Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1873-1877, 1876-06-08
The Northern Belle and General
Thomas Hin0@.

.
Some interesting experiments in the
working of ores Of the mines at Colum'
bus and vicinity are noticed by tho bora1
Mine, Of June 8. The General Thomas
mill. after . long rest during which 1t
has had . complete overhauling under
N. sunervision Of Mr.. Jas. N. Dawlsy,
started up that morning. 1t will b re-
msmbsrsd that Immediately previous to
the closing down Of this mill Mr.. Dawi'y
made some extended experiments to dem'
ons.rate that it was more profitable to
work tho ores of Candelara Hill raw
than 10 roast them. This same idea has
been held for years past BY J. r. Nc
Nsss, J. B. Hisksy and Others OF tho old
mill men OF that district, Mr.. AcNses
claiming that the most profitable run
ever made by the old Columbus mill was
bv the raw process. On the other hand
. large majority Of tho pioneer mill men
insisted upon roasting. and continued 10
roast-ths only question among them
being as to the relative merits OF the
various competing furnaces. Swestapp'e
4 Hazeltins put in two revesberatory fur
uaces to their 5-stamp mill and worked
successfully, though at very heavy cosI,
twenty-thres hands being necessary 20
form . working force. not counting Mr.
Swsetappls who managed the work. nor
Mr.. Hazeltins who attended to the nm.
ances OF the corcera. Add the cost OF
wood at SIC per cord, and mill men Will
appreciate that this was costly Work:
However, the Mt. Diablo mine furnished
large quantities Of hieh-grade ore, their
extensive custom work was profitable,
the management thorough, and the pro-
prietors have retired wealthy. The old
Columbus Mill aud Mining Company In
troduced q White furnace. which at that
time was by that company considered 10
be the thing, and in a certain way II mas
nroven 40. 1t would run for time and
break down, be repaired and break down
again; various improvements and ne"
devices for keeping the big cylinder up
to its work were suggested and many OF
them adopted, until tine furnace proved
70 be the thing-to absorb all the re-
sourcss of the Columbus Mil and Min
ing Company, which corporation was
forced into bankruptcy, and thereby the
development of this district was greatly
retarded. The Northern Belle Company
started up their mill with Stedtsfelt
furnace, which proved to be particularly
successful, working far beyond Its ssh-
mated capacity, and ths result OF inc
application of that rooster TO the Cands-
lara ores has been to enrich the stock
holders, bring new life into the district,
and give courage to many who hsd ios'
all hope in the success OF the mines
here. The first direct result OF that sue
cess was the organization OF the Gen.
Thomas Company. This was accom-
plished through the untiring energy OF
jeremiah Miller who succeeded III get
ting capital to take hold OF portion
of what was the Columbus company s
property, and start the works again.
The stock Of the new company Was pus
upon tie market at SO and soon reached
SlO. Large sums Of money were q,
pended in reconstructing the mill and
putting the mines in working order, and
for time everything promised well, the
Gen. Thomas mines developed splendid-
ly. and the belief was general that the
mill would perform Its work. HE osst
mill hands in the country were put upon
tho work, and We duly announced the
start with the attendant encouraging cir
cumstancss, and all an1iously awaited
results. They were for . time successful,
but the old furnace remembered her old
4 &c \ 81
COLONIZATION tests averaged well when 1t
would run, but it was Impossible TO keep
the thing going. Every effort was MADE.
even to changing the local management
of the company. Soon after MIR. 1ozer
took control of the STAIRS OF the com
pany he procured the services OF Mr.:
Jas. N. Dawley, who is accredited one OK
tho most successful mill men IN the
State. Under his direction the recent
raw" tests were made, and IN v orklng
lots of from sixteen 10 one hundred tons
of Gen. Thomas ore raw through tnsir
own mill, it was demonstrated thst from
eightv-one to eiah'y-tire per cent. OF the
pulp ASSAY was saved. But while dong
this the 10-stamp mil was running only
half capacity, for the reason that the
Dams could only be made to work halt
the pulp tho battery crushed. Mean
while the stock steadily deprecated. and
has been quoted as low as $li+. Since
the mill closed down six new pans have
been added and other important improve
ments made, bringing the amalSaln"'lng
capacity fully up to that OF the battery.
The experiment has been bold one.
consumnated on falling market and
under the most discouraslng clrcumstan-
ces, and is deserving OF success. What
ever may be the result. our faith IN the
value OF the General Thomas property
will remain unchanged. The MINIS is
1xl L. 4 o. a