The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-09-19
From the San Francisco Chronicle.
Transmitting Base Metals into Pure Gold

From the San Francisco Chronicle.
Transmitting Base Metals into Pure Gold.
The following story, as reported to us, has
much of romance in it, but the future may de-
monstrate its truth, revolutionize commerce,
and make the possessors of the marvellous
talisman the veritable Midas of the nineteenth
century. It is no less than the discovery OF a
chemical process, which, when applied, to base
metals. transmutes them into gold-pure,
shining, veritable gold. The rumors of the
diamond discoveries in Arizona have some
what precipitated the disclosure of the facts
we are about to relate, and though at the risk
of breaking faith with our informant, we con-
slider his statement too important to be with
held from the public.
Some three months ago plain-looking man,
of American birth, presented himself at one
of onr leading banks and solicited an interview
With the manager The banker was very much
occupied with his cares, overburdened with
offers of paper for discount, and harrassed
with the prospects of losses on loans which he
held collateral in the shape of mining stocks,
seemingly descending on his hands. He sur
veyed his supposed customer, and almost be-
fore the first words of salutation had fallen
from the new comels lips, he said:
'No, sir; can't do it. Very sorry, but have
gone beyond our limit to accommodate our
customers. Doing nothing on the outside to-
day, at any rates."
The stranger made no reply, but deposited O
leathern valise on the bankers desk, opened
and took from it a mass of dingy metal, look
ing half like copper and half like brass, and
handed it to him. The man of money exam
ined it curiously, and returned it, saying he
was no judge of mineral substances, and had
no time to study this particular specimen.
The stranger asked him if he would know
gold if he saw it; and, if not, would he be
Kind enough to send for some confidential per-
son, on whose judgment he could rely, to assay
and determine the quality and value of his
lump of metal. The proposition was reluc-
tantly acceded to. One of our most prominent
assayers was summoned, and after examining
the substance, and inquiring, with visible ex-
citement, where it came from, and receiving no
satisfaction, departed, taking it with him,
promising to report on it the next day but one
at noon. Punctually at the appointed time
the three men met at the bank. The assayer
produced the metal, which had been run into
he form of bar, and had all the appearance
of the ordinary gold ingot of commerce.
s'That looks like gold," said the banker.
'It is gold" said the assayer, "nearly thou
sand fine-the purest have ever put in CRU
eibIe"
The stranger said nothing. The others piled
him with questions concerning the source from
which it came He civilly, but firmly declined
to furnish any information, requesting them, as
further test of its genuineness, to send it to
the mint in this city for coinage. To this they
assented, and the bar was sent, with other bars,
to the mint. 1t was there again submitted to
the tests usual in such cases, and the next day
It's value was returned in double eagles-aome-
thing more than eight thousand dollars-which
was placed to the credit of the now decidedly
interesting stranger. For nearly week moth
ing was. Seen Of him or heard of him. The
banker was in g. fever of excitement. He
could think of nothing but the owner of the
cold. He ran over all the mining news of the
public press for some record of strike in the
gold producing district; and, if the truth must
be told, he wished for some intelligence of an
audacious robbery of the treasure-box of an
up-country stage, or Of the rifing of some
bank or assay Office, in which his new friend
should play prominent part.
So we'll satisfied was he of the correctness of
this latter conjecture that he was on the point
of advertising the possession by him, under Pc
culiar circumstances, of large quantity of re-
fined gold, when the depositor appeared, bring
ing with him much larger piece of the same
metal as formerly, which, with some ceremony
and dignity, he submitted for inspection. This
was done, and the stranger inquired If the
banker was entirely satisfied OF its genuine
ness.
"Perfectly, perfectly" was the answer. cit
is gold. Where did you get it?"
II made it myself"
It is no wonder that the amazing disclosure
almost unnamed the listener. The stranger
quietly said:
~ made it myself" and after pause he
added: 'I can make it by the ton. l can
freight a ship with it within month from the
time have enlarged my present laboratory, as
/ am about to do"
The banker piled him with questions as to
its locality, and with prayers to be permitted
IN visit the scene of his marvellous labors, but
to no purpose. He then held up before the
discoyerer the power which they would WELD
in the community, the vast possessions they
might acquire, and the certainty. OF making
together a fame unequalled since the world be-
gan. He represented to him the lmPossiDiilty
of concealment, except with the ald OF one
situated like himself, who could turn this new
accession into the now steady money tides OF
commercial exchanges and swell without de-
stroying them. He attempted to show MN the
danger to himself from the chagrin OF those
whose values ne miShC impair vi uce'ioy, "'ie
the need of caution in utilizing for himself his
terrible secret.
His hearer sat with imperturbable counten-
ance until the close of the bankers harangue,
and then replied:
81 will make you the depository of my gold.
You may control its issue, and we will together
share the power it brings. But my process % IS
mnst remain forever in my own heart shall
never reveal it. will bring you in very few
davs more than you have now in your vaults.
Ny laboratory is near the New Park, I'M build