Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1885-11-07
The Mines Around Custer.
Continued from our last.
VEIN FILLING,


solution theory Yves in our own opinion
the true principle by which to account
for the many complex combinations of
mineral that are found in our veins.
In fact we have never seen an ore vein
yet where the molten theory would fit
the case. 1t is philosophical and does
not harmoniZe with what is known Of
the laws governing crystallization, while
the solution theory harmonizes and
agrees with the condition Of the mineral
as found in our vein system. A great
many scientific men have written upon
this subject and have disclosed a great
deal Of useful knowledge by imparting
the result Of their experience and ex-
periments in the laboratory. But they
have always treated the subject as if
they were talking to convention Of
scientific men, and their writings in
consequence are so full Of scientific
terms and signs denoting chemical prop
critics and proportions that they are not
understood by the ordinary prospector
and miner who needs that knowledge
the most And as we are writing this
for the especial consideration Of these
same miners and prospectors, we shall
at the risk of being prosy, endeavor to
make ourselves plain, and easily under
stood. To this end it will be necessary
IN, do hot h,, n
eral in solution. We will give our own
definition, las it is used and understood
in chemistry by saying a mineral is in
solution when it is entirely desolved in
q fluid without residue and the fluid
remaining clear and transparent. This
is not Webster's definition, though we
do not think it will be found to differ in
meaning. A solid that is held in sus-
pension is often said to be in solution
but is not. We will illustrate it in this
way. Put salt in water, it is taken up
and held in perfect solution. Again,
put pulverized chalk in water, the par
ticles being as light as the water are
held up, but the water is cloudy or
white. We say then the chalk is held
in suspension, it is not in solution
Now, with this point understood, we
are prepared to go on, and will do SO by
stating In broad terms, that it is our
belief that all the mineral that is found
in veins to day was carried there in
q fluid state in solution. What all the
gold and silver, copper, iron and all the
metals !? Yes and the quartz and spar
also. Where was this solution formed
and how did it get there? First. by the
rain falling on the earth, and the water
soaking and penetrating into the earth,
deeper and deeper, saturat
ing, perculating, not only through the
cracks, seams and strata, but through
the very grain of the rock, sedementary
or igneous. BY slow seapage from year
to year, from age to age, this teaching
process (which seems to be natures
favorite process) has been going on.
The water taking up in its passage and
holding in solution portion Of the
constituents of every strata
through which it passes, (for every
rock has a mineral base) until 1t finally
reaches the vein. The waters flowing in
on one side Of contact vein carry
different mineral from the water flow
ing in on the other side, because they
flow through different formation.
These waters meet and mingle in the
vein, and it is here that the great law
Of attraction and affinity is displayed.
1t is the law Of life and love, the same
law that impells man to select part
ner in matrimony, and the two become
one. The same law holds good through
all the animal, vegetable, and mineral
kingdoms. And the same is going on
in our mineral veins to-day, yesterday,
and forever. Each particle Of mineral
in solution is rushing to embrace the
other particle that it loves the best and
when they have met and mingled, then
like old folks thew crystalline and settle
down. This comparison may seem
quaint and odd, but it is the best We can
think of to illustrate the workings Of
the great and universal law Of attrac-
ton, and to make it as plain and simple
as possible we will continue the illustra-
ton. Here say comes Mr.. Iron in solu-
ton flowing down the wall Of vein.
He meets Miss Sulphur in like condi
ton gliding along down that wall.
Hello He says, you are the girl for me,
let us join hands and tie up right here
on this rock. It is agreed, and they
combine and are ever after known as
sulphuret or pyrites Of iron. Again,
here comes Mr.. Lead, meets another
Miss Sulphur, they form q partnership
combine, crystallize, and are ever after
known as galena. Again, here comes a
little stream carrying salt-salt contains
chloride-it meets another little stream
carrying silver-chlorine and silve,
have Q great attraction for each other
they meet and mingle and are ever at
ter known a. chloride Of silver, unless
some other fellow comes along fol
which Miss chlorine may have grea o.
attraction when she Quits Mr.. Silver