Tintic, Bullion Beck Tunnel

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Bullion Beck Tunnel Company

(The focus of this page is the surface workings of the Bullion Beck Tunnel, 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.)

November 23, 1893
The Bullion Beck Tunnel company was incorporated. (Kantner, "Hand Book of the Mines, Miners and Minerals of Utah," 1896)

November 24, 1893
The Bullion Beck Tunnel company filed its articles of incorporation with the county clerk yesterday, with Salt Lake City as the principal place of business. The capital stock of $500,000 is fully paid up and is represented by mines and claims in the Tintic Mining district, among them being the Mammoth Tunnel site, the Protection Lode, the Big Eastern claim and the East Boy claim. Following are the names of the officers and stockholders: Henry Dinwoodey, president; A. E. Hyde, vice president; Frank Y. Taylor, secretary; L. G. Hardy, treasurer; with John Beck, George Romney, and Jesse W. Fox, Jr. as additional directors. Jesse Fox held 14 percent of the stock, and the other officers and directors each held 7 percent. The total held by the officers and directors was 49 percent. (Salt Lake Herald, November 25, 1893)

December 11, 1895
The Bullion Beck Tunnel company had driven its tunnel a distance of 400 feet, and had let a contract to drive an additional 40 feet. (Salt Lake Herald, December 11, 1895)

December 28, 1895
"The property of the Bullion-Beck Tunnel company, in which John Beck is a moving spirit, lies just north of the Utah and has recently been surveyed for a patent. This company owns three claims and has driven the Big Eastern tunnel 700 feet with a view to explore the ore bodies known to lie on this ground as a continuation of the Utah vein. Many small stringers of good ore have been cut, but the company proposes to continue the tunnel until the main ore body is tapped." (Salt Lake Herald, December 28, 1895)

January 19, 1896
"Two shifts are now at work on the Big Eastern tunnel of the Bullion-Beck Tunnel company and the tunnel is being rapidly driven ahead. This tunnel will tap much unexplored ground in a great mineral section and should prove one of the greatest propositions in Tintic." (Salt Lake Tribune, January 19, 1896)

September 19, 1896
"The directors of the Bullion-Beck Tunnel company met yesterday afternoon and decided to resume work, in the development of its Tintic property, which embraces three mining claims and a tunnel site. The company, several years ago, began the driving of a long tunnel, beginning on the east side of Godiva mountain and running west towards the Centennial-Eureka and Eureka Hill mines. This tunnel is now in between 200 and 300 feet, and the company can go 600 feet further before encountering the side-line of the Humbug claim. The company means business, and there is no doubt regarding the ultimate success of the enterprise." (Salt Lake Herald, September 19, 1896)

September 29, 1896
"The Bullion-Beck Tunnel company has let a contract to Oscar Hardy for 400 feet of work in the extension of its tunnel on its Eureka property on Godiva mountain. This is a gigantic undertaking and will thoroughly develop the ground in that locality." (Salt Lake Herald, September 29, 1896)

February 20, 1897
"Eureka Democrat: The Shepherd claim has been purchased by the Bullion-Beck Tunnel company. This property adjoins the Tunnel company's original claim and lies next the Humbug." (Salt Lake Herald, February 20, 1897)

April 3, 1897
"The Eureka Democrat, in its review, says several propositions are now pending for the purchase of the Mountain View, and it is probable that some definite understanding will soon be reached. This is one of the most promising properties on Godiva mountain and lies between and adjoining the famous Humbug and Big Eastern. The Bullion-Beck tunnel, which is located on the Big Eastern, is running toward the Mountain View and has some excellent indications of ore, having already crosscut several veins." (Salt Lake Tribune, April 3, 1897)

September 25, 1897
"Eureka Democrat: A contract has been let to drive the Bullion Beck Tunnel in another 100 feet and work will be started up at once. It is gratifying to learn of the starting up of old properties which have been idle during the summer months, as it shows a healthy feeling in the mining industry." (Deseret News, September 25, 1897)

January 1, 1898
"Bullion-Beck Tunnel. - This company, organized to drive a tunnel into their group lying on the east side of the Humbug, got in 600 feet with a double-track tunnel in 1896, and during the past year this has been extended 400 feet more, of which 200 feet is on the vein through low-grade ore. In this tunnel a number of veins have been crosscut, but these have not been drifted on and their values are not known." (Salt Lake Tribune, January 1, 1898)

February 5, 1898
"The Bullion-Beck Tunnel company has been working two men on its Eureka property since the 1st of December last, and it is believed that before the work in hand is completed large bodies of ore will be encountered. The tunnel of the company is below the Humbug and Uncle Sam mines, owned by Jesse Knight, and it would not be at all surprising if it would uncover mineral in these properties." (Salt Lake Herald, February 5, 1898)

(During 1898, the Bullion Beck Tunnel company made two assessments against company stock, each for 1/4 of one percent against each share. The purpose of the assessments was to provide funds for continued development of the property.)

The delinquency notice for assessment No. 2 showed that John Beck and James Cunningham, of the Mammoth company, between them held 64 percent of the Bullion Beck Tunnel company stock; John Beck with 215,812 shares or 43 percent, and James Cunningham with 102,909 shares, or 21 percent. (Deseret News, May 28, 1898)

March 16, 1898
Concerning the Bullion Beck Tunnel company, "the tunnel in this property is now in a distance of 780 feet, the face being in lime that is sprinkled with black chert or quartz, which is considered as being encouraging indications in that portion of the district. A short time ago the men at work in the mine cut through a cave that is about a foot in diameter, the crevice running across the course of the tunnel, and through it the air circulates with such velocity as to blow out the candles of the miners." (Salt Lake Herald, March 16, 1898)

June 29, 1898
"At the stockholders' meeting of the Bullion-Beck Tunnel company, held Monday afternoon, a new board to serve for the ensuing year was elected as follows: Henry Dinwoodey, president; John Beck, vice president; Briant Young, secretary and treasurer: Jesse Fox, A. F. Hyde and George Romney. The late assessment on the stock of the company is being well paid in and it is the intention of the management to resume active work in the continued development of the property at an early date." (Salt Lake Herald, June 29, 1898)

July 27, 1898
From the Salt Lake Tribune, July 27, 1898.

The delinquent stock of the Bullion-Beck Tunnel company was sold yesterday, in accordance with the notice published by the company, only a limited amount being sold as unpaid, and this went for the amount of the assessment, costs and a little over, the stock being bought in by J. A. Cunningham and A. E. Hyde.

A block of 58,000 shares of delinquent stock were sold.

The property of the company is located near the Humbug and Uncle Sam mines, at Eureka, and the working and prospecting tunnel has now been driven in a distance of between 800 and 900 feet, the formation in the face being well mineralized, indicative of the near presence of an ore body.

In order to facilitate operations the company will soon install machine drills at the mine, and it is proposed to push work from now on with greater vigor than ever before, with the expectation that in the rear future this will open out into a prolific producer and a paying proposition.

October 29, 1898
"Word was received in this city yesterday from Eureka by means of the telephone, that an immense cave had been encountered in the workings of the property of the Bullion-Beck Tunnel company. The disclosure of a cave in the development of a mine or prospect is always considered as being a most favorable sign. The tunnel in this ground, which is located on Godiva mountain, is now in a distance of about 900 feet, and it is stated that before breaking into the cave Thursday afternoon the workmen cut through a body of low grade silver and lead ore." "Mr. Hyde will leave for the mine this morning, his intention being to explore the cave by means cf ropes and long ladders, and a whim will even be rigged up while big lamps with strong reflectors will be used in searching out the innermost secrets of this mysterious hiding place of supposed mineral wealth, and as the air from the cave is pure and fresh, with a circulation so strong that a candle is blown out while in the tunnel, there is every reason to believe that no difficulty will be experienced in thoroughly investigating the new discovery." (Salt Lake Herald, October 29, 1898; October 30, 1898)

November 1, 1898
From the Salt Lake tribune, November 1, 1898.

With a rope around his chest, a candle in his hand and a cry of "Look out below" plucky Jim O'Brien crawled through the opening into the immense cavern at the Bullion-Beck tunnel at Eureka yesterday morning, and descended into the black depths below. An hour later he was followed by A. E. Hyde, Superintendent Kirby of the Bullion-Beck mine, George L. Adams and The Tribune correspondent. By means of sixty-five feet of ladders lashed together, a landing was made on an immense slide of boulders and sand. The cave was illuminated by means of magnesium ribbons and red fire, and the party picked its way about 150 feet down a thirty-five-degree incline to the bottom.

From below a lighted lantern at the opening looked like a match light. The cave is about 400 x 200 feet in dimensions, and from the place where it was broken into to the bottom is about 150 feet perpendicular measurement. From the bottom, when lighted up, it has the appearance of a volcano, running up to a conical point to a distance of probably 400 feet. The walls are of lime, while on one side is an immense ledge of black quartz from which boulders the size of a freight car have rolled to the bottom. The incline is composed of boulders of a smaller size, and sand. There is much black manganese interspersed in the ledge, and not a little blue shale, similar to that associated with Mercur ore. At several points a wide vein of ore was disclosed that looked well, but the value of which can only be determined by assays. The examination was necessarily a hurried one, but upon Mr. Hyde's return from the city he will spend several days in the big hole, and carefully sample the ledge.

A drift will be run on the ledge from the bottom of the cavern, and the extent and value of it determined. The cave is worth thousands of dollars to the company as a means of ventilation, and for dumping waste. Upon Mr. Hyde's return he will be accompanied by an assayer, and C. M. Johnson will also come along to take flash light views of the big cavity. Mr. Hyde will personally conduct the future operations.

Mr. Henry Dinwoodey, who is heavily interested in the property, accompanied the exploring property to the mine, but was satisfied with the view from the top.

Mr. Hyde says the company has a big property beyond doubt.

November 2, 1898
"Eureka, Nov. 2. - Contractor James M. O'Brien had a very narrow escape from instant death at the Bullion-Beck Tunnel yesterday morning. While putting the ladders in place, a boulder as large as a freight car became loosened and came crashing down, missing Mr. O’Brien by about an inch. The tunnel at present is in a dangerous condition, but a force of men, under Mr. O'Brien, are timbering and strengthening it in the unsafe places." (Salt Lake Herald, November 3, 1898)

November 5, 1898
"In company with A. E. Hyde, Superintendent Kirby of the Beck mine, George Adams and James O'Brien, on Monday visited the cave which was recently broken into in the tunnel of the Bullion-Beck Tunnel company's property below the Mountain View. It is an immense cavern, probably 200 by 400 feet in dimensions. The top is conical in shape, and so high that the distance could not be measured by the eye. It is probably 150 feet perpendicular from the tunnel level to the lowest part of the floor, on one side is an incline of about 40 degrees, running from a distance 65 feet below the opening to the further wall, which is strewn with immense boulders of black quartz and sand. There is a big ledge of this same quartz and several veins of ore, from which good assays in gold were obtained. Mr. Hyde returned from the city Wednesday night, bringing with, him a complete assay outfit." (Salt Lake Herald, November 5, 1898)

November 11, 1898
Workers for the The Bullion Beck Tunnel company discovered an open cave within their property. The cave was found to be 400 feet deep, 400 feet long, and 150 to 200 feet wide. Along one wall was a vein of "black quartz" 35 feet wide, which showed "good" values in gold. (Ogden Standard Examiner, November 11, 1898)

December 14, 1898
In a lien against the Bullion Beck Tunnel company, the four mining claims owned by the company were listed as: the East Boy; the Big Eastern; the Protection; and the Shepard. The lien was for $2,410, and was for work performed by a contractor to extend the tunnel. (Utah County Democrat, December 14, 1898)

(The original lien was filed with the Utah County Clerk on November 22nd, in the amount of $3,413.75 for work performed as a contractor by James M. O'Brien "to excavate drifts, cross-cuts, and up-raises; also to prospect and do work in said mining property." O'Brien employed 15 to 20 men from October 20th to November 13th, but had not yet received any payment for his services. -- Salt Lake Herald, November 22, 1898)

(On November 22, 1898, the board of directors of the Bullion Beck Tunnel company met and called for an assessment against company stock in the amount of 1 cent per share, to provide the funds to pay the lien, and to continue development of the property. -- Deseret News, November 25, 1898)

(On December 9th, O'Brien released his lien after receiving partial payment, then filed a new lien for the reduced amount. The later lien called for foreclosure of the company to pay the lien. The foreclosure suit was dismissed on June 1, 1899 after the two parties settled on the first day of the trial. -- Salt Lake Herald, December 11, 1898; June 2, 1899)

(During 1898, the company stock continued to fluctuate, from 1 cent in January, to 9 cents in December.)

January 1, 1899
From the Salt Lake Tribune, January 1, 1899.

Bullion-Beck Tunnel. - This has been in progress of being driven into the group belonging to the company, lying on the east side of the Humbug. It has cut a number of veins but none of these have been drifted upon, hence their values are unknown. During the past year the main tunnel was advanced 280 feel, now in 1000 feet. Some side drifts were run and a little stoping on a big iron deposit.

On one of the side drifts they broke into a cave which has been only partly explored. From the floor of the tunnel it is about fifty feet down to the floor of the cave at the upper end, from which it slopes downward at an angle of 35 or 40 deg. to the lower end, 200 feet distant. The cave is so large that a big discharge of flashlight failed to give any marked impression on the photographic film. Estimates on this cave run large, but it is really about 200 feet long, 150 feet wide and 150 feet high. Unfortunately, it is unsafe to enter, since the air, having access to this once sealed vacuum, is slacking the sides and roof, causing an almost constant dropping of rock. One mass lately came down, estimated to be at least fifty tons.

Recently contracts were let for more tunnel and drifting work, but as to the cave, the company is at loss as to what best to do with it. The ore zone which this tunnel has tapped is about 200 feet in width and has much low-grade ore in sight, and the tunnel is believed to present great possibilities as a mining enterprise.

September 11, 1899
The annual stockholders meeting of the Bullion Beck Tunnel company was held, and new officers and directors were elecetd. The new officers and directors were: A. E. Hyde, president; J. W Fox, vice president; with A. E. Hyde, Jr., George J. Fox, and A. hanauer, Jr., as additional directors. (Salt Lake Herald, September 13, 1899)

December 31, 1899
The tunnel of the Bullion Beck Tunnel company was 1200 feet into the mountain. "It is believed that 200 feet further will tap the vein, and put the property in shape for production. This property is a remarkable one in possessing an immense cave, so great and dark that its dimensions have not been ascertained. Since breaking into it by a drift over a year ago all attempts to explore it and estimate its extent have failed because the admission of air to this long-sealed cavern causes the limestone roof and walls to disintegrate and fall, making it dangerous to enter the dark cavern. The ore zone which this tunnel is tapping is about 200 feet wide and has much low-grade ore in sight." (Salt Lake Tribune, December 31, 1899)

(During 1899, the company stock continued to decline, from 8 cents in January, to 2.5 cents in December.)

(During 1900, there was an additional assessment against company stock, with the associated delinquency auction. There were no reports of progress, other than a single report that the superintendent stated that he was encouraged by the work being done.)

(During 1901, there was another assessment and associated delinqueny auction. This assessment was for 3 cents per share, more than the stock was selling for.)

(In June 1901, the Pacific Lumber company sued the Bullion Beck Tunnel company, claiming that a recent assessment and associated delinquency auction had been illegal, and that the Bullion Beck company had no right to sell, on May 27th, the 102,649 shares resulting from the delinquency to Jesse Knight. The Pacific Lumber company was owned and controlled by David Eccles and George Romney. There were no further reports of the suit, which indicates that a settlement was reached. -- Salt Lake Herald, June 20, 1901)

September 9, 1901
"A meeting of the Bullion Beck Tunnel company was held in A. Hanauer's office this afternoon for the purpose of electing officers for the ensuing year. The new officers are: Jesse Knight, president; David Evans, vice president; and A. Hanauer Jr., secretary and treasurer. The other directors are: A. M. Knight and John H. McEwan. It was expected that some action would be taken regarding an assessment, but nothing was done today. Mr Evans said today that the indebtedness of the company is about $18,000, and he is in favor of levying an assessment of 4 or 5 cents a share. Some action will he taken on the matter in a day or two. Meantime arrangements are being made to resume work." (Deseret News, September 9, 1901)

September 10, 1901
From the Salt Lake Herald, September 10, 1901.

Following the acquirement of the control of the Bullion-Beck Tunnel company by David Evans and Jesse Knight, about $11,000 of the $18,000 indebtedness against the corporation has been satisfied by the gentlemen rising notes hold by McCornick & Co., and yesterday, after the reorganization of the directorate, a 3-cent assessment was levied. In the reorganization Jesse Knight was made president, David Evans, vice president and genera] manager; A. Hanauer, Jr., secretary and treasurer, with J. H. McEwan and A. L. Knight as the other directors.

During the afternoon Manager Evans said the notes raised by himself and Mr. Knight would be turned into the company payment of their assessments at their face value and as soon as the company was out of debt and on its feet operations would be resumed. Of the 500,000 shares of stock something like 125,000 to 130,000 shares were scattered among quite a number of people, the balance being controlled by himself and Mr. Knight. The property is believed to have much individual merit and aside from that, it is so located that it comes nearly having a call for deep operations on many of the mines that lie adjacent and on that account it must some day prove very valuable.

April 12, 1902
David Evans sold his 90,000 share interest in the Bullion Beck Tunnel company to Jesse Knight, along with his 30,000 share interest in the Colorado Consolidated company. (Salt Lake Telegram, April 12, 1902)

June 10, 1904
"The consolidation of the Bullion-Beck Tunnel and La Reine properties was effected yesterday afternoon and the first officers and directors of the consolidated company were chosen, as follows: Jesse Knight, president; Jacob Evans, vice president; R. E. Allen, secretary and treasurer; Henry Dinwoodey and E. H. Mead, directors. The new company which is to be known as the Beck Tunnel Consolidated, will be capitalized for 1,000,000 shares of the par value of $1 each. The shareholders of the old companies will receive share for share for their stock; 500,000 going to the La Reine and 300,000 to the Bullion-Beck Tunnel company. Of the balance 100,000 shares will be applied on the purchase of the Cyrus Oliver mining claim mid the remaining 100,000 goes into the treasury for development purposes. The new company starts off with about $1,600 on hand, $400 of which was contributed by the La Reine company." (Deseret News, June 11, 1904)

(By this time, the La Reine company's most valuable assets were its tunnel and shaft, and surface facilities, which gave access to paying ore veins in adjoining properties whose own tunnels and shafts were not near enough to prospective paying ore veins on their own property.)

November 24, 1904
"Preparations are about completed for the inauguration of a most lively campaign at the Bullion-Beck Tunnel company's properties at Tintic. Uncle Jesse Knight, the general manager, came up from Provo yesterday and stated that all he was waiting for was an electric pump, which is to be used in lifting water up to the La Reine shaft. A compressor plant has been installed and within a few days power drills will be employed in breaking ground, both in the tunnel and shaft workings." (Salt Lake Herald, November 24, 1904)

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