Help with 19th century Arkansas mines

I have a reference to some mid- to late-1800s mines in Montgomery and Garland Counties, Arkansas. I'm looking for someone who has information about these mines, or access to reference material, or who can provide contact information to someone else who has such information. All attempts to contact agencies in Arkansas have gone unanswered. I hope to learn more about the mines (type of ore, etc), owners of the mines and out of state share owners, in particular Charles D. Bowers and/or his wife Ivy [Symonds] Bowers.

The information I have comes from a Macon County, North Carolina, deed dated 14 Jan 1890 involving the sale of property owned by Ivy Bowers. The text reads:

"... the following lands in the State of Arkansas in the County of Montgomery, to wit:

Lot No. (8) Eight, in Block No. Ten (10) in first addition to Bear City as described on Recorder's Plot of Bear City, Montgomery County, Arkansas.

Also all the mineral interest, described as follows: 2 on Brushy Hickory Lode Section 1 Township 1 N. Range 20 W. 1 on the Black Flint Lode Section 6, Township 2, Range 20 W. All in Hot Springs Mining District, Garland County, Arkansas. Recorded in Book "K" page 16 & 17. [The letter could be "K" but is smudged; it could also be "R".]

Also her mineral interest in two mining claims Viz: the "Red Quartz" and "Grey Silver" lying in Sec. 13. T. 3 S R 22 W. purchased by the Carrington Simpson Douglas & Weaver from Cardey Cain & Sorrels January 22 1887 & recorded in office Recorder Bear Mt. Mining District January 26th 1887 in Book F page 228 and 229. "

All help, tips and leads are greatly appreciated.

Bear City seems to have been a scam.

[www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net]

Also
[www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net]

Thanks, David. If it were all a scam, then the hopes of a paper trail seem doubtful. I still hold out some hope that the specific register of deeds references might provide some documented clues. I was able to find mention of the Garland County locations in their online Tax Assessor's database, but these records seem to be only recent with nothing prior to 1900.

Try contacting the following individual. I understand he may be retiring soon so he may have some 'herd' recollections.

Mike Howard , AR RPG #009

Geology Supervisor/Mineralogist

Arkansas Geological Survey

3815 West Roosevelt Road

Little Rock, AR 72204

501-683-0125

cell 501-246-0964 during work hours only, please!

fax 501-663-7360

Thanks! I'll post what I find.

One week later, no response yet. Waiting patiently...

Update 13 Aug 2012: Mr. Howard has referred my questions to other experts in Arkansas. I am grateful for his assistance and patiently await their replies.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/13/2012 02:22PM by Fred E. Davis.

"Many of the early records of Garland County do not exist, because they were destroyed by fire when the courthouse burned in 1888 and 1905. The courthouse was severely damaged again in 1913, but the building was not destroyed entirely."

Many thanks to Henry de Linde of the Garland County Historical Society.