Empire Mining Company of Utah 1881 antique stock certificate - silver

Description

Up for consideration is the Empire Mining Company of Utah stock certificate from 1881:
#3022
Issued to Frederick Barford for 5 shares on March 9, 1881
Signed by G. L. Crowell as president and H. A. Van Praag as secretary
Incorporated in Utah
Capital stock of ,000,000
Datelined Salt Lake City, Utah
Uncancelled
Certificate in good condition
Vignette of underground miners and small beehive vignette at bottom
The Empire Mining Company of Utah property comprised a group of fourteen mining claims southwest of Park City, Utah, about half a mile west of the Ontario Mine. The average size of these claims was 1,500 by 200 feet. Ore veins were in a quartzite rock. The main shaft went down 400 feet, with four cross-cuts from the main shaft to the veins. The Clara Davis Mine was the company’s most productive property. This claim was discovered in 1871, but little was done until the organization of the company. After 1879, the coal mining claims were worked heavily. For a time, operations ceased until the Utah Eastern Railroad was completed, which temporarily lowered the price of coal and lessened the expenses per day. The company also owned a 20-acre mill site, 1.5 miles north of Park City on which a 30-stamp silver mill was constructed.
Park City mining history (Summit County): In 1850, the first settlers of the Summit County Area arrived. The first settlement was called Wanship and was settled in 1854. Coalville, Hoytsville, and Henefer were established in 1859. Coal was later found in Coalville and the Mormons established a settlement there. By 1860, wagons were hauling tons of coal from Coalville to other towns. Thirteen years later, a railroad line was created from Echo Junction (located near Echo Canyon) to Coalville to create a more efficient way of transporting the coal. Silver mining in the Park City area began in 1862 when federal troops from California were stationed in Utah to keep an eye on the Mormons, who the Union government thought might side with the confederacy. Idle troops went prospecting in the mountains above Salt Lake City and discovered silver at Park City. The town was first called Parley's Park, but changed to Park City in 1872. The local silver mines proved to be very rich and Park City’s silver boom began. During the 1870's, silver, zinc, and lead were found throughout the Summit County area.