Tintic, Bullion Beck Mine
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This page was last updated on December 4, 2025.
Overview
(The focus of this page is the surface workings of the Bullion-Beck 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.)
The following comes from Kantner, "Hand Book of the Mines, Miners and Minerals of Utah," 1896.
The story of the Bullion-Beck mine sounds more like fiction than fact to those familiar with it. About 1870 John Beck, to use his own expression, was rolled down the hill "on to the Bullion-Beck mine." Some interests had by him there he lost, and he began to wander about, pick in hand, looking for an opening. One day as he walked along, he ran across two men leaning against a very large boulder. He rested with them for a time. They moved off. Then, without serious thought, he located a claim there. This was the Bullion-Beck mine which to date has added between $8,000,000 and $10,000,000 to the world’s wealth.
The men he had talked to came back, tore down his location notices, and tried to force him off. But he held on. Finally he gave an interest in the location to some men who had been working for him on the Eureka Hill. They began developing the claim and the others grew dissatisfied with the showing, holding it was merely a slide and not the cropping of a permanent vein. So Mr. Beck gave them $5 each, $15 in all, and $15 meant some money in those days to Mr. Beck. The boulder stood just about where the Bullion-Beck shaft is now.
Then he began work. Every possible discouragement was offered him. He was poor. He would work on the claim until out of food, when he would start out and turn small trades until a little surplus had been accumulated when he would go back to his mine. Then a little ore would come in. This he would take out and haul to the smelters in a light wagon he owned, and from its sale would return to further develop the mine, which had become to him all that there was in life for subsistence.
The contrast between the conditions today and then are so great that they can scarcely be realized. The mine has paid over $2,000,000 in dividends; it owns over 100 acres of surface mineral ground, on part of which the city of Eureka is located.
The mine has only been partially opened to a depth of 1,000 feet, the shaft being only 900 feet in depth; not one-third the area owned by the company has been opened by its lateral workings, and as to depths, there is no rational limit to the work that yet may be done, while the developments in other mines in the district prove that not only does the ore continue to 600 feet greater depth than the Bullion-Beck has really opened, but that it becomes richer with depth. Its average value shows 12 per cent lead, 52 oz. silver, and $1 in gold, though it has yielded for a year $8 in gold to the ton.
A combined mill and concentrator, with a capacity of 200 tons daily, is steadily run upon the low grade ores, which are practically limitless. In conjunction with the Centennial-Eureka, the Bullion-Beck owns a water system at Homansville. It is numbered among the great mines of the west. Mr. Beck is one of the few men discovering great mines who live to enjoy the blessings of their discoveries.
In 1887 the Bullion-Beck was defendant to a law suit, brought by a neighboring company, which cost the company over $300,000 and occupied thirteen weeks in court - every day, save Sundays. While the result is not always the same, it is a common saying among parties in interest that a mine is of little value which has not had its lawsuit, and mining litigation is always expensive.
The company is capitalized for 100,000 shares of a par value of $10 each. John Beck is president and manager; Mr. W. J. Beattie is secretary. These two gentlemen, with Geo. Q. Cannon, H. B. Clawson, Simon Bamberger, W. S. McCornick and Clarence K. McCornick constitute the directory.
The following comes from "Geology and Mining Industry of the Tintic District, Utah," by G. W. Tower and G. O. Smith, USGS 19th Annual Report, 1897-1898.
West of Eureka are the Eureka Hill and Bullion-Beck mines, whose workings, connected in many places, extend under the hill slopes on both sides of Eureka Gulch and explore a portion of the Eureka zone 3,500 feet in length by 1,000 feet in width. Their workings also connect the Gemini mine on the north and the Centennial Eureka on the south.
The Bullion-Beck mine, through the main shaft and winzes, has reached a depth of 1,200 feet (5,150 feet above sea level). The Eureka Hill mine has cut to a depth of 1,150 feet (5,340 feet above sea level). The latter shaft is 100 feet higher than the Bullion-Beck, so that, level for level, there is a difference of 100 feet.
The following excerpts come from USGS Professional Paper 107, "Geology And Ore Deposits Of The Tintic Mining District, Utah," published in 1919
The Bullion Beck mine, one of the oldest in the district, lies between the Gemini and the Eureka Hill. It is now owned by the United States Mining Co. The mine has been worked from 1882 to the present time, although since 1911 the operations have been on a small scale and mainly carried on by lessees.
The mine is opened by a vertical shaft close to Eureka Gulch below the town of Eureka, at an altitude of about 6,360 feet. The depth is 1,300 feet, and a winze from the deepest level reaches 200 feet below the bottom of the shaft. The shaft and winze were dry at the time of visit. Some water came in from 100 to 1,100 feet below the surface and in 1911 a little water probably from a pocket, was covering the deepest level.
The developments are extensive on all levels but little work was being done in 1911 below level 5. The drifts extend about 600 feet north of the shaft and 1,200 feet south of it and connect on most levels with both adjoining mines. The total length of drifts amounts to at least 10 miles.
In 1877 the Eureka Hill mine commenced to produce silver-lead heavily; in 1882 the Bullion Beck & Champion mine became a silver-lead producer; and in 1886 the Centennial-Eureka mine, although not a large producer of lead yielded largely gold, silver, and copper.
In 1895 there were four pan-amalgamation concentrator and reduction plants of the most modern type operating in the district: the Eureka Hill, 100 stamps, daily capacity 250 tons; Bullion Beck, roller mill and concentrating plant, daily capacity 200 tons; Mammoth, 60 stamps, daily capacity 180 tons; and Farrell or Sioux mill, 20 stamps, daily capacity 60 tons.
Bullion Beck and Champion Mining Co.
(The company name, Bullion Beck and Champion Mining company, was derived from its three original mining claims: the Bullion No. 68; the Champion No. 73; and the Beck No. 74)
January 31, 1874
"From this morning's Tribune: The Bullion Mine Company, near Tintic, are at present running in a tunnel 250 ft. from the mouth, and in running in cut several spurs, which assay very high. Near the mine there is ample water and timber, and all that is needed to realize largely and at once, from this mine, is a good smelter." (Daily Ogden Junction, January 31, 1874)
March 4, 1881
"Bullion Mine at Tintic. - This well-known mining property is showing its owners good results, under the able management of Mr. John Beck, and the mine is now more than self-sustaining. A shipment of ore has been made to the Sandy Sampling Mills, of fair average quality, and yielded 137 ounces of silver per ton. It is the intention to increase the work, and within a few months dividends may be confidently expected." (Salt Lake Herald, March 4, 1881)
March 24, 1881
The Bullion Beck and Champion Mining company was incorporated. (Kantner, "Hand Book of the Mines, Miners and Minerals of Utah," 1896)
April 3, 1881
"Incorporated. -- The Bullion, Beck and Champion Mining Company's property is situated in Tintic Mining District, and was incorporated upon last week. Its directors are some of our best citizens. This well known mine has produced considerable bullion, which is increasing both in quantity and quality. The shipment No. 22 this week yielded 536 ounces per ton in silver and 12 percent lead. It is the intention of the corporation to push the several works on these mines to the utmost capacity." (Salt Lake Herald, April 4, 1881)
October 19, 1882
The U. S. Land Office granted a patent on the Bullion Lode to the Bullion Beck and Champion Mining company. (Engineering and Mining Journal, Volume 34, Issue 17, October 21, 1882, page 218)
November 3, 1882
"On the Bullion Beck mine the new working shaft has reached a depth of 200 feet, and drilling on the vein is being done, now at 50 feet." (Daily Deadwood Pioneer Times, November 3, 1882)
November 18, 1882
"Mining Machinery. -- We learn that Mr. John Beck, of Lehi, has just procured some concentrating machinery for the Bullion, Beck & Champion mine, at Tintic, by which the owners expect to largely increase their profits. Twenty-eight men are at work in the mine, and there is an enormous body of ore in sight." (Deseret News, November 18, 1882)
January 10, 1883
The Salt Lake Foundry and Machine Works was manufacturing a 40-horsepower engine and boiler for John Beck of Lehi, for his mine at Tintic. (Salt Lake Herald, January 10, 1883)
August 29, 1883
"We hear that arrangements are being entered into with local smelters to have the ore from the Bullion Beck and Champion mines in Tintic District, melted in this valley, instead of shipping it out of the Territory as ore. There are over 100,000 tons of ore to work up." (Eureka Daily Sentinel, August 29, 1883)
July 8, 1884
"Mr. John Beck, of the Bullion Beck and Champion, has recently put new hoisting works into that mine and is shipping two carloads per day." (Salt Lake Herald, July 8, 1884)
September 12, 1884
John Beck was "lessee and part owner" of the Bullion mine in Tintic, which was shipping two carloads (30 tons) of lead and silver ore to the Germania Smelter daily, and that about 60 men were employed at the mine. He was also "half owner" of the Crown Point mine, a continuation of the Bullion lode, "as yet but slightly developed." (Deseret News, September 12, 1884)
November 23, 1884
"There were rumors of war, or the beginning of a small one, wafted yesterday from the hitherto peaceful district of Tintic. A couple of weeks ago the miners at work in the Eureka mine, one of the group owned by the Eureka Hill Mining Company, broke through into the Bullion, one of the mines included in the property of the Bullion, Beck and Champion Mining Company. The result has been a series of maneuvers on the side, which indicate a law suit in the near future. After the break, the Bullion boys instituted a regular smoking-out of the parties of the second part, using in their experiments, Giant powder, sulphur, cayenne pepper, and kindred stuff. Breastworks and fortifications were erected and guard mounted with a determination to 'hold the fort' at all hazards. At last accounts the Beck crowd were first best, and the indications were that they would remain so. Both mines are patented, and according to the laws, rules and regulations governing mining property, it is probable a decision of the courts will be necessary to settle the possession question." (Salt Lake Herald, November 23, 1884)
(There ensued a lengthy series of court cases between the Eureka Hill Mining company and the Bullion Beck and Champion Mining company, to determine which company held the rights to the disputed 03. acre of mineral ground. After being decided by the First District Court in Provo, then appealed to the Territorial Supreme Court, then to the U. S. Supreme Court, it was settled by compromise in July 1888, before the U. S. Supreme Court could make its own decision.)
(Read more about the Eureka Hill company vs. the Bullion Beck company court cases)
March 11, 1887
The Bullion Beck and California Mining company was incorporated in California. (Kantner, "Hand Book of the Mines, Miners and Minerals of Utah," 1896)
March 12, 1887
The Bullion Beck and California Mining company filed its articles of incorporation in Utah on Saturday, March 12, 1887. The incorporators were: George C. Perkins; Jerome A. Fillmore, general superintendent of the Central and Southern Pacific railroad system; General William H. Brown, former U. S. Surveyor General; Cornelius O'Connor; J. C. Flood; and Alexander Badlam. The company purchased the Bullion Beck mine. "This mine has for many years belonged to the Mormon Church, but the recently enacted laws of Congress to suppress polygamy and crush the power of the church, have compelled them to dispose of all their property, and the syndicate has purchased the Utah mine." (Deseret News, March 17, 1887, citing a story in the San Francisco Chronicle)
(In the above Deseret News item, the newspaper denied the note in the Chronicle's news item that the Church had held any interest in the mining company, and that the stock was entirely in the hands of private parties.)
May 23, 1887
The new superintendent of the Bullion Beck mine was Capt. W. H. 'Hank' Smith, well known on the Pacific Coast for his mine management abilities. For the past two years he had been in the employ one of the millionaires of the coast, looking after his mines. He had previously been in the Nevada Comstock, managing the Belcher and Crown Point mines. (Deseret News, May 23, 1887)
(Throughout these series of suits, counter-suits and injunctions, the Bullion Beck and Champion Mining company, and the Eureka Hill Mining company both continued to ship their usual amounts of ore from other parts of their respective mines. The shipments from both companies averaged about 150 to 200 tons per week, or about five to seven carloads per week. Sometimes more; sometimes less.)
December 25, 1888
From the Salt Lake Herald, December 25, 1888.
The history of this famous property is familiar to everyone. For years, it dragged out an existence, due first, in a great measure, to a lack of capital with which to develop it, and later by litigation. Since it has been in the hands of the California syndicate, however, both of these obstacles have been removed, and under the direction of that old and genial Comstock miner, Hank Smith, affairs have taken on an entirely different appearance. He is very sanguine of the great future in store for this property, and is anxiously awaiting orders to sink deeper. So far, the fifth level only has been reached, but the miles and miles of underground workings give the visitor some idea of the amount of wealth the mine has contributed to the world.
It is no longer a secret that some very rich ore has been struck within the past few weeks, and while the exact figures have not been given to the public, it is safe to say that they are of the most encouraging proportions, and cannot fail to have a most inspiriting effect upon the stockholders of the company.
It is more than probable that the coming spring will see a great revolution at the Bullion-Beck, in the shape of new hoisting works, ore houses, and other improvements that may suggest themselves.
One valuable acquisition recently made is in the shape of a plentiful water supply, which is brought from the hill tops a mile and a half away. A small spring bubbling from the hillside, in a granite formation, was noticed, and the idea advanced that it might be developed by a tunnel. Accordingly, a tunnel of satisfactory dimensions was run into the hillside, and the mouth then closed by a bulkhead, forming one of the cleanest and coolest reservoirs in the world, entirely protected from all vegetable or other matter. From this to a distance of about 2,900 feet from the mine, the water is conveyed by a one-and-a-half-inch pipe to the top of a hill, which is several hundred feet higher than the hoisting works; here it empties into a solidly-constructed tank, and from the tank a 2 inch pipe conveys the water to all parts of the Bullion-Beck property, affording ample protection from fire, and a saving to the company of $200 per month. The spring supplies considerably more water than the company now has use for, but as Hank Smith remarked: "There is nothing like providing for contingencies."
In the underground workings, somewhere about eighty-five men are employed, in addition to the blacksmiths, dump men, assayers, ore haulers, etc., so that the pay roll of the Bullion-Beck shows nearly a hundred names. The ore shipments for the eleven months ending December 1st, amounted to 9,931,500 pounds, so that the aggregate for the year will reach at least 11,178,950 pounds.
November 23, 1893
The Bullion Beck Tunnel company was incorporated. (Kantner, "Hand Book of the Mines, Miners and Minerals of Utah," 1896)
July 23, 1896
"The Bullion-Beck mill is still working twelve hours and the prospects are that the managers will be arrested for breaking the eight-hour law. The managers think that the law does not cover their process of reducing the ore. The miners in the Bullion-Beck mine go on at 7:30 o'clock in the morning, have two hours for noon, coming off at 11:30, and going back at 1:30, quitting at 5:30, going down and coming up on their own time." (Salt Lake Herald, July 23, 1896)
May 18, 1901
The Bullion-Beck company filed suit against the Eureka Hill company for trespass and encroachment, alleging that the two companies extracted over 25,000 tons of ore over a four year period. The suit was against the Eureka Hill company, and Moylan C. Fox and George W. Riter, claiming $950,000, at $38 per ton. (Salt Lake Tribune, May 18, 1901)
May 18, 1901
The Bullion-Beck company filed suit against the Gemini company for trespass and encroachment, alleging that the Gemini company had extracted 30,000 tons of ore over a three year period. The suit was against the Gemini company and John Q. Packard and Jackson C. McChrystal, claiming $1,350,000, at $45 per ton. (Salt Lake Tribune, May 18, 1901)
1902
"Bullion Beck & Champion Mining Co. -- P. L. Farnsworth, manager. Secures a limited amount of copper annually as a by-product from gold-silver-lead-copper ores; has steam and electric power and concentrating mill. Employs about 150 men." (The Copper Handbook, Volume III, 1902, page 221)
August 1928
"Sept 1st was the date set for the reopening of the old Bullion Beck Mine. The old gallows frame was the only thing left standing. The machinery to be used there was to be thoroughly modern and included an electrically driven hoist and compressor, new mine cars and cages and everything needed for reopening and further development work." (Eureka Reporter, August 28, 1948, "Twenty Years Ago")
March 26, 1931
There was a special stockholders meeting of the Bullion Beck and Champion Mining company to vote on three proposals. 1) to extend the corporations charter; 2) to allow the corporation charter to expire, and liquidate the company holdings; 3) to take whatever action deemed advisable in view of the corporate charter expiring in the near future. (Salt lake Tribune, March 25, 1931)
(The stockholders apparently voted to allow the corporation to expire, and to liquidate the company.)
May 26, 1931
The Bullion Beck and Champion Mining company shipped 19,000 tons during 1929, which was decreased to 5,000 tons during 1930. (Eureka Reporter, March 26, 1931)
June 23, 1931
Bullion Beck & Champion Mining company was sold at auction on June 23, 1931. The property included all of the company's mining claims, personal property, and rights of any character, located in the Tintic Mining District, Juab County, Utah. The properties consisted of 32 patented mining claims, aggregating 104 acres, one mill site, and certain surface rights, right-of-way, etc., a motor driven air compressor, electric hoist, blacksmith shop and equipment, cars, rails, pipe, etc., and one frame dwelling house. The mining claims, mill site, rights, and personal property will be sold in one lot." (Eureka Reporter, June 18, 1931)
(This listing of the company property shows that, contrary to previous histories, more than the famous headframe existed after 1925.)
May 23, 1958
The one of the last reported shipments from the Bullion Beck mine was in May 1958 when the mine shipped 240 tons. (Eureka Reporter, May 23, 1958)
(Research continues...)
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