Tintic, McChrystal Mines

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This page was last updated on November 12, 2025.

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McChrystal Mines

(The focus of this page is the surface workings of the Tintic mines developed by John McChrystal and his sons John H. McChrystal and Jackson C. McChrystal, as visible in photographs, as well as a general description of the mine, with minimal coverage of the geology and financial returns. Also to establish a timeline using sources not previously readily available.)

The properties in Tintic developed by John McChrystal include:

May 10, 1891
"The Eagle. -- It has leaked out that Prof. Keyes, the eminent geologist, who visited the camp last week, ostensibly for his own pleasure, was in reality here to examine the Eagle mine for California capitalists, who desire to purchase. The Eagle is owned by Captain John and John H. McChrystal, and is held at $300,000 - a very conservative figure. If the company are satisfied with the professor's report he will return and make a more exhaustive examination, and the deal - if it is a go - will be closed in about two weeks." (Salt Lake Herald, May 10, 1891)

(There was a brief mention of John McChrystal being president of the newly organized Swansea Mining company in 1892, but research suggests that he held the position for only one year.)

McChrystal & Company Mercantile

The Tintic Mercantile company began in 1884, as a partnership of John McChrystal and Cusick, with John H. McChrystal as its first manager, and W. R. Wallace as its bookkeeper. McChrystal bought out Cusick's interest in 1893 and the store became the McChrystal & Co. Mercantile. The mercantile business, but not the building and real estate, was sold in November 1928 to Abe Wolfe, who formed the Tintic Mecantile Company.

John McChrystal (1832-1896)

John McChrystal (21 September 1832 – 14 July 1896) (LX3Q-6N4)

John McChrystal was well known as one of Utah's sturdy pioneers. He had lived in the Tintic district near Eureka, where he had large mining and other interests for over twenty years, and scarcely a man, woman or child in the country around but knew and respected him

John McChrystal first arrived in Tintic in 1877 (or 1875), and was one of the pioneers of the camp. While in the employ of the Eureka Hill mine as its superintendent he made a study of the geologic conditions of the entire Tintic district, after which he located and directed the preliminary workings of the Gemini mine, along with later properties that included the Godiva, the Eagle & Blue Bell, the Ridge & Valley, and the Uncle Sam. John Q Packard was associated with McChrystal in the development of the Gemini, the Godiva and the Eureka Hill mines. (Salt Lake Tribune, December 31, 1916)

March 24, 1879
"The Gemini lode was located March 24, 1879, by John Q. Packard and John McChrystal, and forms the nucleus of the magnificent property of the Gemini Mining company. The Gemini or Keystone, as it is familiarity called, is one of Tintic’s wonderful bonanza producers, and is credited with the payment of over $600,000 in dividends, although, as it is a close corporation, exact figures are difficult to obtain." (Salt Lake Herald, July 26, 1897)

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)

1883
"The Eagle and Blue Bell lodes were located in 1883 by John McChrystal and Owen Donahue. These claims, with seven others, form the Eagle group, for which $500,000 was refused about five years ago. They have a record of a production of over $40,000 in gold ore and are regarded as being the best speculative property in Tintic district." (Salt Lake Tribune, September 6, 1897)

January 25, 1887
"Tintic Notes. Eureka. There are three mercantile stores, kept respectively by A. Marks; John Beck; and McChrystal & Co., the last named, however, doing a large proportion of the trade." (Provo Territorial Enquirer, January 25, 1887)

July 7, 1888
The Gemini Mining company filed its articles of "agreement." The new company owned the Red Bird, Talisman, Cornucopia, Keystone and Gemini mining claims in the Tintic District; also the Alpha, Talisman and Voltaire mill sites, also in Tintic. John Q. Packard, president, held 3,727 shares of the initial 5,000 shares; John McChrystal, vice president, held 1,243 shares. (Salt Lake Herald, July 7, 1888)

(In 1888 John McChrystal was superintendent of the Gemini property and the Eureka Hill mine. The population of the Tintic district in 1888 was estimated at 2,500 to 3,000 people.)

In 1890, the the building of a two-story brick block by McChrystal and Co., at a cost of $10,000, was among the more substantial improvements at Eureka. (Salt Lake Tribune, January 1, 1891)

March 22, 1891
"The business men who compose the camp are: John McChrystal general merchandise and miners supplies. He has just moved into a new building, one of the finest in the camp." (Salt Lake Herald, March 22, 1891)

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)

July 10, 1892
Noah McChrystal (1869-1898) -- "At the corner of the two principal streets in Eureka stands a store that for elegance of appearance and cleanliness and completeness of the stock makes one think he is in a metropolis again. We refer to the wholesale and retail firm of John McChrystal, a house so well known that praise of it is unnecessary. The manager, Mr. Noah McChrystal, is a young man who for solid enterprise and goaheadativeness is a way out of the ordinary. He commenced his commercial career when about 10 years of age [1879] and his shrewd and far-seeing ability soon manifested itself. In 1888 he took charge, though still a boy [age 19], and has caused his parents as well as the citizens of Eureka to be proud of their enterprising young merchant." (Salt Lake Herald, July 10, 1892)

In 1892, at Eureka, the McChrystal Company erected a new building at a cost of $3,000.00. This would eventually house the Tintic Mercantile store, later it was an Amoco gas station. (Salt Lake Tribune, January 1, 1893)

(The building previously occupied by the McChrystal store, but still owned by him, was destroyed by fire on December 24, 1892. The fire started in western portion of the building, which was being used by a laundry. -- Salt Lake Herald, December 25, 1892)

June 9, 1893
"Rumors are afloat that work will shortly be commenced on the Eagle, at Tintic. This property has produced much high grade ore in the past, and John McChrystal, the owner, predicts that it will turn out the best paying property in the camp." (Salt Lake Herald, June 9, 1893)

John McChrystal was mayor of Eureka (1894-1896)

January 6, 1895
"The veteran John McChrystal is superintendent of two great mines - the Eureka Hill and the Keystone - John Q. Packard is president and R. J. Hilton is secretary of both the properties. Workings on the Eureka Hill commenced away back in 1872. There are eleven levels in this mine, and it employs about seventy men all told. The Keystone employs about fifty-five men. John McChrystal is not alone superintendent of two great mines - he is mayor of the town - a hustler of the type that counts in more ways than one." (Salt Lake Herald, January 6, 1895)

July 14, 1896
John McChrystal died suddenly of heart failure on June 14, 1896 while standing on the dump of the Eureka Hill mine, directing work being done on account of a sudden cloudburst. He fell to the ground and was taken immediately to a nearby cottage. He died within three minutes. He was 64 years old. The Gemini, Eureka Hill and Godiva mines were closed until July 20th, the Monday following his funeral on July 16th. (Salt Lake Tribune, July 15, 1896; Salt Lake Herald, July 16, 1896; Salt Lake Tribune, July 18, 1896)

In 1928 the Tintic Mercantile store was sold to Abe Wolfe by the McChrystal Investment Company." (Eureka Reporter, November 1, 1928)

Sarah Ann Hancock McChrystal (1843-1923)

Sarah Ann Hancock (10 February 1843 – 29 December 1923) (LX3Q-6K1)

Sarah McChrystal, John McChrystal's widow, was involved with some of his companies as an officer or as a member of the board of directors.

December 29, 1923
"News of the death of Mrs. Sarah A. McChrystal, 875 East First South Street, widow of John McChrystal, famous mining man of this state, at Los Angeles, has been received by M. K. Parsons from his son, E. C. Parsons. Mrs. McChrystal left Salt Lake about a month ago for Los Angeles, where she had been spending the winter with her daughter, Mrs. E. C. Parsons. She had been ill only a week when she died. The remains will be brought here for burial. Mrs. McChrystal is survived by the following children: Mrs. W. R. Wallace of Salt Lake City, Mrs. E. C. Parsons and Jackson McChrystal, both of Los Angeles; Dr. Alex McChrystal of Eureka, and Mark McChrystal of Los Angeles." (Salt Lake Telegram, December 29, 1923)

Upon her death, her estate consisted of full ownership of the Godiva Mining company, and the McChrystal Invetsment company. These holdings were devided equally among her children and grandchildren in the form of shares in each company.

John H. McChrystal (1863-1920)

John Henry McChrystal (1 April 1863 – 27 January 1920) (L7GN-V8H)

John H. McChrystal's name first shows up in online newspapers in June 1885 when the Gladstone Mining company filed its articles of incorporation. The incorporators included Simon Bamberger, J. E. Bamberger of Salt Lake City, and John H. McChrystal of Eureka. (Salt Lake Herald, June 10, 1885)

John H. McChrystal was shown in July 1885 as an election judge in Eureka, Juab County. In October 1885 he was appointed by the Utah Governor as a notary public in Eureka.

March 8, 1887
John H. McChrystal applied to the U. S. Land Office for a patent on the Blue Bell mining claim, 1500 feet by 200 feet. The nearest known location was the Eagle mining claim. (Provo Territorial Enquirer, March 8, 1887)

(During November 1888, John H. McChrystal was shown as superintendent of the Eureka Hill mine.)

December 1, 1890
"The Iron Blossom mine, Tintic, has been sold by Peter E. Williams for the sum of $15,000. Mr. J. M. Hamilton of this city went to Provo Saturday and completed the business by securing the deed for the property. The purchasers are H. Hefner of this city and John H. McChrystal of Eureka. This mine has long been known as a good property, and lies between the Governor and Northern Spy. It has pay ore exposed, and will be improved and extensively developed as soon as possible." (Salt Lake Tribune, December 1, 1890)

June 12, 1891
"John H. McChrystal purchased of Norman McLeod last Thursday his one-third interest in the Victoria for $3,000. The Victoria lies just above the Eagle, and is now owned by John H. and Noah McChrystal. They have a force of men at work taking out ore and developing the property. The owners informed a Miner reporter that they intended to do a large amount of work on this property this season and feel confident of making it one of the best paying mines in Tintic." (Tintic Miner, June 12, 1891)

January 24, 1920
John H. McChrystal was reported as being critically ill with influenza. The entire towns of Eureka, Silver City and Mammoth, "or any other part of the Tintic mining district" was quarantined from the rest of the state. No one was allowed to leave the towns. Notices had been sent to all boards of health within the state, and to the railroad companies. (Deseret News, January 24, 1920)

January 27, 1920
From the Salt Lake Tribune, January 28, 1920.

John H. McChrystal, 57 years of age, Utah mining man, died at his home in Eureka last evening of pneumonia, after a ten days' illness. Mr. McChrystal was manager of the Gemini Mining company, the Ridge & Valley Mining company and the Godiva Mining company at Eureka.

He came to Utah in 1875. He was born at Franklin, Michigan. His early education was received in the public schools there and he completed his education after coming to Utah. His great-grandfather was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. His mother's maiden name was Sarah A. Handcock.

Early in his life he entered the mining business, and before long he had attained the highest ability in his line. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Salt Lake Commercial club and the American Institute of Mining Engineers.

He is survived by his wife, his son, Captain Arthur J. McChrystal of Fort Douglas; two daughters, Mrs. Leo McNamee of Las Vegas, Nev., and Miss Isabella McChrystal, who is a student at St. Mary's academy; his mother, Mrs. Sarah A. McChrystal, 875 East First South street; his sister, Mrs. W. R. Wallace, 64 Ninth East street, who is now in New York, and his brother, Jackson C. McChrystal, 1001 East South Temple street.

The funeral will be held in Salt Lake and announcement of time and place will be made later.

(Mrs. John H. McChrystal moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where she purchased a home. Her daughter, Mrs. Leo McNamee, was a resident of Las Vegas. -- Eureka Reporter, April 16, 1920)

Jackson Carlos McChrystal (1866-1928)

Jackson Carlos McChrystal (28 October 1866 – 10 July 1928) (LX3Q-83G)

The mines sold to the Chief Consolidated company in 1922 had been under the active management of Jackson McChrystal, who came to Eureka with his parents in 1877 at age 11.

Jackson C. McChrystal was born in Hancock, Michigan, October 28, 1866, and attended the Michigan School of Mines at Houghton, Michigan, beginning in 1889, graduating in 1892. He became associated with his father in the development of Tintic district mining properties, and rose to the distinction of being one of the leading mining engineers in the west.

After graduating in 1892, by 1897 he had returned to Utah and was superintendent of the Keystone mine. By February 1898 he was superintendent of the Gemini mine. He married Edna Earls in June 1898. In July 1902 he was "of the Eagle & Blue Bell property" as well as still superintendent of the Gemini. In May 1905 he was superintendent of the Godiva mine. In February 1906 he was manager of both the Gemini and Godiva mines, and in December 1907 he was superintendent of both companies. In December 1911, he was vice-president and general manager of both companies, having been re-elected to the positions at a recent annual meeting of the two companies. In 1919 he still held the same positions with both companies.

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.

Mr. McCrystal's father was John McChrystal, who came to Utah from Michigan in 1877, and developed such mining properties in the Tintic district as the Eagle, the Bluebell, the Gemini, the Ridge and Valley, the Eureka Mines, the Eureka Hill and the Godiva. The elder McChrystal died in 1896, and by 1928 all of these properties, except the Godiva, had been disposed of by remaining members of the family.

Noah McChrystal (1869-1898)

Noah William McChrystal (2 May 1869 – 16 February 1898) (LX37-1JL)

William R. Wallace (1865-1957)

William Ross Wallace (10 December 1865 – 29 January 1957) (KWVT-HLY)

The McChrystals and W. R. Wallace began their association in September 1891 with the organization of their Tetro Mining company, with Wallace as the secretary of the corporation. He was regularly shown as secetary in many, if not most of their mining corporations.

Wallace had graduated from the Salt Lake City's University of Deseret in 1880. From January to August 1885, Wallace was a bookkeeper at the Cascade Locks in Oregon, after which he returned to Salt Lake City. Wallace was apparently a friend and school classmate of Noah McChrystal. Wallace married Annie McChrystal, daughter of John McChrystal, in March 1892. She passed away in 1933.

William R. Wallace was born on December 10, 1865, and died on January 29, 1957 at age 91.

 

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