Tintic, Grutli Mine

Index For This Page

This page was last updated on November 7, 2025.

(Return to Tintic Index Page)

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 Grutli Mining company was organized by John Bestelmeyer in 1898, sold to Eureka Bullion Mining company in 1916.)

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)

Grutli Mining Company

(The word "Grutli" appears to be a Swiss word, with German, French and Italian pronunciations, with a general meaning of a pleasant place or a meadow.)

(The Grutli No. 3 and Fraction Grutli No. 3 mining claims had been patented in 1904, and were part of the Eureka Bullion company when it was organized in 1916.)

March 22, 1898
The location of the Fraction Grutli No. 3 mining claim in the Tintic Mining District was filed with the county recorder by Catherine Bestelmeyer, et al. Also, the Cathrina claim was filed by Catherine Bestelmeyer. (Deseret News, March 22, 1898)

January 21, 1899
The location of the Grutli No. 3 mining claim in the Tintic Mining District was filed with the county recorder by Catherine Bestelmeyer, et al. (Utah County Democrat, January 21, 1899)

June 14, 1899
The location of the Fraction Grutli No. 4 mining claim in the Tintic Mining District was filed with the county recorder by Catherine Bestelmeyer and George Havercamp. (Utah County Democrat, June 14, 1899)

1903-1904
The Grutli No. 3 and Fraction Grutli No. 3 mining claims in East Tintic were surveyed in July 1903, and the patents were received in July 1904. The ground where the claims were located was owned by George Havercamp, Henry Blumenthal and John M. Bestelmeyer. (Eureka Reporter, July 24, 1903; July 15, 1904)

December 21, 1906
"The intention of George Havercamp to sink another hundred feet upon the Grutli as well as the renewal of work at the Lily." (Eureka Reporter, December 21, 1906)

February 16, 1909
The Grutli Mining company filed its articles of incorporation "today." Officers were: John Bestelmeyer, president; John M. Bestelmeyer, vice president; H. W. Horne, secretary-treasurer. Directors were John Bestelmeyer, Catherine Bestelmeyer, H. W. Horne and August A. Bestelmeyer. The company was formed to develop the Grutli group of claims. (Salt Lake Telegram, February 16, 1909; Eureka Reporter, March 5, 1909)

March 21, 1909
"Adjoining the East Tintic Consolidated company’s property on the north, with the Big Hill flanking the west side and the Eureka Lily and East Tintic Development company's Ralph property on the east, are the seven patented claims of the recently organized Grutli Mining company. John Bestelmeyer. one of the old-timers of the Tintic district, has owned this property for fifteen years, and he is at the head of the company organized to develop the ground on an extensive scale. As a strong working ally, he has H. W. Horne, the well-known engineer, as secretary of his company." (Salt Lake Herald, March 21, 1909)

August 30, 1909
"John M. Bestelmeyer, who is in charge of the Grutli property in the eastern part of the district, says that he has encountered a gray-lime formation in the shaft which at this time is down about 150 feet. For some time the formation through which the Grutli shaft passed was loose and full of small caves or "bug-holes" but it has now tightened up, the rock at the present time being exceptionally hard. When the 200 level is reached a station set will be put in and then sinking will be resumed." (Salt Lake Mining Review, August 30, 1909, citing the Eureka Reporter)

December 4, 1909
"Provo. Dec. 4. -- Some excitement has been caused here by the report just brought to town by Manager John M. Bestelmeyer of the Grutli, that a two-foot vein of low grade silver-copper ore has been tapped in that property on the 200 level. The importance of the find is enhanced because of the fact that the ore has been found underneath a large body of lead-stained talc, which in the opinion of mining men conversant with conditions in East Tintic, is always associated with large ore bodies in that district. Acting on this belief, Manager Bestelmeyer has decided to sink to the 300 level, and to drift underneath the present find, which was made at point about 35 feet from the shaft." (Deseret News, December 4, 1909)

December 18, 1909
The following comes from the Deseret News, December 18, 1909.

The Grutli -- Among the many promising properties of East Tintic is the territory owned by the Grutli Mining company, which has its headquarters at Provo. This company has been pushing work during the past year and is one of the properties of great promise for the year 1910.

Something over 20 years ago, John Bestelmeyer, a German baker, stopped off in Salt Lake City. He soon acquired a strong desire to search for mineral. He became the pioneer of East Tintic and most of the properties that are now being worked there at some time or other were owned by him. In spite of the many valuable holdings that he allowed to slip through his hands, Mr Bestelmeyer clung to the ground he has incorporated as the Grutli. It has been his pet during his many years of hardship.

The Grutli consists of seven patented claims, containing 80 acres, north of the Big Hill and west of the Provo. John Bestelmeyer is president of the company, while his son, John M. Bestelmeyer, is vice president and general manager. Heber C. Hicks Is secretary and treasurer.

Work on the Grutli has been pushed throughout the year. One year ago only a bunk house was on the property. Since then a hoist has been installed, a well dug and a well house built, a hoist house constructed, good gallows frames set up, and a stable erected. Throughout only first class material has been used.

One of the prettiest shafts in the country has been put down on the property. It has been put down in one of the best locations in the canyon, affording an excellent place for a dump and giving a great vantage point for the crosscutting of the contact that cuts through the property. To the north of the shaft at the top of the hill is a big iron blow out such as has been indicative of ore in the Tintic district.

The shaft has reached a depth of 200 feet and a drift has been sent to the north to crosscut a contact. From indications it is believed certain that early in the coming year another mine will be added to the East Tintic section.

(John Bestelmeyer died on August 17, 1912.)

June 24, 1913
By June 1913, John M. Bestelmeyer was shown as president of the Grutli company, also showing that the shaft was sunk 200 feet. The mine had its own water supply on-site. The company's seven claims were all patented. An assessment was being levied for the first time against stockholders to pay for taxes on the property, and a small number of current bills. (Deseret News, June 24, 1913)

November 28, 1913
The Grutli mine was being worked only by John M. Bestelmeyer and two other men. The combination of shaft, drifts and winzes had put the mine at 300 feet depth, when a vein of porphyry copper ore was found with values of 3 to 5 percent copper, with values of gold, silver, zinc and lead as well. (Deseret News, November 28, 1913)

January 4, 1914
A very detailed report of the extent of the Grutli mine's development (shaft, tunnels, winzes and drifts) was published as part of the annual report. The mine and its property was valued at $20,164.41. (Salt lake Herald, January 4, 1914)

January 6, 1914
At the time of his death on August 16, 1912, the Grutli Mining company was in debt to John Bestelmeyer for $5,627.75, as a mortgage for him supplying the funds for the development of the mine. John M. Bestelmeyer had been manager of the mine from the day it was organized, in 1909. He was 24 years old at the time. Work on the Grutli mine was stopped with John Bestelmeyer's death and had restarted on August 6, 1913. The mortgage debt to the Bestelmeyer estate had been reduced to $3,681.95 by two assessments against stockholders. (Provo Post, January 6, 1914)

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 Eureka Bullion Mining company)

###