Grass Valley High School - Stray Leaves Yearbook (Grass Valley, CA)

Page 25 text:

I The Empire Mine, once known as the Ophir Hill Mine, was located in 1850 by George D. 'K S Roberts The mine changed hands in 1851, and' H f later more ground we puzch sed By 1900 it ,fe . t u-....... 'K fr S ' 9, . ' ,bougpf ,,.., gp had secured the claims and lodges of various other fplwim- QW mines. oOne of the most important men contribut- 'l rh Www ' ing to the success of the Empire was William B. ' Bourne. In spite of the fact that mine experts' ' declared that the Empire was no good. Bourne reorganized the company, and he was rewarded in 1883 when the mine became rich. He then bought the North Star property. . The North Star Mine was formerly known as Lafayette Hill and' was discovered in 1851 by a frenohman, Pelletier, thus causing it , to be often called the French Lead. It was closed about forty years ago and was later reopened by public subscription by Mr. Hague, and by Mr. Arthur D.-Footeg engineer and superintendent for many years. It produced largely after that. Mr. G. W. Starr brought about a great new development in the mine which still conf tinuee. 1 Today these mines, the Empire and the North Star, are giving successful production under the general management of Mr. Fred W. Nobs. Q For years mules have been used in the Grass Valley mines. They have become accustomed to this type of living and when taken into tho mines, they are kept thoro u til they die. One of those mules, Jasper, is of particular interest. Jasper greatly-enjoys a chew of tobapco and often will not work unless it is given to him. ' 'A o s ' The North Star, the Empire, and the Idaho- .MM ix-irzrylund are the most important mines in Grass Q ' V Valley and their development has caused Grass mga! wa I nl Q Valley to grow from a meager mining camp tp a 'gi ?iwjQm42 1' ?'l33 1 -2- ey 3 bemztiful town of perria- ' H gg, git 1 M3 nent homes and happy people. 55mi5hETtQ5W't r ' 5 -.'.:Z ' , ' f - -