Tintic, Black Jack Mine

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This page was last updated on December 16, 2025.

Black Jack Consolidated Mining Company

(The focus of this page is the surface workings of the Black Jack mine, 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.)

("Black Jack" was a popular name among the mines of the West, and in Utah. In the mid- and late-1890s there was a Black Jack mine in Big Cottonwood, and one near the Highland Boy mine in Bingham Canyon, and another Black Jack mine near the asylum on the Provo Bench.)

Black Jack Mining Company

April 23, 1899
"The Ajax-Mammoth Extension company, an incorporation recently formed, which embraces in the group the Amelia Rives, Amelia Rives Addition, Black Jack, and Trail, is being worked under the supervision of John T. Sullivan. There is some sixty feet of shaft, and 200 feet of tunnel work on the old diggings, but a new shaft is being pushed down as rapidly as three shifts can do it on the Amelia Rives ground. This group of claims, which is located between the Lower Mammoth and the Star Consolidated, is regarded hereabouts as valuable ground." (Salt Lake Herald, April 23, 1899)

(The Amelia Rives mining claim and the Amelia Rives Addition mining claim are not shown on an 1899 maps of Tintic mining claims, but the Black Jack and Trail claims are shown.)

May 27, 1899
David Evans purchased the Black Jack and Trail mining claims at Tintic for $25,000, the first payment being made on May 27th. (Deseret News, May 29, 1899)

June 8, 1899
"The ground recently acquired by David Evans on the hill just above the Ajax, known as the Black Jack and Trail, will under the new management be worked very shortly in a vigorous way, in connection with the South Mammoth and West Mammoth, two other very valuable claims that have come into Mr. Evans’ possession. The South Mammoth lies parallel with the Phoenix on the west, the West Mammoth joining the Hungarian claim of the Lower Mammoth on the east, and both ending their lines with the Black Jack and Trail on the south, all joining on the north the ground of the Ajax-Mammoth Extension. It is understood that for the group of four claims Mr. Evans has paid more than half of the entire purchase price, said to be close to $100,000. Since that particular section is universally conceded to be the most valuable undeveloped ground in the camp, the opinion is that he did not pay too much for it." (Salt Lake Herald, June 8, 1899)

June 12, 1899
David Evans, Lafayette Holbrook and others who recently acquired the Black Jack, the Trail, the South Mammoth, and the West Mammoth properties, were on the ground locating the site for their new shaft. (Salt Lake Herald, June 13, 1899)

June 17, 1899
Jesse Knight purchased from David Evans, in the amount of $45,000, a one half interest in the Black Jack, Trail, South Mammoth and West Mammoth properties. Evans had acquired the properties for $90,000. A few days previously, Evans had located the site of the shaft collar on the line between the Black Jack claim, and the South Mammoth claim. The planned shaft, to be 300 feet deep, was to be similar to the three-compartment shaft of the nearby Grand Central. A hoisting plant was to be installed for when a whim would no longer do the work. (Salt Lake Tribune, June 18, 1899, "yesterday")

June 20, 1899
From the Salt Lake Herald, June 20, 1899.

Black Jack Explorations - Contract For a Three-hundred-Foot Shaft to Be Let.

A shaft will be sent to the deep at once on the South and West Mammoth, Black Jack and Trail claims in the Tintic district. This is the property of which David Evans disposed of a half interest to Jessie Knight, a few days ago, for something like $45,000. Mr. Evans will leave for Tintic tomorrow and before he returns he will let a contract for 300 feet of sinking.

The property has had but little development done upon it, but Mr. Evans is confident it is the making of a big proposition.

The property will not be incorporated at present, but Mr. Evans and Mr. Knight will operate it in partnership under the name of the Black Jack Mining company.

June 28, 1899
From the Salt Lake Herald, June 28, 1899, Jesse Knight was interviewed about, among other subjects, his interest with David Evans, in the Black Jack properties. He said:

We are going to spend some money on that group and do quick work. Before the contractors have completed their job of 200 feet we will have a big steam plant on the premises, and be prepared to do some lively work. I feel that we are just sure to uncover big ore up there. We haven't given it any particular name, but Dave calls it the Black Jack, and I guess that's good enough.

November 17, 1899
"Robinson, Nov. 17. - The new hoist at the recently incorporated Black Jack Mining company is almost completed, and the new boilers and machinery will shortly be installed. The machinery is of a very powerful and substantial pattern, the boilers being of the 40 horsepower variety. The property of this company is principally owned by Jesse Knight and having a very desirable location should take little development work to place it among the dividend payers of this district. This property lies almost south of the Grand Central and Mammoth mines." (Deseret News, November 18, 1899)

November 21, 1899
The Black Jack Mining company filed its articles of incorporation. Officers and directors were: Jesse Knight, president; David Evans, vice president and general Manager; William Knight, treasurer; Jacob Evans, treasurer; with Lafayette Holbrook as director. All of the stock is divided equally between Jesse Knight and David Evans, except for qualifying shares to officers and directors. The properties were the South mammoth, the West mammoth, the Black Jack, and the Trail mining claims. There is already a shaft down to 220 feet, with two 60-horsepower boilers and a hoist soon to be installed. (Salt Lake Tribune, November 22, 1899, "yesterday")

December 23, 1899
"Mr. Knight and his sons have recently bought a half-interest in the Black Jack Mining company of which David Evans of Salt Lake was the sole owner. This property adjoins the Ajax at Mammoth. They have spent about $40,000 in improvements such as roads, hoisting equipment and sinking a triple compartment shaft to a depth of 200 feet. As soon as the Messrs. Knight bought their stock a compuny was effected and incorporated for $300,000 at the par value of $1.00 per share. It is believed this property will catch the extension of the well known Mammoth mine." (Deseret News, December 23, 1899)

August 4, 1905
"David Evans this week disposed of his interest in the Black Jack property at Mammoth, Jesse Knight being the purchaser. Mr. Evans will make his home in Southern California in the future." (Eureka Reporter, August 4, 1905)

October 13, 1905
"For twenty-seven tons of ore from :he Black Jack property at Tintic, Uncle Jesse Knight received a check for over $2,121, or better than $76.60 per ton. This is third shipment that has been made from the property since Mr. Knight bought out David Evans, some sixty days ago. The present shipments if ore are being taken from the 1300 and 1400 foot levels and Mr. Knight says that the showing at this property looks most encouraging." (Eureka Reporter, October 13, 1905)

July 15, 1907
"The Black Jack Mining company, of Provo, Utah, has accepted the terms of the merger with the Star Consolidated Mining company, and the final arrangements will soon be completed. The Black Jack company has increased its capital stock from 300,000 to 1,000,000 shares, 500,000 of which will be paid to the Star Consolidated Mining company for all its mining and other property. The Black Jack Mining company will thus succeed to all the rights and property of the Star company, which will go out of existence. The 500,000 shares of Black Jack stock will be divided among the Star stockholders in exchange for the Star stock, probably share for share. For while the Star company has only issued 400,000 shares of its capital stock, it has indebtedness which it will probably take the other 100,000 shares to liquidate." (Salt Lake Mining Review, July 15, 1907)

Black Jack Consolidated Mining Company

September 12, 1907
Articles of incorporation of the Black Jack Consolidated Mining Company, with Provo as the principal place of business, were filed with the county clerk. The capital stock is based on the valuation of the properties formerly owned by the Black Jack Mining company and the Star Consolidated Mining company. The officers are Jesse Knight, president; J. William Knight, vice-president; R. E. Allen, secretary and treasurer. These with W. Lester Mangum and Amanda M. Knight form the board of directors. Holders of the Star Consolidated certificates could turn them in and receive certificates in the new Black Jack company. (Salt Lake Herald, September 13, 1907; Salt Lake Tribune, September 17, 1907; Eureka Reporter, September 20, 1907)

September 22, 1907
"The Star Consolidated Mining company, which has sold its properties to the recently incorporated Black Jack Mining company, the shareholders taking stock in the newer company, has petitioned the district court for a decree of dissolution." (Salt Lake Herald, September 22, 1907)

September 30, 1907
"The Black Jack Consolidated Mining company, of Provo, Utah, with a capitalization of $100,000 in ten-cent shares. The officers are Jesse Knight, president; J. William Knight, vice president; R. E, Allen, secretary and treasurer, W. Lester Magnum and Amanda M. Knight. The company takes over the properties of the Black Jack, and the Star Consolidated Mining companies in Tintic district, Utah." (Salt Lake Mining Review, September 30, 1907)

October 26, 1907
The Third District Court approved the Star Consolidated Mining company application for the voluntary dissolution of its corporation. (Salt Lake Herald, October 23, 1907)

April 10, 1908
The Star Consolidated Mining company was formally and completely merged into the Black Jack Consolidated Mining company. The Black Jack company had agreed to pay off all of the Star Consolidated company's $40,000 debt. (Salt Lake Herald, April 10, 1908)

September 27, 1908
"Black Jack Rushes Tunnel. - Work is progressing in a very satisfactory manner at the Black Jack. The company is rushing the big tunnel through to completion just as fast as possible and at the mouth of the tunnel an ore house is now being constructed. The material for the ore house was moved from the old Star Consolidated, which is now a part of the Black Jack's holdings. A few hundred feet of switch will connect this with the new Knight railroad and make it possible to handle the Black Jack ore without a haul by team." (Salt Lake Herald, September 28, 1908)

September 5, 1912
Shareholders of the Black Jack company met at Provo in annual session on Tuesday, electing officers and transacting some other routine business. At the Black Jack a very interesting campaign of development is under way and in addition to this there has been some leasing operations there during the past year. Then some development work is also being done through this mine in behalf of the Dragon Consolidated. The Black Jack officers elected were as follows: Jesse Knight, president; H. G. McMillan, vice president; J. William Knight, F. D. Kimball and W. Lester Mangum, additional directors. Mr. Manguin is also secretary and treasurer. (Eureka Reporter, September 5, 1912)

Empire Mines Company

The Black Jack Consolidated Mining company was one of eight Knight properties that were consolidated in 1917 as the newly incorporated Empire Mines company.

March 27, 1917
The Empire Mines company filed its articles of incorporation, owning 600 acres, having merged eight Tintic properties. It is probable that development operations will be taken up first in the Lower Mammoth workings." The directors and officers were: Jesse Knight, president; J. William Knight, vice president; W. Lester Mangum, secretary and treasurer; with additional directors Mrs. Amanda M. Knight, R. E. Allen, K. S. Jordan, J. S. Smith. Eight properties: Opex; Lower Mammoth; Tennessee Rebel; Central Mammoth; Boston and Tintic; Garnet; Old Colony and Eureka; Black Jack; and seventeen mining claims, which have all been merged by vote of the stockholders and sale of the individual claims. (Salt Lake Herald, March 29, 1917; Salt Lake Tribune, March 30, 1917)

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