The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1874-10-15

"lucninS anu oioslnS again, as per la
lures own design; very high for the most
OF the way but sometimes causing us to
bend low for a little distance. These
crevces when found, are filled with VET
low ochre, in which the lead is crvstalized
10 cube shaped pieces varying from the
fine partit les 10 the dirt, that has to be
woshed in order to obtain the ore, to huge
masses that require blasting ere they can
be moved. The clay or ochre is moist
and easily worked with small pick the
principal working tool of the lead mirer
The larger pieces of mineral being gath
cred by themselves shoyeled into little
cars propelled by hand, pushed TO the
main shaft, and elevated to the surface in
buckets opera ed by a gin, or sort of
wlndlass worked by horse power.
The excavations are made from the
bottom CT the crevice as high as can be
conveniently reached stand 'ng erect; that
which is above being held in place by
strong tlmbers, the waste dirt being al
lowef to remain to aid in reaching the
balance. Thus crevice after crevice IS
robbed Ct its rich yield and compelled to
supply the constantly increasing demand
that comes from every palt of the world
for this valuable ore. We watch wi b in
creasing Interest, the steady strokes of the
miner as be brings huge masses to light.
We are told by our guide that we NAV
have, as a specimen, q small piece the siz.
of mans head, if we will but carry it to
the shaft; but each agrees, after intffectu-
al effort to raise it, that 1t would be IN
convenient to cucumber ourselves with
such trifes.
Retracing our steps our guide leads ua
into another passage that has been entire
ly cleared with the exception of vein
running through the ceiling for several
rods and which has been found TO vary
from one to eight feet in thickness. and
which can only be taken out by the use
IF grnpOwder.
We move on in westerly direction for
distance Of four hundred feet, and our
guide informs US that we arc under
the ravine at the west side of the hill, and
only twenty feet from the surface.
There are several of these crevces that
run in the same direction forming what
is termed Range; Fast and West
Ranges being as rule the only ones that
yield mineral. Those bearing North and
South are usually devoid of lead and ay0(
termed "barren.'
From Mr. L. we learn that the mine
we are now in has yielded from seven 20
eight hundred thousand pounds during
the six months it has been worked, and
that the supply is from all appearances
almost inexhaustable; however the latter
statement must be taken with considera
bic allowance as these singular deposit
of lead ore are often as suddenly exhaust
ed as discovered.
After two or three hours pleasantly
passed in viewing this wonder Of natures
handiwork we are conveyed to the sur
lace and conducted to a swift running
brook at the foot of the hill in which the
mine is located, and there watch the pro
cess of washing the rich dirt, which is
done by throwing a quantity of it into
a wooden trough through which the wa
ter runs very rapidly, the dirt being
stirred with a shovel is washed away
leaving the heavy mineral at the bottom
ct an invitation from Mr.. L. we accom-
panied him to his pleasant home, pretty
little cottage with bright green ivy creep
ing over the porch, while about the yard |
the wild honeysuckle ard columbine vie
with each other in sweetness AND beauty.
Here we find the aged parents of our
friend, and are kindly welcomed by them
they have passed ihe summer of their
lives in the hard toll incident to farming
life, little suspectiug that the rocky hills
they had 50 often cultivated, from early
morn to late at night, with but scant
return in the shape of wheat and corn
would ultimately, in their old age and
time of need, be to them bank Of almost
endless credit-from whence they can
draw for all that is necessary to make
their lives comfortable and happy as they
finish lite's journey; satisfied that their