Tintic, Godiva Mine

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This page was last updated on January 17, 2026.

Overview

(The focus of this page is the surface workings of the Godiva 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 Godiva mine lay adjoining the Uncle Sam and May Day mines in East Tintic. The Uncle Sam and May Day mines were controlled by the Mountain View Mining company.

April 2, 1879
"The Godiva lode was located April 2, 1879 by John Q. Packard and John McChrystal, and was the first producer on the now celebrated Godiva mountain. The Godiva, together with the Ajax, Pythagoras, Vulcan, Aurora and Albion lodes, forms the property of the Godiva Mining company. The Godiva has been a producer of high grade ore for several years, but being like the Gemini, a close corporation, it is difficult to secure the exact figures of its production. The Godiva mine has several hundred feet of tunneling and a fine working shaft is now being sunk. A steam hoist and compressor was put up on the mine this year, and it will soon again take its place as a producer of precious metals. John Q. Packard controls the stock and the mine is being worked under the superintendency of John H. McChrystal." (Salt Lake Herald, July 26, 1897)

March 14, 1883
"The Aurora, Albion and Arcadian lodes located March 14, 1883 and the Ashley lode, located March 21, 1883, all by John Q. Packard and John McChrystal are now a part of the Godiva mine of which we have heretofore given extended mention. All are patented ground." (Salt Lake Herald, August 30, 1897)

August 19, 1890
"A very rich strike of silver-lead ore carrying gold in paying quantities was recently made in the Lady Godiva tunnel at Tintic, says the Salt Lake Times. This is the property of John Q. Packard, Captain McChrystal and others of Salt Lake City. The owners have been working the tunnel spasmodically for eight years, and have expended considerable money thereon, but would not take $100 for every $1 it has cost to do the work and sell the property, which consists of a group of seven claims." (San Francisco Chronicle, August 19, 1890)

August 7, 1891
"The owners of the Godiva group of mines, Messrs. John Q. Packard, John McChrystal and R. Harkness, are again in luck, as on Wednesday a large body of very fine ore was struck in the tunnel now being run. Native silver is to be seen all through the ore in large quantities. This is good news to the owners of property in that vicinity and will add materially to the worth of their claims. The Godiva group is located southeast of Eureka, and this is considered a most important strike." (Tintic Miner, August 7, 1891)

1896
From Kantner's "Hand Book on the Mines, Miners and Minerals of Utah," published in 1896.

The Godiva. -- This is a property in which Mr. John Q. Packard, president of the Eureka Hill and Gemini companies, is interested. A new hoist is being erected, and thorough preparations are making for a more extensive extraction of the ores discovered, and wider developments than has hitherto characterized the workings of the Godiva.

The Black Dragon Mining Company owns the Black and Rust Dragon claims at Silver City, the second locations made in the Tintic district, and the twelfth claims to be patented. Various circumstances such as their passing through estates, the segregation of interests, legal complications and then the fall in the price of silver operated to stop work on the claims. In April last, however, they became the absolute property of the above-named company, since which time the claims have been worked and are destined to continue being worked. An old shaft 125 feet deep is being straightened and retimbered and put in working order and being sunk upon. If there is such a geological occurrence as a true fissure vein in limestone denied, however, by experts it is conceded that the Black Dragon has it. The ore is milling in character.

L. L. Terry, president; J. H. Brown, vice-president and treasurer; and E. D. Woodruff, secretary, all of Salt Lake. These, with E. D. Ellis, Allan Conkling and Fred N. Peat, all of Chicago, are the directors. The corporation is a close one, all the stock being owned by the gentlemen named.

April 12, 1896
"Among the promising mines, recently opened, is the Godiva, owned by John Q. Packard and Mayor McChrystal. The development work has nearly all been done in shipping ore, and with a comparatively small amount of development consummated, the owners have 135 feet of good milling ore in sight. Work will be begun at once on an upraise from the tunnel to the surface for machinery." (Salt Lake Tribune, April 12, 1896)

April 12, 1896
"The Uncle Sam, lying to the south and adjoining the Godiva, will shortly be incorporated. The owners are Fred Auerbach of this city, Mr. John McChrystal of Eureka and others. Since the ground was patented three years ago, no work has been done on the Uncle Sam, but the intention now is to begin its systematic development." (Salt Lake Tribune, April 12, 1896)

April 12, 1896
"The May Day company, a recent incorporation, is about to put on two shifts in the search for the precious metal." (Salt Lake Tribune, April 12, 1896)

May 2, 1896
The Uncle Sam Mining company filed its articles of incorporation. Officers were: Frederick H. Auerbach, president; Samuel M. Auerbach, vice president; with John McChrystal and Mrs. Sarah A. McChrystal as members of the board. The company owned the Uncle Sam mining claim and the Uncle Sam mill site. (Salt Lake Tribune, May 3, 1896, "yesterday")

May 3, 1896
"Development work at the Godiva is being vigorously pushed ahead. The winze from the tunnel level is now down 150 feet, the vein widens and the ore appreciates in value both in silver and gold as greater depth is attained. An ore bin with chute connections, having a capacity of about 200 tons, is being built. The survey is completed and the work will begin at once upon the wagon road up the mountain's side to where the permanent hoisting machinery will be located and the main working shaft started." (Salt Lake Herald, May 3, 1896)

June 13, 1896
"Work was started Wednesday on a new road to the Godiva mine. We are advised by Superintendent McChrystal that as soon as the road is completed the old hoist on the Colorado Chief will be taken down and erected on the Godiva in readiness for more extended mining operations." (Salt Lake Tribune, June 13, 1896)

(John McChrystal died suddenly on July 14, 1896.)

May 21, 1899
The Godiva mine was active "after a period of continuous idleness from the time of discovery in 1883, followed by occasional attempts at development, the property was practically shut down until 1895, when it passed into the management of John H. McChrystal." (Salt Lake Herald, May 21, 1899)

(John H. McChrystal was the oldest son of John McChrystal.)

November 11, 1899
The Godiva mine was putting down its shaft to the 600-foot level and was in the silver and lead ore, with the gold values increasing at depth. (Salt Lake Tribune, November 11, 1899)

September 3, 1901
The Godiva shaft was down to the 300-foot level. (Salt Lake Tribune, September 3, 1901)

December 5, 1911
The stockholders of the Gemini Mining company and the Godiva Mining company held their annual meetings on December 4, 1911. Edward W. Packard was elected president; Jackson H. McChrystal was elected as vice-president; John H. McChrystal was elected as general superintendent of both companies. The Godiva mine was not working at the time. (Salt Lake Herald, December 5, 1911)

June 9, 1916
"Only a few men are at work in the Godiva mine, according to Manager McChrystal, and all of the work in that property is being done under the leasing system. Some very nice ore is being mined, however, and practically all of the leasers are doing well. Last month the ore which wad taken from the Godiva brought in the neighborhood of $7,000." (Eureka Reporter, June 9, 1916)

December 31, 1916
From the Salt Lake Tribune, December 31, 1916

The Godiva was the first mine to be developed on the east side of the mountain, and profitably worked ore bodies which were later made famous by such properties as the May Day, the Sioux, the Yankee Consolidated, the Beck Tunnel, and the Colorado.

For a number of years the Godiva was a somewhat prolific producer, and many thousands of tons of good ore were shipped before milling works were provided for the treatment of the lower grade ores. Operations were temporarily discontinued because of the low price of silver and lead, while the presence of zinc was a detriment and a handicap that was difficult to overcome.

The latest work in the mine disclosed a large body of zinc ore averaging 35 percent, and with the increasing demand for zinc, the company intends to resume work in January. In addition to its 100-ton concentrator, the company has a steam hoist. Its main shaft is sunk down to 1200 feet.

January 15, 1917
"Operations at the Godiva, which is also controlled by the McChrystal and allied interests, have been confined during the past year to the work of the leasers. They have shipped between fifty and sixty carloads, mainly of zinc ores, which is about five times the amount shipped during 1915. It is stated upon reliable authority that operations on company account will be resumed immediately. The mine contains an immense body of zinc ore, averaging about 35 per cent, which has been followed a considerable distance on the 600 level and sunk on to the 700, where it is still going down strong. The property has produced nearly $1,000,000 in the past. It is equipped with a 100-ton concentrator, a steam hoist capable of going to a depth of 2,500 feet, a 1,000-foot Nordberg compressor, power drills and other modern machinery. At the present steady market for zinc the company has a prosperous year coming up." (Salt Lake Mining Review, January 15, 1917)

July 7, 1917
"The Godiva is stated to have broken and ready for shipment between four and five cars taken from the 500, 600, and 700-foot levels that will net from $1500 to $1700 per car. On the 1200-foot level the drift in the big body of quartz and manganese is now out 120 feet, and important developments are expected at an early date.""The Godiva is still drifting on the 1200 level. It is out 260 feet from the shaft, and has about 200 feet to go to reach its objective. On the 700 level the miners are still breaking ore. This is a high-grade lead, worth more than $50 a ton, carrying 30 per cent with 15 ounces silver. On the 500 level the miners are breaking ore, also. This seems to be picking up the vein system to the north." (Salt Lake Tribune, July 7, 1917; Salt Lake Herald, July 14, 1917)

("Four or five cars" was only about 150-200 tons of ore, at the very most, which isn't very much, especially with a typical carload bringing less than $1,000 and being split with leasers. Such income seldom paid expenses. This was only an occasional shipment, not a regular weekly shipment. Occasional shipments always made the news. Development was always taking place, looking for blocks of paying ore that could be shipped on a regular basis.)

August 30, 1917
"Manager Jackson C. McChrystal of the Godiva Mining Company reports that development of the recent find of ore in the 1200 level of the company's property at Eureka, Utah, has been delayed by inability to secure coal. The property was closed for several days because of this, but work is again under way. The company has an important ore body on the 900 level." (Salt Lake Mining Review, August 30, 1917)

November 25, 1917
The Godiva shipped two carloads of ore "this week." (Salt Lake Herald, November 25, 1917)

January 11, 1918
From the Eureka Reporter, January 11, 1918.

According to information sent out during the week from the Salt Lake office of these companies a new smelting contract has been secured which will permit the shipment of approximately 2500 tons of ore per month from the Gemini, the Ridge & Valley and the Eureka Mines properties the bulk of this ore, or about 2000 tons, to come from the Gemini.

While the new contract is hardly as favorable for the mining companies as the one which expired some weeks ago, it is pretty much in line with contracts secured by other Tintic mines, and probably cannot be improved upon at this time. At any rate it will permit these mines to send out a very respectable tonnage of ore and already preparations are being made for moving this product.

Another property under the same management is the Godiva where company operations are confined principally to the 1200 level and the 750 level. On the 1200 level the west drift is now being driven along the vein in which there are some bunches of very good ore, while the east drift has about 100 feet to go before reaching the objective point. On the 750 level the work of re-timbering and cleaning up some of the old workings is under way, this being done in order to open that section of the mine to leasers who seem to be getting along very nicely in other parts of the Godiva.

January 15, 1918
"Most of the work at the property of the Godiva Mining Company, located on the east side of Godiva mountain, was done by lessees during the past year. The mine is an old-time producer of the district and has been opened to a depth of 1,200 feet. Practically all of the old workings, extending to a depth of perhaps 800 feet, are under lease, the royalty giving the company a steady income. The property was credited with a production of twenty-two carloads during 1917. It has been announced that the company has plans to develop the ground from the 800 to the 1,200 level, and then to send the main shaft to water level." (Salt Lake Mining Review, January 15, 1918)

February 5, 1918
"The Godiva also was reported in good shape. This mine is now being worked by about 20 leasers, who are taking out a good grade of ore. The miners are drifting on the 1,200-foot level with good results, and only recently cut the vein which is now showing streaks of ore assaying 10 to 12 per cent lead and 3 to 5 ounces silver. It is the opinion of Supt. John H. McChrystal that this ore is but the forerunner of something bigger and better with further development." (Deseret News, February 5, 1918)

(During May through August 1918, there were numerous newspaper reports of the leasers in the Godiva mine striking a block of very rich silver ore. While the reports describe the ore as assaying as much as $580 in silver per ton, and as low as $185 per ton, there were no reports of how many tons or carloads were being shipped. The weekly ore shipments reports elsewhere in the newspapers, however, show the Godiva as shipping only one car per week, but not every week. In July, the reports showed that the first car paid $10,000, but later cars were $7,000. Using math, the first car held about 17 tons, which is a very small shipment.)

(By December 1918, the leasers were still shipping five or six carloads monthly from the Godiva mine, or about 120 to 150 tons per month. The income from the royalties from the leasers was being used by the company to sink the main shaft down to the water level, at 1,300 feet, and to drive drifts and crosscuts at the 1200 level. The other two McChrystal mines, the Gemini and the Ridge & Valley, were also using their leaser royalties to sink their shafts to the water level, with company's mining engineers telling management that even richer ore lay below the water level.)

(At the Godiva, beginning in mid 1919, the leaser royalties were also being used to convert the hoist from steam power to electric power, and to install pumps to handle the 500 gallons of water per minute, as plans were being made to sink their main shaft down to 1,600 feet, 300 feet below the water level.)

(By September 1919, the leasers had stopped work on the Godiva's upper levels due to low lead prices, and work to deepen the main shaft and add downward winzes was at a standstill, with plans to resume work. Very soon.)

(Jackson McChrystal's older brother, John H. McChrystal, died of pneumonia in January 1920, at age 57, during the Spanish Flu epidemic in Eureka.)

At the February 1920 annual meeting, the Godiva company reported that it had shipped a total of 271 tons during the past year, about seven carloads, a true indicator of the swindling ore reserves in the mine. Gross revenue was reported as $6,371.41, but expenses were reported as $9,280.72. (Salt Lake Tribune, February 25, 1920)

June 16, 1922
"Jackson McChrystal, who is giving all his attention to the various mining properties which are under his management, is quite confident that the Godiva mine can be reopened during the present summer. This property has been idle for a number of years, chiefly for the reason that its ores are of rather low grade, but the present prices of lead and silver no doubt justify the resumption of mining operations because the Godiva has a large amount of low grade lead-silver ore. Manager McChrystal says that he has for some time been in consultation with President E. W. Packard regarding the reopening of the Godiva. Mr. Packard is expected out from New York in the near future and upon his arrival is this state a decision will be reached. That it will be a favorable one Mr. McChrystal feels quite certain." (Eureka Reporter, June 16, 1922)

(In September and October 1922, when the Chief Consolidated company bought the four McChrystal properties, the Gemini mine, the Ridge and Valley mine, the Eureka Mines property, and the Eureka Hill mine, they noticeably did not buy the Godiva mine.)

September 20, 1924
"The Godiva mine had been idle for some years when the leasing company took up work there several months ago." The leaser was Charles Bechtol and his company, and the work was taking place above the 500 level. Like all mine owners, Jackson McChrystal when asked by the newspaper about the company's plans, stated that he would soon be working at the lower levels of the Godiva mine. The mine's past as a successful shipper of silver, gold and lead was again stated, with firm belief of the mine's potential. (Deseret News, September 20, 1924)

February 3, 1925
The 104,000 shares of the Godiva Mining company owned by Sarah McChrystal at the time of her death on December 29, 1923, and a total of $193,000 were divided equally among her children, or their heirs, by the Probate Division of the Third District Court in Salt Lake City. Each child received one-seventh of the Godiva stock owned by Sarah McChrystal, with the children of John McChrystal who preceded his mother in death, each receiving an equal share of his one-seventh portion. (numerous newspaper reports)

(The leasers of the Godiva mine, during this period were shipping one car of ore per week. Development work 700 and 900 levels was continuing under the management of Jackson McChrystal.)

July 31, 1925
Jackson McChrystal purchased the shares of the Godiva Mining company previously held by Edward Packard, who had held them after the death of his uncle, John Q. Packard. Additional shares of the Godiva company were held by W. R. Wallace, a son-in-law of John McChrystal and brother-in-law to Jackson McChrystal. "For some time the Godiva has producing a few carloads of ore each month, the work being handled by lessees and the royalties collected by the company being about sufficient to meet the operating expenses. There are, however, many points at which work should be started, places where a small amount of drifting, raising or sinking ought to open something, and it is Mr. McChrystal's intention to start a more aggressive development campaign in the very near future." (Eureka Reporter, July 31, 1925)

August 15, 1925
"Jackson C. McChrystal, who has been prominently identified with the mines of this district for many years directing the work at the Gemini, Ridge & Valley, Eureka Mines, Eureka Hill, Godiva and other properties, some of which have now passed into other hands, is now in control of the Godiva, having recently acquired a large block of the company’s stock from Edward W. Packard. Mr. Packard has for years controlled the Godiva, although the McChrystals and W. R. Wallace have been heavily interested in the property." (Salt Lake Mining Review, August 15, 1925)

September 25, 1925
The shareholders of the Godiva Mining company held a meeting to vote on "empowering the directors to act on a proposition to sell and convey the mining claims and all other property of the company." Rumors were that was soon as the shareholders and directors acknowledge Jackson McChrystal's control of the company, he will reopen the Godiva mine, possibly as soon as October 1st. It was also reported that a large smelting company was behind the re-opening of the mine, which would provide the funds needed by McChrystal to move forward with his plans to expand, and especially deepen the mine down to the ore level. With the funds in place, McChrystal planned to re-timber the shaft between the current 900 and the planned 1200 level. (Eureka Reporter, September 25, 1925, "this afternoon")

September 26, 1925
From the Salt Lake Tribune, September 26, 1925.

Property of the Godiva Mining company, situated at Eureka, Utah, lying between the Plutus mine of the Chief Consolidated company and the Yankee mine of the Mountain View Mining company, was acquired by Jackson McChrystal, Salt Lake operator, yesterday at a special stockholders' meeting.

It is understood that Mr. McChrystal will be joined by a Salt Lake smelting company in the development of the Eureka property, which up to date has a gross production record of $1,200,000.

Operations will be started on or about October 1. The property has been developed to a depth of 1330 feet by a shaft sunk 1200 feet and a winze sunk from the 1200 level for a depth of 150 feet.

The mine is fully equipped. Power is derived from a steam plant. On the 750-foot level of the mine a body of ore possessing excellent possibilities, as well as values, awaits exploitation.

On the 900 level, just before operations were suspended pending the consummation of the deal just completed, it is understood ore had been opened up which conditions indicate is the downward continuation of the deposit on the 750 level.

Godiva Sold to USSR&M (1925)

November 6, 1925
From the Eureka Reporter, November 6, 1925.

A deal which was closed a few days ago will not only mean the re-opening of one of the old time mines of this camp but the introduction into the district of considerable new capital, the United States Mining & Smelting company having taken over the options on Godiva Mining company stock formerly held by Jackson C. McChrystal of Salt Lake City.

It is understood that a very extensive campaign of work is to start at once, some of it through the Godiva shaft and other deep mining operations to be handled from one of the adjoining mines. Already the overhauling and repairing of the machinery is under way. Previous to closing the deal which gave them control of the mine the officials of the United States Mining company had their engineers and geologists in the Godiva workings in which there is reported to be a large amount of low grade ore as well as many promising stringers and bunches of higher grade material.

During the earlier days of the district the Godiva was one of the heavy producers of this camp. The mine was operated under the management of Jackson McChrystal and a milling plant was erected to treat ores that would not stand the heavy expense of shipment to the smelters. In recent years work has been carried on in a rather desultory fashion, mostly by lessees, and the profits have been small.

Most of the Godiva development work has been on the mine's upper levels, although the shaft extends to a depth of 1200 feet with a winze 150 feet below that point. In recent years the shaft has been in such shape that no work could be handled below the 900 level and while the United States people will perhaps do much of their deep prospecting from one of the adjoining mines it is quite probable that they will immediately repair the shaft from the 900 to the 1200 and follow out the old ore system which has great possibilities because it has never been followed to any great depth or to the outer boundaries of the company’s ground.

For the present the old hoisting plant will likely answer but later the hoist will be electrified, John Enlund, who has been the head man locally for the United States company for many years, will be placed in charge of the work at the Godiva.

For nearly thirty years the United States people took an enormous tonnage out of this district, a lot of it coming from their own mine, the Centennial Eureka, which now seems to be pretty well cleaned. After the Centennial Eureka commenced slipping the smelting company took over the Bullion Beck which also contributed a heavy output for a long period of years. Both the Centennial Eureka and the Beck are now inactive and it is but natural for the United States officials to be casting around for another producer. Their previous investments in Tintic mining ground yielded fortunes and without a doubt this district still contains a great many potential Centennial Eurekas.

(The plans to access the Godiva working at depth from adjoining properties was a problem. The USSR&M company controlled the Centennial Eureka mine and the Bullion Beck mine, but these were located several thousand feet west of the Godiva mine, with the Eagle & Blue Bell mine, controlled by the Bingham Mines company, and the Plutus mine, controlled by Chief Consolidated company, situated between the USSR&M mines and the Godiva mine.)

November 27, 1925
The shareholders of the Godiva Mining company held a meeting to vote on "empowering the directors to act on a proposition to sell and convey the mining claims and all other property of the company." "This is simply carrying out the details of the transfer and the control from Jackson C. McChrystal to the United States Mining company." (Eureka Reporter, November 13, 1925)

November 27, 1925
USSR&M immediately let contracts to drive four prospecting drifts from the 900 level of the Godiva mine. Repairs were also being made to the hoisting machinery, and repairs were being made inside the mine itself. (Eureka Reporter, November 27, 1925)

(On January 21, 1926, the USSR&M-controlled board levied a one-cent assessment against outstanding stock. A public auction of delinquent shares that did not pay the assessment was held on April 5th. USSR&M bought all the delinquent shares at above market prices, keeping in mind that Godiva stock was valued at just one cent per share. At the time, Godiva stock was selling for three cents on the Salt Lake Stock Exchange. Large portions of the delinquent Godiva stock, in the form of thousands of shares, were held by heirs of Sarah McChrystal. Other blocks of stock, in the form of 100, 500 or 1000 shares, were held by a wide variety of owners. At the auction, a total of $324.75 (32,475 shares) was owed in delinquent assessment. Some paid, most did not. There were rumors that USSR&M paid less than $1,500 for the outstanding stock, which put the price paid at about four or five cents per share.)

March 26, 1926
"At the Godiva property, which is now in the hands of the United States Mining company, three headings are being driven under favorable conditions. These drifts are on the 600, 700 and 900 levels and in each instance the prospecting is being speeded up as fast as two shifts can do the work. Supt. Grant states that valuaable geological information will be gained as a result of this development work even though it does not result in the opening of new ore deposits for the Godiva. The campaign of work which the United States people are doing at this mine started a few months ago and it will continue throughout the year." (Eureka Reporter, March 26, 1926)

(Research in later newspaper articles from the 1926 to 1928 period suggest that the USSR&M activity did not make much progress, and by June 1928, the high-cost steam hoist was still in place and not yet replaced by a lower-cost electric hoist. Leasers were avoiding leases due to the high cost of operating the steam hoist. Jackson McChrystal continued to make plans to re-open the mine, with various mining engineers accompanying him to examine the mine. -- Eureka Reporter, June 1, 1928)

Jackson C. McChrystal died at age 61 of a heart attack on July 10, 1928, in his room at the Hotel Utah, during a telephone conversation. At the time of his death in July 1928, Jackson C. McChrystal was president and manager of the Godiva Mining company and owned 53,000 shares of the company. He was hoping to bring the mine back into production. (Deseret News, July 10, 1928)

(Throughout the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, leasers at the USSR&M Godiva mine continued to ship one or two cars of low-grade ore per week. Although the shipments were regular, there was from one to 15 months between shipments. The weekly reports ended in September 1955, with the Godiva shipping four cars. In 1956, the reports were for tons instead of cars, with the resulting reduction of weekly production to 60 to 150 tons from the Godiva. Later in 1956, the weekly reports became monthly reports, with the Godiva leasers shipping between 200 and 400 tons of low-grade ore. By 1959, the only shipments from the Tintic district were clay from the Filtrol mine, and low-grade ore from the Godiva. -- Numerous newspaper reports under the heading "Ore Shipments" through November 1960 when all newspapers stopped the reports.)

September 30, 1994
The Godiva Mining company, which consisted of 64.17 acres, was dissolved as a corporation. Between June and September 1993, the Centurion Mining company had purchased the land assets and all outstanding shares of the Godiva company from the remaining heirs of the McChrystal and Wallace families, along with 67 other minority shareholders. (Eureka Reporter, April 7, 1995)

(Centurion Mines Corporation was the remaining corporate entity of the McIntyre family and their interests in the Mammoth mine in Tintic.)

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