The most famous of the Slocan mines was the Payne group. This mine was one of the great profit makers. In 1897 profits were estimated at a quarter of a million dollars and, in the following two years, at a million or more per annum. In its first ten years the mine was reported to have made over $4,000,000. It was originally owned by Salt Lake interests but was sold to Canadian capital in 1899. This slide shows the tramway leading from the mine to the orehouse on the railway near Sandon. Note the very rugged terrain and the consequent difficulties in the construction of the rail line. What appear to be snow sheds were erected over parts of the tramway.
