Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-04-09
Another visit to the Gold Mines

The gold excitement now prevailing at the
Montgomery Gold Mining Company and
in that immediate vicinity, as well as a de-
sire to give our readers the facts in relation
to the same as we might find them, induced
us to make another visit to this now famous
section of the county. So fortified with u
letter of introduction, on Tuesday morning
we found ourself in earnest conversation
with the genial and gentlemanly superin-
tendent, Mr.. IL. c. Harrison, who was for
some years with Gen Rosencrantz in the
Nevada, Mines" and as it was pay day, we
also had the pleasure of making the ac-
quaintance Of Major Dodge, of the District,
who owns a large interest in the mines.
These mines are situated at the head of a
small ravine, by no means remarkable for
its romantic beauty The hillsides slope
gradually, but are much broken and de-
cidedly uninyiting in appearance, 1t was
originally a part of the Stone tract, the
mineral right Of which is now being ne
gotiated for at large figures. From very
close examination we are Impressed with
the belief that there is no longer any doubt
as to the existence of gold in remunerating
quantities and that if these mines We're stu
ated in the West they would soon bring
about an excitement equal to that which
characterized the Black Hills, of Wyoming
Territory.
From the first we We're convinced that the
ore was rich, but doubted if there was Il
sufficient quantity to justify the erection of
machinery, &c. This doubt has, however,
been removed. BY actual measurement the
company claims to have in sight seven hun
dred and fifty thousand tons. The vein upon
which they are now at work is from four
to eight feet in width and seyenty-liye feet
under ground. There are two kinds of veins
known to the mining sections, the "Cantact
vein,' where the ore is carried between rock
of different formations, such rs gneiss rock
upon one side and slate upon the other,
The "Fisher VEIN is where the ore is car
ried between walls of the same rock This
is true "t'isher vein" the richest and most
productive kind.
The stamping mill is at work day and
night and grinds from six to twenty tons of
ore per day, which averages forty dollars
per ton. The number Of tons per day varies
in consequence OF the fact that the slate rock
is the richest, and when grinding this char
actcr of ore they proceed slowly in orderthat
the amalgamated plates or tables may catch
the particles Of gold from the graduated ore,
and which is carried over the table by a
small stream of water. When these tables
become loaded the amalgam is taken OF
and placed in jars and thence si0ed and re
fined
We held in our own hands a-haif pound
of gold, troy weight, which is equal in value
to about one hundred and twenty dollars.
We also examined a specimen of quartz
rock with viens Of free gold plainly visible
to the eye and cropping Quit in nuggets larger
than pins head
Some idea may be formed Of the opera
tons Of this company in the days Of its in
fancy, and when labor is cheap, to learn that
pay day, the fifth Of each month, is attended
with an outlay Of about eighteen hundred
dollars. We found Mr. H. was u gentleman
of considerable experience and thoroughly
understood, us far as we were able to judge,
all the sciences applicable to his profession.
lie is strongly impressed with Edison's
new discovery Of extracting gold by cleo
tricity, and says that it is and has for ii long
time been his opinion that by means Of a
galvanc current the quick silver will be
kept in a state OF commotion and thus catch
particles of gold which otherwise would be
lost. 1t is further his opinion that this vein
extends from Georgia to Pennsylvania, rich
at portions, barren at others, and that this
particular section is vastly rich and remit
neratiye.
We are glad to chonicle the success which
seemingly attends this enterprise; it gives
tone and brings material aid to q highly
prosperous and favored section Of our coun-
ty With its future developments must and
will come a large influx Of spirited and en-
terprising people To seek fortunes in the
fields Of newly discovered Nevada.
A party Of prominent gentlemen, whose
names we are not at liberty TO give, are nc
gotiating with Mr. Harvey c. Fawcett for
the mineral right of his tract, q short dis
lance from these mines. It's also said that the
Fisher tract, upon which Gen. McCiurg, of
Missouri, spent large amount in prospect
ing, has been sold at high figures. But in
times Of such excitement we cannot youch
as To the truth contained IN such rumors
OF one thing we are aware, that daily,wealthy
and scientific gentlemen are visiting this SEQ
ton Of the county.
POETIC Spring Surfing pOels and gar-