended in 1932, but the property remained important to the North Lily company.

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East Tintic Coalition Mining Company

The following comes from USGS Professional Paper 1024, published in 1979, page 131.

The East Tintic Coalition shaft is in the west-central part of the East Tintic district in the E-1/2 of the E-1/2 of Section 17, T10S, R2W, about 1-1/2 mi due west of Dividend. The first claims in the area were staked by John and August Bestelmeyer, and the original company was organized May 1, 1917.

The property has been inactive since 1924. Of the outstanding stock, 97.7 percent is currently owned by the North Lily Mining Co., which acquired the property as a result of a stock transfer in 1926. The property consists of six patented mining claims containing 59.63 acres. According to company records, mine workings on the property consist of two tunnels with a combined length of 500 feet and four shafts.

The main East Tintic Coalition shaft is 635 feet deep, from which 870 feet of lateral workings were driven at the 320-ft level. All of the workings are east and southeast of the shaft. The other shafts, now largely caved, were 127, 142, and 330 feet deep, respectively.

Although not yet incorporated, the East Tintic Coalition was shipping very small amounts of ore as early as December 1915.

The East Tintic Coalition property lay adjacent to the Big Hill and Eureka Bullion properties.

(John Bestelmeyer died on August 17, 1912.)

April 2, 1917
The East Tintic Coalition Mining company filed its articles of incorporation. Officers were J. H. Weber, president; J. M. Bestelmeyer, vice president; August Bestelmeyer, secretary and treasurer. A shaft will be sunk on the property which lay west of the Eureka Standard and Big Hill properties, north of the Tintic Consolidated, east of the Addie and south of a group of claims recently purchased by the Chief Consolidated people. (Provo Daily Herald, April 2, 1917)

June 13, 1917
"John Bestelmeyer has started a force of men on the Coalition, to the west of the Bullion. This is in a 60-foot tunnel, which is getting under prominent iron outcropping veins. The East Tintic Coalition is reported to have one of the finest mineral outcrops in that part of the district. This is not far from where the Chief Con. is drifting on the 600-foot level of its Homansville shaft." (Salt Lake Herald, June13, 1917)

July 7, 1917
Work was to start on the property of the East Tintic Coalition company, which adjoined the Tintic Standard on the west. Manager John M. Bestelmeyer had a force of men driving a tunnel 500 feet to tap a vein of ore that was taken from the surface many years ago. John Matson was president of the company. The 500-foot tunnel would tap the vein 300 feet below the surface. (Salt Lake Herald, July 1, 1917; Salt Lake Tribune, July 7, 1917)

June 30, 1919
A road was being built to the East Tintic Coalition company's shaft. Full equipment of machinery, costing $8,000, had been ordered. (Salt Lake Tribune, June 30, 1919)

As of July 1919, there were 309 shareholders in the East Tintic Coalition Mining company when it applied to be listed on the Salt Lake Stock and Mining Exchange.

The following comes from the July 13, 1919 Salt Lake Herald.

The East Tintic Coalition ground, consisting of three claims, named after Bestelmeyer's children, who still retain a controlling interest in them, was among the first of his locations. In the early 1890s he sunk a shaft on a good lead of ore and followed it down for over 120 feet. From this shaft he took out a carload of ore alone besides sinking the shaft.

According to the application for listing, the company was incorporated May 7, 1916, with John M. Bestelmeyer, president and August Bestelmeyer. secretary and treasurer. The three claims owned by the company, the August No. 1, August Bestelmeyer and Johnny and Clara, are patented.

The work on the property consists of 480 feet of shafts and 364 feet of tunnel work. The ground is two and a half miles from the railroad and at present eight men are employed there. Electrical equipment has been ordered for the property and is now being installed.

(The mining claims that made up the East Tintic Coalition company had received their patents from the U. S. Mineral Surveyor in December 1908. The patents were in the names of John M. Bestelmeyer, John Bestelmeyer, Catherine Bestelmeyer, Henry G. Blumenthal, and Caroline M. D. Blumenthal, all of Provo. The five claims were the August No. 1, the August Bestelmeyer, the Johnny and Clara, the Water Gulch and the Hannibal lodes. -- Eureka Reporter, December 18, 1908)

July 10, 1919
"The pipe line which is being constructed from the Plutus property by the Knight interests, Eureka Bullion and East Tintic Coalition companies, according to John M. Bestelmeyer. president and general manager of the Eureka Bullion Mining company. The pipe line has already been laid within a quarter of a mile of the west line of the East Tintic Coalition property. Work at the Eureka Bullion has been slowed up for some time, according to Mr. Bestelmeyer. The machinery, which was driven by steam, could only be operated at limited intervals. With the installation of the new electrically driven machinery and an adequate supply of water, operations will be prosecuted vigorously. At present a small force of men is being employed stripping the ore recently struck. As soon as conditions permit, the ore will be stoped and development pushed to prove up the extant of the ore deposit." (Salt Lake Tribune, June 10, 1919)

July 15, 1919
"The East Tintic Coalition Mining Company, owning ground near the holdings of the Eureka Bullion in Tintic district, has begun preliminary work in the development of its property. A hoisting plant has been ordered. The plant will be electrically operated." (Salt Lake Mining Review, July 15, 1919)

January 4, 1920
At the annual meeting of the East Tintic Coalition Mining company, the following officers were elected: H. C. Hicks, president; H. G. Blumenthal, vice president; August Bestelmeyer, secretary treasurer; these three plus N. C. Hicks and John Bestelmeyer as directors. The company had just installed new electric equipment, and would continue development work. The new shaft was down 90 feet. (Salt Lake Herald, January 4, 1920)

January 18, 1920
The following comes from the Ogden Examiner, January 18, 1920.

The East Tintic Coalition Mining company's property bears the distinction of being the first property in the east aide to be patented, having been located away back in 1890 by the late John Bestelmeyer, the great pioneer of the entire East Tintic district. It was he who first located and later patented the Tintic Standard ground, the Eureka Bullion, Big Hill, East Tintic Consolidated and others. He did his first work on the property and sunk an incline shaft to a depth of 124 feet alone. At that point he encountered lead silver ore and from it he made the first commercial shipment sent out from any property east of the Godiva Mountain, which at that time was considered the extreme eastern end of Tintic's ore zone. However, his other properties required active development work and after securing his patents he was forced to turn his attention to these holdings and it was not until two years ago that work was resumed.

About two years ago his sons, John M. and August Bestelmeyer, assumed the control of the property, formed a corporation with offices at Provo and started active operations. A tunnel was first run into the mountain to determine the fracture system and as soon as this was accomplished plans were made for sinking a shaft. Late last summer contracts were let for a plant and first-class electrical equipment was installed and put into active operation. A double compartment shaft has already been sunk to a depth of more than 100 feet and the work of sinking will be pushed at a rapid rate.

February 20, 1920
The East Tintic Coalition company has "decided to install an electric driven air compressor and other equipment to conduct a vigorous development campaign. The company's shaft is now down 125 feet and an effort is going to be made to reach the 500 foot level by July." (Eureka Reporter, February 20, 1920)

(During 1920 and 1921, the company issued five assessments, numbered as 1 through 5, against the company stock, with the resulting extensive lists of sales of delinquent shares.)

(In March 1922, the company was shown as delinquent on its payment of state corporate license fee.)

(During 1922 through 1924, the company issued five assessments, numbered as 6 through 10, against the company stock, with the resulting extensive lists of sales of delinquent shares.)

(These assessments suggest that the company was not receiving income from shipping and selling ore, with the assessments needed to fund any development work being done. This suggests that the company was essentially inactive after 1920.)

February 3, 1925
The East Tintic Coalition Mining company made an agreement with International Smelting company to allow "extensive exploaration" of its propeprty, which adjoined the Big Hill property on the east, the Addie on the west, and the East Tintic Consolidated on the south. International Smelting's newly acquired lease on the east side of the Yankee Consolidated adjoined the Addie on the west. The East Tintic Coalition in-turn, adjoined the Addie. The East Tintic Coalition company had been one of the earliest shippers in the East Tintic district, when the elder John Bestelmeyer had held the property. (Salt Lake Tribune, February 3, 1925)

(This was the first step of the International Smelting company coming to the Tintic district. Within a year the International Smelting company purchased control of the North Lily Mining company and began its expansion plans that in 1929 included buying the Knight Investment properties.)

(Read more about the North Lily Mining company.)

August 14, 1926
The North Lily Mining company made an offer to exchange one share of North Lily stock for eight shares of East Tintic Coalition stock. The deadline for exchange was September 10, 1926. (Salt Lake Tribune, August 14, 1926)

(This proposed exchange suggests that through the 10 assessments of 1920-1924, the majority stockholders had been able to gain control of the stock, then sell their stock to the North Lily company. The proposed exchange was put into place to allow the North Lily company to gain ownership of the outstanding minority shares.)

April 12, 1935
By April 1935, the North Lily company held 97 percent of East Tintic Coalition Mining company stock. (Deseret News, April 12, 1935)

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East Tintic Terminal Mining Company

May 4, 1909
The East Tintic Terminal Mining company filed its articles of incorporation with the county clerk. Officers were: John Bestelmeyer, president; Wilford F. Giles, vice president; with these two plus John M. Bestelmeyer, J. W. Beasley and Alfred L. Booth as directors. Royal T. Barnes [or Barney] was secretary-treasurer. The purpose was to take over the six East Tintic Terminal mining claims. (Salt Lake Herald, May 4, 1909; Provo Daily Herald, May 4, 1909)

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Eureka Bullion Mining Company

July 29, 1916
The Grutli Mining company and its mining claims and real estate were sold at a Sheriff's sale as the result of the John Bestelmeyer estate (Catherine Bestelmeyer, John M. Bestelmeyer, August A. Bestelmeyer, Kate Bestelmeyer, Clara Bestelmeyer) suing the Grutli Mining company for foreclosure of the mortgage originally held by John Bestelmeyer against the mining company. John M. Bestelmeyer was the successful bidder with a bid of $8,960.35. "A new company will be incorporated within the next few days and active work on the property will be commenced." (Provo Post, July 7, 1916; Salt Lake Herald, July 30, 1916; Provo Post, August 1, 1916)

(The Grutli Mining company and its real estate and assets, including the seven mining claims, were reorganized as the Eureka Bullion Mining company on August 30, 1916.)

The following comes from USGS Professional Paper 1024, published in 1979, page 131.

The property of the Eureka Bullion Mining Co. is in the west-central part of the East Tintic district about half a mile west of Dividend. It is bordered on the east and south by properties controlled by the Tintic Standard Mining Co. and on the north and west by other properties controlled or owned by the International Smelting and Refining Co.

The Eureka Bullion Mining Co. was incorporated September 5, 1916, under the direction of John Bestlemyre and others, who had taken over the existing Grutli claims, including a shaft that was 220 feet deep. In May 1919, after the discovery of the main Tintic Standard ore body, Bestlemyre and his associates deepened the shaft to the 800 level, which is 632 feet below the collar. During the following 2 years, a winze was sunk from that level to the 1,150 level, and the company was active in exploring and developing an ore-bearing fissure by means of raises and winzes.

In 1924 or 1925, controlling stock ownership of the Eureka Bullion Mining Co. was acquired by the Chief Consolidated Mining Co., who in turn, sold it in 1931 to the International Smelting and Refining Co. This latter company, in 1972, reportedly owned 50.4 percent of the outstanding stock. Since 1928 the Eureka Bullion claims have been developed only by workings extending from the North Lily and Big Hill shafts.

August 30, 1916
The Eureka Bullion Mining company filed its articles of incorporation with the county clerk. The officers were D. R. Beebe, president; August Bestelmeyer, vice president; H. C. Hicks, secretary-treasurer. These three plus John M. Bestelmeyer and N. C. Hicks directors. The property includes seven patented mining claims in the East Tintic mining district and joins the Eureka Lily on the north and west. (Salt Lake Herald, August 31, 1916; Provo Daily Herald, August 31, 1916)

December 26, 1916
Superintendent John M. Bestelmeyer reported that the Eureka Bullion shaft was down to 300 feet. The new hoisting plant made it possible to sink very rapidly and Bestelmeyer expected to reach 500 feet before spring. (Provo Post, December 26, 1916)

January 25, 1917
The Eureka Bullion shaft was down to 350 feet. "The work is in the charge of John M. Bestelmeyer of the old Grutli company, whose property the Eureka Bullion has taken over. It is located west and north of the Tintic Standard, with a portion of the Eureka Lily ground between." The Eureka Bullion shaft was about 1,200 feet west of the new shaft of the Tintic Standard company. (Salt Lake Herald, January 25, 1917)

August 13, 1918
The shaft of the Eureka Bullion company was down to 800 feet, with a drift completed out to 125 feet. Although there had been regular samples in small areas during development, the company had not yet struck ore in production quantities. (Provo Post, August 13, 1918)

By January 1921, John Bestelmeyer was manager and vice president of the Eureka Bullion, with Heber C. Hicks as president. (Eureka Reporter, January 14, 1921, company annual report)

By January 1922, John Bestelmeyer and his brother August, were president and secretary-treasurer of the Eureka Bullion Mining company. (Provo Post, January 24, 1922, company annual report)

November 6, 1931
The International Smelting company acquired 51.7 percent stock control of the Eureka Bullion Mining company from the Chief Consolidated Mining company. The Eureka Bullion company was already under lease to North Lily Knight company, a subsidiary of the North Lily company. (Deseret News, November 6, 1931)

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Grutli Mining Company

(The word "Grutli" appears to be a Swiss word, with German, French and Italian pronunciations, with a general meaning of a pleasant place or a meadow.)

(The Grutli No. 3 and Fraction Grutli No. 3 mining claims had been patented in 1904, and were part of the Eureka Bullion company when it was organized in 1916.)

March 22, 1898
The location of the Fraction Grutli No. 3 mining claim in the Tintic Mining District was filed with the county recorder by Catherine Bestelmeyer, et al. Also, the Cathrina claim was filed by Catherine Bestelmeyer. (Deseret News, March 22, 1898)

January 21, 1899
The location of the Grutli No. 3 mining claim in the Tintic Mining District was filed with the county recorder by Catherine Bestelmeyer, et al. (Utah County Democrat, January 21, 1899)

June 14, 1899
The location of the Fraction Grutli No. 4 mining claim in the Tintic Mining District was filed with the county recorder by Catherine Bestelmeyer and George Havercamp. (Utah County Democrat, June 14, 1899)

1903-1904
The Grutli No. 3 and Fraction Grutli No. 3 mining claims in East Tintic were surveyed in July 1903, and the patents were received in July 1904. The ground where the claims were located was owned by George Havercamp, Henry Blumenthal and John M. Bestelmeyer. (Eureka Reporter, July 24, 1903; July 15, 1904)

December 21, 1906
"The intention of George Havercamp to sink another hundred feet upon the Grutli as well as the renewal of work at the Lily." (Eureka Reporter, December 21, 1906)

February 16, 1909
The Grutli Mining company filed its articles of incorporation "today." Officers were: John Bestelmeyer, president; John M. Bestelmeyer, vice president; H. W. Horne, secretary-treasurer. Directors were John Bestelmeyer, Catherine Bestelmeyer, H. W. Horne and August A. Bestelmeyer. The company was formed to develop the Grutli group of claims. (Salt Lake Telegram, February 16, 1909; Eureka Reporter, March 5, 1909)

March 21, 1909
"Adjoining the East Tintic Consolidated company’s property on the north, with the Big Hill flanking the west side and the Eureka Lily and East Tintic Development company's Ralph property on the east, are the seven patented claims of the recently organized Grutli Mining company. John Bestelmeyer. one of the old-timers of the Tintic district, has owned this property for fifteen years, and he is at the head of the company organized to develop the ground on an extensive scale. As a strong working ally, he has H. W. Horne, the well-known engineer, as secretary of his company." (Salt Lake Herald, March 21, 1909)

August 30, 1909
"John M. Bestelmeyer, who is in charge of the Grutli property in the eastern part of the district, says that he has encountered a gray-lime formation in the shaft which at this time is down about 150 feet. For some time the formation through which the Grutli shaft passed was loose and full of small caves or "bug-holes" but it has now tightened up, the rock at the present time being exceptionally hard. When the 200 level is reached a station set will be put in and then sinking will be resumed." (Salt Lake Mining Review, August 30, 1909, citing the Eureka Reporter)

December 4, 1909
"Provo. Dec. 4. -- Some excitement has been caused here by the report just brought to town by Manager John M. Bestelmeyer of the Grutli, that a two-foot vein of low grade silver-copper ore has been tapped in that property on the 200 level. The importance of the find is enhanced because of the fact that the ore has been found underneath a large body of lead-stained talc, which in the opinion of mining men conversant with conditions in East Tintic, is always associated with large ore bodies in that district. Acting on this belief, Manager Bestelmeyer has decided to sink to the 300 level, and to drift underneath the present find, which was made at point about 35 feet from the shaft." (Deseret News, December 4, 1909)

December 18, 1909
The following comes from the Deseret News, December 18, 1909.

The Grutli -- Among the many promising properties of East Tintic is the territory owned by the Grutli Mining company, which has its headquarters at Provo. This company has been pushing work during the past year and is one of the properties of great promise for the year 1910.

Something over 20 years ago, John Bestelmeyer, a German baker, stopped off in Salt Lake City. He soon acquired a strong desire to search for mineral. He became the pioneer of East Tintic and most of the properties that are now being worked there at some time or other were owned by him. In spite of the many valuable holdings that he allowed to slip through his hands, Mr Bestelmeyer clung to the ground he has incorporated as the Grutli. It has been his pet during his many years of hardship.

The Grutli consists of seven patented claims, containing 80 acres, north of the Big Hill and west of the Provo. John Bestelmeyer is president of the company, while his son, John M. Bestelmeyer, is vice president and general manager. Heber C. Hicks Is secretary and treasurer.

Work on the Grutli has been pushed throughout the year. One year ago only a bunk house was on the property. Since then a hoist has been installed, a well dug and a well house built, a hoist house constructed, good gallows frames set up, and a stable erected. Throughout only first class material has been used.

One of the prettiest shafts in the country has been put down on the property. It has been put down in one of the best locations in the canyon, affording an excellent place for a dump and giving a great vantage point for the crosscutting of the contact that cuts through the property. To the north of the shaft at the top of the hill is a big iron blow out such as has been indicative of ore in the Tintic district.

The shaft has reached a depth of 200 feet and a drift has been sent to the north to crosscut a contact. From indications it is believed certain that early in the coming year another mine will be added to the East Tintic section.

(John Bestelmeyer died on August 17, 1912.)

June 24, 1913
By June 1913, John M. Bestelmeyer was shown as president of the Grutli company, also showing that the shaft was sunk 200 feet. The mine had its own water supply on-site. The company's seven claims were all patented. An assessment was being levied for the first time against stockholders to pay for taxes on the property, and a small number of current bills. (Deseret News, June 24, 1913)

November 28, 1913
The Grutli mine was being worked only by John M. Bestelmeyer and two other men. The combination of shaft, drifts and winzes had put the mine at 300 feet depth, when a vein of porphyry copper ore was found with values of 3 to 5 percent copper, with values of gold, silver, zinc and lead as well. (Deseret News, November 28, 1913)

January 4, 1914
A very detailed report of the extent of the Grutli mine's development (shaft, tunnels, winzes and drifts) was published as part of the annual report. The mine and its property was valued at $20,164.41. (Salt lake Herald, January 4, 1914)

January 6, 1914
At the time of his death on August 16, 1912, the Grutli Mining company was in debt to John Bestelmeyer for $5,627.75, as a mortgage for him supplying the funds for the development of the mine. John M. Bestelmeyer had been manager of the mine from the day it was organized, in 1909. He was 24 years old at the time. Work on the Grutli mine was stopped with John Bestelmeyer's death and had restarted on August 6, 1913. The mortgage debt to the Bestelmeyer estate had been reduced to $3,681.95 by two assessments against stockholders. (Provo Post, January 6, 1914)

July 29, 1916
The Grutli Mining company and its mining claims and real estate were sold at a Sheriff's sale as the result of the John Bestelmeyer estate (Catherine Bestelmeyer, John M. Bestelmeyer, August A. Bestelmeyer, Kate Bestelmeyer, Clara Bestelmeyer) suing the Grutli Mining company for foreclosure of the mortgage originally held by John Bestelmeyer against the mining company. John M. Bestelmeyer was the successful bidder with a bid of $8,960.35. "A new company will be incorporated within the next few days and active work on the property will be commenced." (Provo Post, July 7, 1916; Salt Lake Herald, July 30, 1916; Provo Post, August 1, 1916)

(The Grutli Mining company and its real estate and assets, including the seven mining claims, were reorganized as the Eureka Bullion Mining company on August 30, 1916.)

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Hannibal Consolidated Mining Company

August 13, 1909
The Hannibal Consolidated Mining company filed its articles of incorporation with the county clerk. Officers were: John Bestelmeyer, president; John M. Bestelmeyer, vice president; H. C. Hicks, secretary-treasurer; with these three plus Catherine Bestelmeyer and Henry C. Blumenthal as directors. The purpose was to take ownership of the Hannibal, Water Gulch, Hannibal No. 2, and Hannibal No. 3 Fraction mining claims. (Deseret News, August 13, 1909)

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Tintic Bullion Mining Company

May 13,1919
The Tintic Bullion Mining company filed its articles of incorporation. The officers were the same the the East Tintic Coalition Mining company. "The company's holdings consist of three claims adjoining the Eureka Bullion, Big Hill and East Tintic Coalition mining properties in East Tintic." Officers were: John M. Bestelmeyer, president; Theodore Nichols, vice -president; H. C. Hicks, secretary; August Bestelmeyer, treasurer. These plus Samuel Bennett form the directors. (Provo Post, May 13, 1919; Deseret News, May 14, 1919)

(In March 1921, the Tintic Bullion company was among the thousands of Utah corporations listed as being delinquent in paying the state corporate license fee for 1920, in the amount of $20.)

November 6, 1931
The International Smelting company acquired deed and full ownership of the Tintic Bullion Mining company from the Chief Consolidated Mining company. The Tintic Bullion property was to be leased to the North Lily company. (Deseret News, November 6, 1931)

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Tintic Chief Mining Company

July 9, 1919
The Tintic Chief Mining company filed its articles of incorporation yesterday from Provo. The company's property is in the East Tintic district. H. C. Hicks is president, John M. Bestelmeyer is secretary-treasurer. (Salt Lake Herald, July 10, 1919, "yesterday")

(There are no further references to the Tintic Chief company after August 1919.)

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