The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1867-04-13
MINING MATTERS.

The following description of a new process
of desulphurization comes from ). K. D., of
Bannack 1t is my purpose TO give an account
of experiment which recently per-
formed upon gold and silver bearing quartz,
by Thos. @. Rounds, of this place.
He desulphurized rock from four different
leads at the same time, all differing in tex
turp and composition, completely destroying
all the baser metals, so that the quartz could
be reduced to pc WIDER in a few minutes in
an earthen mortar. His furnace Is construct
ed that the chemical vapor can be con-
Quoted through the quartz before and after
He informs me that he can desulphurize 25
tons every "a hours at the following coet
Two men, $l2; three cords of wood, $50
chemicals, 50, making In all $50 90, costing
only 81 per ton.
Mr.Rounds feels confident that his process
is the best, and is willing to test il against
any now In use for economy of time and
money, as we'll as an increased product. The
experiment was remarkable, for in a short
time the hardest rock was so changed that it
would crumble in the fingers like clay. We
truly hope that his method is all that 1t
seems to be, and, If so, it is bound to work
great change in the manner of obtaining the
precious metals, for the great difficulty will
| thus be overcome.
"Voce " says in regard TO the prospects of
/ the Bea, er Town Copper mines: The work
of developing is still going on, with en-
| couraginG prospects. The continual cold
weather and storms, since my last, has been a
great lmpediment TO our progress, but the
/ perseverance of our foreman, o w. Carpenter,
is likely to overcome all, for which we hope
and believe he will realize rich reward, and
a happy future. The Casket lode is now pro-
ducing better rock than ever. They have
their tunnel about eighty feet in, with a
five foot crevice that would dazzle your eyes
to look at The fortunate discoveries of the
lode, A. Tainter, Smith Il Co. are well re-
warded for the labors, exposures and priva-
tions of the last winter.
ON" writing from Jefferson, on the 4th
says: A recent visit to the Gregory lode, gave
me vast reason for astonishment; although
always convinced of its enormous wealth, il:
immensity surprised me. The shaft upon No
3, east, on thisIlode, is now l40 feet deep, auC
the crevice at that depth is sixteen feet wide
containing throughout that entire width, or,
of exceeding richness. The Argentine, Ak,
and Others are promising as well. Why should
not real estate ownere in this vicinity fee
J glorously rich? We confidentialIy 6eliev,
the star of Jefferson city to be in the ascen
dency.
"NeaI" " sends the following from Atlantic
, City, on the 4th inst: "Allow me, ono
more, brief space in your columns, for
! believe there are those among your reader
that are interested and desirous of bearint
from this section. From claim number thre
above lower discovery, Which is just belnI
, opened, / saw prospect from one pan
amounting to $4.66. Parties on upper dis
4 covery are still ''pitching in," and are get
ting out fine lot of pay dirt. One of tn
party quietly informed me that he had a
r "good a thing" as he wanted. I fully too
: bis word for it. There is a fine drain rae
going into claims numbers FIVE, six and sever
below lower discovery, and which is mo-
q nearly complete. Prospects are very hattel
Z ing. The 6rst shaft ever put down on th
Bar, on number fourteen below lower discoy
o cry, depth of twenty-five feet, did not strik
4 the channel but, from indi cations, they ar
very near it. The prospects were so antterin
that the parties have redoubled their energie
g and are drifting like good fellows, Mex
week return to my old quarters in Dry gulcf
near Helena Since my sojourn here, m
n partner In Dry gulch has been picking aroun
= until he has hit on a quartz lode, or wha
: quartz miners would call " dirt creyice e.
L Ii has two well defined wall rock, with fy
foot crevice, aud prospects good Sew ers
experienced quartz men here examined it, an
pronounce it n rich lead. As my space is linn
Y itea, will defer further explana tions of Tai
: and other discoveries and "dead things" til
next time"