The weekly miner., 1881-01-04
HE PAST AND THE FUTURE

Montana has rested under many dis
iyantages that have operated against
he earlier and more rapid development of
n agricultural, grazing and mineral re-
|nrces. The long distance by the river
lute or the tedious, rough road that
,s necessary to pass over to reach her
rders, were no light barriers that in
.rposed themselves to her settlement.
.,t the almost fabulous richness of her
acer mines induced the hardy adven-
rers of Colorado, Utah, Nevada and
alifornia to brave the dangers of the
rious routes to the country to reach
EN-. They came poorly prepared to
Get the obstacles to successful mining
At faced them here. Only such tools
could be packed upon animals or
owed away in lightly-loaded wagons
ere brought by the first rush of immi-
ants. Therefore the first mining OPP
ations carried on in the Territory were
primitive character. The old
cker, long tom and sluices were sue
ssively used, soon followed, however,
more expensive mining apparatus.
In the first three or four years after
u settlement Of the country, min
d was confined to surface or placer
Iound. 1t was not until after the dis
very of gold-bearing quartz in the
,inity of Bannack that the first quartz
il was brought to the Territory and
bcted near that town in 1865. For
years subsequent to that date quartz
ming in Montana proved, in most in
nces, a very expensive luxury to
nae engaged in it. individuals, COM
pies and corporations that invested in
business generally came out of it
ancially wrecked, and as a conse-
ence thoroughly disgusted with the
,ntrv and its mines, which were anathe-
4 ltized by the disappointed investors in
ery city from San Francisco to New
|rk. Later developments in some of
Rse old abandoned properties have
byed that the failures of their first
lrkers were directly chargeable to the
eror machinery used, and to the ig-
rance of those who had the enterprises
charge The causes of these failures
be summed up about as follows {:
mpanies were formed in the East for
purpose of working mines in Mon
Ia. These companies generally had
IRE money than experience in mining.
pensive but very clumsy and made
Rte machinery was purchased, and at
great cost to the owners, shipped
the country. Of course superinten-
bt for the mine and works was sent
NO with the useless outfit. In nine
es out of ten this gentleman was a
btiveo of one of the prominent officers OF
company. His knowledge of mines
not deep enough to enable him to
il tingush a mass of float quartz from
uartz lode, or to tell the difference be
Zen aminiI1g shaft and a well. Gen
lily he was at the mercy Of his EN-
byes and the dupe of every mining
arp in the country who had few feet
choice wild cat mining property te
L. The result of this misplaced con
u ence in the superintendent by the
mpany was that they ultimately re
sed to respond to the call of theil
cent for more money to continue theil
ling enterprise. A final winding uI
the unfortunate enterprise would en-
e, and the country and its mines were
aracterized as delusion and snare
Now it is clear to the most superficial
mixer that the frequent repetition o
ch cases as above named, could have
other effect upon Eastern capitalist
hn to weaken or altogether destroy
eir confidence in the ability of oul
nes to pay reasonable dividend
pn an investment in them. Montana
suffered very much through the ig
rance of those who had charge o
ne Of what has since proved to be thu
H |st desirable mining property in th'
hntry. Her mills were closed or tori
wn and moved from one place to an
her until worn out by handling
any expressed grave doubts as to thei
ing quartz lode in the country tina
Puld pay for working. Our quartz in
tests languished. Themost of our mel
means turned their attention to othe
rsuits, and had it not been for the faitl
tertained by our miners and few O
home capitalists in the richness o
lr quartz lodes, and that faith supple
ented by years of patient toll and per
Verence in developing them, Montana
ould not present that inviting field t.
Ppital that she does to-day. We ow
Puch to the few brave, energetic spirit
lat stayed by''the country and proves
the world the great wealth of it
ines Through their continued effort