Northern Belle Extension Mining Company Records: Finding Aid

Finding aid prepared by Max Felker-Kantor, June 16, 2009.

The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens

Manuscripts Department

1151 Oxford Road

San Marino, California 91108

Phone: (626) 405-2129

Email: reference@huntington.org

URL: http://www.huntington.org

Overview of the Collection

Title: Northern Belle Extension Mining Company Records

Dates (inclusive): 1922-1932

Collection Number: mssNorthern Belle Mining Records

Creator: Northern Belle Extension Mining Company.

Extent: 218 items in 2 boxes

Repository: The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. Manuscripts Department

1151 Oxford Road

San Marino, California 91108

Phone: (626) 405-2129

Email: reference@huntington.org

URL: http://www.huntington.org

Abstract: This collection contains records of the Northern Belle Extension Mining company, a silver mining company with headquarters in New York City and mining operations based in Candelaria, Nevada, in the Columbia Mining District during the 1920s. The collection includes four reports, financial records, ephemera, and correspondence. The majority of the correspondence is to and from William E. Pomeroy, the company's Vice President and manager.

Language: English.

Access

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Administrative Information

Publication Rights

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item]. Northern Belle Extension Mining Company Records, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Provenance

Gift of Mrs. Charles Yeatman Estate, August 27, 1968.

Cataloger's Notes

1. For the years between 1922 and 1925, the company is referred to as the Candelaria Hills Mining Company (distinct from the Candelaria Mines Company). It appears that there was a name change in 1925, coinciding with a financial reorganization of the company. Thereafter the Candelaria Hills Mining Company is called the Northern Belle Extension Mining Company.

2. References to W.E. Pomeroy are referring to William E. Pomeroy.

3. Many of the items have water damage and a number of others have been torn or otherwise damaged.

4. Most of the letters sent by William E. Pomeroy are copies of his originals and only sometimes contain a signature. However, Pomeroy has been attributed authorship in nearly all cases.

Historical Note

The Northern Belle Extension Mining Company was a silver mining company with headquarters in New York City and mining operations based in Candelaria, Nevada, in the Columbia Mining District during the 1920s. The Candelaria and Columbia district mines, the biggest of which was named Northern Belle, had been a boon to silver miners and speculators during the last quarter of the nineteenth century but production dropped off in the 1890s due to the economic downturn. The district experienced a slight resurgence in the late 1910s and 1920s when the Candelaria Mines Company reinitiated operations in the region. The Northern Belle Extension Mining Company also began operations during this period but the district never returned to its previous prosperity. The Northern Belle Extension was a small operation directed largely by two men, William E. Pomeroy, Vice President and Manager and John Winn, President and Treasurer of Northern Belle Extension Mining Company. Pomeroy was a longtime miner and resident of the American West who lived in Candelaria during the 1920s. He managed the company’s daily operations, surveying of new claims, and its business contacts in Nevada, Arizona, and California. As a prospector and engineer, Pomeroy both worked in the mining operations and assessed new areas for potential silver ore deposits. He was involved in a number of additional business ventures with individuals in Nevada and California, regarding real estate, oil leases, and swine contracting. He had business contacts in Los Angeles and on several occasions travelled between Los Angeles and Candelaria. John H. Winn lived in New York City and managed the company’s finances.

Scope and Content

The records of the Northern Belle Extensions Mining Company contain 218 items spanning the years 1922 to 1932 and are housed in two boxes. The collection is divided into three sections: Manuscripts (Box 1), Correspondence (Box 1-2), and Financial Records and Ephemera (Box 2). The manuscripts consist of 4 items and are arranged alphabetically by title. They include unpublished reports on various mining districts and geologic conditions of the ore deposits in Candelaria, Nevada and the Red Cloud Mine in Arizona. There is an incomplete report by William E. Pomeroy on his activity in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona during the 1880s entitled “A Hundred to One.” There is also an incomplete report of the history of Candelaria as well as an incomplete report on the Brown Group of Mining claims located in the Candelaria region.

The correspondence is arranged alphabetically by author and consists of 167 items. The majority of the correspondence is to and from William E. Pomeroy, the Vice President and manager of the Northern Belle Extension Mining Company. The bulk of the letters are between Pomeroy and the Northern Belle Extension’s President, John H. Winn. They discuss matters such as financing, potential new mining claims, and land and equipment purchases. Many of Pomeroy’s letters report on his work in Candelaria and his surveys of mines around the Columbia Mining District, his purchases of mining claims at the Gilbert Mines near Tonopah, Nevada, and his ventures and assessment of the Red Cloud Mine near Yuma, Arizona. Pomeroy also discusses his endeavors in business enterprises such as oil, agricultural, and real estate in California and other western states such as Arizona and Texas. The remaining of Pomeroy’s correspondence is to a number of individuals and companies related to the mining industry. The majority of the letters concern Pomeroy’s various business deals, real estate ventures, land and mining claim purchases, mining practices, geologic makeup of mining claims, and his opinion of new areas for future mining operation. Some of the individuals with who he corresponds more frequently include Edgar T. Wallace, I.J. Cambell, attorney Roland R. Wooley, and his brother F.A. Pomeroy. For most other correspondents, however, there is only a single item.

The financial records and ephemera are arranged alphabetically by type and then by date when necessary and consist of 47 items. There are a number of bills from a Candelaria retail merchant and the Reno Mercantile Company. In addition there is a contract with the Central U.S. Swine Company, Notices of Location of new mining veins found by Pomeroy, and Pomeroy’s leases of mining claims. In addition, there is one map of the Georgene Mine operated by the Northern Belle Extension Mining Company.

Subjects include: Agriculture—California; Borderlands (Mexico and U.S.); Boyle, Emmet Derby, 1880-1972; Candelaria (Nev.); Columbia Mining District (Nev.); Fairview Mining Claim; Georgene Extension Mine; Gilbert Mammoth Mine; Good Faith Mining Claim; Hawthorne (Nev.); Los Angeles (Calif.); Magma Chief Copper Company; Mina (Nev.); Mineral County (Nev.); Mines and mineral resources—Nevada—Mineral County; Odd-fellows, Independent order of; Potosi Mining District (Nev.); Red Cloud Mine; San Joaquin Valley (Calif.); Silver—China; Silver—India; Silver—Prices—United States; Silver mines and mining—Nevada; Silver mining—Mexico—1890-1930; Tonopah (Nev.); Yuma (Ariz.); Reno (Nev.).

Arrangement

Arranged in the following order:

Box 1: Manuscripts; Correspondence, “Babe” – Pomeroy, W.E. to L.W. Whiting
Box 2: Correspondence, Pomeroy, W.E. to John H. Winn – unknown; Financial Records; Ephemera

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the Huntington Library's Online Catalog.

Subjects

Boyle, Emmet Derby, 1880-1972.

Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Northern Belle Extension Mining Company.

Agriculture -- California.

Mines and mineral resources -- Arizona.

Mines and mineral resources -- Mexico.

Mines and mineral resources -- Nevada.

Silver -- China.

Silver -- India.

Silver -- United States.

Silver mines and mining -- Arizona.

Silver mines and mining -- Mexico.

Silver mines and mining -- Nevada.

Candelaria (Nev.)

Comstock Lode Mining District (Nev.)

Goodsprings Mining District (Nev.)

Los Angeles (Calif.)

Mineral County (Nev.)

Reno (Nev.)

San Joaquin Valley (Calif.)

West (U.S.)

Yuma (Ariz.)

Forms/Genres

Claims -- United States -- 20th century.

Financial records -- United States -- 20th century.

Letters (correspondence) -- United States -- 20th century.

Reports -- United States -- 20th century.

Additional Contributors

Hunt, George W. P. (George Wylie Paul), 1859-1934, recipient.

Pomeroy, W. E.

Magma Copper Company.

Indexing: Added Entries

Hunt, George W. P. (George Wylie Paul), 1859-1934

Recipient of W.E. Pomeroy letter (1926, Nov. 4) to George W. P. (George Wylie Paul) Hunt, 1859-1934. Box 1 (25)

Magma Chief Copper Company

Author on verso of W.E. Pomeroy letter (1922, Nov. 8) to Irving S. Josephs. Box 1 (26).
Author on verso of W.E. Pomeroy letter (1922, Nov. 7) to L.L. Mundy. Box 1 (34).
Author on verso of [W.E. Pomeroy] letter [1922] to [John H. Winn]. Box 2 (2).

Indexing: Subjects

Agriculture—California

Subject in W.E. Pomeroy letter (1926, Sep. 21) to Franklin Waterman. Box 1 (54).

Borderlands (Mexico and U.S.)

Subject in W.E. Pomeroy letter (1923, Mar. 7) to Kim. Box 1 (27).

Boyle, Emmet Derby, 1880-1972

Subject in W.E. Pomeroy letter (1925, Nov. 29) to John H. Winn. Box 2 (1).

Magma Chief Copper Company

Subject in W.E. Pomeroy letter (1929, Jan. 9) to Carl Lee Smith. Box 1 (50).
Subject in W.E. Pomeroy letter (1923, June 23) to John. H. Winn. Box 2 (1).

Odd-fellows, Independent order of

Subject in W.E. Pomeroy letter (1922, Nov. 7) to L.L. Mundy. Box 1 (34).

Salt Lake Smelters

Subject in W.E. Pomeroy letter (1925, Feb. 22) to John H. Winn. Box 2 (1).

San Joaquin Valley (Calif.)

Subject in W.E. Pomeroy letter (1926, Dec. 3) to Jack B. Newman. Box 1 (37).
Subject in W.E. Pomeroy letter (1926, Sep. 25) to John H. Winn. Box 2 (1).

Silver—China

Subject in W.E. Pomeroy letter (1930, June 8) to Dan Dwyer. Box 1 (19).
Subject in W.E. Pomeroy letter (1930, Aug. 28) to F.A. Pomeroy. Box 1 (40).

Silver—India

Subject in W.E. Pomeroy letter (1930, June 8) to Dan Dwyer. Box 1 (19).
Subject in W.E. Pomeroy letter (1930, Aug. 28) to F.A. Pomeroy. Box 1 (40).

Silver—Prices—United States

Subject in W.E. Pomeroy letter (1930, June 8) to Dan Dwyer. Box 1 (19).
Subject in W.E. Pomeroy letter (1930, Aug. 28) to F.A. Pomeroy. Box 1 (40).
Subject in W.E. Pomeroy (1930, Sep. 5) to Spike. Box 1 (52).
Subject in W.E. Pomeroy letter (1930, April 9) to John H. Winn. Box 2 (1).
Subject in John H. Winn letter (1923, Apr. 30) to W.E. Pomeroy. Box 2 (12).
Subject in John H. Winn letter (1929, June 5) to W.E. Pomeroy. Box 2 (12).

Silver mining—Mexico—1890-1930

Subject in W.E. Pomeroy letter (1930, Aug. 28) to F.A. Pomeroy. Box 1 (40).
Subject in W.E. Pomeroy letter (1930) to -----. Box 2 (4).

Box 1

Manuscripts and Correspondence, “Babe” – Pomeroy, W.E. to L.W. Whiting

Folder 1

Pomeroy, W.E. “A Hundred to One:” [report] [undated]. 1 item. Incomplete. Includes 1 page of alternate draft.

Folder 2

[Pomeroy, W.E.]. “Brief Report on the Brown Group of Mining Claims:” [report] [undated]. 1 item. Incomplete.

Folder 3

[Pomeroy, W.E.]. “Candelaria:” [report] [ca. 1928]. Incomplete. Damaged. 1 item.

Folder 4

[Pomeroy, W.E.]. Untitled report on Red Cloud Mining District beginning “The ore is oxidized with sulphides:” [report] [undated]. 1 item. Fragment. Incomplete.

Folder 5

“Babe.” 1 letter [undated] to [W.E. Pomeroy]. Includes envelope. Damaged. Fragile.

Folder 6

Borzynski, J. 1 letter (1923, Mar. 1) to Candelaria Hills Mines Company.

Folder 7

Campbell, I.J. 1 letter (1928, May 30) to W.E. Pomeroy.

Folder 8

Central U.S. Swine Company. 1 letter (1927, Aug. 3) to W.E. Pomeroy.

Folder 9

Ingersoll-Rand Company of California. 1 letter (1925, Dec. 24) to W.E. Pomeroy. Damaged.

Folder 10

Looney, L.L. 1 letter (1930, Sep. 26) to W.E. Pomeroy.

Folder 11

Mason Valley Mines Company. 1 letter (1926, Oct. 25) to W.E. Pomeroy.

Folder 12

New York Life Insurance Company. 1 letter (1922, Nov. 6) to W.E. Pomeroy. Signed by Edgar B. Van Wagoner.

Folder 13

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1926, Apr. 9) to George W. Allen.

Folder 14

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1931, Jan. 17) to O.J. Belleville.

Folder 15

Pomeroy, W.E. 2 letters (1928) to I.J. Campbell.

Folder 16

Pomeroy, W.E. 2 letters (1930) to Irving A. Chandler.

Folder 17

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1930, Sep. 27) to Consolidated Metals Corporation.

Folder 18

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1931, Jan. 20) to Downer bros.

Folder 19

Pomeroy, W.E. 2 letters (1930-1931) to Dan Dwyer.

Folder 20

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1929, Oct. 9) to Funk & Wagnalls Company.

Folder 21

Pomeroy, W.E. 2 letters (1930) to Guy Harkness.

Folder 22

Pomeroy, W.E. 2 letters (1925) to John A. Hassel.

Folder 23

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1930, Aug. 28) to Mamie Hendricks.

Folder 24

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1926, June 28) to Evelyn Slaughter Hobson.

Folder 25

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1926, Nov. 4) to George W. P. (George Wylie Paul) Hunt, 1859-1934.

Folder 26

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1922, Nov. 8) to Irving S. Josephs. Includes on verso Magma Chief Copper Company letter to stockholders (1921, Nov. 23).

Folder 27

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1923, Mar. 7) to Kim -----.

Folder 28

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1930, Oct. 4) to L.L. Looney.

Folder 29

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1926, Oct. 27) to Mason Valley Smelter. Attention J.C. Brumblay.

Folder 30

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1923, Aug. 18) to F.C. Masson. Damaged.

Folder 31

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter to (1928, Sep. 12) to George A. Mauk.

Folder 32

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1927, Jan. 26) to Mineral County Recorder. Damaged.

Folder 33

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1930, Sep. 4) to The Mining Journal.

Folder 34

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1922, Nov. 7) to L.L. Mundy. Includes on verso Magma Chief Copper Company letter to stockholders (1921, Nov. 23).

Folder 35

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1929, Jan. 15) to Will M. Neal. Incomplete.

Folder 36

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1923, Apr. 7) to Nevada Laboratories.

Folder 37

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1926, Dec. 3) to Jack B. Newman. Incomplete.

Folder 38

Pomeroy, W.E. 2 letters (1923-1926) to Malvina Nicolas. Damaged.

Folder 39

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1929, Jan. 13) to Earl Peterson.

Folder 40

Pomeroy, W.E. 5 letters (1923-1930) to F.A. Pomeroy.

Folder 41

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1930, Oct. 4) to Lynn [Pomeroy].

Folder 42

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1925, Apr. 11) to W.E. (Billie) Pomeroy.

Folder 43

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1929, Oct. 3) to W.A. Raymond.

Folder 44

Pomeroy, W.E. 7 letters (1923) to Reno Mercantile Company.

Folder 45

Pomeroy, W.E. 4 letters (1923-1928) to Reno National Bank.

Folder 46

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1928, Sep. 11) to Chas. I. Robson.

Folder 47

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1923, Apr. 7) to M.C. Sinnott.

Folder 48

[Pomeroy, W.E.]. 1 letter [undated] to [his sister]. Fragment.

Folder 49

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1929, Oct. 14) to A.M. Smith.

Folder 50

Pomeroy, W.E. 2 letters (1928-1929) to Carl Lee Smith. Damaged.

Folder 51

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1923, Apr. 10) to Southern Pacific Railroad Company. Addressed to Freight Department.

Folder 52

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1930, Sep. 5) to “Spike.”

Folder 53

Pomeroy, W.E. 8 letters (1926-1930) to Edgar T. Wallace.

Folder 54

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1926, Sep. 21) to Franklin Waterman.

Folder 55

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1927, Jan. 26) to Western Union Telegraph Company.

Folder 56

Pomeroy, W.E. 1 letter (1922, Apr. 11) to L.W. Whiting. Incomplete.

Box 2

Correspondence, Pomeroy, W.E. to John H. Winn – unknown and Financial Records and Ephemera

Folder 1

Pomeroy, W.E. 35 letters (1922-1930) to John H. Winn. Includes 1 financial statement for 1930, Sep.

Folder 2

[Pomeroy, W.E.] 1 letter [1922] to [John H. Winn]. Includes on verso Magma Chief Copper Company letter to stockholders (1921, Nov. 23).

Folder 3

Pomeroy, W.E. 5 letters (1926-1930) to Roland R. Wooley.

Folder 4

Pomeroy, W.E. 4 letters ([1925] – 1930) to -----. Fragment. Damaged.

Folder 5

Reinger, Charles P. 1 letter (1924, Nov. 5) to W.E. Pomeroy.

Folder 6

Reno Mercantile Company. 4 letters (1923) to W.E. Pomeroy. Includes 1 retail bill and 1 bill of lading.

Folder 7

Southern Sierras Power Company. 1 letter (1924, Mar. 22) to W.E. Pomeroy. Signed by E.B. Criddle.

Folder 8

United States. Bureau of Mines. 1 letter (1930, Jan. 3) to W.E. Pomeroy. Signed by Victor C. Heikes.

Folder 9

Wallace, Edgar T. 4 letters (1930) to W.E. Pomeroy.

Folder 10

Welge, D. Consulting Electrical Engineer. 1 letter (1926, Feb. 24) to Northern Belle Extension Mining Co. Addressed to W.E. Pomeroy.

Folder 11

Western Ore Purchasing Company. 1 letter (1925, July 29) to W.E. Pomeroy. Signed by J.C. Peebles.

Folder 12

Winn, John H. 15 letters (1922-1930) to W.E. Pomeroy. Includes 1 by John H. Winn (1928, June 4) to Stockholders on verso of John H. Winn letter (1928, June 4) to W.E. Pomeroy and 5 processed checks of the Northern Belle Extension Mining Co.

Folder 13

[Winn, John H.]. 2 letters (1929) to Sir.

Folder 14

-----, Clyde. 1 telegram (1925, June 25) to W.E. Pomeroy.

Folder 15

-----. 1 letter (1931, Jan.19) to [W.E. Pomeroy]. Incomplete.

Folder 16

-----. 2 letters (1930) to [John H. Winn]. Damaged.

Folder 17

-----. 1 letter [undated] to -----.

Folder 18

Bills and Receipts (1923-1932). 35 items. Includes 1 copy and 2 envelopes.

Folder 19

Contract of Purchase: Central U.S. Swine Company (1927, Nov. 4). 1 item.

Folder 20

Estimate Sheet: Ingersoll-Rand Company of California (1928, June 16). 1 item. Damaged.

Folder 21

Expense Reports ([1923]-1925). 2 items.

Folder 22

Lot Leases (1925). 2 items.

Folder 23

Map: Georgene Mine [1929]. 1 item.

Folder 24

Mining Returns [undated]. 1 item. Fragment. Damaged.

Folder 25

Notices of Location (1925-1929). 4 items.