Idaho semi-weekly keystone. (Ketchum, Idaho) 1884-1885, 1885-07-08
The Lesson Of Experience.

The Lesson Of Experience.
Considering the age Of the mining
industry in this country, and the expert
ence OF those engaged in Acknowledgment,
it Is probable that Its record OF failures
and disnppointmcnts is not greater than
that connected with the history OF any
other industry OF equal magnitude which
has produced the same results.
Some enterprises present basis OF
operations which Is from the beginning
in measure readily determined, with
others unknown factors must be taken
into consideration, the appearance and
result OF which cannot be predicuted
with any degrees OF certainty. The his
tory OF all human operations shows that
the pathway OF progress is strewn with
wrecks, and ifnll these stages ofloss, where
wrecks have accumulated, represent a
turning point townrd better knowl-
edge, then these failures may be esti-
mated as tho price to be paid for the
knowledge attained. 1t will, however,
he found probably true upoA investiga-
ton. that very much OF the loss or price
paid as a tribute to inexperience and
lack OF knowledge, might have been
largely decreased II 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
beginning, concerning the absurdity OF
purchasing extensive plants OF mining
machinery, before the quantity and even
character OF the ore Ind beer determined,
and in 1nany instances without the ore
Of any quality or quantity In addition
to this, beyond the wisdom OF maintain
ing 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 absurdity OF every
farmer attempting to grind his own grain
or every woolgrower attempting to
change his product into Fabric, is read-
lily discernible. The narrower the limit
to which any enterprise can be confined
the better in most cases is the profit
therein, us it is discovered that the
minutest branch OF any industry fur
nishes material enough for the most
thorough study and attention. Beyond
this general principle, it is too early in
a n,o " NJ IN 40 ,tt ~ ~ low
oped mining centers, to demonstrate the
class OF machinery required for the sue.
cessful and continued treatment Of
its ores.
ore changes materially. not only within
certain geographical lines, but also Il
certain depths reached in the develop
Ment OF mining property. This has beer
demonstrated too often to the sorrow o
those who have been induced to incul
heavy expenses without proper invest
CATION, when 1t Is discovered that
change in the character OF ore has rem
dered all their work and investmen,
useless. There are, no doubt, certain
positive and well defined laws, which
govern the character of mineral deposit
and when these laws are revealed IN,
comprehended, as they will be by NOR
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and experience, i
will be found that the requisite appli
anees for successful operations may b.
definitely determined in every locality
But at the present time too much hal
been taken for granted from surfac
indications, and upon the uncertain
changeable and unreliable foundation
many expensive operations have beef
inaugurated, only to result in loss ant
disappointment, however, cannot justl,
be chargeable IN any degree to the min
ing industry, or given as IN evidence O
its uncertainty, us such operations ar'
M unwise and unjustifiable as would b,
the excavation Of a mill pond in tho arit
desert, for the purpose OF securing
Sax ehSSss Within the realm Of mini"
uevelopment. and the failure SO far ha
Deen from an inability or uuwillinrnes
70 understand these laws, and conforn
W their requirements Mining Roviaw
~.
General jas. s. Brisbin. who has 20
Tue past year been commadnt at Bois,
Barracks a n Il v,h,, hx xoa.... x.,,