P a g e 4 G h o s t T o w n s a n d H i s t o r y o f M o n t a n a N e w s l e t t e r of ore, assaying $20,000 per ton, at one time flourished, and while another proposition yielded $92,000, the management was so gross that $120,000 was expended in obtaining it. From such facts everything was abandoned, not on account of any fault in the ore, but by a misplaced confidence in the workings. From days of placer excitement to the more somber but not less profitable era of quartz mining, such has been the story of the evolution of these camps up to the 13th of June, 1897, when Ethan H. Cowles arrived at the camps, having purchased the Poorman and Yellow Jacket in the Boulder Organized district for $30,000—both patented mines— and a five-sixths interest in two placer claims, which has since developed into his ownership. Some time during the summer of 1897 the Livingston National bank of Livingston sold to Mr. Cowles at receiver's sale the Hidden Treasure mine, together with a tenstamp mill and some improvements, for about $1,000, the mill alone costing originally $10,000. Cowles’ Placer Mine In working his placer mines during the latter part of September, 1898, Mr. Cowles discovered a lead to his Hidden Treasure, calling it Hidden Treasure No. 2. Up to date he has uncovered this vein 48 feet wide and 200 feet long, not knowing its depth—the deeper into the earth, the richer it becomes. During the summer of 1899 he took up a fractional claim between Hidden Treasure and The Daisy, calling it Hidden Treasure No. 3, also making a relocation of an abandoned claim, calling it Hidden Treasure No. 4. The entire property of Cowles' Camp should have been named "Visible Treasure" instead of Hidden Treasure, as its entire surface is either paying placer or gold-bearing rock, including twelve quartz and three placer claims. When first purchased, the ten-stamp mill was situated some distance from the mine, and Mr. Cowles at once began to lay plans for removing it nearer to the mine and thereby lessen the expense of working the ore, finally concluding that the proper place would be 110 feet down the hill from the Hidden Treasure mine. This mill when completed and in running order will be fitted up with the most modern machinery, the ore needing no handling until it comes out as concentrates. Among his latest improvements is the Eureka process for treating pulp, and a Cammett concentrator. As the property has exceeded the wildest expectations of its owner, he is now drawing the plans for an additional forty-stamp mill fitted upon the same plan as the present active one. When Mr. Cowles took possession of this mining proposition it can be said that he knew nothing of the mining industry; but owing to his perseverance and decisive method of procedure, it is evident that he now has a well-assured fortune at his feet. Authorities on mining came from afar to examine the property, and his mines have already received a wide reputation. Its startling possibilities were brought about by no expert or none other than Mr. Cowles himself, who has triumphed in spite of the many failures before him.
5 Publizr Home