Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1885-07-04
The Lesson of Experience.

Considering the age of the mining in
dustry in this country, and the mex
perience of those engaged in its devel
opment, it is probable that its record o.
failures and dsappointments is no.
greater than that connected with the
history Of any other industry of equal
magnitude, which has produced the
same results.
! Some enterprises present basis o.
operations which is from the beginnin
in measure readily determined, with
others unknown factors must be taken
into consideration, the appearance and
result of which cannot be predicted
with any degree Of certainty. The his
tory of all human operations shows that
the pathway Of progress is strewn with
wrecks. and if all this stages of loss,
where wrecks have accumulated, re-
present turning point toward a better
knowledge, then these failures may be
estimated as the price to be paid for the
knowledge attained. 1t will, however
be found probably true upon inyestga-
ton, that very much Of the loss or pric,
paid as trt te to inexperience and
lack Of knowi age, might have been
largely decreased if more reason and
judgment, already available, had been
directed toward better comprehension
Of these operations. Experience has
demonstrated what it is clearly evident
should have been understood in the be-
ginning, concerning the absurdity Of
purchasing extensive plants of mining
machinery, before the quantity and
even character Of the ore had been de-
termined, and in many instances with
out the ore Of any quality or quantity.
In addition to this. beyond the wisdom
OF maintaining separately or defining
the cost of mining and treating ores, the
light Of the experience gained in every
other line Of business might have been
taken into consideration. The absurd
ty Of every farmer attempting to grind
his own grain, or of every wool grower
attempting to change his product into
fabric, is readily discernible. The |
narrower the limit to which any enter
prise can be confined, the better in most
cases is the profit therein, as it is dis
covered that the minutest branch Of any
industry furnishes material enough for
the most thorough study and attention.
Bevont this general principle, it is too
early in a majority Of cases, even in
fairly developed mining centres, to
demonstrate the class Of machinery re-
Quired for the successful and continued
treatment Of ITS ores.
1t is well known that the character of
ore changes materially, not only within
certain geographical lines, but also at
certain depths reached in the develop
mcnt Of mining property. This has
been demonstrated too often to the sor-
row of those who have been induced to
incur heavy expenses without proper
investigation, when it is discovered that
a change in the character Of ore has
rendered all their work and investment
useless. There are, no doubt, certain
positive and well defined laws, which
govern the character of mineral deposits
and when these laws are revealed and
comprehended, AS they will be by more
investigation and experience,
it will be found that the requisite APP
pliances for successful operations may
be definitely determined in every local
ity. But at the present time too much
has been taken for granted from surface
indications, and upon this uncertain,
aid unreliable foundation,
many expensive operations have been
only to result in loss and
disappointment. This loss and disap-
however, cannot Justly be
in any degree to the mining
Industry, or given as an evidence Of its
as such operations are as
unwise and unjustifable "a would be
the excavation of mill pond in the
arid desert, for the purpose of securing
a body Of water.
No line of business enterprise presents
more certain and clearly defined laws,
unchangerble and unalterable, than
those discovered within the realm of
mining development, and the failure so
Ear has been from an inability or un-
willingness to understand these laws,