Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1882-04-29

mine, q name derived from the fact of
nest Of Yellow Jacket wasps disputed
the claims of the locations.
The first pan Of yield that was to
culminate in production that has as
tonisliad the world. realized Is cents.
We will not dwell on the grand history
of the Comstock lode: nor the wealth
realized from it suffice it to say that as
proof of the profits of mining, it presents
n standing monument, which will be
forever ineffaceable.
Three hundred and twenty millions
extracted and wilderness immediately
transformed into the busy haunts Of
men was the result of that discovery.
From the early stages Of mining in
California and Nevada, the industry has
branched out in every direction, until it
seems almost co-ex.ensive with our ter
ritory.
Not only has gold and silver been pro-
duced in fabulous quantities, but we
have become the greatest copper pro-
ducing country of the world. There
seems no limit to our mineral yield.
Utah has produced from one mine, the
Ontario, over S9,000,000; Dakota from
the Black Hills over $9,OOO,OOO, one
mine, the Homestake, having 500 stamps
at work turning out surprising wealth
from lowgrade ore. Arizona from the
Tombstone district over $7,0OO,0O
Idaho has produced over 100000 900;
Montana over $l2,000,000; Colorado,
whose mineral industries are the glory.
pride and wealth Of the state, has added
over 800 O0O0,0 ,0O0 to the country's wealth.
Michigan from its copper mines over
500, 100000. We could continue further,
but when Maine and New Hampshire
are able to show dividend paying mines,
when Georgia and the Carolinas are ad-
ding their millions to our vast output Of
precious metals, is it not superfiuous we
repeat to dwell on the profits of mining?
There are other things to be taken
into consideration than past returns.
We are still in an infantila stage as to
mining. hardly out Of our swadling
clothes.
With the great bulk of our mineral
territory undeveloped, with new mines
being constantly opened; and great
strikes reported from every section, in
dicating great mines in embryo, with
our greatly extended lines of railroads
and most important, the vast improve
ments in mining machinery, reducing
the cost of extracting and treating ores
to figures hitherto conceived to be inn
possible; one would be daring indeed to
attempt to compute the profits of min
ing for the next decade.
We predict that ere long there will be
tide of capital turned in that direction
that will be productive Of results little
dreamed of to-day. The most conserva-
tive capitalist Will surely be convinced
that while he is hugging his three per
cent bonds, he has been blind to an in
dustry that is capable, ifproperly invest.
ed in, by bringing return that will
make any other form of investment
seem poor indeed by comparison.
We of the east have little comprehen-
sion of the aggregate Of wealth that has
been distributed from our mines, but
the lesson will yet be learned and learn
ed SO thoroughly that there will be
boom" in mines that are mines," such
as the world never saw.
This golden epoch is coming, the
cheapness ofmoney alone assures it, and
the path to successful mining which has
hitherto seemed 20 many a rugged one
and full Of pitfalls will be found safe and
inviting, its dangers greatly exaggerated.
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