The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1880-05-11
From Wednesdays Daily.l
MORE
DolanI9 Suspected Of Operating IN the
Thornton MIL.

The arrest in Helena a few days ago Of
John Dolan on a charge of stealing amalgam
from the Clipper mill, and whose connection
with that affair has been pretty thoroughly
established, has resulted in full investisa-
lions being made by several mill owners of
the district. From these inquiries it has been
concluded that during the past winter there
has been a gang of mill thieves engaged in
cautiously and Systematically stealing ANAL
gam, retolt and quicksilver, for it is quite
evident that Dolan had accOmplices in his
operations. Among others who entertain
this idea is Colonel Thornton, owner of the
Thornton MIL, who is quite sure that he has
been victimiZed to the extent of several
thousand dollars, aid in all likelihood by this
same fellow Dolan Some time last winter
Dolan applied for a situation in the mill, and
being well recommended, was promised EN-
ployment as soon as a vacancy should occur.
Taking advantage of this promise he fire.
quently visited the mill and in the course of
a few days was given work as battery feeder.
Some time after it became necessary TO re-
move him to another position but as he was
unable to perform his new duties, he was
discharged. Within a few days the daily
bullion output was noticeably OF less value
than the ore assays indicated should be pro-
duced, but at the time no suspicious were
entertained that the deficiency was the result
Of anything except the manner in which the
ore was treated. On one occasion, however,
a., ,,tn,t how uyaS hrDEpu imam IurinU The
night, but as its contents had just been melted
and shipped, the thieves secured no plumber.
Not many more days had elapsed before $50
pounds of quicksilver was missed. As there
was no necessity for its use, the mill then
being temporarily closed down, it had been
allowed to stand in IA barrel containing con
siderable water. The theft Of the mercury
plainly showed the thirf 10 be acquainted
with the premises, as the barrel, besides being
half full of water, Occupied an obscure cor
ner in the mill. When milling operations
were resumed, Colole! Thornton sent to Cal
jforuja for 40 tanks OF quicksilver, having
previously assured himself OF the sufhcieh"E
of that amount to last tor i NUMBER Oh
months. 1t appears, however, from sIose-
uuent events either that the estimate was
ridlculously low or that the quicksilver was
los, ar stolen, for in an incredibly short
nar,od it was necessary TO order another ship
mani. lLcIc is little doubt as 20 the correct
ness Of the first estimate, as the lccoS Oh the
mill were we'll known, nor IS tl."Ir any reason
TO believe the mercury was lost, as the se'''els
yp,c carefully examined on several occasions
without finding any leakage. lie c"ilrluH'"h
!. not,ral. therefore,, that the metal was
s,,,an. and the fact that D"la'' had "eeil
frequently seen in tn" mill after lis "'S'i"se
.ud that there is little doubt ct Ills 'o'nliiclF
IN several uher I0bbeIirs during ''"' pas
winner. is REGARDED ny all those lalhliiar Will
his behavior in the mill during ana s"'se-
n,a,t 10 his employent, us strong clrc'tlhSIa'-
nal ,],iLrrce thai he was concerned" ii IL
.I,l.s,I, theft of quicksilver at the Thorn
ron mill. II is loped and believe" 'n"' III
h,s examination ia the court some e''oen'e
, h- addurcd leading t" the arrest anu
convection Ut the rntirr' gang "i '"''' "'
seems to he the cil;ri.
r., morrow VIII be the last nay :" -Aprii'
and vet, 50 far AS We have learned: ','ir mas
am ar Inn I'm, littlr spring wheat s"wi ia Gaiiatln
valley, This points t" the rr"''| 1%I sa .na'
less slain@ wheat win be pn, ,n IN tn, '".' ,i HraS' OF
IVA" W, "arr Ii,hlr TO hr caught 10y the early
Mas ;, ,L. Cll. In any other plar. than
n"S,,," II vu,,lt he safe under such clicllm-
'',,rss tn predict Il '"i'"i advance ~ !"e
S'a"''' y" hEa,, anG lluur. but here nothing
if''r' W ..n,Ii" Tie mal ket except an at'na'
,"" '",.ty Of Tie stall Of life ~L-Co"'e'' Z'lh