Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-01-16
Iofal aud gersoual.
Gold Mines OF Montgomerv Couu

AhO gnu lCNCl uOW DItNdllh III tnc
neighborhood of the "Great Falls is not Of
recent development or surmise. As early as
1927 Prof Duchatelle, noted mineralogist
and geologist from Europe, whilst engaged
in explorations along the Potomac said,
that this region of country gave strong in
dications of the presence of gold"
few years subsequent, Mrs. Trollope,
IA highly cultivated English lady, and the
mother of Alexander Trollope, writer of
distinguished celebrity, was the guest Of Mrs.
Stone, mother of the late Philip Stone, Esq. }
engaged at the time in writing her notes
upon american Manners" was visited by
the German Consul, Mr.. Htz, (slso geolo-
gisD who prospected to some extent and
found traces of free gold.
Some time in 1864-5, we think, "gold
hunter from the Pacific slope, visited this
section and found fine samples of free gold
upon the lands of the late Richard jackson,
Esq In a short time this land was purch-
ased by a company of capitalists from Phil
adelphia and New York, who Immediately
pushed forward their examinations, and in
an almost incredibly short space of time,
they were able to produce as fine samples of
free gold as were ever carried to the mineral
laboratories Of New York from California
or Australia. Enboldened by such success
company was formed known as the MARY
land Gold Mining Company and opera
tons commenced upon an extensive scale;
the machinery alone, costing over forty five
thousand dollars The enterprise, however
proved tailure-the gold was found to ex-
ist in chimneys-a mining technicality.-
The immense veins of quartz produced
little or no gold, consequently in 1866 the
personal effects and real estate of the same
were sold by sheriff Claggett under execu-
ton.
Pending the operations of the MARYLAND
Mines, Chief Justice Casey, of the Court of
Claims, purchased tract of land, cantain
ing one or two hundred acres, of Walter
Marion Talbot Esq, and started prospect
ing corps, but their labors were fruitless and
he was induced to abandon all further oper-
stions About the same time a party of
spectators from New Hampshire and Penn
sylvania leased the mining privileges of the
Forrest property formed company, sunk
several shafts, issued one or two hundred
thousand dollars of stock, but their specu-
lation turned out to be equally unsuccessful
A company of gentlemen from w ashington
and Baltimore secured n lease of portion
of the lands of the late Gustavus White, "
ing Immediately upon the canal, sunk shaft
of nearly one hundred feet through solid
rock, but they were not sufficiently encour-
aged, and this enterprise went by the board.
In 1870, ex-Gov. McClurg, then men,
Der Of Congress from Missouri, visited this
section, contracted the gold fever and at
once secured a lease of the mineral priv-
leges Of the land belonging TO the Fisher
heirs" and also the adjoining lands Of VIM.
H. Harrison, ESQ. Gov. McClung made a
considerable amount of prospecting, and
finally, yet reluctantly, threw up the
spunge." So it may be safely said, that
within the short period of five years over
one hundred thousand dollars were spent
within this section in prospecting for gold,
all of which, turned out to be permanent
and worthless Investment
In 1871 Master Louis Davidson, a son of
Robert G. Davidson, Esq, whilst herding
some cattle on his fathers place, picked up
stone, about 4 or inches long and struck
with the bright specks took it to his father;
upon examination, it was found to contain
large particles Of free gold, and brought up
on the market $165.45 Mr.. Davidson at
once quietly pushed forward his individual
examination, and found near the same
place, rock 12x14 inches containing large
veins of free gold, and which brought some
seven hundred dollars 1t was not long be-
fore Mr. Davidson entered into a contract
with Henry Dodge, Esq, Of the District, the
purport of which it is not necessary to
name; suffice to state, that Mr.. Dodge was
not successful in carrying out his proposed
plans, and in 1876 Mr. Davidson formed a
contract with the late Mr. Hantz, an old
miner, and operations were at once started
for further and practictical Development
One or two small houses were built, shafts
sunk, and three Spanish Erasters" put in
operation Mr.. Hantz's superintendent
. was not altogether satisfactory to Mr., D.,
and all mining matters ceased for while
About two or three years ago Mr.. David
son sold the land, containing IS acres to Mes
srs. Bartlett, Merritt, Jones & Co., for seven
thousand dollars, one half in cash and the
balance in certain interest in the mining
privileges and proceeds. These gentlemen
after working awhile sold to party in Bal
tomore, Nd, who formed company known
~ the Montgomery Mining Company"
elected VIM. II. Brown, Esq. an extensive
druggist in said city, as President, under
whose management the work has been push
ed forth vigorously and regardless Of cost
They have now some thirty hands at work,
have sunk five shafts, varying from 80 to 20
feet in depth, from which have been taken
five or six hundred tons Of ore; two steam
engines of IA horse power, and kept con-
stsn.ly going various out buildings, board
lighthouses and superintendent's house, sta
bles, &c, have already been erected
large ten stamp mill, "Knowls patent" will
be finished by the 10Th and in full operation.
From this mill, the gold bars will be taken
to the government mint for refining, and
then TO be stamped II. g. Harrison, Esq,
practical miner Of many years experience
in Nayada and Colorado has entire super
iniendence and management Of the works,
and from appearances seems to thoroughly
understand his business. Nearly all Of the
machinery for the mill is from the celebrated
iron works OF Messrs. Frasher and Chalmers
OF Chicago, III.
The general appearance Of the entire
works, reminds us much of the illustrations
Of the mining regions, IA given occasionally
in the Weekly Pictorials. When the mill
ia In full operation, ii will repay visit.