Tintic, Eagle & Blue Bell Mine
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This page was last updated on January 6, 2026.
Overview
(The focus of this page is the surface workings of the Eagle & Blue Bell 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.)
USGS Professional Paper 107, Tintic Mining District, published in 1919, page 207-208
The property of the Eagle & Blue Bell Mining Co. is about half a mile southeast of the town of Eureka, in Eagle Canyon. The collar of the present working shaft has an altitude of 6,818 feet, or about 400 feet above the town. At the time of the earlier report (1897) this mine was developed only to a depth of 400 feet. During the last few years it has been opened to a depth of 2,019 feet (ground-water level), and it is now a large producer of heavy galena ore. The principal developments consist of an old tunnel opening the southern part of the property; of No. 2 shaft, which is 1,000 feet south of the tunnel portal and 1,043 feet deep, with levels 100 feet apart; and of the present No. 1 working shaft, which is close to the tunnel portal and has workings extending mainly eastward on . the 700, 1,000, 1,200, 1,350, 1,550, 1,700, and 1,876 foot levels. The total openings amount to many thousand feet. The 1,350-foot level of the mine connects with the 1,000-foot level of the Chief Consolidated property.
The production from 1897 to 1916, inclusive, was 220,343 tons of ore, yielding 35,385 ounces of gold, 3,217,676 ounces of silver, 1,413,102 pounds of copper, 33,796,415 pounds of lead, and 22,856 pounds of zinc. In earlier years the ores taken out were siliceous and lean in lead; of late large bodies of galena ore have been found in the lower levels. There is very little copper, the principal value of the ore being in lead and silver.
Eagle & Blue Bell Mining Co.
1883
"The Eagle and Blue Bell lodes were located in 1883 by John McChrystal and Owen Donahue. These claims, with seven others, form the Eagle group, for which $500,000 was refused about five years ago. They have a record of a production of over $40,000 in gold ore and are regarded as being the best speculative property in Tintic district." (Salt Lake Tribune, September 6, 1897)
May 10, 1891
"The Eagle. -- It has leaked out that Prof. Keyes, the eminent geologist, who visited the camp last week, ostensibly for his own pleasure, was in reality here to examine the Eagle mine for California capitalists, who desire to purchase. The Eagle is owned by Captain John and John H. McChrystal, and is held at $300,000 - a very conservative figure. If the company are satisfied with the professor's report he will return and make a more exhaustive examination, and the deal - if it is a go - will be closed in about two weeks." (Salt Lake Herald, May 10, 1891)
June 9, 1893
"Rumors are afloat that work will shortly be commenced on the Eagle, at Tintic. This property has produced much high grade ore in the past, and John McChrystal, the owner, predicts that it will turn out the best paying property in the camp." (Salt Lake Herald, June 9, 1893)
October 19, 1894
"N. W. McChrystal, Mrs. John McChrystal and Gus Tetro have taken a lease on the Eagle mine. They report finding some ore on the start which is liable to run into larger quantities. This is a property from which some of the richest ore ever found in the District has been taken." (Tintic Miner, October 19, 1894)
December 1, 1894
"The leasers of the Eagle have three men on and are taking out a little ore, more than day's pay. They have about four tons of high grade ore ready for shipment." (Salt Lake Herald, December 1, 1894)
August 1, 1895
Owen Donahue filed suit against John McChrystal in First District Court in Provo. Donahue claimed that he and McChrystal were co-owners of the Eagle mine, and the Blue Bell mine, and that on June 21, 1890, McChrystal received patents on both properties from the U. S. Land Office, without naming Donahue as holding half-interest, and refusing to deed to Donahue his half-interest. (Provo Evening Dispatch, August 1, 1895)
(In late June 1896, the court found in favor of McChrystal, giving him full ownership of the Eagle and Blue Bell mines. -- Salt Lake Herald, June 27, 1896)
July 14, 1896
John McChrystal died suddenly of heart failure on June 14, 1896 while standing on the dump of the Eureka Hill mine, directing work being done on account of a sudden cloudburst. He fell to the ground and was taken immediately to a nearby cottage. He died within three minutes. He was 64 years old. The Gemini, Eureka Hill and Godiva mines were closed until July 20th, the Monday following his funeral on July 16th. (Salt Lake Tribune, July 15, 1896; Salt Lake Herald, July 16, 1896; Salt Lake Tribune, July 18, 1896)
April 3, 1897
"Work on the Eagle mine will be commenced this morning under the direction of N. W. McChrystal. The Eagle is one of Tintic's famous properties; has produced considerable high grade ore and at one time an offer of $250,000 was refused for it. The Eagle belongs to the John McChrystal estate, and will, we believe, soon take rank among our big producers." (Salt Lake Herald, April 3, 1897)
September 29, 1898
The Eagle and Blue Bell Mining company filed its articles of incorporation. Officers were; Mrs. S. A. McChrystal, president; John H. McChrystal, vice president; with A. H. McChrystal and J. C. McChrystal as two of the directors. The company property embraces a group of claims and two mill sites. (Salt Lake Herald, September 30, 1898, "yesterday")
November 11, 1899
A triple-compartment shaft was being put down at the Eagle and Blue Bell mine. (Salt Lake Tribune, November 11, 1899)
January 25, 1900
Although the Eagle and Blue Bell had shipped another car of gold bearing ore, the assay tests would likely prove to be lower than the 6 ounces per ton expected. The shaft was down to 200 feet, but the late John McChrystal had been of the opinion that high-value ore would be found at 600 feet. The mine was currently making a good margin above expenses, but going to a greater depth was seen as a necessary move. (Deseret News, January 25, 1900)
October 7, 1900
At the Eagle and Blue Bell, the drift at the 300-level was still in progress. With $27,670 in expenses and only $7,961 derived from the sale of ore, and to avoid an assessment against stock shares, the board of directors decided that the company would prioritize the extraction of ore, over development work. During the year of 1900, the mine had shipped 500 tons of first-class ore, and had 3,000 tons of second-class ore on hand on the dumps. (Salt Lake Herald, October 7, 1900; Salt Lake Tribune, December 30, 1900)
1903
"Controlling stock interest was bought in 1903 by the Bingham Consolidated Mining & Smelting Co. Duncan McVichie, president and general manager. Lands lie between the Centennial-Eureka and Grand Central mines, two of the best properties in the Tintic district. Mine shows large bodies of auriferous copper ores on the 700-foot and 70-foot levels, and is sinking a blind shaft from end of the main tunnel." (The Copper Handbook, Volume IV, 1903, page 358-359)
1915
"Electric horsepower was rapidly coming into use at the mines of the Tintic District. The Eagle & Blue Bell was making elaborate plans to electrify their hoist. A dozen other mines in the district were using electric power at that time." (Eureka Reporter, September 12, 1935, "Twenty Years Ago")
July 27, 1915
The Eagle & Blue Mining company purchased the interests and assets of the Victoria Consolidated Mining company. By this time, the Eagle & Blue Bell was under the control of the Bingham Mines company. Full control was obtained by stock exchange, Eagle & Blue Bell stock for Victoria stock , by early November 1915. (Salt Lake Herald, July 27, 1915; August 29, 1915; Salt Lake Tribune, November 7, 1915)
(Read more about the Victoria Consolidated Mining company)
July 30, 1915
"It is stated that a deal has been closed whereby 275,000 shares of the stock of the Victoria Consolidated Mining Company, of Eureka, has been purchased by eastern capitalists who are identified with the Bingham Mines Company, and that this stock will, in all probability, be taken over by the Bingham Company. The Victoria adjoins the holdings of the Eagle & Blue Bell Mining Company, a subsidiary of the Bingham Mines Company, and will probably be worked through the workings of the Eagle & Blue Bell company." (Salt Lake Mining Review, July 30, 1915)
(The Victoria Consolidated company had increased its shares to 700,000 in September 1910, of which 200,000 were held back in the company treasury. 275,000 outstanding shares gave the Bingham Mines company control of the Victoria Consolidated company.)
(The newspaper reports referred to the Bingham Mines company as "the Boston people who control the Eagle.")
October 29, 1915
The holders of shares of the Victoria Consolidated Mining company were reminded that the offer of August 14, 1915, to exchange five of their shares for one share of Eagle & Blue Bell stock, would expire on November 5, 1915. After that date, the offer was cancelled. (Eureka Reporter, October 29, 1915)
March 10, 1916
"The entire capital stock of the Victoria Consolidated Mining company was acquired during the year. The property consists of forty-nine acres in the Tintic District, adjoining Eagle & Blue Bell. This mine is opened by a 1200 foot shaft and several tunnels, but it is believed that the ore can be extracted more economically through the Eagle & Blue Bell's workings. The later company has installed a 250 horsepower electrically operated hoist which will permit the extraction of double the present output." (Eureka Reporter, March 10, 1916)
(This deal gave the Bingham Mines company control of the Victoria group, the Eagle & Blue Bell group, and the Snowflake group, all adjoining each other.)
June 9, 1917
The Bingham Mines company owned 89 percent of the Eagle & Blue Bell Mining company, all of the stock of the Victoria Consolidated Mining company, the Tugora, the American Star, and "a number of other claims in Tintic." (Deseret News, June 9, 1917)
1918
From the Mines Handbook, Volume 13, 1918, page 1359.
Victoria Consolidated Mining Co. -- Owned by Bingham Mines Co.
Mine at Eureka, Tintic district, Juab County, Utah.
Officers: James P. Graves, president; Harold P. Fabian, vice president; with A. L. Hoppaugh, R. E. Mark and Charles C. Dey, directors. J. R. Brain, secretary; Sydney S. Millett, treasurer; Provo. Imer Pett, general manager; William Owens, superintendent.
Incorporated, March 7, 1899, in Utah.
Property: 7 patented claims, 50 acres, includes the Snowflake and Victoria mines at Eureka. Ore is gold-silver-lead with some copper, occurring in chamber deposits in limestone. Pay ore occurs in shoots and streaks of variable size, up to 100 feet in width.
Development: includes 1,200-foot shaft with 2,500 feet of workings. Has compressor, added 1913, 112-horsepower hoist, and uses electric power.
Company has made an agreement with Plutus Mining Co. for running a crosscut from the Victoria 1,200-foot level into its ground. This work will explore Victoria ground for 400 feet or so east of the shaft.
Production: 7,455 tons in 1912; 12,552 tons in 1913; 8,763 tons in 1914; 3,071 tons in 1915; 7,339 tons lead ore in 1916; a total of 66,145 tons.
January 15, 1918
"The Victoria Consolidated Mining Company, which is subsidiary to the Bingham Mines Company and under the general management of Imer Pett, shipped 263 carloads in 1917. The Scranton sent out eighty-nine carloads, mostly from the operations of the Scranton Leasing Company, James W. Wade, superintendent. Thirty-nine were shipped by the Victor Consolidated Mining Company, A. W., McEwan, general manager, and thirty-one by the Yankee Consolidated Mining Company, A. E. Canfield, manager." (Salt Lake Mining Review, January 15, 1918)
1920
From the Mines Handbook, Volume 14, 1920, page 1411.
Victoria Consolidated Mining Co. -- Owned by Bingham Mines Co. Mine at Eureka, Tintic district, Juab county, Utah.
Property: the Snowflake and Victoria mines, 7 patented claims, 49 acres, at Eureka, which contain chamber deposits of silver-lead ore in limestone. The ore shoots and streaks are of variable size, up to 100 feet in width. Copper is found with the galena.
Development: includes 1,200 feet shaft with several thousand feet of workings. Has compressor, 112-horsepower hoist, and uses electric power. Property is operated through No. 1 shaft of the Eagle & Blue Bell. New work in 1918 amounted to 2,313 feet, opened a disappointing tonnage of new ore.
1922
From the Mines Handbook, Volume 15, 1922, page 1491, 1494.
Bingham Mines Co. purchased the entire capital stock of the Victoria Consolidated Mining Co. in 1915 and the property was conveyed to the Bingham Mines Co. in November, 1917. The Victoria property consists of 49 acres mineral land at Eureka, adjoining the Eagle and Blue Bell.
Victoria Consolidated Mining Co. - Owned by Bingham Mines Co. Mine at Eureka, Tintic district, Juab county, Utah.
Property: the Snowflake and Victoria mines, 8 patented claims, 49 acres, at Eureka, which contain chamber deposits of silver-lead ore in limestone. The ore shoots and streaks are of variable size, up to 100 feet in width. Copper is found with the galena.
Development: includes 1,200-foot shaft with several thousand feet of workings. Has compressor. 112-horespower hoist, and uses electric power. Property is operated through No. 1 shaft of the Eagle & Blue Bell. New work in 1918 amounted to 2,313 feet. Opened a disappointing tonnage of new ore.
In 1919, operations were conducted on a smaller scale with extensions of 817 feet only, compared with 3,452 feet in 1920 and 5,910 feet in 1921. In September, 1921 company broke all records by shipping 18 cars, 900 tons of $30 ore in one week.
1922
"Bingham Mines Co. -- Is a reorganization of the Bingham Consolidated Mining & Smelting Co. Controls about 97 percent of the outstanding stock of the Eagle & Blue Bell Mining Co. of Eureka, Juab County, Utah." "Eagle & Blue Bell Mining Company to be dissolved in 1922." (The Mines Handbook, Volume XV, 1922, page 1491, 1514)
1927
The Eagle & Blue Bell mine shipped 543 carloads during 1927. The Victoria Consolidated mine shipped 530 carloads in the same period. (Eureka Reporter, March 26, 1948, twenty years ago)
April 4, 1935
From the Eureka Reporter, April 4, 1935.
Eagle & Blue Bell to Resume Work. - Tintic people in general are highly elated over the announcement made early in the week by local representatives of the United States Mining company that within the near future the Eagle & Blue Bell would resume mining operations after having been closed for more than three years.
The work of preparing the surface equipment for operations will require fifteen or more days but assurance has been given that no time will be lost in making these preparations. The big electric engines, or motors, which previously drove the machinery, will be replaced with lighter equipment and to offset this the triple and double deck cages will be discarded and single-deckers installed. This is being done in the interest of economy, to keep the power bills down. Other surface work will be necessary and when all of this is completed the shaft and underground workings will be placed in tip-top shape for the actual mining of ore.
The reason for opening the Eagle at this time is the increase in the price of silver, which on the open market is now well above the 60 cents mark. However, the Eagle produces considerable lead, which is bringing a deplorable price right now, and for that reason ores of a heavy lead content will not be shipped but will be held in reserve with a view to getting a better price.
Officials of the company state that practically all of the underground work will be handled under the individual leasing system whereby blocks of ground in hundred foot squares are leased out to individuals on a royalty basis for all ores shipped.
For some months past there have been three or four sets of leasers working Eagle & Blue Bell ground, these operations being carried on through the Chief Consolidated No. 1 shaft, but the handicap of working in this manner has been so great that underground mining in the Eagle has been limited. There has also been a small amount of work in the Victoria and American Star carried on through the Chief shaft. When the Eagle shaft is in shape for work the Eagle, Victoria and American Star, which have always operated from the same shaft, will be alive with miners seeking pay dirt.
The United States Mining company owns the Eagle & Blue Bell, Victoria, American Star, Bullion Beck and Centennial Eureka mines in this district. All of these mines were closed down tight for a long period. But a little over a year ago leasers began gophering into the workings and the successes attained has been the reason for the number of workers to gradually increase until at the present time more than eighty leasers are in these mines, most of them in the Centennial and Bullion Beck. With the opening of the Eagle shaft this number is expected to treble.
The Eagle is one of the old time bonanza producers of the district and for years it poured out a steady stream of mineral wealth. It first hit the "dumps" about 1929 when the depression was creeping upon us, and due to the low price of metals and the lack of rich ores it closed down in the spring of 1930. Then on July 5th, 1931, the mine again resumed operations but its duration of activity was short lived for it again closed on January 1st, 1932, after operating for only six months. The reason for the last closing was that the company posted a notice of a 50 cents reduction in wages which the miners refused to accept so the company ordered the complete closing of the mine.
There are many who believe that the Eagle & Blue Bell and the two adjoining U. S. properties, Victoria and American Star, are far from gutted of valuable minerals and that under the present plan these properties will have another period of prosperity.
April 25, 1935
"After more than two weeks of preparation officials of the Eagle & Blue Bell announce that operations in the underground workings of the mine is starting today. The job of placing the property in shape for work was a hard one due to the fact that many changes to the surfaces machinery were made. The underground workings were found to be in splendid shape and needed but little repair work to place it in good condition. The present plan is to operate the mine strictly on the block leasing system. A little later on the company may do some development work." (Eureka Reporter, April 25, 1935)
June 8, 1935
From the Deseret News, June 8, 1935.
A sensationally rich carload of ore reminiscent of early days in the Tintic district, has just been shipped from the Eagle & Blue Bell property.
The shipment was made by two leasers, Jarvis and Carlson, who have been toiling in the Eagle & Blue Bell property for months. They discovered the rich ore in their lease and said little about it, going about their work as usual.
A few days ago the shipment was loaded, ready for shipment and the leasers kept close guard to make sure that it did not go astray. They followed the carload into the Utah Ore Sampling works at Midvale and will soon receive a check for approximately $14,000 in payment fr a small shipment.
Gold values predominate in the ore which also carries some silver.
The shipment recalls early day lots that were sent out from Mammoth, the Centennial Eureka and other properties in the Tintic district. Shipments reputedly worth $200,000 were mined in the district during the early days. Two years ago the Eureka Standard marketed two carloads, one worth $60,000 and the other approximately $120,000
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-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)
1942
"Eagle and Blue Bell Mine produced lead-silver and gold during the producing years. It closed for a few years in 1931, and opened again in 1935, when a leasing program was carried on until 1940. The final closing was in 1942. Through the years it provided work for a number of men in the town. William Owens was superintendent for a number of years. Billie Clark, another was foreman for many years." (Eureka Reporter, October 25, 1963)
July 13, 1947
From the Salt Lake Tribune, July 13, 1947
Because of close associations, management and ownership, two operations, the Eagle & Blue Bell in the Tintic district and the Bingham Mines in Bingham are chosen as examples in this article. Both operations' properties are owned today by the United States Smelting Refining and Mining Co.
The Eagle & Blue Bell mine, developed by a three-compartment shaft in solid limestone to a depth of 2016 feet (incidentally the smoothest "riding” vertical shaft in Utah), operated from its first days to the time of its acquisition by its present owners without a strike and held the best safety record in Utah. And the superintendent, William (Billy) Owens, now retired, was given credit for having the cleanest mine in the west. All one had to do was to empty a carbide lamp in drift or stope or to leave mine debris around to bring righteous wrath upon himself from "Billy" Owens.
As to personnel involved in the management of the Eagle & Blue Bell and Bingham Mines operations "Billy" Owens and "Joe" Hyland have been mentioned. Next step up is T. P. (Josh) Billings, who rose to manager of mines for both operations from storekeeper, assayer and engineer, and is still connected with them as general manager of mines for the U. S. Co.
The leader of the men mentioned was the late Imer Pett Sr., kindly and beloved general manager, who never drove but led, and who held universal respect.
June 25, 1948
The Eagle & Blue Bell mine shipped two carloads of ore during the week ending June 25, 1948. (Eureka Reporter, July 2, 1948)
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