Tintic, May Day Mine
Index For This Page
This page was last updated on March 1, 2026.
(The focus of this page is the surface workings of the May Day 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.)
May Day Mining and Milling Company
February 16, 1895
Judge King of the First District Court in Provo awarded James H. Larsen, et al., two-thirds undivided interest in the May Day mining claim in the Tintic mining district. The case was James H. Larsen et al. vs. R. W. Stevens. (Deseret News, February 16, 1895)
1896
The May Day Mining and Milling company was incorporated. (Mines Handbook, Volume XV, 1922, page 1544.)
(No specific references for when the May Day Mining and Milling company was organized or incorporated.)
April 1896
"The May Day Mining company was incorporated in April, 1896." (Salt Lake Herald, September 27, 1908)
May 23, 1896
"The May Day Mining and Milling company, whose property adjoins the Godiva in Tintic, will begin systematic search for the Godiva vein at once, ample means for the sinking of the shaft having been provided in the sale of 12,000 shares of the company's treasury stock yesterday. Manager John A. Hunt expresses the belief that the vein will be encountered at a depth of 200 feet, and that the May Day will be among those to be added to the list the present season." (Salt Lake Tribune, May 23, 1896)
(Other newspaper stories mentioned that the new activity was the initial activity for the company.)
April 10, 1897
Officers of the May Day Mining and Milling company were: John A. Hunt, president; Judge D. H. Wenger, vice president; Henry Peery, treasurer; F. W. Mulenbruch, secretary; K. S. Hamilton, director. "The May Day Mining company has been working two shifts and situated as it is, between the Humbug and the Godiva, it is regarded as an excellent proposition. The lower tunnel, which is being driven on the property, is in now within six feet of the ore body, according to actual measurement, and it is conceded that the work now in hand will disclose pay ore." (Salt Lake Herald, April 10, 1897)
April 8, 1898
"The May Day Mining company has decided to renew their search for ore bodies that they are convinced are to be found in the ground, and to that end will in the next few days let a contract for the driving of the tunnel 800 feet further into the hill. The property of the company adjoins the Humbug and Uncle Sam at Tintic, and has already been opened up by a tunnel for a distance of 125 feet." (Salt Lake Tribune, April 8, 1898)
April 9, 1899
The May Day Mining company will build ore chutes, ore bins, and a road between the mine and the railroad. Nine men were at work getting out a shipment of three cars of ore, but it will be a week before the road is cleared of snow and hauling can commence. (Salt Lake Tribune, April 9, 1899; Salt Lake Herald, April 9, 1899)
April 15, 1899
"The May Day Mining company, operating in the Humbug country in Tintic district, held a meeting last week Saturday and elected a new board to serve for the ensuing year as follows: John A. Hunt, president and manager; J. H. Larsen, vice-president; E. W. Mulenbruch, secretary, David Evans and J. E. Darmer; D. H. Peery, Jr., being appointed treasurer. The board immediately made arrangements for the erection of ore houses at the mine and for the building of a new wagon road to the railroad, it being the intention to begin ore shipments within the next day or so." (Salt Lake Mining Review, April 15, 1899)
June 15, 1899
"The May Day, of Tintic, was in the market a few days ago with a nice shipment of silver-lead ore." (Salt Lake Mining Review, June 5, 1899)
August 3, 1899
David Evans was reported as having a financial interest in the May Day mine, in addition to his interest with Jesse Knight in the Black Jack mine. (Salt Lake Herald, August 3, 1899)
August 15, 1899
"The May Day, of Eureka, was in the market a few days ago with another consignment of high grade ore. It is reported that this property is showing immense bodies of mineral in its workings and that its outlook for the future is indeed flattering." (Salt Lake Mining Review, August 15, 1899)
October 25, 1899
The May Day Mining company has ordered a steam hoisting plant that will enable the company to put the shaft down to 600 feet, and an air compressor to furnish air for seven drills. Plus a pump for when they hit the water level. All to be powered by two 40-horsepower boilers. The new steam hoisting plant was put into operation on December 8, 1899. Before the hoist was installed, the company used a hand windlass. (Salt Lake Tribune, October 25, 1899; Salt Lake Mining Review, October 30, 1899; Deseret News, December 18, 1899)
October 30, 1899
"The May Day Mining company, operating in Tintic district, has awarded the Ingersoll-Sergeant Drill company the contract for one of their 18x18-1/4x24 inch class A piston inlet straight line air compressors, together with a full equipment of drills, columns, etc." (Salt Lake Mining Review, October 30, 1899)
February 14, 1900
The Yankee Consolidated company had extracted ore from a vein that was found to be in the May Day company's ground. At a meeting to settle the encroachment, John Hunt of the May Day company proposed that the May Day company be allowed to use the Yankee Consolidated company's tunnel for a period of two years, to extract the ore from the vein, stopping when the vein enters Yankee Consolidated ground. (Salt Lake Herald, February 14, 1900)
February 15, 1900
"May Day Hoists Ore. -- The newly installed engine at the May Day is working satisfactorily, and on Monday the first car of ore was brought through the new shaft from the 50-foot level. Manager Hunt said that about 50 tons a day would be hoisted, and already teams have been put to work hauling to the Rio Grande yards. The ore is a high-grade silver-lead product, and will average, according to mine assays, more than 60 percent lead at the sampler. In addition to this are several ounces of silver and approximately $10 in gold to the ton, making a very nice shipping product. Some select specimens of crystallized lead run as high as 80 per cent. The working shaft, which is 80 feet deep, is being put down at the rate of a set [timber-set] a day, and when it reaches the 100 level an earnest attack will be made on the immense ore body that has been tapped by drifts and winzes to established its continuity." (Salt Lake Mining Review, February 15, 1900)
April 15, 1900
"At the annual meeting of the May Day Mining company, held a few days ago, a new board to serve for the ensuing year was elected as follows: John A. Hunt, president; James H. Larsen, vice president; F. W. Mullenbrock, secretary and treasurer; David Evans, J. E. Darmer, and S. R. Hamilton, directors." (Salt lake Mining Review, April 15, 1900)
April 30, 1900
"The May Day, of Eureka, was in the market last week with four carloads of good ore." (Salt Lake Mining Review, April 30, 1900)
September 1900
Of the 218 carloads of ore shipped from the Tintic district during September 1900, 10 cars were from the May Day. (Salt Lake Mining Review, October 15, 1900)
October 15, 1900
"It is stated that Fred Schmidt, of Eureka, the veteran millman, is arranging for the erection of a 60-ton concentrating mill at the May Day at Eureka, for the treatment of the low grade ores exposed in the mine." (Salt Lake Mining Review, October 15, 1900)
October 30, 1900
"Fred A. Flindt and S. W. Moseby, lessees of the second-class ores of the May Day mine at Eureka, Tintic district, will undoubtedly put in reduction works in the near future. The dry process of concentration will most likely be utilized." (Salt Lake Mining Review, October 20, 1900)
October 30, 1900
"Tintic Miner: A good strike of gold ore was made on the south drift on the 100-foot level of the May Day mine last Monday. The ore is opening up in good shape and promises big returns." (Salt Lake Mining Review, October 30, 1900)
November 9, 1900
The Yankee Consolidated and the adjacent May Day mine settled their conflicting borders. The Yankee management acknowledged that they had trespassed and extracted ore from May Day ground, and paid $3,000 for the ore it took. The May Day company took the payment and benefited by the Yankee company having found a continuation of the rich ore vein that the May Day had already been working, hundreds of feet from where the May Day company was actively extracting and shipping. (Salt Lake Herald, November 9, 1900)
November 15, 1900
"The Yankee Consolidated and May Day Mining companies of Eureka have settled their differences, the former paying $3,000 for ores extracted from the latter's ground, the Yankee Consolidated will be permitted the further use of the May Day tunnel in getting into its own territory." (Salt Lake Mining Review, November 15, 1900)
November 15, 1900
"L. B. Doe, manager of the Crown Milling company of San Francisco, accompanied by F. W. Wood, inventor of the process owned by the company, known as the dry method of ore concentration, is in the city. These gentlemen will look the city over with a view of locating a branch office here, while it is possible that they may make Salt Lake their chief manufacturing center. The Crown concentrator will be used at the mill to be erected for the reduction of low grade May Day ores at Eureka. From all that can be learned this is about the only successful dry process known, and, if all that is claimed for the Crown is true, this method should become popular with mining men in sections where there is a scarcity of water." (Salt Lake Mining Review, November 15, 1900)
November 15, 1900
"Tintic Miner: Messrs. Field, Flindt and S. W. Moseby were out from Salt Lake several days the past week and in company with President Hunt and Vice-President Larsen, of the May Day, selected a site for the new mill to be erected to reduce the second-class ores from that mine. The mill is sure go and work on the plant will commence immediately after selection." (Salt Lake Mining Review, November 15, 1900)
December 15, 1900
"Arrangements are being perfected for the erection of reduction works for the May Day mine in Tintic district. The plant will have a capacity of 80 tons daily and will employ the dry process of concentration." (Salt Lake Mining Review, December 15, 1900)
January 30, 1901
"Eureka Reporter: The contract for grading for the May Day mill has been awarded A. H. Scott, of Knightsville, and work was commenced the early part of the week. As soon as the excavating is completed the construction of the plant will begin. It is estimated that about sixty days will be required to get the new plant in running order." (Salt Lake Mining Review, January 30, 1901)
March 15, 1901
"C. S. Ford, the successful and popular mill builder, who is assisting Supervising Architect F. P. Hanson, of San Francisco, in the construction of the dry concentrator for the May Day mine at Eureka, was in the city last week." (Salt Lake Mining Review, March 15, 1901)
April 15, 1901
"At the annual meeting of the May Day Mining company held in this city on the first of the month the old board of directors was re-elected as follows: J. A. Hunt, president; J. E. Larsen, vice-president; B. S. Hamilton, treasurer; F. W. Muhlenbruck, secretary, and J. E, Dormer. During the fiscal year the company shipped 3,219 tons of ore carrying average values of $30.75 per ton. It is expected that the new mill being erected for the treatment of May Day low grade ores will be in commission by the 10th of May next." (Salt Lake Mining Review, April 15, 1910)
May 15, 1901
"C. S. Ford, the successful and veteran mill builder, has finished his work at the May Day mill in Tintic and is now busy in the construction of a 300-ton ore bin at the Yankee Consolidated, besides which he is putting up a two-story sorting room and a ten-room dwelling for the company. Mr. Ford will probably attend to mill-building in Idaho this summer." (Salt Lake Mining Review, May 15, 1901)
June 15, 1901
"Colonel F. W. Wood, inventor and patentee of a dry process of concentration which is to be utilized by the May Day Mining company of Tintic district in the fine new mill just about ready to be placed in commission." (Salt Lake Mining Review, June 15, 1901)
August 15, 1901
"The new dry process concentrator at the May Day in Tintic district is said to be in successful operation." (Salt Lake Mining Review, August 15, 1901)
August 30, 1901
"The May Day mill in Tintic district has been closed down temporarily for the purpose of making repairs on the mill building, which is not strong enough to stand the strain while the machinery is in motion." (Salt Lake Mining Review, August 30, 1901)
November 15, 1901
"The new May Day mill, Tintic, using the dry process of concentration, is now in operation and the plant will be open to visitors Sunday next." (Salt Lake Mining Review, November 15, 1901)
December 30, 1901
"The first consignment of concentrates and slimes from the new May Day mill at Eureka, Tintic, were marketed in this city on the 14th, the concentrates being disposed of on controls showing metallic values of 48.5 per cent. lead, 32.80 ounces silver and $1.70 in gold to the ton, while the fines, or slimes, assayed 23.5 per cent lead, 17.80 ounces silver and $4.60 in gold. The ore treated, in the crude, went about 7 per cent in lead to the ton, the tailings showing a loss of only 1.5 per cent. Fred A. Flindt, who is in charge of the mill and who is one of the lessees of the plant, is fully satisfied as to the success of the process. After the first of the year it is the expectation that a carload of concentrates will be marketed daily." (Salt Lake Mining Review, December 30, 1901)
1902
"May Day Mining Co. --
Mine office: Eureka, Juab County, Utah. J. A. Hunt, Superintendent. Is a gold and silver, making some copper as a by-product. Has a steam plant and concentrator, and employs 50 to 75 men." (Copper Handbook, Volume III, 1902, page 379)
February 28, 1902
"Another shipment went out from the [May Day] mill on Wednesday, consisting of 30 tons each of concentrates and slimes, the fourth since the dry concentrating proposition, which the major portion of the mining fraternity looked upon with distrust, was inaugurated. Mr. Fred Flindt, to whose indefatigable efforts the success of the proposition is due, is in Salt Lake to attend the sampling of the last shipment. He expects some machinery about March 1st that will enable him to greatly increase the tonnage of ores to be treated." (Salt Lake Mining Review, February 28, 1902)
May 15, 1902
"The May Day mill, at Eureka, has been closed down temporarily in order to make alterations in the plant, and the installation of new machinery." (Salt Lake Mining Review, May 15, 1902)
October 30, 1902
"Extensive alterations are being made, at the May Day mill, at Eureka, Tintic, under the supervision of George Ingersoll, M. E." (Salt Lake Mining Review, October 30, 1902)
November 15, 1902
"The ore on the 250 foot level samples close to 40 percent lead, and besides its silver values it runs about $15 a ton in gold. Some copper has made its appearance in the mass at intervals, and there is every indication that, in keeping with other properties in the lime, the red metal will predominate as depth is attained. From the bottom of the winze, 80 feet below the 250, or about 900 feet from the surface, a crosscut has already been started for the fissure, which is virgin ground to the sage brush. The dry concentrator, which has been rebuilt under the direction of Mr. Ingersoll, is being equipped with electric lights preparatory to a series of tests of the machinery, and it will be known within sixty days whether the mine management can rely on that process or must seek some other for the treatment of its large volume of milling ores. The contract with the owners of this plant expires in February, and unless they make good by then, it is, fair to presume that the management will install a plant of its own. At present but fifteen men are employed at the mine, and only sufficient ore to meet current expenses is being marketed." (Salt Lake Mining Review, November 15, 1902)
December 20, 1902
From the Deseret News, December 20, 1902.
At the May Day mine has been erected the first dry concentrating plant to be put up in the district or in fact the state, but whether the new process will be a success remains to be proven. The mill was completed early in the year 1902, and a few hundred tons of low grade ore from the May Day mine treated by the new process. The ore was reduced to concentrates in a very satisfactory manner but some of the machinery was not strong enough to stand the strain upon it and consequently had to be taken out and replaced. Other repairs have been going on at intervals during the year.
The new mill is the property of the Crown Mining and Milling company of San Francisco and is a new invention. Should dry concentrating prove a success it will revolutionize the mining industry in sections like Tintic where water is a scarce article.
A number of important strikes have been recorded at the May Day mine this year and besides the ore which has been treated at the May Day mill and May Day jigs 44 carloads have been sent to the smelter, with the new mill in operation to handle the immense deposits of low grade ore the shareholders of the May Day Mining company should soon be able to draw down some bread money in the form of regular dividends.
February 11, 1903
A fire destroyed the "Atlas Block" in downtown Salt Lake City, along with the adjacent "Central Block" which housed the offices of many mining companies, including the May Day Mining company. All of the company's maps and papers were destroyed, but "the records are safe." Other mining companies suffered complete loss of their papers, maps and records. (Salt Lake Telegram, February 11, 1903)
(The Atlas Block was a four-story building with a brick and stone exterior situated between Main Street and West Temple on the north side of Second South, at 34-38 West Second South in downtown Salt Lake City. The Central Block was located immediately west of the Atlas Block. The fire spread from the Atlas Block into the second story of the Central Block.)
(With the Wood dry concentrating process being a failure, even after the alterations in October 1902, the lease of the Wood dry concentrating mill expired in February 1903, and the leasers of May Day mine hoping to concentrate second-class milling ore also ended their lease. Later reports show that the May Day continued to ship first class ore on a very irregular basis, at times making expenses, and other times not. This lasted until the Dietz and Keedy dry concentrating mill became available in February 1907.)
March 30, 1903
From the Salt Lake Mining Review, March 30, 1903.
Tintic Miner: One of the best bodies of ore ever uncovered in the [May Day] mine was opened up thirty feet below the 100-foot level by Superintendent Matthews this week. It is a continuation of the west channel, and is a clean body of lead, the lowest sample showing the presence of 100 ounces silver to the ton. About ten mine cars of this class is being broken every shift, and the stope bids fair to rival anything yet discovered in the mine. Ore is being taken from three different points, and by the time the trails [surface roads] are in condition to haul, a couple of cars should be ready for the market. With the present prevailing prices of silver and lead, the mine should soon commence earning money toward a dividend.
It seems quite probable, too, that after the election of directors, which occurs on the 6th of next month, some plan will be adopted to get action on the milling ores, which are of a class that is easily concentrated. It has been suggested that a concentrating plant to be built and operated jointly by the May Day and Uncle Sam properties would not be a bad investment for either company, and is within the realm of the possible.
April 7, 1903
After a failed sale of delinquent stock from the company's first assessment, the old board of directors was voted out at the annual stockholders meeting. Only John A. Hunt was re-elected. The new board was made up of J. A. Cunningham, Alviras E. Snow, Edward W. Duncan, and Mathew H. Walker. (Deseret News, April 7, 1903)
June 15, 1903
"The May Day shaft is to be deepened 100 feet. A station has been cut on the 200-foot level and a donkey hoist installed. From that point the shaft will have two compartments." (Salt Lake Mining Review, June 15, 1903)
September 15, 1903
"Tintic Miner: Ore chutes put in Monday on the 300 level at the May Day, and on the following day Superintendent Matthews began hoisting shipping ore from that level. The mine should he able to make a good record during the next sixty days." (Salt Lake Mining Review, September 15, 1903)
February 28, 1905
"Tintic Miner: Uncle Jessie Knight took a fortune out of the Uncle Sam mine before he sold it and the new strike on the May Day side line where the vein leaves the May Day for the Uncle Sam has developed into one of the bonanzas similar to former days, and dividends should be in the near future." (Salt Lake Mining Review, February 28, 1905)
June 30, 1905
"The May Day and Yankee Consolidated Mining companies, operating in Tintic district, Utah, have agreed upon a vertical division line, and all prospects of litigation between these two corporations is now definitely and forever settled." (Salt Lake Mining Review, June 30, 1905)
July 15, 1905
"The May Day Mining company, of Salt Lake, has levied an assessment of two and a half cents a share, amounting to $10,000, which will be applied in the extensive development of its Tintic property." (Salt Lake Mining Review, July 15, 1905)
(This suggests that, once again, the high-grade shipping ore had run out, with low-grade milling ore again being what was being found.)
January 15, 1907
"The dry concentrating plant at the May Day has been in operation during the past week, says the Eureka Reporter, but the mill will not be running at its full capacity until a dry slime machine which is now upon the road is received and installed. The coarse jiggs have been adjusted and are working almost perfectly the tailings showing scarcely any values whatever. The dust attachment installed by Messrs Dietz and Keedy keeps the mill entirely free from dust and by settling the dust in the bag house saves what values would naturally escape. Messrs. Dietz and Keedy are very highly pleased with the prospects of treating the May Day ores by the dry process. In fact there is absolutely no question but what the mill will be a success in every way. If there m no delay in the arrival of the dry slime machine the plant should be in complete operation within a couple of weeks." (Deseret News, January 15, 1907)
February 15, 1907
"Eureka Reporter: Messrs. Dietz and Keedy, of the May Day dry concentrating plant, state that they are now turning out a splendid grade of concentrates. The mill has not been running at its capacity for the reason that the May Day Mining company, being short of coal, has not been taking out much milling ore recently. An additional set of rolls has been added to the crushing machinery and everything is now working splendidly. Within a few days the mill will no doubt be running at its full capacity." (Salt Lake Mining Review, February 15, 1907)
(The above note was the first mention in newspapers of the dry concentrating mill since the Wood process dry concentrator was mentioned in December 1902. A new design by Dietz and Keedy have put the May Day mill into good condition. The newspaper items in the interim period, 1902-1907, while reporting regular ore shipments, made no mention of the type of ore being shipped, either shipping first-class ore, or milling second-class-ore.)
March 30, 1907
"Eureka Reporter: The May Day dry concentrating plant is now turning out a splendid grade of concentrates and Messrs. Dietz and Keedy under whose personal direction the new process has been installed say that a carload of these concentrates will be shipped out next week. The lot would have probably been ready this week but for the breaking of some of the machinery. The tailings from the mill show a wonderful saving in values, in fact the plant is working almost perfectly. The dry process of Messrs. Dietz and Keedy will no doubt be the means of a great deal of money to the treasury of the May Day company as the mine contains almost an unlimited amount of low grade ore which will keep the mill busy for years to come." (Salt Lake Mining Review, March 30, 1907)
April 1, 1907
"The stockholders of the May Day Mining and Milling company elected an entire new set of directors this morning, W. S. McCornick and John Dern now being in control. These directors are: W. S. McCornick, John Dern, D. L. Fulop, B. F. Caffey and M. P. Braffet. It is predicted that at their meeting this afternoon the new board of directors will elect the following officers: President, John Dern; vice-president, B. F. Caffey; treasurer, W. S. McCornick. Of the 400,000 shares of stock 317,000 were represented in the election this morning. The annual financial report showed a balance on hand in the company's treasury between $9000 and $10,000." (Salt Lake Telegram, April 1, 1907)
April 1, 1907
From the Deseret News, April 1, 1907.
New Crowd Steps In. - John Dern is at Head of May Day Mining Company. - A stockholders' meeting of the May Day was held this forenoon in Judge J. E. Darmer's law office in the Commercial block. This meeting marked the last gathering of the stockholders with Judge Darmer as president and general manager. This afternoon all affairs pertaining to the transfer of control to John Dern, W. S. McCornick, B. F. Coffey and others will be closed up. This afternoon's meeting will be held in the May Day offices, also in the Commercial block. All officers will be elected by a new board of directors. John Dern has been named as head of the new crowd. A. Reeves, secretary of the Lower Mammoth and identified with other Dern properties, is to be secretary. The selection of officers is not a matter of great trouble as this formality has been mapped out for some time.
A financial report and a written report from Judge Darmer will be presented to the new stockholders some time today. Judge Darmer made a verbal report on existing conditions, but in this he generalized widely. He advocated a renewal of the mine's contract with the American Smelting & Refining company, explaining that the company is saving $2 and more on each ton of ore treated. The dry concentrating plant now in commission at the mine was discussed at length by Judge Darmer, who said it was doing excellent work. He said the mine was never in better condition than it is now. With these remarks he announced that he is ready to surrender the active management to his successor, whoever he might be, and closed his report predicting a brilliant future for the property and its new owners.
May 15, 1907
"Plans have been practically completed for the consolidation of the Uncle Sam and May Day mines at Eureka, Utah. A new company is to be formed, the stock of which is to be equally divided between the Uncle Sam and May Day shareholders." (Salt Lake Mining Review, May 15, 1907)
May Day Buys Uncle Sam (1907)
June 15, 1907
"The May Day Mining company, and the Uncle Sam, operating at Eureka, Utah, have consolidated their interests, the former absorbing the holdings of the latter. The directors of the May Day are John Dern, James Chipman, B. F. Saunders, George Havercamp, and Joseph Morgan." (Salt Lake Mining Review, June 15, 1907)
June 15, 1907
"The May Day mill at Eureka, Utah, is to be increased in its capacity from sixty to a hundred tons daily." (Salt Lake Mining Review, June 15, 1907)
July 30, 1907
"At the May Day, Eureka, Utah, a full face of shipping ore is showing on the 240-foot level." (Salt Lake Mining Review, July 30, 1907)
August 15, 1907
"Hon. John Dern, of Salt Lake, manager of the Uncle Sam Consolidated, the Lower Mammoth and the May Day mines in Tintic district, Utah, has returned from a visit to these splendid properties, which are all in the dividend-paying class." (Salt Lake Mining Review, August 15, 1907)
(The so-called consolidation was in fact, the May Day company buying the Uncle Sam claim and other fractional claims from the Uncle Sam company. Both companies remained in business and separate. John Dern was president of both companies, and he and his associates held majority stock and control of both companies.)
September 30, 1907
The May Day mine shipped one carload of ore during the week of late September. (Salt Lake Mining Review, September 30, 1907)
(The Uncle Sam company was not active after November 1907. The May Day company expanded its operations into the Uncle Sam property, providing a royalty to the Uncle Sam company for ore extracted. But the royalty came only after expenses, which were always comparatively high. Recall that the same persons were majority stockholders in both companies. Only the small minority stockholders differed.)
December 14, 1907
From the Deseret News, December 14, 1907.
An event of importance in the affairs of the May Day company was the passing of a control of the capital stock early in the year, which was followed by a reorganization which was effected on April 1 by the election of John Dern president and manager; B. F. Caffey, vice president; A. Reeves, secretary and W. S. McCornick, treasurer.
Among the first acts of the new administration was the purchase of the Uncle Sam and three fractional mining claims from the Uncle Sam Consolidated Mining company, including the mill owned by the latter corporation. For the purpose of paying for this property, the capital stock of the May Day company was increased from 400,000 to 800,000 shares, the entire increase going to the Uncle Sam Consolidated corporation. This transaction received the hearty approval of the May Day stockholders as the acquisition solved the problem of economic mining for the May Day company, by making it possible to operate the mine through the Uncle Sam tunnel, and doing away with the necessity of hoisting to the surface all ore, as was formerly the case.
But the acquisition of the mill, in conjunction with the cheaper mining costs, has given the company a distinct advantage. This mill has been thoroughly remodeled during the past few months and now the large reserves of low grade ores in both the May Day and Uncle Sam claims can be made commercially valuable. A high grade concentrate 1s the result of the milling of these ores and the company has been shipping an average of a car load a week, in addition to the high grade crude ore which is sent direct to the smelter.
December 29, 1907
From the Salt Lake Herald, December 29, 1907.
During the past year the most important deal with the company above ground was the sale of the Humbug claim to the May Day company, an adjoining property. The May Day purchased the claim to be able to more economically handle the ores from its mine. As it was formerly worked the ore had to be hoisted and then carried to the mill. With the purchase of the Uncle Sam claim the ore can be put through by tunnel to the shaft of that mine and thence carried to the mill, the hoisting of the May Day ore being done away with, as the Uncle Sam claim is on a much lower level than the May Day property.
It is understood the Uncle Sam company received a handsome figure for the claim sold the May Day company, and that at the price paid they could well afford to let go of the property. The claim was a good producer, however, and the May Day company purchased it as much for the mineral value or the ground its for the better facilities accorded the May Day company for handling its ore to the mill. The claim is now being worked by the May Day people and is proving a good producer.
In 1906 alone the Uncle Sam property produced about 150 cars of ore, and this amount netted the men back of the company some handsome dividends. These dividends have kept up regularly ever since, with the exception of such times as have been necessary to do development work on the property.
The mine has sent a steady stream of ore to market, and ore of a most satisfactory kind. The money that was expended for this [development] work has come back to the company ten fold, and the effects have been more than satisfactory. Already plans are being put into effect for the further development of virgin parts of the property during 1908.
(Recall that with this deal, the Uncle Sam Consolidated company held 400,000 of the 800,000 shares of the May Day company, in payment for the Humbug claim. The Uncle Sam company remained active, taking ore from its other claims.)
(Read more about the Uncle Sam Consolidated company, after the 1907 sale.)
April 15, 1908
"Supt. C. C. Griggs of the May Day property, at Tintic, Utah, has reported that sufficient ore for three years' extraction has been blocked out in the mine." (Salt Lake Mining Review, April 15, 1908)
April 25, 1908
"May Day Mining Company -- The annual meeting resulted in the election of all but two of the retiring directors. John Dern, of Salt Lake, has been made president. Last year, 153 carloads of crude ore and 15 cars of concentrate were marketed; the former bringing an average of about $1000, and the latter $1500 a carload. Six dividends were paid, totaling $64,000, and on April 1, the company had a cash balance on hand of $9084. The May Day mine is in Tintic." (Engineering and Mining Journal, April 25, 1908, page 880)
May 30, 1908
"The May Day property at Tintic, Utah, is fast getting into shape for the distribution of dividends. About four cars a week are being sent to the smelters and the mill is almost up to capacity." (Salt Lake Mining Review, May 30, 1908)
September 27, 1908
From the
Salt Lake Herald, September 27, 1908.
The May Day Mining company was incorporated in April, 1896. Considerable development was done by the old management, but the real life of the company began in April, 1907, when John Dern and associates, who already had made a success of the Uncle Sam mine, purchased control of May Day and assumed active management. Upon taking control about the first act of the new management was to close down for a time, as to production, pending the securing of modifications of the company's smelting contract and placing the mine in condition for more economical handling of the ores.
The active campaign of development undertaken resulted in speedy resumption of production, and in the paying by the company on July 25, 1907, of its first dividend, in the sum of $8,000. This was followed by monthly distributions, the amount having been raised in September, 1907, to $12,000.
This rate was continued until and including the December payment, when on account of the slump in the price of metals and suspension of operations by some of the smelters, the mine was closed down for a time.
Work was begun again in April, 1908, and in June a dividend of $8,000 was posted, with subsequent profit distributions of $12,000 a month. The company has paid altogether $108,000 in dividends, covering a working period of 16 months.
Soon after the new management took charge of the May Day the company purchased the Uncle Sam mill, together with the old Uncle Sam mine. This gave the company not only greatly needed milling facilities but provided through the medium of the Uncle Sam tunnel a far more economical method of handling the ores. The purchase was made by increasing the capitalization of the May Day company from 400,000 shares to 800,000 shares, the new issue of stock having been paid for the additional property. The investment has proven a wise one in every respect.
Since work was resumed in the mine last spring an entirely new shoot of characteristic ore has been opened in the southern end of the property, with indications that it extends virtually the full length of the estate. Aside from this at least four other workings have been in ore continuously. There appears to be no question that the mine is destined for a long life of profitable production, and it has men in charge of it who will take the best possible advantage of the resources, in the interest of stockholders.
The company now owns a total of over 60 acres on the north end of Godiva mountain, which is the center of mineralization of the Tintic district, and around which all the big mines are found. The property has five or more distinct ore bodies opened throughout the mine on the various levels, which all produce a good grade of smelting ore, besides a large tonnage of milling ore. The mine has been opened to a depth of 800 feet and a winze sunk from that level shows quartz spotted with bunches of copper ore.
The smelting ore mined by the May Day runs from $15 to $50 a ton, the average being about $25 a ton. The mill ore runs from 5 to 10 per cent lead and from 5 to 10 ounces in silver. It is a characteristic of the mine that the ore carries about one ounce of silver to each per cent of lead.
The mill has a capacity of 80 tons and from 70 to 80 tons of ore are put through each working day. The method employed is concentration, and a good saving is made by this process. The mill contains a crusher, rolls, jigs, a Huntington mill for regrinding and Wilfley tables. The mill ran on Uncle Sam ores for over six years and has run on May Day ores for over one year and more mill ore is blocked out and in sight in both mines than when the mill first began operation.
December 30, 1908
"The May Day and Uncle Sam have both benefited by the union they affected during 1907. During 1908 there have already been paid out, by these companies near $150,000 in dividends." (Salt Lake Mining Review, December 30, 1908)
January 10, 1909
"The Uncle Sam company has laid off some of its miners, and shipments are about to be stopped pending the completion of another ore contract to take the place of the one which expires on the 22nd of this month. It is supposed that development work will be continued by the company. The May Day company, as far as was learned, will continue shipments as usual." (Salt Lake Tribune, January 10, 1909)
May 30, 1909
"Eureka Reporter: Superintendent C. C. Griggs states that the shaft at the May Day has now reached a depth of 1,000 feet and that as soon as a station and sump can be cut out drifting will commence upon this level. The drift will be run a distance of about 250 feet for the purpose of opening up the body of ore which is known to exist near the Godiva line. Mr. Griggs states that the Uncle Sam mine is showing up splendidly and within the next few weeks, or as soon as a smelter contract is accepted, the shipment of ore will be resumed." (Salt Lake Mining Review, May 30, 1909)
December 15, 1909
"In the May Day, an important strike has been made, of late, and Superintendent C. C. Griggs, who is also superintendent of the Uncle Sam, announces that in the May Day a full breast of ore has been encountered in the drift off the 1,000-foot level, the ore assaying 41 per cent lead and 27 ounces." (Salt Lake Mining Review, December 15, 1909)
June 9, 1910
"At the regular directors' meeting of the Uncle Sam Consolidated company, held yesterday afternoon a dividend of 2 cents a share, or $10,000, was declared, payable on June 20, the books closing on June 13. At the same meeting it was decided to declare a stock dividend of 400,000 shares of the May Day, which has been held in the treasury of the Uncle Sam company for several years past. The Uncle Sam stockholders therefore, will get May Day stock on the basis of 8 shares for 10 of the Uncle Sam. This action is due to the necessity at the present time of assessing the May Day stock, which takes from the Uncle Sam treasury a fat sum whenever the call is made for money. This stock dividend is payable on the same dates as the cash." (Salt Lake Tribune, June 9, 1910)
(The May Day company was planning to go to a deeper depth for more ore, and to do so, an assessment of two cents per share would be levied from stockholders, including the Uncle Sam company. The assessment would raise $8,000 from the 400,000 May Day shares held by the Uncle Sam company, an amount that would drain the Uncle Sam company of its surplus, taking away its ability to pay a dividend. This change would allow the individual Uncle Sam stockholders, now May Day stockholders, to pay their own assessments without affecting the Uncle Sam company.)
(This stock trade confused the Uncle Sam stockholders, with them receiving 8 shares of May Day stock for every 10 shares of Uncle Sam stock that they owned. Some Uncle Sam were thinking they were exchanging a dividend-paying stock, the Uncle Sam, for a stock was was levying assessments, the May Day. The management of the Uncle Sam company assured the Uncle Sam stockholders that the May Day stock would not affect their ownership of Uncle Sam stock. The May Day stock would not cost them anything, and they would be free to keep it or sell it, "just as they please." -- Salt Lake Tribune, June 25, 1910)
June 10, 1910
"The May Day company has been handicapped of late, owing to the fact that 400,000 shares of its stock have been held by the Uncle Sam Consolidated company, and the officials of both organizations being practically the same, it was felt that too great a hardship would be worked against the Uncle Sam company should it be compelled to meet the assessments that are practically certain from now on until the May Day reaches new ore. To get around this difficulty the Uncle Sam directors on Wednesday last decided to hand its stockholders the 400,000 shares of May Day as a stock dividend." (Salt Lake Tribune, June 10, 1910)
July 1910
The Uncle Sam Consolidated Mining company
owned a 50 percent stock interest of the May Day Mining & Milling Co., from 1907 to 1910. In July 1910 the May Day stock was distributed to Uncle Sam company stockholders, John Dern and his associates. (Copper Handbook, Volume X, 1911, page 1715)
(This change resulted in John Dern and his associates owning more of the May Day company stock in addition to the Uncle Sam company stock they already held, and the Uncle Sam company itself not holding any May Day company stock.)
1919
From "Geology And Ore Deposits Of The Tintic Mining District, Utah," USGS Professional Paper 107, 1919.
The May Day and Uncle Sam claims are now operated by the May Day Mining & Milling Co. They are on the northeastern slope of Godiva Mountain a few hundred feet east of the Godiva mine. In 1911 the property was worked both by the companies and by lessees, twelve sets of lessees being busy between the tunnel levels and the 1,000-foot level.
The mine is opened from the north by the upper and lower Uncle Sam tunnels, at altitudes respectively of 7,115 and 6,931 feet. The Uncle Sam shaft is sunk from the upper tunnel level through the lower tunnel to a depth of 800 feet; below the bottom of this shaft the ground is opened by a winze 300 feet deep.
The May Day tunnel has its portal at an altitude of 7,142 feet, 800 feet east-southeast of the Uncle Sam shaft, and 780 feet from this portal the May Day shaft is sunk from the tunnel level to a depth of 500 feet. The workings have·a total length of many thousand feet.
The May Day claim has been worked from the May Day shaft (altitude of collar 7,655 feet), which is 500 feet deep, but it is now opened from the Uncle Sam shaft.
1919
From "Geology And Ore Deposits Of The Tintic Mining District, Utah," USGS Professional Paper 107, 1919.
Uncle Sam workings (May Day mine). The upper tunnel, the portal of which is at the shaft, altitude 7,115 feet, is long and contains many of the earlier workings. About 350 feet southwest of the Uncle Sam shaft the crosscut reaches the line of the Godiva channel, which here trends northwest. The workings extend more or less continuously for 500 feet southeast of this point. The level extends 800 feet farther south into unproductive territory and then bends east for a few hundred feet to reach the flat workings in the Humbug claim, also on the Godiva channel. These workings are in part on the level of the Uncle Sam tunnel but mainly on the Yankee tunnel level (altitude 7,019 feet).
The explorations on the deeper levels from the Uncle Sam shaft have failed to discover other ore bodies.
(William S. McCornick passed away on May 18, 1921)
(John Dern passed away on January 3, 1922, at age 71)
April 9, 1922
From the Salt Lake Tribune, April 9, 1922.
Summary of the results of the first board meeting held since 1919.
- New Board Elected: George H. Dern (President), J. C. Dick (Vice President), Sherman Armstrong (Treasurer), and A. Reeves (Secretary). (George Dern was John Dern's oldest son, and J. C. Dick was John Dern's son-in-law, and a well known mining engineer.)
- Quorum Restored: This is the first annual meeting since 1919; the new board filled vacancies left by the deaths of John Dern and W. S. McCornick, allowing business to resume.
- Recent work focused on the 1,800-foot level of the Yankee shaft. While promising quartz veins with silver were found, no commercial-grade deposits were discovered.
- Despite a year-long shutdown, management insisted the mine was not exhausted. They advocated for continued prospecting to find new ore bodies.
- All mining equipment and hoisting works remained intact and ready for future use.
Mountain View Mining Co. (1924)
(After 1924, while both mines were owned and operated by the same single company, there continued to be references to the "Uncle Sam mine" and the "May Day mine." Two separate mining claims, worked from their own shafts and tunnels, with underground crossovers in several locations.)
July 19, 1924
From the Salt Lake Tribune, July 19, 1924.
Consolidation of the Uncle Sam Consolidated Mining company and the May Day Mining & Milling company, ratified by the stockholders of the two companies about a month ago at a special meeting, went into effect yesterday [July 18th] with the meeting of the new board and filing of the certificate of consolidation.
(The special stockholders meetings were held on June 24th.)
The board of directors representing the stockholders of the two old companies voted to call the new company the Mountain View Mining company. J. C. Dick, president of the company, was elected general manager, and Fred C. Dern, secretary and treasurer, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of George F. Wasson.
In a few days Secretary Dern will send out a letter requesting stockholders of the two companies to send in their stock certificates in order that stock in the new company may be issued on the basis of one share of old stock for one share of the new.
The estates of the May Day and the Uncle Sam, situated in the Tintic District, have produced considerable ore in the past. Officials of the company believe that careful prospecting of the territory will show that the resources of the two estates have not been fully exploited, particularly in the light of recent discoveries in adjoining properties.
(Read more about the Mountain View Mining company of 1924)
1927
International Smelting company, a subsidiary of Anaconda Copper, purchased control of the Mountain View Mining company, which was an earlier consolidation of the May Day and Uncle Sam properties. (USGS Professional Paper 1024, page 155)
January 28, 1927
From the Deseret News, January 28, 1927.
The International Smelting company, a subsidiary of the Anaconda Copper company, Friday [January 28] bought control of the Yankee Consolidated Mining company from the Mountain View Mining company, it was learned. The deal was completed at a meeting of directors and stockholders of the Yankee and Mountain View mining companies this morning.
At the same time the International acquired all treasury stock of the Mountain View Mining company at 20 cents per share.
The action today completes a deal which was started a little more than a year ago, when the Yankee and old Uncle Sam properties were consolidated into the Mountain View. At that time the International acquired a lease and option on the properties and inaugurated an extensive development campaign which they have continued up to the present time.
Recent reports from Eureka state that important showings which should have considerable bearing on the future development have been opened up in the Yankee.
At conclusion of today's deal, J. O. Elton, manager of the International Smelting company, was elected president of the Yankee and J. C. Dick, vice president. A. E. Hunter, was elected secretary, A. B. Hartwick, secretary and B. H. Howell, director.
(The former May Day and Yankee mines, under the name of the Mountain View company, continued in limited production, being operated by leasers who paid a royalty to International Smelting for the ore they extracted and shipped to a smelter. There were regular reports of ore being shipped in 1940 and 1941, then again in 1957 and 1958.)
(The former Uncle Sam mine was in limited production by leasers in the 1932-1933 period.)
(During June 1958, the leasers working in the former Yankee and May Day mines shipped 60 tons from each of the two mines during the month. -- Eureka Reporter, July 4, 1958)
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