The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-01-30
DRY PLAcERS.
Some of the Dry Washing Machines Invented.

There are millions of dollars yet in the
Montana placers that cannot be taken out
for this reason. Some of these are worked
fora short time in the spring when water
runs most freely and some are not worked
at all. Many of them are very rich, and,
were they extensive enough, would pay to
force water to them. But generally these
rich deposits are not extensive and are re-
mote from and far above adequate streams.
We know of many of them in this county.
At various times Dry Washers, machinee
requiring but small amount Of water in
operating them, have been announced but
heretofore none seem to have done satisfac-
tory work. Recently, however, Inventive
genius has been directed to the matter and
the result is three machines arc now in the
field, each claiming pre-eminent advanta-
ges as Dry Washers. Which of them is
best, or whether any Of them Is adequate to
results claimed, we do not know. But it
being a matter Of considerable interest we
will call attention to three claiming consid-
cradle public attention at present and leave
our readers directly interested to commu-
nicate with the proprietors IL they desire :
|. J. II. Wilhelm, Lock Box 2540, Den.
yer, Colorado, says "A dry placer machine
TO be- practical must be cheap, portable,
substantial, of sufficient capacity, save all
the gold, the rusty, the -four, the coarse,
use very little water, no quicksilver, GER
tainly not the Objectionable amalgamating
plates that cannot save the rusty gold, soon
obafe aud are a constant source Of trouble
and expense. After over three years ex-
perimenting / have perfected and patented
a practical dry placer god separator. An
arrangement having just been closed with
parties who have, for the past year fully
tested the superior merits OF this machine,
to manufacture both hand and power ma
chimes for Colorado and New Mexico to use
on their own mines, to lease and to sell,
am now ready to confer with capitalists in
regard to all other territory. The best ref
erence can give IA the machine itself"
2. John Waugaman & Co., Los Angeles,
California, say ave are now prepared TO
announce TO miners, aud the public goner.
ally, that the Gold Dry Washer machine
for separating gold from placer mines is
superior ~ anything yet invented. Having
practically tested 1t at number Of mining
claims in various localities, we are now
prepared to ill orders, with guaraRtee
that 1t will do what we claim for it. Size
of machine-2x3 feet, aud 81 feet high |;
capacity, Q tons per hour; will save 80 per
cent, uf the gold. To work the machine
economically, il will take one man Cor boy
to turn the crank, one to feed the hopper,
and two men TO prepare the dirt, which is
done by screening through a seive Of half
inch mesh, TO get rid of the coarse material
not necessary TO 20 through the machine.
The machine Ia so constructed 10 separate.
for packing, with six rods and four bolts"
In directions for use they say "The man
at the crank will regulate the feed by the
lever attached to the hopper, so as TO keep
the apron covered to the depth Of one inch,
and not bank on bevel board. Examine the
rifles on the apron 10 SEQ if any gold or
black sand is on the two lower rifles; If no,
the machine should be tipped back slightly
or until no gold is found on the two lower
rifles. This will be readily learned by the
operator, according to the weight of tie
dirt being worked. Remove the apron
about every ton worked ,scrdpe all off above
the rifles, and empty in box, or on can
vas, ana at night run these concentrations
through the machine again carefully, which
will reduce the days work down t1 about
ten pounds, which is to be washed out, or
IL very fine gold, save with quicksilver.
Should the dir; be very light, it will be
found necessary to open the a:r-escape
valves at each end or the bellows.
Price for one machine, $3.50; two ma.
chimes $3.50; three machines, 5000. An ex-
ira driving wheel and apron for two ma
chimes"
8. The Colorado Dry Placer Amalgamating
Company, Denver, Colorado, have ma
chine for which extraordinary results are
claimed. An objection to these is their
high cost-S5, 900 each, without engine.
But the stock of the Company run up from
800 to $500 Dec. 30th, $1,000 Jan. z, 1880,
and now 1t is quoted at $1,000. This Com
pany has now built GO machines which are
owned by four companies. The Company
only sells half interest in the machine, re-
tanning one-hslf itself. They have issued
pamphlet treating the subject of dry
placer mining and their machine at length.
These pamphlets can be had on application.
A. Denver Tribune reporter recently exam
ined one of these machines anG says of it
"The machine, in superficial view,
presents the appearance of q large iron
tank, mounted on wheels and surrounded
with various cranks and cogs. In reality,it
Is tank OF boiler iron, measuring IL feet
In length and feet in breadth, the bottom
longitudinally divided into two valleys or
depressions. Along each OF these valleys
extends pipe, from which 80 jets Of wa
ter are forced by the aid Of pump. The
machinery of the concern is driven by a
10-horse-pow traction engine, which is
amply sufficient to do all that is required
Of 1t. The dirt, TO be treated, is shoveled
In at one end and falls upon a revolving
screen, which catches all the coarse par
ticles, and by its rotary motion carries
them to one side and deposits them on a
failing plate, from which they fall in
useless heap to the ground. The balance
Of the dirt passes through TO still finer
screen, also revolving. and, after being
washed through the water, pass out like
the larger masses. The rest or the gravel
and sand, containg Of course the gold, falls
through TO the bottom OF the two valleys.
passing In the meantime over amalgam
plates with which the tank is lined, and
losing thereby the -four and float gold.
On the bottom the dirt is thrown up and
around by the jets Of water, and as these
are set at angle, 1t is also forced along to
the further end, every step Of the way los
ing gold by gravity and amalgamation,
and finally being thrown into the little
buckets OF q slowly revolving wheel which |
deposits the waste stuff or plate TO final
" drop OF. ar.
This, then, is the general principle of |
the machine, and by IL, theory certainly |
says, IL must secure every particle Of gold |
n the dirt. But, to back the theory, 50 |
20 speak, trial machine has beeE made |
and worked, and with cminently satisfac-
tory results. Taking an abaIdoned claim |
10 the South Park, more fer n test than |
'or any idea Of profit, the inventor and |
Number of gentlemen who we're thinking |
If investing 10 the concern ran dirt OF all |
Kinds through the machine, resulting in
he obtaining Of just exactly five times as
much per cubic yard as did two expert |
.nced miners working there with a sluice.
This was proof positive of the capabilities
" the machine, and IL Is a significant fact |
hat each oil tho gentlemen present nc this
rial subsequently invested in the stock OF
he company"
We are inclined to believe none Of these
nachinac hnva vct bean nracficallv ocara