The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-08-11
Silver Mining in York County

If Hancock county has furnished a sensation
for the mining world by the reported rich dis
coveres of mineral in Sullivan and Goulds-
borough, York county seems destined to furnish
another in the near future.
1t was about two years ago that Mr. L. Il.
Wiggin. while prospecting through the county,
discovered mineral vein running through
Acton and Lebanon, but so skeptical were the
inhabitants that no developments have been
made until recently.
OF late this section has received considerable
attention from miners and capitalists. Your
correspondent, in company with Prof. Bartlett,
State Assayer, two practical miners and other
parties, made visit to this region few days
since and will give to the readers OF the
PRESS statement of what has been found and
done.
Forty-two miles from Portland, on the Port
land and Rochester railroad, is the small
station of East Lebanon.
Leaving this and riding four miles on the
road leading to Acton Corner, you are soon
made aware that you are in mineral region
by the outcroppings of white quartz and the
noise of picks and shovels on the eastern side
of the road.
The main vein runs N. 15o W. through the
farms of John Hatch, Luther Cooling in
Acton; Messrs. Burrows and Butler in Leba-
non distance of about two and half miles,
with feeders running into it, whose length is
indefinite.
The vein consists of white quartz, carrying
silver-bearng galena, with indications that the
galena will be replaced by antimonlal and
black sulphurets of silver 1t is from to
feet thick, dipping west at an angle OF AZ
with well-defned hanging walls OF mica schist
and a clay foot wall. According to Prof.
Bartletts opinion these are the very best indi-
cations for paying ore.
The Dirigo company were the first to begin
developments. Ihls company was formed AT
Pennington, N. H., last January with twenty
stock holders, and a nominal capital OF $780,
Co., A claim of 500 feet on the upper part OF
the vein was purchased for $780, and opera
lions commenced in April.
After sinking shaft AZ feet, the quartz vein
was found and this vein has been followed on
the incline with encouraging results. The
first assays showed that the ore carried lead
and silver to the value of $14 to $50 per ton.
The most recent have run las as high as SS6 and
500 per ton, and even to $3.50 per ton.
Four hundred and so pounds OF average ore
were sent to the assayer's Office recently and a
silver button worth $500 received in return
The cost of changing ore into bullion is
variously estimated from ~ to VIC per ton' SO
that 20 OF. ore will pay large profits.
The company have large amount OF milling
ore on the dump, and are selling stock in order
to raise funds to put in concentration works.
Non-assessable shares with par value of S. are
selling for $1.O0.
Several crosscuts have been made on the
vein for two miles, revealing rich indications.
Mr. d. A. Cowell lately of Leadville, Col,
and Kasper Marshall, of Great Falls, have
purchased claim of 800 feet and commenced
sinking a shaft of 100 feet, thus far with good
results.
Other companies are being formed and con-
template the erection of concentration works.
and further mining operations very soon
Claims of 500 feet are selling at prices ranging
from Sc, 900 to $15, 900, according to location.
1t seems probable that this region will wit
ness extensive operations and rich develop
ments within the next few months.
A few years ago it would have seemed
preposterous to call Maine mining state. Is
it not earning that title now?
CHOCoRUA.