The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-09-07
The AGlnes Of Mexles.

Since the completion Of the Mexican Gen.
trnl Railroad from III Paso TO the City OF Mexico
much interest has been taxed by progressive
business mon throughout the United States In
tho resources Of our sister Republic. and many
books have been printed In regard to their de-
velopment. The most useful Of these Ia His
toric Mines Of Merico. BY CHARLES b. DAHL
0RsN. machinist and mining engineer. The
author. a son Of tho late Admiral Dshlsren. has
been resident among the mines OF Mexico for
number Of years. and has prepared and pub
lished at his own expense. complete review
OF the mines Of that country for over three
centuries. In which he has supplemented his
own observation and experience by compilA-
tons from tho works Of Won Humboldt. Ward.
Burkhardt Bggloffstein. the reports Of the
United Mexican Mining Association. flies Of
the Mexican mining newspapers. and the re-
ports OF various engineers. and has illustrated
the whole with portraits. maps. and sketches.
It 10 now coming to DO generally admitted
that. notwithstanding the wonderful climate
and the great fertility Of the soil where water
can be had for irrigation in Mexico. the first
and by far the greatest interest OF that country
IL In its mineral resources. and especially Its
silver mines. When il is remembered that from
the days Of Cortex. In 1921. down to the begin
ming Of this century. and even to the present
these mines have poured forth an unceasing
sire am Of silver such rs the world has never
seen. II will be readily understood that anthem
tic reformation in regard to them Is OF especial
value to this country. 1t is estimated that the
value OF tho silver coin and bullion produced In
that country since the conquest is over three
thousand million dollars. and II Is well known
that some OF the mincs have been probably
worked almost without interruption from that
day to this. and that ono OF them. at least. Is
still running out silver at the rate 81 over five
millions per year. II Mexico Is to receive any
great impulse from the establishment OF rail
communication with the States. 1t is moro than
likely. as has been shown in these
columns. that 1t will be mainly through
the increased development Of It's mines and
mining industries. Americans are already
prospecting all parts Of that country. Many
old mines. like Batopilas. Santa Eulalin. and
Cusihuiriach. have been bought up new ma
chinery and improved methods are being in
troduced. and much capital is being invested !:
but 1t must not be FORGOTTEN that the Spanish
and Mexicans arc expert miners and metallur-
Y sts. and have brought silver mining and re-
duction to a state OF great perfection. Some OF
their methods arc crude aad slow. but they are
oil economical.
The greatest chance for Americans In work
Ing Old mines is to make improvements
in pumping. hoistinG. and transporting ores !:
or by the discovery and doveiopment of new
mines: but In all this and especially In the
history OF the old mines and the mining
regions OF the country. the experience Of
men who have lived In Mexico and worked
Mexican mines Is Of the first Importance. The
investor who fails to profit by 1t. or to consult
the Historic Mines OF Mexico" will regret 1t
but once. and that will he always.