The Elk Mountain pilot., 1881-08-04
MINER as 4 CIVZZZER.

Il 1NI1VER AS Il CIVILIZER.
Much fault is often found with the
miner, and perhaps not always without
reason. But with all his faults he has
one side to his history that all are
forced to recognize, that is, that he is
the harbinger of civilization. From
the opening of spring to the close of
summer, he is in constant migration,
roaming from gulch to gulch in search
OF precious metals. Untirlng of his
peculiar industry, summer after sum-
mer he continues to penetrate the
tracklesS regions of all countries in
which metals of intrinsic value are
found. He scales the loftiest peaks in
search Of metal bearing veins, and ex-
plores the lowest gulches in search of
placer gold mines.
He fords and swims rivers that none
but the bravest would encounter, often
at the risk OF his life. He is usually
strong in body and of the most deter
mined will. He is austere in manner
but has generous, kind heart, and as
a rule, he is the manifest of rough
men. He is sturdy, unpublished
man, combining skill, judgment and
courage in degree sufficient to pro-
pei him through any journey he may
undertake. If he succeeds IN finding
a mine that will justify him to remain
and operate it, he is sure to stay, and
every inhabitant of that certain sec
ton must leave or bend in obeisance
to his will.
His trail is followed by the farmer,
the ranchman and the teamster, until
every acre of arabic land in the locali-
ty is reclaimed, and good roads to the
Ell Dorado are made. Then follows
the more polished and solid elements
of society, and the wilderness IN this
way brought under subjugation, and
enlightenment spreads and penetrates
the remote interior of all countries
through the efforts of the prospecting
miner. The wealth of all countries
is stimulated by his discoveries, and
the foundation of new states laid.
Therefore, the development of the
immense area of the mineral regions
nearly one-third of the nations do
main-must be recognized as an i'm
portant factor in the development of
political institutions, and to the ex-
plorer of metals is due the beginning.
Left to all other sources and inAu-
ences, the valleys in the mountains
would for centuries remain homes for
the savage and the wild beasts. For
without the discovery of the mines in
the surrounding mountains, no market
could be found for the products which
would make limited fertile valleys
profitable to an agricultural communi-
ty. The political importance of the
explorer for precious metals is well
worthy of close study and attention.
The other side of his life, however,
will show that he is not a close Stu
dent, and his demands are consequent
ly at time extraordinary.
The invention of Mr.. Thomas Har-
rison, of Sedberg, Yorkshire, is inten-
ded for saving .he lives Of men in
mines in case of explosions, fire or
floods, and consists in making refuge
rooms of boiler plate or other material
these rooms being provided with air
pumps, one pump to supply the room
with air through tube laid under the
floor Of the nine (to keep the tube
from being injured), and connected
to an air shaft or a special blow-hole
from surface. The fo ul air is exhausted
by second air-pump place in the
room, and the foul air is thrown out
side and prevented from returning by
a stop-valve, or the rooms may be sup
piled with fresh air from pumps or air
compressors above ground. He fits
these rooms with double doors, the
inner door being provided with india
rubber or other material to make an
air-tight joint. The second part of
the invention consists in laying tubes
fitted with breathing taps to different
parts of the mines, the said tubes