Tintic, Eureka Bullion Mine

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This page was last updated on November 7, 2025.

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Overview

(The focus of this page is the surface workings of the Big Eureka Bullion 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 properties in East Tintic developed by John Bestelmeyer include:

All properties lay adjacent to each other, and lay along the west sides of the North Lily and Eureka Lily properties.

Bestelmeyer Family

(Read more about the Bestelmeyer family and its Tintic mines)

Eureka Bullion Mining Company

July 29, 1916
The Grutli Mining company and its mining claims and real estate were sold at a Sheriff's sale as the result of the John Bestelmeyer estate (Catherine Bestelmeyer, John M. Bestelmeyer, August A. Bestelmeyer, Kate Bestelmeyer, Clara Bestelmeyer) suing the Grutli Mining company for foreclosure of the mortgage originally held by John Bestelmeyer against the mining company. John M. Bestelmeyer was the successful bidder with a bid of $8,960.35. "A new company will be incorporated within the next few days and active work on the property will be commenced." (Provo Post, July 7, 1916; Salt Lake Herald, July 30, 1916; Provo Post, August 1, 1916)

(The Grutli Mining company and its real estate and assets, including the seven mining claims, were reorganized as the Eureka Bullion Mining company on August 30, 1916.)

(Read more about the Grutli Mining comany, organized by John Bestelmeyer in 1898 and reorganized as the Eureka Bullion Mining company in 1916)

The following comes from USGS Professional Paper 1024, published in 1979, page 131.

The property of the Eureka Bullion Mining Co. is in the west-central part of the East Tintic district about half a mile west of Dividend. It is bordered on the east and south by properties controlled by the Tintic Standard Mining Co. and on the north and west by other properties controlled or owned by the International Smelting and Refining Co.

The Eureka Bullion Mining Co. was incorporated September 5, 1916, under the direction of John Bestlemyre and others, who had taken over the existing Grutli claims, including a shaft that was 220 feet deep. In May 1919, after the discovery of the main Tintic Standard ore body, Bestlemyre and his associates deepened the shaft to the 800 level, which is 632 feet below the collar. During the following 2 years, a winze was sunk from that level to the 1,150 level, and the company was active in exploring and developing an ore-bearing fissure by means of raises and winzes.

In 1924 or 1925, controlling stock ownership of the Eureka Bullion Mining Co. was acquired by the Chief Consolidated Mining Co., who in turn, sold it in 1931 to the International Smelting and Refining Co. This latter company, in 1972, reportedly owned 50.4 percent of the outstanding stock. Since 1928 the Eureka Bullion claims have been developed only by workings extending from the North Lily and Big Hill shafts.

August 30, 1916
The Eureka Bullion Mining company filed its articles of incorporation with the county clerk. The officers were D. R. Beebe, president; August Bestelmeyer, vice president; H. C. Hicks, secretary-treasurer. These three plus John M. Bestelmeyer and N. C. Hicks directors. The property includes seven patented mining claims in the East Tintic mining district and joins the Eureka Lily on the north and west. (Salt Lake Herald, August 31, 1916; Provo Daily Herald, August 31, 1916)

December 26, 1916
Superintendent John M. Bestelmeyer reported that the Eureka Bullion shaft was down to 300 feet. The new hoisting plant made it possible to sink very rapidly and Bestelmeyer expected to reach 500 feet before spring. (Provo Post, December 26, 1916)

January 25, 1917
The Eureka Bullion shaft was down to 350 feet. "The work is in the charge of John M. Bestelmeyer of the old Grutli company, whose property the Eureka Bullion has taken over. It is located west and north of the Tintic Standard, with a portion of the Eureka Lily ground between." The Eureka Bullion shaft was about 1,200 feet west of the new shaft of the Tintic Standard company. (Salt Lake Herald, January 25, 1917)

August 13, 1918
The shaft of the Eureka Bullion company was down to 800 feet, with a drift completed out to 125 feet. Although there had been regular samples in small areas during development, the company had not yet struck ore in production quantities. (Provo Post, August 13, 1918)

By January 1921, John M. Bestelmeyer was manager and vice president of the Eureka Bullion, with Heber C. Hicks as president. (Eureka Reporter, January 14, 1921, company annual report)

By January 1922, John M. Bestelmeyer and his brother August, were vice-president and secretary-treasurer of the Eureka Bullion Mining company. (Provo Post, January 24, 1922, company annual report)

January 22, 1922
"It was deemed advisable by the board of dlrectors and the management to prospect and develop virgin ground lying between Eureka Bullion and the Eureka Lily Mining company. Neither company up to this time has explored or in any way developed this particular stretch of ground. A very prominent east and west fracture system outcrops approximately 200 feet southeast of the Bullion shaft, from which assays carry 1.5 per cent to 2.7 per cent copper, 1.4 to 2 ounces in silver and small values in gold." (Salt Lake Tribune, January 22, 1922)

March 14, 1924
"The company also owns control of the Eureka Mines company, Plutus Mining company, East Tintic Consolidated Mining company, Eureka Lily Mining company and Eureka Bullion Mining company. The last three properties nearly surround and are in close proximity to the Iron King Mining company's recent and very important development of ore." (Eureka Reporter, March 14, 1924)

February 6, 1925
"At a meeting of the sharebolders of the Eureka Bullion Mining company, held the other day at Provo, a resolution was adopted changing the place of business to Salt Lake City. This company passed into the hands of the Chief Consolidated Mining company a year or more ago and the change in the place of business was made for the purpose of putting the books and other records of the company in the main office of the parent organization. No work is now being performed at the Eureka Bullion but a development campaign will most likely be worked out later in lhe year." (Eureka Reporter, February 6, 1925)

November 26, 1925
The Chief Consolidated Mining company owned 29 separately organized companies, which the company owned 100 percent and without any restrictions, also known as "fee simple." The exceptions were following companies, which the Chief Consolidated company controlled by large majority ownership of shares: East Tintic Consolidated Mining company; Eureka Lily Mining company; Eureka Mines company; Eureka Bullion Mining company; Apex Standard company; and the Plutus Mining company. (Salt Lake Tribune, November 26, 1925)

March 4, 1931
"Operate Five Mines -- The [Chief Consolidated] company had the following mines in operation during the past year: No. 1 mine; Plutus mine; Eureka Lily mine; Grand Central mine; and Eureka Hill mine. In addition to these, it has given over on short term leases the following properties owned or controlled by the Chief Consolidated company: Eureka Bullion Mining company; part of Eureka Lily Mining company; part of East Tintic Consolidated Mining company; the Baltimore property; and the Tintic Bullion property." (Salt Lake Telegram, March 4, 1931)

November 6, 1931
The International Smelting company acquired 51.7 percent stock control of the Eureka Bullion Mining company from the Chief Consolidated Mining company. The Eureka Bullion company was already under lease to North Lily Knight company, a subsidiary of the North Lily company. (Deseret News, November 6, 1931)

1976
The Eureka Bullion Mining company was one of the three former Bestelmeyer properties that, although they were controlled by International Smelting company, remained as separate companies due to the numerous minority shareholders. These three companies were merged into Anaconda in 1976.

Big Hill Mining Company;
East Tintic Coalition Mining Company;
Eureka Bullion Mining Company

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