Tintic, Tesora Mine

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This page was last updated on March 16, 2026.

Tesora Mining Company

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

October 1, 1870
"The Tesora was located Oct. 1, 1870, by John Wilson and the Blackett Bros. Like many other Silver City properties it has produced large quantities of high grade ore practically from the surface. The Tesora was purchased by Chicago parties in 1880 and the Tesora company organized. The latter company still owns the property. It was leased in April, 1896, by Park City people, who formed the Independent-Tesora Mining company, and work has been continued until quite recently. Owing to the encountering of a strong flow of water in the shaft and the company not being prepared to properly equip the mine, the lease was forfeited several weeks ago and is now lying idle." (Salt Lake Herald, April 12, 1897)

March 22, 1880
"The Tesora mine, Tintic, has been sold to Chicago parties, who have incorporated it under the name of the Tesora Mining Co. The property was sold by Mr. Blanchard, recorder of the district, and has produced about $35,000 worth of ore. The ore goes from $50 to $60 per ton and carries gold silver and copper." (Daily Ogden Junction, March 22, 1880)

July 30, 1896
"Independent-Tesora Mining company was organized in Park City. Capital, $150,000, divided into 150,000 shares. G. D. Gregor, president; J. W. Cain, vice-president; K. A. Kjos, treasurer; A. Leichter, secretary. The company owns the Independent, Tesora and Tesora No. 2 claims in the Tintic district." (Inter-Mountain Mining Review, July 30, 1896)

September 7, 1896
"The Independent-Tesora Mining company of Park City, whose property is located at Diamond in Tintic mining district held a meeting Tuesday evening at Dr. G. D. Gregor's office. Besides hearing and acting upon the manager's annual report, a new board of directors were chosen, as follows: G. D. Gregor, K. A. Kjos, A. Leichter, John Nimmo and Victor Holmquist. The old officers will all be re-elected with the exception of the general manager and foreman, which office will go to a new man." (Salt Lake Tribune, September 7, 1896)

April 3, 1897
"A. Leichter and Dr. Kjos of the Independent-Tesora Mining company were down from Park City last Sunday. As a result of their visit the work on the Independent-Tesora property has been suspended and the machinery has been transferred to the Treasure Leasing company. The machinery is now being erected on the Valley claim, which is being worked by the latter company, and we are advised that the principal stockholders of the Independent-Tesora will go into the Treasure Leasing company." (Salt Lake Herald, April 3, 1897)

January 13, 1899
"The articles of incorporation of the Tesora Mining company have been prepared, and will be filed today. The company will base its formation on a group of claims in Tintic district, north of and adjoining Treasure Hill and the Shoebridge Bonanza, the lodes in question being the Tesora, the Independence, the Gold Field, Flagstaff and Snowflake, the Tesora being the chief claim in the group, as in its operation in the early days of mining around Silver City it has a record of an output of 3,000 tons to its credit, the value of the ore being placed at $50 to the ton, at the least. The official roster of the association being as follows: J. H. Stallings, president; C. K. McCormick, vice president; J. T. Hodson, secretary and treasurer; J. H. Stallings, Jr., and George Sutherland." (Salt Lake Herald, January 13, 1899)

February 8, 1899
"The Tesora Mining company is making arrangements for the installation of a steam hoist on the property which will be able to handle two cages in the operation of the mine, in the extensive development of which a double compartment shaft is being sunk to the deep as rapidly as possible under the direction of Contractor G. S. Hays." Hays was also given a temporary lease on the old workings of the property. He was planning on shipping "several cars of high-grade ore on the Salt Lake market from this portion of the property, in which, it is reported, considerable first-class mineral is in sight. Mr. Hays will pay the company a good royalty on all ore marketed by him from these old diggings." (Salt Lake Herald, February 8, 1899)

July 18, 1899
The Salt Lake Tribune of July 18, 1899, reported on the revival of the Tesora Mining Company's operations at the Tintic mining district, after being abandoned for roughly a decade due to flooding. The mine was once a prolific producer, shipping large amounts of ore to Pueblo, Colorado, before the water "misfortune" had forced its closure. The mine has been reopened under new management.

Modern pumps have been installed in the Independence shaft to manage the water issues that previously halted work. Water had been encountered at the 225-foot mark. The so-called "shaft" was really a gently inclined tunnel.
Preliminary findings show promising ore quality, specifically 13 percent copper, 15 ounces of silver, and $3 in gold per ton.

September 1, 1899
David Evans was reported as having a financial interest in the Tesora mine, along with John T. Hodson. "The mine sent out two cars of ore yesterday, and could send forward two more today if inclined. During the last five days, the mine shipped six cars of ore. The company had decided to continue sinking in the Tesora shaft. Two shifts would be put in the drift running toward the Independent, extracting ore. Some ore was cut Tuesday that gave assay tests of 30 per cent copper. Each shift in the Tesora makes the property look more and more like a big mine." (Salt Lake Herald, September 1, 1899)

December 6, 1899
The Tesora Mining Company purchased a high-capacity "Snow station pump" to manage water levels within their mine. The pump with its 14x16 bore and 12-inch stroke, could move 350 gallons per minute and operate at depths of up to 1,000 feet. The mine's 300-foot level currently saw a flow of 100 gallons per minute. Management was being credited for their foresight in, six months before, installing a six-inch water line and a 3-inch steam line that can now accommodate this more powerful machinery. The previous pumping system only had a 200 gallons per minute capacity. (Deseret News, December 6, 1899)

December 31, 1899
From the Salt Lake Herald, December 31, 1899.

In just one year, the Tesora Mining Company went from a newly formed company with idle ground to a fully equipped operation with a splendid shaft house and modern machinery.
The Independent claim, just northeast of the present Tesora shaft house, had been worked by the original owners, who had, previous to disposing of the claim, opened a chute of fine copper.
Soon after the first of the year the new vertical shaft was started, and in a short time thereafter the shaft house and other buildings near erected. Early in the summer, under the management of J. H. Stallings, the gently inclined Independent tunnel was opened, cleaned out and work resumed, more for the purpose of determining the general course of the vein and the character and extent of the ore find, than anything else.
At the time vertical shaft had reached a depth of 250 feet, at which time the continuity of the ore chute was established. The ore had not only increased in volume, but had materially improved in value.
Extensive prospecting enabled Mr. Stallings to market several cars of fine copper ore which netted the company a very handsome revenue. About this time Mr. Stallings resigned and was temporarily succeeded by his son, who was occasionally assisted by John T. Hodson, but as the situation became complicated, requiring the guidance of one who had served many years in the harness, Mark Hopkins was secured.
In the meantime the shaft had, or soon after Mr. Hopkins' coming, reached the 300 level, from which point the ledge was again cut. Troubles began with an excessive flow of water and annoyances in the shaft, but which had been addressed.
By the end of 1899, a shipment of three cars of ore from the 250 and 300 levels, was about to be marketed.
Despite attempts by some brokers to "bear" (drive down) the stock price, the mine's high profitability, estimated to be $75 per ton, suggested a very strong financial future. While Eastern investors held significant stock, the company remained under the local control of Stallings, Hodson, Evans, Dickson and Clarence McCornick, all of Salt Lake.

January 17, 1900
At the annual meeting of the Tesora Mining company, the stockholders learned that it had cost $39,000 to sink their tunnel down to 300 feet, and drive 300 feet of drift, and that the company was now $10,000 in debt. "The control has now passed into new hands, consisting of the following officers and directors: George Sutherland, president; Clarence K. McCornick, vice president, and D. H. Peery, Jr., secretary and treasurer. These officers with J. H. Stallings and John T. Hodson form the directorate. It is the intention of the management to push work in the shaft, which will be continued down to the 500-foot level as fast as practicable. This will prove whether the stockholders have the making of a mine as they feel they have." (Deseret News, January 17, 1900)

(On January 16, 1900, the Tesora board of directors levied a 3 cents per share assessment on the company stock, with a deadline for payment set as February 16, 1900, and a delinquent sale set for March 5, 1900. The list of delinquent shares, numbering well into the 1000s of shares, was almost solely for stock owned by Hodson, and members of the Stallings family. A second assessment of 2-1/2 cents per share was levied on June 12, 1900, with a deadline of July 12, 1900, and a sale date of July 28, 1900.)

December 15, 1900
"The Tesora Mining company of Tintic has shipped 1,012 tons of ore from its mine to the Bingham Copper & Gold Mining company's smelter near Bingham Junction since Nov. 1st, and regular and heavy consignments are still being made. The company recently consigned four carloads of a different character and grade of ore to the Dewey mill at Bingham for experimental treatment, and, if the same is a success a similar plant will be put in at the mine, in the workings of which large volumes of low grade concentrating ore are exposed It is possible that this ore can be treated at the smelter, which will embrace tables and jigs in its equipment." (Salt Lake Mining Review, December 15, 1900)

December 19, 1900
"The Tesora Mining company of Tintic has purchased the Cornucopia and Treasure Hill claims, which adjoin the Tesora property on the south, for a consideration of $40,000 for the two claims. Both of the newly-purchased properties are old producers to the water level. The Treasure Hill was made very prominent in earlier days by high-grade gold ores that were encountered in one chute and by high-grade silver and lead ores in a parallel chute. Both of these bodies were worked to the water level, and after some pumping had been done, work was suspended. The mine has now been idle for a long time. The Cornucopia contains high-grade silver and lead ore. The mines are just outside of Silver City. The Treasure Hill will be reached at the 600 level by a drift off the 400 level of the Tesora mine." (Salt Lake Tribune, December 19, 1900)

February 28, 1901
"L. G. Burton, of Palmer, Burton & Anderson, of this city, located the site last week for the new mill for the Tesora Mining company of Tintic." (Salt Lake Mining Review, February 28, 1901)

May 31, 1901
"The new Tesora mill is said to be almost ready for work. It will probably be started up before the 10th of June. Its capacity is 100 tons per day. From this tonnage Mr. McVichie expects that the mill will net about $450 per day. About 10,000 tons, or 3 months ore, is now lying on the dump. The new mill will cost about $20,000 when completed." (Deseret News, May 31, 1901)

July 3, 1901
"The Tesora management will experience no difficulty in putting as much as 125 tons daily through the mill, while the trial to which the plant has been subjected during the past few days has demonstrated that the concentration of the low grades is with results infinitely better than had been predicted." (Salt Lake Tribune, July 3, 1901)

November 20, 1901
"The mill on the property of the Tesora Mining company at Tintic is reported doing better work daily with a car of concentrates coming from the tables every twenty-four hours." (Salt Lake Tribune, November 20, 1901)

November 26, 1901
From the Salt Lake Tribune, November 26, 1901.

The Tesora Mining Company has levied a massive, immediate assessment of 20 cents per share on its stockholders to raise $80,000.
The $80,000 assessment payable in one lump sum reflects a debt that is urgent, and the directors believed it the better course.
Despite having promising ore bodies, "The company has had a persistent and expensive volume of water with which to contend. This was what ate into the earnings, and while shipments were regular and the smelting charge almost ridiculously low on a comparison with others, the profit margin was narrow. It was finally decided to construct a mill with which to concentrate the low-grade ores, and the indebtedness was again added to. Worst of all, the mill has been a failure."
The company had hired Mr. Flemming (noted for his success at the Silver King mine at Park City) to remodel the mill. The management was banking on his expertise to save the company from its "in the red" status.

December 13, 1901
"The management of the Bingham Consolidated Mining company has clearly demonstrated its faith in the future of the Tesora Mining company of Tintic by handing over a check of $46,200 in response to the recent assessment. The Bingham Consolidated controls 231,000 shares of the Tesora and as a consequence paid as an assessment nearly one-half the total amount called for." (Deseret News, December 13, 1901)

(Research has not yet found a reference for when the Bingham Consolidated Mining company bought an iterest in the Tesora Mining company at Tintic. But it was likely in this period of December 1901.)

January 12, 1902
"Over 100,000 shares of stock of the Tesora Mining company went under the hammer at yesterday's delinquent sale to satisfy an assessment of 20 cents a share, practically all of it going back into the company's treasury on the bids of its representatives. It is said that $60,000 was derived from the assessment, and that it leaves the company with an indebtedness at this time of over $40,000." (Salt Lake Tribune, January 12, 1902)

(This suggests that a $60,000 portion of the assessment was paid, but that 100,000 shares were still sold as being delinquent.)

March 1, 1902
"The Tesora concentrator at Bingham [sic: Tintic], to which some additions were made recently under the direction of J. B. Fleming, is now running satisfactorily. About 100 tons of ore are treated daily, resulting in some thirty-odd tons of concentrates." (Mining & Scientific Press, March 1, 1902, page 121)

April 02, 1926
"The Tesora Mining company, owning property in the south end of this district, has been made the defendant in a suit filed by the Bingham Mines company. The latter company seeks to collect four notes aggregating $164,180.50, the first of the notes having been given in December, 1921, and the last in March of this year. For some time the Tesora has been under the control of the Bingham Mines and the latter company financed the last work that was performed on the Tesora claims. It is generally understood that the suit is more for the purpose of quieting title and bringing the Tesora group of claims into the Bingham Mines tract than anything else. Such action will likely result in the wiping out of the Tesora company." (Eureka Reporter, April 02, 1926)

(The four notes were in the amount of $806; $162,514.38; $225.91; and $635. The first note was given on December 31, 1921, and the last on March 1, 1926.)

(The Sheriff's sale took place on the steps of the Juab County courthouse in Nephi on June 26, 1926. The Bingham Mines company was the only bidder, thus taking full possession and ownership of the Tesora claims, property, and surface facilities. The mining claims included the Indepentant Lode, the Goldfield Lode, the Snowflake Lode, the Flagstaff Lode, and the Tesora Lode.)

March 15, 1927
"There has been charged off $231,527.37 capital loss, covering our investment in the Tesora Mining Company, which investment was acquired by the Bingham Mines Company at time of organization." (Salt Lake Mining Review, March 15, 1927, excerpting the 1926 annual report of the Bingham Mines company).

June 15, 1929
At the time of the purchase of the Bingham Mines company by the United States Smelting Refining and Mining company, "In Tintic, Bingham Mines owns the Eagle & Blue Bell, the Victoria, the American Star, the Harrington and the Tesora." (Salt Lake Tribune, June 15, 1929)

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