Tintic, Bullion Beck Mine

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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.)

(Throughout its history the formal name of the Bullion Beck mine was the Bullion, Beck and Champion Mining company. There was a similar, unaffiliated company, Bullion Beck Tunnel company, owned by Jesse Knight, incorporated in 1893. In 1904, this Bullion Beck Tunnel company was consolidated with the La Reine property and became the Beck Tunnel Consolidated company.)

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.

(Read more about John Beck)

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.)

Mormon Ownership

"In anticipation of the passage of the Edmunds-Tucker Act, therefore, President Taylor and other general church authorities secretly decided to place church properties in the hands of individuals and local congregations and thus help, Taylor said, 'to protect us in our personal and proprietary rights so far as our legal status will entitle us to protection.' The program was threefold. First, continue for the time being Brigham Young's policy of asking certain members of the church to hold property on a secret trust in order to avoid possible forfeiture to the government. These properties, by 1887, included: [among many others] two-thirds of the stock of the Bullion Beck, and Champion Mining Company." (Arrington, Great Basin Kingdom, page 362)

(As late as 1907, the Bullion Beck company was reported as being a "closely held corporation," meaning that stock ownership was in the hands of a few individuals and not publicly traded. In this case, the LDS church was reported as controlling the stock of the company. This is likely confirmed by Joseph F. Smith, president of the church and numerous other church-controlled corporations, also being the vice president of the Bullion Beck company.)

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.

February 21, 1891
"A. E. Hyde, of Salt Lake, is sojourning in town. Mr. Hyde is general manager of the Bullion, Beck & Champion Mining Company, the Northern Spy Mining Company, the Carisa Mining Company, and the Governor mine of Tintic, Utah, and the Trapper mining Company, at Boulder, this county [Blaine County, Idaho]." (Ketchum Idaho Keystone, February 21, 1891)

December 1892
In December 1892, George Q. Cannon, a senior leader in the LDS church, transferred 15,000 shares of the Bullion Beck company that he personally held, to P. T. Farnsworth as trustee for Cannon's interest in the company. Cannon also transferred an additional 600 shares to Farnsworth for his own personal account. Farnsworth was already involved in the Bullion Beck company, and was also the successful manager of the Horn Silver mine near Milford. (December 1892, The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historians Press)

(Read more about P. T. Farnsworth)

February 5, 1894
"The special car of the Horn Silver, with P. T. Farnsworth, John Beck, E. B. Critchlow and W. H. Ryan, made a trip to the [Tintic] camp the latter part of last week. The coming of these gentlemen has been the cause of much speculation as to its meaning, and it is broadly hinted that a change of managers at the Bullion-Beck is not among the improbabilities. This seems probable, in view of the fact that Beck has brought suit against Hyde for an accounting and termination of business relationships. — Tintic Miner." (Salt Lake Herald, February 5, 1894)

February 21, 1894
A corporate shake-up at the Bullion-Beck & Champion Mining Company in 1894, involving a legal and financial dispute between the company's major owner, John Beck, and its former manager, A. E. Hyde. (Salt Lake Herald, February 21, 1894)

Summary of the article:

March 9, 1894
The disagreement over ownership of the 51,000 shares in question during the previous month, was settled and after the loans were repaid (or least assigned) and all parties satisfied, the 51,000 shares in question passed to the control of P. T. Farnsworth, George Q. Cannon and Simon Bamberger. A new group of officers and directors was elected, made up of P. T. Farnsworth, president (in addition to being appointed as manager the month before); John Beck, vice president, Charles S. Burton, treasurer; W. J. Beatty, secretary, with George Q. Cannon, H. S. Young, Simon Bamberger and J. A. Cunningham as additional directors. P. T. Farnsworth was elected as manager. (Salt Lake Herald, March 9, 1894)

(At the time, P. T. Farnsworth was already manager of the Horn Silver mine at Frisco, Utah, and of the Austin Silver mine at Austin, Nevada.)

June 3, 1894
From the Salt Lake Herald, June 3, 1894.

The Bullion-Beck shattered all previous records yesterday and ordered paid into the purses of its stockholders a $50,000 monthly dividend, or 50 cents per share on the capital stock of the company. Such a splendid showing was made possible by the recent rich strikes on the lower levels of the mine, all of which have proven themselves to be veritable bonanzas.

Much is due to the present management of the property by President Farnsworth and the other executive officers. It was freely predicted that within a comparatively short time after P. T. Farnsworth and associates assumed the control of the company they would lift John Beck out of the hole into which he had fallen, or been thrown, as the case may be, and those predictions are now being fulfilled. During the life of the present board of directors the company has paid to its stockholders the snug sum of $85,000.

September 7, 1894
The Bullion-Beck Mining Company has undergone a major leadership shift following a months-long power struggle. (Tooele Transcript, September 7, 1894)

Summary of the Article:

September 14, 1894
"As a result of the recent change in the management of the Bullion-Beck mine the following officers have been elected: John Beck, general manager; Frank Knox, secretary and treasurer. P. T. Farnsworth will continue as president, but will not be in active charge of the property. Captain Smith will continue as foreman, the directors being much pleased with his work." (Tooele Transcript, September 14, 1894)

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)

January 18, 1900
P. T. Farnsworth purchased control of the Bullion Beck company. (Salt Lake Herald, January 19, 1900)

Summary of the Article:

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)

(After the Eureka Hill company, as the defendant, appealed the lower court's decision to the Utah Supreme Court, the Supreme Court found in favor of the Bullion Beck company, the plaintiff, in the amount of $105,000. -- Deseret News, April 2, 1904)

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. T. 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)

July 22, 1903
"Uncle Sam Is To Have A Mill -- After a wait covering a period of weeks the directors of the Uncle Sam Con. Mining company have entered into a contract with the Bullion-Beck and Champion Mining company for a supply of water sufficient to operate a 50-ton concentrator. An understanding was reached yesterday and the directors of the Uncle Sam promptly held a meeting at which it was decided to proceed at once with the construction of the proposed plant." (Deseret News, July 22, 1903)

June 27, 1906
The Bullion Beck & Champion company declared a dividend for the first time since 1899. "For the two years or more the company has been working a number of leasers in different portions of the mine and at the same time has been prospecting new territory on its own account. Results have been little short of phenomenal. The reopening of old levels by leasers has lead to the discovery of new ore bodies beyond what was popularly believed in the palmy days of the John Beck administration to have been the limits of the ore zone and these disclosures, coupled with a close study of conditions by General Manager P. T. Farnsworth and his engineers, has resulted in making a practically new mine of the property." (Salt Lake Herald, June 27, 1906)

February 12, 1907
"Provo, Feb. 12. — A deed for an undivided one-half interest in 40 acres of land, the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 8, township 10 south, range 2 west, Salt Lake meridian, and an undivided one-half interest in the Wyoming mill site, part of which is situated on the 40 acres, has been filed with the county recorder. The deed is from the Bullion Beck & Champion Mining company to the Centennial Eureka Mining company, and the consideration named is $1." (Deseret News, February 12, 1907)

March 4, 1907
"At the annual meeting of shareholders of the Bullion Beck & Champion Mining company held today the following officers were chosen: President, P. T. Farnsworth; vice president and treasurer, Joseph F. Smith; secretary, M. C. Morris; who, with James A. Cunningham, H. C. Lund, P. T. Farnsworth, Jr., and S. W. Riter, constitute the board of directors. President Farnsworth reported favorable conditions at the mine." (Deseret News, March 4, 1907)

May 7, 1907
"After nineteen years of litigation another phase of the suits filed by the Eureka Hill Mining company, against the Bullion-Beck and Champion Mining company has been decided by the Supreme court in which the referee's findings are affirmed by the court. The Bullion-Beck company is required by the decision which was handed down Tuesday [May 7th] to pay $50,610 to the Eureka Hill company for extracting ore from the company's claims. Since 1888 suits have been pending in the courts and not all of them have been settled. The action settled yesterday is for the damages asked by the Eureka Hill company for the extraction of ore from the Trespass stoke in a mine in the Tintic Mining district in Juab county. The case dragged along in the court for some time and it was then placed in the hands of a referee. For several months testimony was taken and surveys made of the conflicting properties. The referee found that the trespass was intentional on the part of the appellants in this action and assessed damages three times the value of the ore extracted. It was the referee's decision that was affirmed by the Supreme court." (Ogden Morning Examiner, May 9, 1907)

February 18, 1908
"Bullion Beck Sells Claims. -- A special meeting of shareholders of the Bullion Beck and Champion Mining company was held yesterday at which the action of the board of directors in settling the legal difficulties pending for some time with the Centennial-Eureka Mining company was affirmed. The Centennial-Eureka acquires by purchase the Copper Glance and other lode claims in conflict." (Salt Lake Herald, February 19, 1908)

Bullion Beck Sold To USSR&M (1908)

Summary:

October 20, 1908
From the Salt Lake Herald, October 20, 1908.

Control of the Bullion Beck and Champion Mining company has passed to the United States Mining company, the acquisition to at some future time be consolidated with the Centennial Eureka, no doubt. For the present, however, a separate organization will be maintained, but the Bullion Beck will be operated by C. E. Allen, the United States company's mine manager, who succeeds P. T. Farnsworth as manager of the Bullion Beck.

In the reorganization of the Bullion Beck company Mr. Farnsworth remains on the board, as do Joseph F. Smith, who is vice president, and J. A. Cunningham. The United States company's representatives elected to the board are W. M. Bradley, who is president; C. E. Allen, George W. Heintz and Fred Leon.

The Bullion Beck and Champion company owns an estate of approximately 100 acres, lying west and northwest of that of the Centennial Eureka. The mine is one of the famous old producers of the Tintic district, the company having paid more than two and one-half millions in dividends. The richer ore bodies of the early days have been worked out, but it is yet a large producer of lower grades of ore and in the estate is a great deal of unexplored ground of great promise.

Possibilities of apex disputes between Bullion Beck and Centennial Eureka have appeared in the past and last spring the Centennial Eureka purchased outright several fractions of Bullion Beck ground, aggregating about ten acres. It is evident, of course, that the United States company has discovered through Centennial Eureka developments that it needs Bullion Beck in its business.

Bullion Beck stock was closely held.

October 23, 1908
From the Ogden Semi-Weekly Standard, October 23, 1908.

The United States Smelting, Refining & Mining company is now owner of the control of the Bullion-Beck & Champion Mining company. This important deal was consummated Monday morning in the local offices of the Bullion-Beck, when the officials met for a reorganization of the board. It was known early in the day that such a proposition was pending, and much interest attached to the session. P. T. Farnsworth tendered his resignation as president at the meeting, which was accepted. A. H. Lund, H. C. Lund and M. C. Morris resigned as directors of the Bullion-Beck.

W. M. Bradley, the attorney, was elected president and a director of the company. C. E. Allen, G. W. Heintz and Frederick Lyon were elected as directors to succeed the three directors above mentioned who resigned. Mr. Allen is the mines manager of the United States company. Mr. Heintz is the general manager of the company, and Mr. Lyon is the assistant managing director of the United States company. Mr. Bradley, the new president, represents the United States company in addition to personal interests.

The Bullion-Beck & Champion company is capitalized for only 100,000 shares of stock, and a trifle over 50,000 shares is now in the hands of the United States company. It is understood that this stock was secured from P. T. Farnsworth, the former holder of control, the price being $135,000, or a little less than $3 per share. To the United States company this additional ground will be of vast importance and value, giving the company, with the Centennial Eureka territory, which it adjoins, a splendid extent of mineral ground in the heart of Tintic. The Bullion-Beck's resources are of well-known worth, while there is a great tonnage of rock whose peculiar contents or modest value would be of practically no value to any other organization not so well provided to handle the same as the United States company. The Bullion-Beck company has distributed a total of $2,738,400 in the shape of dividends during its career.

The old directors who were not disturbed at yesterday's meeting are P. T. Farnsworth, Joseph F. Smith and J. E. Cunningham. Alice Farnsworth is secretary, but not a director of the organization.

March 1, 1909
"The annual meeting of the Bullion-Beck & Champion Mining company was held Monday afternoon [March 1st] and the formal transfer of the company's property into the keeping of United States Mining officials was accomplished. Control of the company was purchased several months ago and possession of the mines was taken by the United States company, but the transfer of books and the election of new officers were postponed until the regular annual meeting time. There was represented at the meeting 55,600 of the 100,000 shares of stock in the company, and the following officers and directors were chosen: George W. Heintz, president; Joseph F. Smith, vice president and treasurer, the other directors named being P. T. Farnsworth, J. A. Cunningham, Clarence E. Allen, J. Fewson Smith, Jr., and Frederick Lyon." (Salt Lake Herald, March 3, 1909)

(After being controlled by USSR&M in 1908, production and improvements at the Bullion Beck mine were usually reported along with all USSR&M properties as part of "consolidated reports" and seldom broken out as a separate mine.)

May 3, 1910
"On the Bullion Beck & Champion Mining Company's property a limited amount of development work was carried on. Only small quantities of ore were found, but the appearance of the ground promises favorable results in the future." (Boston Evening Transcript, May 3, 1910)

December 5, 1910
The board of directors of the Bullion Beck company levied an assessment of 10 cents per share of stock. This would have been the start of the process by USS&RM to reduce the number of minority stockholders, hoping that many would go delinquent thus making their shares available for public auction, which USSR&M would then outbid to buy. (Legal notices throughout December 1910)

(The delinquency notice was first posted on January 17, 1911, and listed a large number of stockholders with as little as one share, and as many as 1,000 shares.)

May 4, 1911
From the USSR&M annual report: "On the Bullion Beck & Champion Mining Co.’s property developments during the year were not satisfactory." (Wall Street Journal, May 4, 1911)

(In August 1911 another assessment was declared, and in September another notice of an auction of delinquent shares to be held on October 2, 1911.)

(In January 1912, a third assessment was declared, for 15 cents per share, with a third delinquent notice on February 14 1912, and an auction set for March 2, 1912.)

(Recall that assessments, with short periods of 30 days to pay the assessment, and the resulting notice of the sale of delinquent shares, also on a short 30-day notice, was the accepted method of gathering minority shares into larger blocks, which in-turn consolidated control of a publicly traded corporation into the hands of a few persons. The auctions usually resulted on the delinquent shares being purchased for the delinquent amount of assessment, not the stock's market value.)

March 25, 1912
"At a meeting of stockholders of the Bullion-Beck & Champion Mining company yesterday, George W. Heintz was elected president; Joseph F. Smith, vice president; Thomas Carmichael, secretary and treasurer. The above mentioned with C. E. Allen, J. Fewson Smith, J. A. Cunningham and M. C. Morris, compose the directorate. W. M. Bradley, Frederick Lyon and P. T. Farnsworth, who were on the board last year, are not on this year." (Deseret News, March 26, 1912)

(A fourth assessment, of 15 cents per share, was levied on August 17, 1912, with the auction of delinquent shares set for October 7, 1912.)

April 5, 1913
From the USSR&M annual report for the period ending December 31, 1912: "No disclosures of importance were made at the Bullion Beck & Champion." (Deseret News, April 5, 1913)

October 12, 1913
Assessment No. 5. "Bullion Beck Co. Assesses Again. -- Secretary Ambrose Nord of the Bullion Beck & Champion Mining company is sending out notices of assessment No. 5. This calls for 20 cents a share. It was levied by the directors at a meeting on October 6. The delinquent day is December 1; sale day, January 26." (Salt Lake Herald, October 12, 1913)

(Notable with this assessment was that James A. Cunningham held 10,655 shares, which were declared delinguent.)

March 2, 1914
The Bullion Beck mine was inactive, with leasers being the only activity. "Stockholders of the Bullion-Beck & Champion Mining company held their annual meeting yesterday on the ninth floor of the Newhouse building. There were represented approximately 65,000 shares of the 100,000 issued. Reports were read but not made public. The reason given for not making them public is that the company is practically inactive and has little worth while to announce. The following officers were chosen: G. W. Heintz, president; Joseph F. Smith, vice president; Ambrose Nord, secretary and treasurer, who with J. A. Cunningham, M. C. Morris, C. E. Allen and J. Fewson Smith constitute the directorate. Last year the Bullion-Beck of Tintic produced through leasers a total of 202 carloads of ore, or approximately 1000 tons. In 1912 the output was 209 tons. In January of this year it forwarded two cars and in February three." (Salt Lake Herald, March 3, 1914)

(James Cunningham's shares were again declared delinquent in Assessment No. 6 in May 1914.)

(Throughout 1914 to 1915, the only newspaper references to the Bullion Beck company was in the form of notices of annual meetings, notices of assessments, and notices of delinquent shares from assessments. The assessments ended in 1916, and continuing into 1924, there were only notices of annual meetings. Throughout this period, the only activity at the mine was by leasers, with the mining company operated at a deficit, and the leasers barely breaking even.)

Bullion Beck as USSR&M Property (1925)

February 24, 1925
A special stockholder meeting was held to vote on the sale of the Bullion Beck & Champion Mining company to the United States Smelting Refining & Mining company, for the sum of $50,000. (Salt Lake Tribune, February 19, 1925)

(Read more about the Bullion Beck mine under USSR&M control after 1925, as part of the USSR&M properties in Tintic)

April 25, 1930
"U. S. Smelting Closes Tintic Mines -- The Eagle and Blue Bell, Victoria and Bullion Beck mines of the United States Smelting, Refining & Mining company, all three of which are located in the Tintic district, are to be closed down immediately as a result of the low price of metals, it is announced. D. D. Muir, vice president and general manager, states, however, that the shut down is only temporary and that operations will be resumed as soon as metal prices pick up." (Deseret News, April 25, 1930)

December 31, 1936
"The United States Mining company, which operates the Centennial Eureka, Bullion Beck, Eagle & Blue Bell, Victoria and American Star, was the second largest producer with 664 carloads during the present year as compared with 584 in 1935. The gain was 80 carloads. Last year's gain over 1934 was 370 cars. A good portion of the ore from the United States Mines was dump material, taken from the old Centennial Eureka dump and shipped by the Atherley brothers." (Eureka Reporter, December 31, 1936)

October 27, 1940
"The U. S. S. R. & M. continued to operate at the Centennial Eureka, Bullion Beck, Victoria and Eagle & Blue Bell properties. All the output was by lessees and comprised about 39,000 tons of siliceous ore and about 2700 tons of lead ore, indicating slight decreases compared with 1938." (Salt Lake Tribune, October 27, 1940)

(The reports of ore shipments were consolidated for all four of the USSR&M-controlled mines. These ore shipments were reported as coming from the waste dumps, being low-grade ore that was seen as without value in the early days.)

(The last reported shipment from the USSR&M mines in the Tintic district was in mid December 1941. -- Eureka Reporter, December 11, 1941)

July 2, 1943
In 1943, the U.S. Smelting, Refining and Mining Company ceased commercial operations at Eagle & Blue Bell and Victoria mines. The Bullion Beck mine had been closed in 1931. (Salt Lake Tribune, July 2, 1943; Deseret News, July 15, 1943)

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