Tintic, Little Chief Mine

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This page was last updated on November 5, 2025.

Overview

(The focus of this page is the surface workings of the Little Chief 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.)

Little Chief Mining and Milling Company (1899-1909)

The Little Chief Mining and Milling company filed its articles of incorporation on February 13, 1899. The company's ground embraced the Little Chief and Green Rock mining claims. (Salt Lake Herald, February 14, 1899, "yesterday")

March 28, 1899
"Machinery for Little Chief. -- Directors of the Little Chief Mining company met last evening and completed arrangements for the purchase of a 60-horse-power boiler and a 40-horse-power engine, which will be shipped to the mine during the next few days. A complete hoisting plant is also among the other improvements contemplated." (Salt Lake Tribune, March 28, 1899)

(In order for the stock of the Little Chief company to be held by a small group of majority stockholders, throughout 1899 and into 1908, there were a constant stream of assessments and delinquency notices, a total of 36 over the nine year period. The company was shipping small amounts of ore and paying dividends on a ore being extracted as the mine was being developed. The assessments were being used solely for improvements and developing the ore reserves. This development work explains the deep shaft, 1,400 feet, at the time the company was taken over by the Chief Consolidated company.)

September 28, 1906
"Machinery for Little Chief. -- The Little Chief Mining company has purchased the engine, boiler, and other machinery which was until recently used at the Silver King Consolidated mine at Park City. The Little Chief company is also figuring upon buying the shaft house of the Blue Bird company near Diamond. This building is practically new, having been erected at the time the south end of Tintic was enjoying a boom a few years ago and could be moved to Eureka at a small expense. With a new shaft house and new machinery the Little Chief company would be in splendid condition to not only handle the ore which is now exposed but to continue the search to a greater depth. Supt. Joe Hannifin says it will probably be necessary to close the mine down while the new machinery is being put in place, but this will require but little time. The shaft which is now down 800 feet will be sunk at least 200 feet deeper. At several points upon the 800 foot level the company has encountered a character of rock which lend those familiar with the mine to believe that they were right above a large ore body and for that reason Supt. Hannifin is anxious to explore the ground at a greater depth." (Eureka Reporter, September 28, 1906)

(In late December 1906, there were two carloads of ore in the mine ready to ship, but the new hoist machinery was not yet in proper alignment. The new hoist had been installed and was complete on December 4th, but the alignment problem made the hoist and skip buckets impossible to use. -- Salt Lake Telegram, December 27, 1906; Salt Lake Herald, December 30, 1906)

April 25, 1908
"Little Chief -- The management has decided to sink the shaft at this mine to 1000 ft. depth." (Engineering and Mining Journal, April 25, 1908, page 880)

(In August 1908, the Little Chief company reached the 1400 foot level and began drifting to develop the ore reserve. -- Eureka Reporter, August 28, 1908)

September 17, 1908
A fire at the Little Chief destroyed the hoist and surface buildings completely. The officers of the company stated that a larger hoist and hoist house would be built to replace the one destroyed by the fire. (Deseret News, September 17, 1908; Salt Lake Tribune, October 3, 1908)

March 1, 1909
The new Chief Consolidated Mining company took over the interests of the American Mines syndicate in the Tintic district, organized in 1907 by John Van Evera, president of the Little Chief Mining company. Other officers of the Little Chief included officers of other successful copper mines in the Michigan district, along with bankers that also served the Michigan mines. The interests of the American Mines Syndicate in Eureka included 160 acres made up of mining claims held by either majority of stock, or by bonds and leases. The syndicate had spent $85,000 on the Little Chief property over the previous two years, installing equipment and developing the potential ore body. The surface plant had burned in September 1908, but was thoroughly rebuilt with more capacity to reach down 2,000 feet. The mine resumed operations on February 1, 1909. The shaft was down to the 1400 level, with crosscuts of 400 feet into the ore. (Salt Lake Tribune, March 1, 1909; Salt Lake Herald, March 4, 1909)

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