Tintic, Victor Mine
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This page was last updated on December 31, 2025.
Victor Mine
(The focus of this page is the surface workings of the Victor 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 Victor mine was regularly in the early days referred to as the Red Rose mine.)
From the USGS Professional paper 107, published in 1919.
The property of the Victor Consolidated Mining Co. consists of three narrow claims, the Boss Tweed, Victor, and Red Rose, extending side by side along the general course of the veins. The Victor shaft (altitude 7,203 feet), formerly known as the Red Rose shaft, is on the Red Rose claim and is 800 feet deep. The Victor tunnel (altitude 6,999 feet) connects with the shaft. Near by is the Boss Tweed shaft, 200 feet deep, having an altitude at the collar of 7,104 feet.
- Victor Gold and Silver Mining company (1883-1903)
- Victor Consolidated Mining company (1903-1972)
Victor Gold and Silver Mining Company (1883-1903)
January 17, 1883
The Victor Gold and Silver Mining company filed its articles of incorporation with the county clerk. The directors and officers were Nicholas Groesbeck, president; Hyrum N. Grosbeck, vice president; John A. Groesbeck, treasurer; John Morgan, secretary; with James Wilson, H. N. Green as additional directors. The property of the company was the Brazil, the Victor and the Red Rose mining claims. (Salt Lake Herald, January 23, 1883)
(No references to the company from 1883 to October 1889.)
October 16, 1889
The Victor Gold and Silver Mining company placed an assessment against its company stock of 10 cents per share. (Salt Lake Herald, October 16, 1889)
May 9, 1890
"The Red Rose is owned and worked by William Groesbeck. Assays from this mine show 300 ounces silver, $25 gold, and 36 percent copper." (Salt Lake Herald, May 9, 1890)
(No references to Red Rose prior to 1890.)
(The Red Rose mine was owned by the Victor Gold and Silver Mining company, and was not affiliated with later Victoria Mining company near Eureka. The newspapers of the period regularly confused the two.)
November 30, 1890
"The shaft on the Red Rose, owned by the Victor Mining company, is down 470 feet, and there is plenty of ore in sight. A whim has been ordered for the property." (Salt Lake Herald, November 30, 1890)
(A whim is a horse- or mule-powered windlass used to raise ore vertically from a mine shaft. A whim is the next stage of development above a man-powered windlass.)
January 11, 1891
"The Red Rose mine, owned by the Victor Gold and Silver Mining company, of which William Groesbeck is one of the principal owners, is being actively worked. A four foot vein of rich ore has been struck at the bottom of the shaft, which is 160 feet in depth, and a new 300 foot whim has just been put up. The mine is located about one-half mile south of the Mammoth and there is every indication of it becoming a fine mining property." (Salt Lake Herald, January 11, 1891)
January 30, 1892
"The Red Rose mine, in Tintic, has eight men employed at the mine. These are working on the level at the foot of the shaft, which is 380 feet deep." A drift had been run for 300 feet. The vein was four feet wide. During the past three weeks, "much ore" had been removed and stored on the surface, but due to the snow and bad and steep roads, shipping was impractical. (Salt Lake Tribune, January 30, 1892)
July 10, 1892
The Victor Gold and Silver Mining company received the patents for the Brazil and Victor mining claims from the U. S. Land office. (Salt Lake tribune, July 10, 1892)
December 24, 1892
"The Red Rose, owned by William Groesbeck, of Salt Lake, will yet prove to be little less than a marvel. It has not been a very heavy producer as yet, but can be whenever its owner desires to let the ore go out. It is now being systematically developed, and will yield abundantly during the coming year." (Salt Lake Herald, December 24, 1892)
June 21, 1893
The Victor Gold and Silver Mining company was being sued by J. M. Wheeler to collect on a $500 promissory note. (Salt Lake Herald, June 21, 1893)
(The suit was to contest a judgment in March 1893 in the favor of the Tucker & Wallace company for an unpaid debt, in which it was alleged that William Groesbeck had sufficient funds in his possession as an officer of the Victor company to pay the debt, but failed to do so. -- Provo Daily Enquirer, May 10, 1895; Salt Lake Tribune, December 19, 1895)
(J. M. Wheeler was one of the 59 signatures on the original charter of Mammoth as a city in August 1891. He was one of the incorporators, and was vice president of the South Swansea Mining company when it was incorporated in May 1896.)
(Tucker & Wallace, James Tucker and Henry C. Wallace, operated a general merchandise store and saloon in Alta, Little Cottonwood district. In April 1892, they opened a similar store in Eureka, but by June 1893, the Eureka store was $35,732 in debt from unpaid collections, thereby affecting their own credit. In November 1893, the Tucker & Wallace store and its goods were sold at Sheriff's auction. As a side note, the station of Tucker, originally known as Clear Creek, in Spanish Fork Canyon on the Rio Grande Western railroad was named for the same James Tucker, who from 1881 operated the James Tucker & Co. general merchandise store and saloon at Clear Creek. The post office at Clear Creek was renamed as Tucker in January 1882 because it was located in Tucker's store, but the railroad station remained as Clear Creek until 1899.)
August 23, 1893
The Victor Gold and Silver Mining company was purchased at a Sheriff's sale by T. A. Clawson, the son-in-law of William Groesbeck. (Salt Lake Herald, November 23, 1894)
(William Grosbeck was reported as being one of the original locators of the Red Rose claim in 1877, and one of the organizers of the Victor Gold and Silver Mining company that consolidated the Red Rose, Victor and Brazil claims in 1882. -- Salt Lake Herald, January 15, 1898)
(In July 1894, the August 1893 Sheriff's sale was contested as being fraudulent. -- Salt Lake Herald, July 3, 1894)
September 3, 1893
William Groesbeck purchased from W. L. Scott, the Red Rose mining claim, the property of the Victor Gold and Silver Mining company. - Tintic Miner." (Salt Lake Herald, September 3, 1893)
(Beginning in February 1893, there were law suits filed against William Groesbeck, seeking payment for various products and services, including his Red Rose mine. In January 1894, William and his wife lost their home as a default on a $2,500 promissory note dated June 1892. William was involved with his brothers John A. and Joseph S. in their Groesbeck Company formed in 1889. They built their store in January 1892 at 11 East 3rd South in downtown Salt Lake City. In November 1893, shares of the company offered as collateral on loans were sold at auction. In February 1894, the U. S. Marshal seized the remaining shares of the company to satisfy a judgment dating from October 1893 against a $3,500 promissory note to a bank in Park City. But the change of ownership of the company stock did not result in a change of control. The Groesbecks always held controlling interest. The fight was for ownership of the mining claims.)
October 22, 1894
"Suit has been filed in the First District court by Nelson Sandberg against the Victor Gold & Silver Mining company and other defendants [the Groesbecks and Nelson Sandberg] having an interest in the property in litigation for judgment for $6,817 balance alleged to be due him for services as superintendent and manager, and for a foreclosure of his lien upon the mining property which is located in Tintic district." (Provo Evening Dispatch, October 22, 1894)
(Nelson "Nels" Sandberg had been superintendent and manager of the Red Rose mine from its earliest days in the mid 1880s. With the Groesbeck family financial troubles, he was looking after his own interest of potential lost salary.)
November 19, 1894
"On Monday last in Nephi, Deputy Sheriff Henriod sold at auction the Victor, Red Rose, Castoria and Brazil mining claims on execution in the suit of J. M. Wheeler vs. Victor Gold and Silver Mining company, the property being generally known as the Red Rose mine. Frank Knox, of Salt Lake City, was the buyer, the price being $979.01. This is a good piece of property and we hope to see the new owner go to work on it. It can be made to pay." (Salt Lake Herald, November 24, 1894)
(Frank Knox was president of the National Bank of the Republic.)
November 23, 1894
From the Salt Lake Herald, November 23, 1894.
In the near future a suit involving the three claims in the Tintic mining district, known as the Victor group, and made up of the Victor, Red Rose and Brazil, will be tried at Provo. These mines are now being operated by leasers, and are said to be very valuable properties.
On August 23, 1893, the group was purchased at forced sale by T. A. Clawson, son-in-law of William Groesbeck, one of the chief parties at interest, and upon that sale considerable will depend. The suit spoken of is that of Nelson Sandberg vs. Victor Gold and Silver Mining company et. al., and the National Bank of the Republic yesterday filed its answer, at Provo.
President Knox, for the bank, alleges that the claim of Nelson Sandberg, plaintiff in the suit, is asserted and sought to be foreclosed for the purpose of defeating the said bank out of its just claims against William Groesbeck and also for the purpose of defeating J. M. Wheeler out of his just claim against the Victor Gold and Silver Mining company, and also for the purpose of rendering of no value the decree rendered in the Third district court of Utah, adjudging that T. A. Clawson, the son-in-law of William Groesbeck, fraudulently purchased said property August 26, 1893, with intent to defraud the creditors of the Victor Gold and Silver Mining company, and to render worthless the decree of the National Bank of the Republic against William Groesbeck, decreeing that T. A. Clawson purchased said property for William Groesbeck and that said Groesbeck furnished the consideration for the same;
...that said Clawson holds the property so purchased in secret trust for William Groesbeck and his creditors;
...that said Groesbeck is insolvent and is indebted to divers parties in sums aggregating about $100,000;
...that he has no visible means of paying the same, and that the pretended lien now asserted by Nelson Sandberg for the pretended work on the mining claims at Eureka is made by Nelson Sandberg as the willing tool of William Groesbeck, under a fraudulent and collusive agreement to protect William Groesbeck against his creditors;
...that Nelson Sandberg is prosecuting said action to foreclose his alleged lien for the use and benefit of the defendant, William Groesbeck, and that the expenses of said action of foreclosure are to be paid and borne by William Groesbeck.
Said defendant also denies each and every material allegation of the plaintiff's complaint, and alleges that plaintiff's claim or pretended claim or lien, is barred by the various sections of the statute applicable thereto.
The property is considered valuable and was recently bid in at Sheriff's sale by Frank Knox, at the time the same was advertised for sale on a judgment of J. M. Wheeler, which judgment had been established as a lien thereon.
(In May 1895, the Victor Gold and Silver Mining company filed suit against the National Bank of the Republic, T. A. Clawson, William Groesbeck, and John T. Sullivan, to stop the Sheriff from deeding the Victor mining claim to the bank, which had been sold under a Writ of Execution resulting from a judgment of an unpaid debt. The mining company claimed that the debt had been paid, but that the bank had refused the payment. John T. Sullivan was the Juab County Sheriff. -- Deseret News, May 9, 1895; Provo Evening Dispatch, May 9, 1895)
December 19, 1895
The Victor Gold and Silver Mining company owned the Victor, Red Rose, Brazil and Castoria mining claims. At the time of the sale in August 1893, William Groesbeck, president of the Victor company, had delivered a check in the amount of $1,075.75. But the check was refused by the bank as being insufficient to cover the debt. (Salt Lake Tribune, December 19, 1895)
January 3, 1896
The district court in Provo found in favor of the National Bank of the Republic, as the defendant. The court found that the plaintiff, Victor Gold and Silver Mining company, had no interest in the four mining claims (Red Rose, Victor, Brazil, Castoria), and that the title had been vested in the National Bank of the Republic. (Salt Lake Herald, January 5, 1896)
(The Victor company immediately appealed the decision, asking for a new trial, which was re-started in April 1897 in the Juab county court, then transferred back to the District Court. It further found its way to the Utah Supreme Court on appeal, which again found in favor of the mining company as defendant in July 1897 and ordered a new trial. In August 1898, the district court in Nephi passed the three court cases back to the Supreme Court on appeal, again. The Supreme Court heard arguments on September 31, 1898, and in November 1898 rendered their reversal of the district court, ordering yet another new trial. -- Salt Lake Herald, April 4, 1897; Deseret News, July 10, 1897; Salt Lake Tribune, July 11, 1897; Salt Lake Tribune, August 4, 1898; Salt Lake Herald, October 1, 1898; November 15, 1898)
May 16, 1896
The Red Rose was reported as being one of the promising properties in Tintic. From the Salt Lake Herald, May 16, 1896.
For several years work in the prospecting of the Red Rose has been carried on by William Groesbeck, David James and others. A tunnel was run some distance into the mountain, and a station made from which point the working shaft was started, from which various levels were run. The indications have been most favorable from the start, and small shipments of high grade ore have been made, but mineral in paying quantities was never uncovered.
The lack of means, however, and the crash that came in 1893, retarded the development of the Red Rose, and eventually it became swamped in litigation, which went through its weary length in Provo last winter, the result being that the title to the mine was vested in the National Bank of the Republic, of this city, and yesterday, in behalf cf the bank, Mr. E. O. Lee of the well known law firm of Booth, Lee & Gray, went out to Silver City for the purpose of taking possession of the same.
This he had no difficulty in doing, and before leaving he placed the property in charge of Messrs. Stewart and Burk, two Ajax miners, who will employ their time in cleaning out the old workings of the mine preparatory to increasing the force and developing the mine in a systematic, manner.
July 10, 1897
"In the case of the Victor Mining company vs. the National Bank of the Republic, involving the ownership of the Victor, Red Rose and Brazil Second mining claims in the Tintic district, Justice Hiles today remanded the case to the lower court for a rehearing." (Deseret News, July 10, 1897)
July 10, 1897
The Utah Supreme Court reversed the lower court's decision concerning the National bank's title to the mining claims in question. This placed the mining claims back in Sandberg's possession due to his previous judgment lien for unpaid services. (Salt Lake Herald, July 11, 1897, "yesterday")
August 21, 1897
"Nels Sandberg, who recently came into the possession of the Red Rose mine on a judgment against the Victor Gold and Silver Mining company, commenced work on the property last Friday. The Red Rose has considerable of a record as a shipper, and with intelligent working might become a paying proposition." (Salt Lake Tribune, August 21, 1897)
October 2, 1897
"R. G. Wilson, Ed F. O'Brien and Joseph Wilson have taken a lease for one year on the north end of the Red Rose mine from Nels Sandberg, and will commence work at once." (Salt Lake Tribune, October 2, 1897)
January 14, 1898
"The National Bank of the Republic has purchased Nels Sandberg's interest in the Red Rose mine, the same amounting to about $8,000. The Red Rose is the property of the Victor Gold and Silver Mining company." (Deseret News, January 14, 1898)
From the Salt Lake Herald, January 15, 1898.
Eureka, Utah. Jan. 14. — Nels Sandberg has sold to the National Bank of the Republic his claim against the Red Rose mine, amounting to nearly $8,000, and has severed the last tie that bound him to a property that for 15 years has been the idol of his heart.
The Red Rose is the property of the Victor Gold & Silver Mining company, and is a close neighbor of such mines as the North Star, Boss Tweed and Carisa. It consists of the Red Rose, the Victor and the Brazil No. 2, joining the Boss Tweed on the west and the Carissa on the south.
These claims were located by three separate parties, in January, 1877, and in 1882 were consolidated through the efforts of Sandberg and incorporated under the name of the Victor Gold & Silver Mining company. The Groesbeck Bros., are the principal holders of the stock. An immense amount of development work has been done on the property, and large shipments of some of the richest ore that ever came out of a hole in Tintic have been taken from the Rose.
For the past five years it has been tied up in litigation; the bank secured a judgment against the company for over $700 several months since. Sandberg’s claim was for labor performed and supplies furnished. He is an old employee of the Groesbeck family, and for some time operated a mine of his own in Big Cottonwood district, which he still owns. With a settlement of the litigation and vigorous research, the Red Rose will again become a steady producer.
January 23, 1898
From the Salt Lake Herald, January 23, 1898.
For the past four years, since 1893, the Red Rose mine has been the subject of litigation and suit after suit has been tried involving all or nearly all of this property, and with varying success to the various interested parties, and the end is not yet seen. During all these years the development of the mine has largely been lost sight of if not almost entirely neglected, while at times no work in its operation has been done.
It is stated that ever since 1890 the Red Rose has been in charge of Nels Sandberg, who has been acting as superintendent of the property, and it is learned that Mr. Sandberg, to protect his interests, has filed mechanics liens on the mine for more than $6,800, and that these liens are now in process of foreclosure in the courts, the same having been assigned to and purchased by Frank Knox, of the National Bank of the Republic, who will now push the foreclosure to a final determination as rapidly as possible.
Every one familiar with the Red Rose is aware of the labor and efforts of Mr. Sandberg in the discharge of his duties in the operation and development of the mine, and it is understood that in selling his liens upon the same he was not actuated by any lack of faith in the property, but on account of the delays incident to the enforcement of the liens, and his financial condition compelled him to sell the same in order that he might obtain means to save other mining interests held by him in this state.
February 12, 1899
From the Salt Lake Herald, February 12, 1899, citing a recent issue of the Tintic Miner.
A deal was consummated recently whereby the famous old Red Rose mine passed into the hands of two gentlemen of great wealth, push and energy. Messrs. A. W. McCune of Salt Lake and W. L. Hoge, a Montana banker, are the purchasers, and will, in a few days, begin the active development of the property, which lies but a short distance from the shaft house of the Star Consolidated. A steam hoist will be installed as the initial step, to facilitate the sinking of the old shaft, which is 300 feet deep, and the old ore-bearing chutes in the upper workings will be traced to the deep.
The Red Rose is one of the oldest of Tintic producers, and is yet a splendid property. A great deal of high-class ore has been shipped from the upper workings, mostly by leasers. For several years it has been in litigation, but these matters are adjusted. Messrs. McCune and Hoge have put $2,500 into the treasury as a starter, and their names are a sufficient guarantee that the name of the Red Rose will ere long enter the rapidly increasing list of shippers. This is but the initial step of these gentlemen, who unite with their expert, Mr. Carl Hand, in considering this the most wonderful mineral belt in the Rocky Mountains.
(This sale was apparently when the National Bank of the Republic, and Frank Knox its president, after winning in three separate trials between 1896 and 1898, disposed of their interest in the Victor Gold and Silver Mining company. The court cases continued working their way through the courts, with a final decision coming in October 1901, with new trials ordered in both cases, two and a half years after the mine was sold to the McCune interests. There was no further coverage in the newspapers, which suggests that both cases were settled, especially since Sandberg has died in July 1901, eight years after the original law suits were filed.)
(Research suggests that McCune and his associates saw the potential of the Red Rose mine and worked with the various courts and law firms to delay resolution of the court cases, to drive Frank Knox and the National Bank of the Republic out of the picture and keep them from taking possession of the mine. More research is needed to determine how well the Groesbecks survived the legal mess.)
February 14, 1899
The Victor Gold and Silver Mining company held a special shareholders meeting to amend it articles of incorporation to increase the shares to 500,000 shares, from its original 100,000 shares. John A. Groesbeck, Jr., was still the company secretary. (Salt Lake Herald, January 23, 1899, with daily notices)
August 5, 1899
"It will be but a very few days now before Superintendent Treloar has the Red Hose mine in condition to resume profitable work. At present the underground force of men are pushing the work on the incline — re-timbering, relining and straightening as much as possible. As soon as work is completed sinking and drifting will be resumed from the 400. In the meantime the shaft house, boiler and engine room and tramway running over the road is being finished, which, together with timber and carpenter shop and new boarding house, presents a very different appearance than it did in that locality some few months ago. The Red Rose is conceded as a sure shipper by fail." (Salt Lake Herald, August 5, 1899)
December 18, 1899
"The Red Rose mine at Mammoth operated at present by the Victor Mining company, has ordered a new five drill air compressor with the required number of Rand drills. The shipment was made a few days ago from the Denver house of Trent Engineering and Machinery company." (Deseret News, December 18, 1899)
February 26, 1900
"Robinson. Feb 27. - Yesterday workmen, while drifting off the 400 level, broke into what at first appeared to be commonly known locally as a 'bug hole.' It became apparent that a large cavern had been encountered. A shot had located the immense chamber by blowing downward, and as quickly as an opening had been made sufficiently large to admit a man's body, and the distance to the floor determined by dropping stones, a ladder was lowered, and Mr. Treloar went below into the great white chamber, as still as death, sure that the foot of man had never trod before." The cavern was estimated to be 150 feet long, at least 75 feet wide, and 30 feet top to bottom. It was unusual in that the cavern contained white upward pointing stalagmites, instead of the more usual downward pointing stalactites found in other caverns of the district. Observers were strongly reminded of majestic white tombstones. (Salt Lake Herald, February 28, 1900)
May 3, 1900
The Victor Gold and Silver Mining company levied an assessment against company stock of 3 cents per share, with June 6th as the deadline. Delinquent stock would be sold at auction on June 26th. (Salt Lake Herald, May 5, 1900)
(The delinquency notice showed that Reed Smoot held 24,000 shares, or 5 percent of the company, and E. R. Eldredge held 19,000 shares, or 4 percent.)
July 22, 1900
"E. V. McCune was at the Red Rose mine Sunday. The property has been closed down indefinitely, for what reason is unknown." (Salt Lake Tribune, July 22, 1900)
April 22, 1901
"Mammoth Record: The starting up of the Red Rose mine, which will take place next Monday, April 22nd, will bring on a few changes in the positions of some of the men in the camp. Joseph Treloar resigns his position of foreman at the Carisa to accept the superintendency of the Red Rose. Ben Jamison, foreman at the Spy, will take Treloar's place. Alexander Sutherland, one of the shift bosses, fills the vacancy made by Jamison, while J. L. Blosser was promoted to night shift boss to fill Sutherland's place. We congratulate the boys on their promotions. " (Salt Lake Tribune, April 22, 1901)
April 29, 1901
The Victor Gold and Silver Mining company levied an assessment against company stock of 2 cents per share, with May 29th as the deadline. Delinquent stock would be sold at auction on June 19th. (Salt Lake Herald, April 30, 1901)
(The delinquency notice showed that T. A. Clawson held 89,000 shares, or 18 percent of the company.)
June 14, 1901
The Victor Gold and Silver Mining company was shown as owning the Red Rose property, near the Carisa. A. W. McCune was president of the company. (Deseret News, June 14, 1901)
August 5, 1901
"E. V. McCune has returned from an examination of the Victor, or Red Rose mine at Tintic." "The Victor adjoins the Carisa on the south end, and has yielded profits to leasers for several years. Mr. McCune became heavily interested in the property about two years ago, and has refused several handsome offers for his interest." McCune was reported as searching for an extension of the Carisa ore chute on the Red Rose side of the line. A drift, 500 feet below the surface had been driven to the north, toward the Carisa property. In the past few days, bunches of copper had made their appearance. (Salt Lake Herald, August 5, 1901)
September 5, 1901
The Victor Gold and Silver Mining company levied an assessment against company stock of 3 cents per share, with October 6th as the deadline. Delinquent stock would be sold at auction on October 25th. (Salt Lake Herald, September 6, 1901)
(The delinquency notice showed a wider variety of shareholders, but T. A. Clawson still held 1000s of shares of the company, likely still in the interest of his in-laws, the Groesbecks.)
November 30, 1901
"The Victor mine of Tintic, formerly known as the Red Rose, made its initial ore shipment under its new management last week, the consignment embracing three cars of good copper associated with the other metals. According to all accounts, the mine is looking well with good ore reserves in sight." (Salt Lake Mining Review, November 30, 1901)
December 29, 1901
"Victor. - This mine, known locally as the 'Red Rose,' lies south of the Carisa and is believed to hold one section of the vein that has been found in that mine. E. V. McCune holds a large majority of the stock. It is still in the prospect stage, but it is being worked from the 300-foot level, and is developing ground 300 feet lower than any workings in the Carisa. In an upraise from that level a fine body of ore was broken into in September that showed a combined value in copper and -silver of over $50 per ton. Since that time not much has been given to the public regarding it." (Salt Lake Herald, December 29, 1901)
May 9, 1902
The Victor Gold and Silver Mining company levied an assessment against company stock of 3 cents per share, with June 9th as the deadline. Delinquent stock would be sold at auction on June 30th. (Salt Lake Herald, May 12, 1902)
(The delinquency notice showed a wider variety of shareholders, with most holding 100 to 500 shares, and owing the assessment of $3 to $15. Other delinquencies show that similar minority stockholders usually defaulted on the assessment, and their shares were subsequently sold at auction.)
February 1, 1903
From the Salt Lake Tribune, February 1, 1903.
The Victor and Boss Tweed mining companies, that have been at logger-heads for several months, have agreed to bury the hatchet, consolidate their holdings, and to operate them in future under one flag.
This agreement was arrived at during the afternoon at a meeting of Vivian McCune, representing the Victor Mining company, and Willard F. Snyder, in behalf of the Boss Tweed, each exercising the authority reposed to them by more than two-thirds of the stock of the respective companies, the agreement reached by them to be submitted to the share-holders for their ratification. Thus is practically terminated a scrap that, however friendly, has retarded the development of a most valuable area of Tintic territory and bereft not a few of at least temporary employment.
Immediately the agreement is ratified, the amalgamated company will be launched as the Victor Consolidated, with 750,000 shares, the shareholders in the original companies to receive share for share. In other words, under the terms of the agreement the shareholders of the Victor, which is capitalized at 500,000 shares, are accorded two-thirds of the consolidated company, those of the Boss Tweed, capitalized at 250,000 shares, one-third.
In the meantime active operations will be resumed at once under the superintendency of Joseph Treloar, who has served the Victor during its period of development, the marketing of ores to begin as soon as the machinery can be warmed up and the forces gotten into the stopes.
According to the management there is now reposed in the properties between the 250 and 400-foot levels nearly 100,000 tons of ore, the shipments that have been coming to the smelters revealing as much as 20 percent copper, $4 gold and 7 ounces silver. As is well demonstrated, the ore-bearing channel over which peace has been finally restored is none other than that from which the Carisa has mined a fortune and which should be made to afford early dividends.
February 3, 1903
A special meeting of shareholders was held on March 10, 1903 to vote on the proposal to consolidate the Victor Gold and Silver Mining company, with the Boss Tweed Mining company. The president of the company was absent from the State of Utah, with T. A. Clawson, Earl V. McCune, and John A. Groesbeck, Jr., as directors and stockholders, calling the special meeting in the absence of the president. (Salt Lake Herald, February 3, 1903, with daily notices through March 10th.)
(Read more about the Boss Tweed mine)
(No further reference to the Victor Gold and Silver Mining company until March 1910, when it was shown among thousands of corporations in default for non-payment of the Utah state corporate license fee.)
Victor Consolidated Mining Company (1903-1972)
March 10, 1903
The consolidation of the two companies was completed at a meeting. The officers elected were: E. V. McCune, president; H. P. Henderson, vice president; J. A. Groesbeck, secretary; C. O. Ellingwood, treasurer; plus W. S. McCornick as an additional director. (Deseret News, March 11, 1903, "yesterday")
March 20, 1903
The Victor Consolidated Mining company filed its articles of incorporation. (Salt Lake Telegram, March 21, 1903, yesterday")
March 31, 1903
"A contract was closed yesterday between the Bingham Consolidated smelter and the Victor Consolidated Mining company, whereby the high-grade copper output of the latter will be treated by the Bingham smelter. The management of the Victor contemplates forwarding about eight cars of ore a week." (Salt Lake Telegram, April 1, 1903, "yesterday")
July 12, 1903
A good vein of "fine copper ore" was discovered at the 500 level. The vein was on the Boss Tweed side and was three to five feet thick, and would be developed to determine its length. In another part of the Victor mine, in the neighborhood of the Carisa mine, timber sets and stopes were being put in to mine the existing and known vein, with the stopes filling a space of 125 feet above the 300 level. The ore body had an average thickness of 25 feet, right up to the Carisa line. The lines between the Victor and Carisa were established by joint survey "a good while ago" and while the ore chute had undoubtedly come down through the Carisa into the Victory company's ground, the Victory company was making no attempt to reach across the line. (Salt Lake Herald, July 12, 1903)
(Crossing the line to follow a vein upwards would have been legal under the apex law, but would most assuredly result in expensive litigation between the two companies.)
July 17, 1903
A third ore vein was discovered in the Victor Consolidated mine, and development would continue with raises up from the 500 level, and winzes down from the 300 and 400 levels. The mine was making enough money to cover expenses, which meant that no assessments would be needed. "We are marketing enough ore to meet expenses and when we get in shape for it, the output will be increased." (Salt Lake Herald, July 17, 1903)
December 19, 1903
During the 1903, the Victor mine shipped "130 carloads of rich ore." (Deseret News, December 19, 1903)
(The above same news item reported that it was the Red Rose and Victor that were consolidated to prevent litigation, instead of the correct Victor and Boss Tweed mines.)
April 8, 1904
The Victor Consolidated Mining company levied a 1.5 cent per share assessment against its stock, with the purpose being to raise $11,250 to continue development. The extensive development work has reduced the production from the mine, creating the need for the assessment. During the past week, two carloads of ore had been sent to market. (Salt Lake Herald, April 8, 1904)
(There was a second, a third, and a fourth assessment levied in 1906 and 1907, each for 1.5 cents per share. A fifth assessment was levied in 1908 for 1/2 cent per share. The reduced shipments throughout 1904-1908 had been in response to reduce company income during the Harriman litigation; see below.)
(Research suggests that, like almost all assessments against mining stocks, the real purpose was to reduce minority shareholders, allowing the company officers and directors and their associates to buy the delinquent shares at public auction and further consolidate control with fewer shareholders.)
March 29, 1906
"E. V. McCune, son of A. W. McCune, died [at age 29] in New York last week. The deceased was born in Nephi thirty years ago, and at the time of his death was manager of the Victor Consolidated mine at Mammoth. The funeral services were conducted at Salt Lake on Tuesday. The deceased leaves a wife and one child." (Eureka Reporter, April 6, 1906)
October 17, 1906
"Victor Con. Plans. - According to reports, A. W. McCune, Jr., is to manage the newly organized Victor Consolidated mine, in the Tintic district of Utah, and Joseph Treloar will be superintendent." (Salt Lake Telegram, October 17, 1906)
January 10, 1907
"Eureka, Jan 9. — The main shaft of the Victor Consolidated mine at Mammoth is to be sunk from the 500 to the 800 level to tap a continuation of the ore shoot from the Carisa mine which has been struck in the winze at the depth of 700 feet, where some splendid copper ore has been encountered. As soon as the 800 level is reached drifting will be commenced in the direction of the ore bodies. A donkey engine will be installed on the 500 level to facilitate the work. A new 80-horsepower boiler is being placed in position and the force at the mine is to be materially increased. The outlook for the coming year at the Victor is very blight." (Salt Lake Herald, January 10, 1907)
May 24, 1907
"The seizure on Wednesday of the Victor Consolidated mining property by the sheriff to satisfy an old judgment of something like $38,000, came like a thunderbolt in a clear sky as far as the local talent were concerned. Victor was on the upward trend, the stock was going up nicely whatever the incentive, when the news came. Then it was different. It was stated yesterday that the company was taking heroic means to prevent the sale of the mine within the next few days. The legal points involved are interesting and numerous, and seem in a fair way to be threshed out before long." (Salt Lake Tribune, May 24, 1907)
May 25, 1907
"Eureka, May 24. - Work is to be resumed at the Victor Consolidated mine tomorrow. The property was levied upon by Sheriff Henroid Wednesday, an execution having been issued from the Third District court at Salt Lake to satisfy a judgment of $41,123 in favor of Frank Harriman. Now it appears that a motion for a new trial was pending when the order was issued and the order has been revoked." (Salt Lake Herald, May 25, 1907)
(The "writ of execution" was recalled the next day, pending a re-trial, and work at the mine resumed within two days. The law suit, brought by the heirs of Joseph Harriman, had been to contest the consolidation of 1903, and the amount asking to be recovered represented the current value of the Boss Tweed stock, instead of the value of the stock at the consolidation with the Victor company; $38,000 current value vs. $2,225 value at time of consolidation. The court's decision, in favor of the mining company, was that the amount owed was the smaller figure. The Harriman heirs refused the payment, and a new trial was ordered. A settlement was reached in May 1908, and the payment was $3,500. The settlement was accepted in August 1908, and the Victor Consolidated Mining company was free of litigation. -- Salt Lake Telegram, June 3, 1907; Salt Lake Tribune, July 31, 1907; Eureka Reporter, May 15, 1908; Salt Lake Herald, August 9, 1908)
August 26, 1907
"A very Important strike was made in a winze from the 800 level of the Victor Consolidated mine last Saturday. The ore carries values in copper and silver, and is probably the most important strike that has been made in this mine in recent years. Superintendent Joseph Treloar stated yesterday that the ore body was widening out, and that it has all the appearance of being permanent." (Salt Lake Telegram, August 26, 1907)
November 13, 1908
"Victor Consolidated To Resume Production. - The company is resuming operations at its Tintic mine. The Victor has a good body of 14 percent copper ore to draw upon, but when copper last year sustained its grand drop in price the management closed its mine in disgust. With the recent improvement in the metal market, however, the Victor is in position to handle its ores at a fair profit, hence the resumption of operations." (Salt Lake Herald, November 13, 1908)
December 6, 1908
"Superintendent Joseph Treloar has just received the returns from the three carloads of ore which have been sent out from the Victor Consolidated mine within the past ten days. The ore carried 10 per cent copper, 3 ounces silver and about 60 cents in gold. Mr. Treloar is now mining a nice face of this same character of ore in a raise from the 800 level and another shipment will be ready within a short time. The Victor company's ore is going to the Yampa smelter at Bingham but as soon as the copper furnace at the new Tintic smelter is blown in a portion of the ore will be sent to the plant." (Salt Lake Herald, December 6, 1908)
(The Yampa smelter began operation in late 1903, and closed in August 1910)
(The Tintic smelter began operation in June 1908, and closed on October 1909)
April 11, 1913
"Two blocks of ground in the Victor Consolidated mine at Mammoth are now being worked under the leasing system. Sterling Smith is operating on the 300 level and Richard Berlin and Robert Sullivan are working on the 700 level. These lessees have a fairly good showing of cooper ore." (Eureka Reporter, April 11, 1913)
May 9, 1913
From the Eureka Reporter, May 9, 1913.
Maurice Anderson, of Eureka, is now rounding out plans for the development of the McHatton group of claims which adjoin the Carisa and Victor mines. Mr. Anderson has leased the ground and proposes to organize a company for the purpose of carrying out a campaign of work. He has already interested a number of local people in the enterprise and expects to have one of the strongest leasing companies ever organized in Tintic.
One of the drifts from the 300 leve1 of the Victor Consolidated mine extends over into the McHatton ground for a distance of nearly 100 feet and it is thought that arrangements can be made whereby the work can be handled through the shaft of the former company.
The McHatton ground came in for some development work a year or two ago, the work at that time being handled through the Carisa shaft.
Some fairly good ore was located from the Carisa side but the ore was necessarily handled at a disadvantage and consequently it could not be shipped at a profit. Low grade ore is now visible in the face of the drift, from the Victor's 300 level and unless all indications are misleading, only a small amount of prospecting will be needed to get into a higher grade product.
(The "McHatton ground" was the Trip mining claim, which adjoined the Carisa claim directly to the northwest. It had been located and registered by Frank McHatton in January 1890. The Roberts Brothers had owned the Carisa since 1873, and had been successfully shipping from the Carisa since the mid 1880s. In 1901, the Carisa company bought McHatton's Trip claim. Frank McHatton was also the vice president of the nearby Iron Blossom mine.)
August 15, 1913
From the Eureka Reporter, August 15, 1913.
Messrs. Anderson, Scott and Bergstrom who recently took a lease upon the McHatton ground in the central part of the district with the intention of operating through the Victor Consolidated mine are getting things in shape for the shipment of ore. They have been busy during the past two weeks in cleaning out an old drift, which a number of years ago was driven over into the McHatton ground from the Victoria's 300 level. Fully 250 feet of this drift had to be cleaned out, retimbered and equipped with rails and track, but within a day or two the lessees hope to be at work in the face of the drift where there is a fairly good showing of of lead-silver ore.
Mr. Anderson states that the ore which is in sight in the face of this drift should be going for $40 or $50 per ton. It was opened several years ago by the Victor Consolidated people who stopped work when the drift reached the ground owned by the neighboring company.
The McHatton ground is practically surrounded by producing properties and there is no reason why it should not become productive. As recent as last year some development work was done on this property by lessees who at that time had a working agreement with the Carisa company. A cave in the Carisa workings put an end to work which the lessees were doing.
October 5, 1913
"The lessees of the McHatton property who are operating from the 500 level of the Victor Consolidated mine at Mammoth, have sent out one carload of fairly good ore, and at the present time they are driving toward the north through a highly mineralized formation with splendid possibilities for making a very good strike. The ore which has already been shipped carried gold and silver, but the values were rather low. The work which the lessees have already done has resulted in the opening of a considerable quantity of this low grade ore, which they may be able to ship at a profit." (Salt Lake Herald, October 5, 1913)
December 12, 1913
"Work has been suspended on the McHatton ground, which for the past few months has been worked through the Victor shaft. Messrs Anderson, Scott and Bergstrom of Eureka had a lease on the McHatton claims and while they were able to take out four or five carloads of ore the deposits were so bunchy that they found it rather difficult to make a profit on their work. Some of the ore went very well in silver, carrying as high as thirty ounces, and while there is a well defined vein in which the ore should make, the lessees felt that they could not afford to continue the work." (Eureka Reporter, December 12, 1913)
December 20, 1913
"Lessees of the Victor Consolidated mine at Mammoth were on the market this week with a carload of ore which was mined in the old Boss Tweed section of this property. The ore was not of a high grade, carrying but 3 or 4 percent copper in addition to the small silver and gold values, but the deposit is of such size that the ore can be handled at a good profit." (Deseret News, December 20, 1913)
August 26, 1915
From the Eureka Reporter, August 27, 1915.
$15,000 Fire At Victor Cons. - Blaze started on 300 level, burning its way to the surface through shaft; the hoisting works destroyed.
Yesterday afternoon the hoisting plant at the Victor Consolidated mine, at Mammoth, was completely destroyed by fire, and the loss will no doubt amount to almost $15,000.
The blaze started on the 300 level where Cowan and Hanson were operating a lease and within a very short time the shaft timbers were burning. The leasers tried hard to check the flames and finding this impossible they made their way to the surface through the Carisa. Had it not been for the opening between the Victoria and Carisa mines they would undoubtedly have lost their lives.
The flames spread rapidly in the dry shaft timbers and soon the blaze made its appearance on the surface, completely destroying the hoisting machinery and the shaft house. The other mine buildings such as the blacksmith shop, ore bins and bunk houses were saved, volunteer firemen from Mammoth doing good work despite the fact that there was no water with which to fight the flames.
The loss is not in any way covered by insurance as the Victor mine has been idle for a number of years, except for leasing operations. Recently Earl McIntyre, of Mammoth, secured a lease on the entire property, with the privilege of sub-leasing the various levels, and Cowan and Hanson had secured permission to operate on the 300 level. The leasers are unable to say just how the fire started.
A. W. McCune, formerly of Salt Lake, owns the controlling interest in the Victor.
September 2, 1915
"Fire developing from a candle left burning by leasers on the 300-foot level of the Victor Consolidated mine at Mammoth, Utah, entailed a loss estimated at $8,000 to $10,000. Rising through the main shaft of the mine, the fire destroyed 300 feet of timbering, wrecked the main hoist and destroyed the blacksmith shop together with four other small buildings at the head of the shaft." (Washington County [St. George] News, September 2, 1915)
December 6, 1915
The Board of directors of the Victor Consolidated Mining company levied Assessment No. 6 against the company stock, in the amount of 1.5 cents per share. The deadline was January 19, 1916, and the sale by public auction of delinquent stock set for February 7, 1916. (Deseret News, December 20, 1915, with daily notices through January 19th)
(This assessment in 1915, being seven years after Assessment No. 5, indicates that the mine was either shipping regularly, or was inactive, with both being the likely case, depending on the market price of the metals being mined.)
January 21, 1916
From the Eureka Reporter, January 21, 1916.
When the directors of the Victor Consolidated Mining company levied the assessment which became delinquent on Wednesday of this week it was generally understood that one of the companies owning adjoining territory was making an effort to get an option on the property and recent developments seem to hear out such a theory. The claims of the Victor company are well located with reference to some of the important mines of the district and these claims have already produced a large amount of ore.
During the latter part of last year the Victor shaft house was destroyed by fire and the machinery practically ruined otherwise there would undoubtedly be some leasing operations under way in this ground at the present time.
Money which the pending assessment will bring into the treasury will be used in the payment of debts which the company has outstanding and consequently nothing can be done toward replacing the hoisting equipment. If work is taken up on the ground within the next few months it will have to be handled through one of the adjoining properties.
February 8, 1916
From the Salt Lake Herald, February 8, 1916.
Up to a short time before the time advertised for the sale of the delinquent stock of the Victor Consolidated Mining company there were about 135,000 shares upon which the recent assessment was delinquent. Several checks were received in the last hour and this amount was cut to 119,413 shares. These were offered and sold, or such portion as was necessary to cover assessment and cost. The heaviest purchasers were W. H. Child & Co., who were not backward in bidding near market prices.
President J. S. Wells of the company said yesterday that this levy will bring in approximately $11,000. The object is to wipe out all indebtedness, which it will do. The management has not yet completed plans for a resumption of work by the company.
For the past several years leasers have been shipping from the Victor in a small way. The control of the company is with A. W. McCune. McCune was general manager and J. A. Groesbeck is secretary.
The property consists of five patented claims surrounded by Iron Blossom, Black Jack, Carisa and Gold Chain. The property is opened to the 300-foot level, where has been done considerable work, from which ore has been shipped over several years.
October 18, 1916
Joseph S. Wells, president of the Victor Consolidated Mining company. Born in May 1862, he died at age 54 from pneumonia on October 18, 1916, having suffered from the illness for several days. After graduating from the University of Deseret, he held several clerk positions until he became secretary of the street car company, Salt Lake City Railroad company in 1889. He remained in that position when the company was changed to Utah Light & Railway, and during the take over of the company by E. H. Harriman when it became the Utah Light & Traction company. At the time of his death he was general manager of the street car company as well as holding directorships with other business enterprises in Salt Lake City, including being a director of ZCMI. (Salt Lake Herald, October 18, 1916)
(This shows that the Victor Consolidated Mining company, which was owned by A. W. McCune, was firmly in the control of the high-level business leaders in Salt Lake City.)
December 30, 1917
"The Victor Consolidated Mining company is owned by A. W. McCune of Salt Lake City, and during the past year no work has been done by the company, all of the operations being carried on by leasers, who have marketed thirty-four carloads of ore during the year. Much of the ore which has been sent out by the Victor was picked from the dump and shipped by Earl McIntyre." (Salt Lake Tribune, December 30, 1917)
(Assessment No. 6 was levied against company stock on September 10, 1926, in the amount of 5 cents per share of stock. The deadline for payment was October 20, 1926, and the public auction of delinquent shares was set for November 8, 1926)
March 28, 1927
Alfred William McCune died at age 77.
(Read the Wikipedia article about A. W. McCune)
July 31, 1928
"Victor Mining Co. Control Bought by International. - The International Smelting company has purchased a controlling interest in the Victor Consolidated Mining company, from the A. W. McCune estate. It was reported in authentic circles Tuesday. The mine, which is located in the Tintic district, has been idle for many years, but was a producer of rich copper ore in the early days. The mine never was developed to depth and it is believed that the smelting company acquired the property for development along with other mineral tracts in the vicinity which it controls." (Salt Lake Telegram, July 31, 1928)
June 3, 1929
From the Salt Lake Tribune, June 3, 1929.
Eureka. — Joseph Treloar, a prominent resident of Tintic for the past 36 years, died at his home here today [at age 67]. Mr. Treloar sustained a hip injury in a cave-in in the Grand Central mine in April and was confined to the Holy Cross hospital for several weeks. He never fully recovered from his injuries.
Mr. Treloar was born in Wendron, Cornwall, England, May 21, 1862. He came to this country in 1884, first going to Marysvale, Montana, later to Lead City, South Dakota, and to Eureka, Nevada. In 1893 he came to Mammoth, where his brother, Nick Treloar, had charge of the Mammoth mine. He was superintendent of the Victor Consolidated mine for 20 years and held the same position at the Gemini mine a number of years.
Mr. Treloar is survived by his widow, Mrs. Annie Tregoning Treloar, and two sons and two daughters. Several brothers and sisters living in England survive.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday morning [June 4th] in the Methodist church in Eureka. The cortege will drive to Salt Lake, where a short graveside service will be held under the direction of the Masonic lodge. Burial will be in the family plot in the Mt. Olivet cemetery.
March 25, 1963
The stock of the Big Hill Mining company, the Mountain View Mining company, the Swansea Consolidated Mining company, and the Victor Consolidated mining company, were all de-listed from the Salt Lake Stock Exchange, effective March 25, 1963. "Robert P. Woolley, president of the exchange, said de-listing requirements involved the number of stockholders, the number of assets and the issuance of an annual report." (Salt Lake Tribune, March 13, 1963)
(The action suggests that the stock was all in the hands of either International Smelting, or directly with Anaconda.)
(After 1928 the Victor Consolidated Mining company was owned by the International Smelting company, a subsidiary of Anaconda, but it was never among the Knight and later North Lily properties controlled by International Smelting and later Anaconda. It was finally merged into Anaconda in 1972.)
(Research suggests that the Victor mine was never in full production again after the 1915 fire that destroyed it hoist house and upper parts of the shaft. Any ore shipped was on an irregular basis by leasers, accessing the mine through adjacent properties, namely the Carisa.)
November 29 1972
"Anaconda Considers A Merger. - Consolidation of various subsidiary companies that hold mining properties in the Tintic Mining District is being considered by the Anaconda Company. Clark L. Wilson, manager of Anaconda's Utah operations listed the following companies that would be affected:" (Deseret News, November 29, 1972)
The former Knight North Lily companies were:
Big Hill Mining Co. (Knight North Lily)
Defender Mining and Milling Corp. (Knight North Lily)
Empire Mines Co. (Knight North Lily)
Eureka Swansea Extension Mining Co. (Knight North Lily)
Middle Swansea Mining Co. (Knight North Lily)
New Southern Eureka Mining Co. (Knight North Lily)
North Godiva Consolidated Mining Co. (Knight North Lily)
North Lily Mining Co. (Knight North Lily)
Swansea Consolidated Mining Co. (Knight North Lily)
Tintic Drain Tunnel Co. (Knight North Lily)
Those that were not former Knight North Lily companies were:
Dragon Consolidated Mining Co.
East Tintic Coalition
Eureka Bullion Mining Co.
Mountain View Mining Co.
Tintic Central Mining Co.
Twentieth Century Mining Co.
Victor Consolidated Mining Co.
Yankee Consolidated Mining Co.
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