The Cullen Mine

 Always interesting to read about are the great mines that once were located in Crittenden and Livingston County.  These were located in the central and southern part of the county.  Would have been interesting to see some of these forgotten structures.  The Cullen Mine was located about six miles from Frances, on the Salem-View road and near the Claylick Creek.

From an article in the June 16, 1904 Crittenden Press.

What Is Doing At The Big Cullen Mines? 

 From seeing the huge machinery which has recently passed through Marion headed from the Cullen, we saw stocked up in every direction piles upon piles of heavy lumber, and learned that five or six wagons are adding to these piles daily, while before us loomed up a skeleton of a building solid in its structure, grand in its proportions.  Here are the dimension.  Length 120 feet; breadth 90 feet; height of separating section 125 feet; height of milling section 60 feet.

And just imagine this vast building being rapidly filled with the heaviest and most costly machinery known to the mining art, and then you have a faint conception of what the Cullen people are doing.  We were told by one who should know that the company intend spending $50,000 this season on betterment along.

We were shown through that portion of the plant open to spectators by the boss in charge, our old friend A. G. Butler, who explained to us a great deal about the machinery already placed at the works.

 

There will consist of two vertical boilers, each of 200 horse power, weighing 13 tons each, which have not yet been place in position; a combination engine, now in position, with two 7 foot fly wheels; a revolving dryer, 20 feet in length; 2 powerful crushers; 4 large rollers; 9 big separators; a large air compressor and a big building filled with other machinery yet to be placed. 

 

The house containing the entrance to the main shaft was locked and we failed to see either it or any of the ore which has been taken from it, as all the ore was under lock and key also. From an auxiliary shaft just outside the building we saw specimens of crystallized spar on a blue limestone formation.

 

Mr. Butler informed me that there is no doubt as to the extent and value of the vein, which is a mixture of lead, zinc and fluor spar.

 

Major Hearne is on the ground every day, superintending construction and working like a beaver himself; and when one remembers the vast sums of money the Major has and is pouring into this pet enterprise of his, we can but admire the pluck and faith that is in him, and wish him God speed, the Press tips its hat to you and the Cullen, Major.

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I'm not sure when the Cullen closed but in 1923 in the book "Fluorspar Deposits of Kentucky" by Louis Wade Currier he states that the Cullen mines was abandoned. Considerable zinc is said to have been found here associated with the fluorspar.  Attempts were made to devise a mill for the separation and recovery of both zinc blend and fluorspar, through the use of fine screening and sizing, and pneumatic concentrations.  The mill was unsuccessful.