Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-01-05
The Lead Market.

OF. Louis NlOU6 OemQCfat. JOln
Vail Il Go. review the pig lead market
for the past year as follows: The pig
lead market, during the year 1887. re-
cords interesting and memorable events
to the fraternity OF this metal. Fluctu-
atoms in values have not been equaled
in frequency since the year 1897, when
lead sold as low as &c and as high as
SIC pound. and speculation, the prime
ipal cause of these occurrences. has had
its full sway, and has proven itself to be
most rampant at times. AT the incep-
ton of the year 1887 pig lead in this
market was dull and dragging, and
went begging for buyers at $500, but
at the close of its career il has numerous
friends. aud is considered by those well
informed to be good property at "a 90
(G5.00. Only once since the memorable
ear ref rred to, 1879. has this figure
been equaled, and this in 1881. The
price for each of the past twelve months
was January, SAIL; FEBRUARY, 81 20;
March, "a. 221 April, $4.05; May $4.32R;
June, $4.421; July, $447a; August, "a.
AZ; September, S4.24; October, S4.12i;
November, 81 22l; December. 81 62..
The most erratic changes in price, as
will be observed from this schedule.
occurred during the past month, when
the most phenomenal jump in the metal
occurred. Quietly, but simultaneously,
strong undercurrent in all classes of
metal came to the surface during the
last quarter of the year. Copper was at
first foremost in the race, but tin follow
ed close in the wake, as did also spelter,
and last but not least, lead was taken
in by the so-called clique, supposed to
consist of a syndicate of capitalists on
he other side of the Atlantic. As
consequence, the already unusual alti-
tude of values of tin, copper, aud speltel
proved contagious to pig lead, and the
month of December, which opened al
"a. 25 sellers closes, rs already related,
uomlnally at $3.50 (G5 90 the unpre-
cedented elevation in values OF 70 per
pounds. Temporarily, the usual holt
day apathy characterzes this market,
but it is firmly believed by every body
that the new year will witness an active
revival. The consumption of pig lead
has been almost constantly equal, Il not
ut times considerably ahead ot the pro-
duction, and as near as we can gather
1t this writing the output of lead of tho
United States for 1887 will exceed
that of the preceding year by
from 1000 to 10000 tons, or in other
words, will not fall very much short OF
1877, 900 tons. A careful statistical posi-
ton shows stock in both first and Sec
ond hands to be unusually light, and
from 5000 to 5000 tons will no doubt
cover the same Corrodcrs both East
and West have experienced a lively
trade, and their aggregate sales OF white
lead will certainly exceed those OF the
preceding year A similar status has
prevailed among manufacturers of shot,
sheet and lead pipe, who claim their
,ale to have been voluminous enough;
but the priits not so large as they should
nave been. In October u White Lead
Trust, on a small scale, was organized
by some twelve or fifteen corroders,
and, rumors say, one or two rehuers,
with the view, of course, of inviting tho
majority, or for unanimity of the lead
Interests, at some future date. AS far
as can be learned, tue few who have in
tereSted themselves in this new venture
have stuck together pretty well, and
they seem to feel confident that under
taking will prove successful. AS stated,
the Trust is as yet in its infancy, but
the new year will likely bo able to solve
the problem whether it will make itself
felt and command the attention Of lis
constituents which is the desired end
ia view. Mining at several centers shows
itself to unquestionably on the increase.
New fields of supply are being added
constantly TO the list. Colorado still
continues the chief supply channel, but
Utah, Idaho aud Montana have contr-
buted their full share, as has also Mis-
souri,. The latter State, by the way.
has added some three shelters, whose
output, so far, has not cut very much
figure, but is likely to command con-
siderable attention for the ensuing year.
Mexico has also furnished our promiu
ent reiihels quite an amount Of valu
able ore, and our dealings with this re-
public in this article have proven quite
extensive.
"The receips OF piglead at this port
for the year past were |, 432,054 against
only /, 1873, S54 during the previous year.
The shipments fol the two years were
740,717 and 56l, 544 pigs respectively.
AT the close lead is ia such position
that any overtures 10 buy on the part
OF either spectators or consmers would
start the ball rolling, and prices would
unquestionably assume n further eleys-
ted level. We do not pretend to fore
cast the future course of the metal. =
task which would be hard one, but wa
will give our opinion by saying that =
will be well for every consumer of lead
to watch the metal closely for the next
three mouths, and not let himself ran
dry OF supplies. The clique holds tho
index to the situation, and we should
not be surprised to see the present little
ull develop into new campaign dur
ing the early part of the ensuing year.