Reprint of this story from the December 12, 1902 issue of The Grand Encampment Herald brought to you courtesy of Grandma’s Cabin, Encampment, Wyoming. Preserving History - Serving the Community.
Doane Buildings
Completely Destroyed
Fire Thursday Morning Lays Camp in Ruins, Ton of Powder Burned
The buildings at the upper tunnel of the Doane Rambler mine were laid in ruins by fire early yesterday morning. The entire plant, including tunnel house, ore house, etc., was completely burned to the ground. The big boilers and engines are not seriously damaged, however, the air compressor is thought to be entirely ruined.
The fire started at an early hour, about four o’clock, and in two hours the work of devastation was complete. At the time when the fire started, the fireman was working the hoist at the winze in the tunnel, and the fire was not discovered until one of the miners came out from the tunnel into the engine room which was then enveloped in flames. The men in the workings were immediately hoisted to the top of the winze and got out into the air in safety. A ton of powder went up in smoke.
The loss is particularly unfortunate at this time, owing to the fact that new machinery was being installed and new buildings had just been erected so that active mining could be resumed. The Battle Lake Tunnel Site Mining Company, the new owners of the mine, have been making great preparations for the resuming of work, and the Rambler camp has been expecting a boom as soon as the famous property should again begin business. The burning of the buildings will delay the starting of work on an extensive plan for some time, although facilities are close at hand for securinglumber to rebuild.
Progress of the Big Improvements of the North American Company
The frame of the power house at the North American Copper Co.’s smelting plant has been erected and the building is nearly enclosed. The house is 64x84 feet, 22 feet high, and is located between the new concentrator and the smelter building. The work of setting up the machinery in the concentrator has been commenced, and the foundations for the buildings on the top of the hill are completed. Next week the work of constructing the pipe line from the dam will be commenced. The staves are being sawed at the Transportation Company’s mill, and are being hauled out along the line. The pipe will be built in place. The several improvements being made by the North American company are well underway.
Minor Notes:
The winter season is on in the big hills. At Battle the snow is between two and three feet deep, and trouble has already been encountered in getting teams over the dug way. The stages and freight outfits have been transferring at Elwood for a week past, loading from wagons into sleighs. The season for this transfer will doubtless extend until the first of May, if not two weeks later. Last spring the snow held on until May. The stage to the tie camps transfers on Finley Hill, and at the camp the snow is fully two feet deep and more falling.
The road to Battle will doubtless be in much better condition this year, owing to the increase in freight traffic, while the heavy freight into the tie camp will keep the Hog Park road in fairly good condition.
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