The Washington critic., 1888-05-16
Digging PRECIOUS ORE.
Work at the Great Falls Gold
Mines.
THE METHODS EMPLOYED
What a Trip to the Scene OF OPP
crations Revealed.
PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE


of gold on the Potomac were circulated,
THE CRITIC promised its readers the
earliest information obtainable
At that time THE CmTIc announced
that DR.. Walter Kempster and Senator
Sawyer had purchased a tract of land on
the Potomac, near the Great Falls, i'm
which they thought there was gold II
also said that its readers would be given
further information as soon rs IL was
Obtainable. For this reason one of THE
CRiT1c reporters, by the courtesy of Dr.
kempster, accompanied him on one of
his tri-weekly visits to the mine
Saturday.
The beautiful drive along the Conduit
road, on the north bank of the historic
Potomac, with the bright sunlight dane.
ing ON the varying shades of green of the
trees-one of the most beautiful drives on
the continent = terminated about two
miles below the Great Falls, where mar
row road that seemed to have been but
recently built, penetrates the thick forest.
This road runs along for some distance
back from the river at right angles with
the Conduit road by the side of pretty
little stream of water that few weeks
ago was as clear as crystal, but is now
clouded with mud. The reason was soon
of the prettiest in its wild beauty to be
found on the banks of the Potomac.
Something less than quarter ofa mile
from the Conduit road this road leads
from among the trees into an open field
between two sharp hills running north
and south, side by side, like immense
waves, on the crest of the westernmost of
which is q typical ante-bellum farmer
residence-the old Harrison Mansion.
This house is, and has been for nearly
forty years, the home ofa white-whiskered
old farmer, now in his 74th year, named
John Harrison. and in the Mill on which
his house is built is the gold mine.
The two parallel hills break off
abruptly, and across their foot runs the
little stream that the road follows, max
ing an abrupt turn westward at this
place.
There are three or more Of these parallel,
waye-like hills-in fact, this is to geolo-
gist q striking feature OF the topography
of the land
They run for some distance north from
the little stream, and between their south
ern ends and the stream there Is quite O
space of bottom land'-level land bor-
dering the stream.
The upper part of the stream is espe-
cially pretty, berdered with fine old trees,
and In some places splashing its noisy
way among immense boulders, clear and
cold above the mine.
Jhis stream runs through what q
geologist would call fault in the
geological formation.
That Is, it marks the dividing line
where, in remote ages some convulsion
of Nature has torn the land ON the nortA
loose from that on the south and carried
the latter westward in this place almost
an eighth OF mile. This circumstance
is an important element in the work of
prospecting" for gold.
Ii vein of rock extended across the
fault it would be broken in two, and the
northern portion would terminate sud
denly at the creek, and its continuation
would be found south of the creek, but
an eighth of mile westward. This has
been found to be the case.
The Surface of the Soil
over these hills IS strewn with fragments
of quartz, nearly all of which bear indica-
tons of gold. The formation of the hills
indicate that some contraction of the
earth's crust has thrown, up, sharp
ridges or rinkles of rock which have in
the course of time become clothed with
soil. The mining work done shows this
to have been the case, and that in the fis-
sures of these ridges of rock-slate
veins of gold-bearing quartz.
The history of the mine is interesting.
Nearly ever since Senator Sawyer has
quiet place, rather remote from the city,
where he couid build country villa for
occupancy during the long sessions of
Congress. DR.. Kempster has long been
the Senator's family physician, and also
an intimate friend. Something over
year ago DIR. Kempster became seriously
i'll from too close application to his pro-
fessional work, which was of rather n con.
lining nature. After partial recovery he
decided to make tour of Europe. One
of the members of the Senator's family
is an invalid, and as DIR. Kempster's treat
ment had been successful, they did not
wish TO lose the doctors services, and the
Senator asked hun to come to Washing
ton 70 rest and make his home with him.
Dr. keinpster did so.
About year ago q man went to DR..
Kempster and asked to borrow some
money, offering Tor security a gold mine.
He naturally was laughed at, but was SO
persistent that the Doctor drove out to
the location of the mine, and. aside from
any indications Of gold mine, was struck
by the beauty of the place and its
eligibility for such a country place as
Senator Sawyer wanted. Later tie Sena-
tor visited the place and was much
pleased with its beauty and quiet, aud
the visit resulted in the purchase by SEN
ator Sawyer and Dr. Kempster of the
tract which now includes $40 acres.
Hc ldhu 10 Ntl DuJ u ubJlt Ills
tance from the river, and from the porch
of the old house on the hill the upper
half Of the Washington Monument can
be seen over the tops of the trees. A
large portion of the property is thickly
wooded, and the rest is now farm. Some
day the Senator will indulge his agricul.
tuIal tastes by indulging in ornamental
farming. Anent the gold mine that the
property contains he says that it will be
needed to support the farm. As for DR..
Kempster, he has not only found a gold
Bline, but has also found mine of health
for the outdoor work of prospecting and
actively experimenting the mining opera
uons has made him picture of health.
DIR. Kempster Has Extensive Interests
in the Lake Superior mines, is thorough
geologist and has a practical knowledge
ofgold mining and prospecting. On his
first visit to the place he saw many things
that attracted his attention. and about
year ago active prospecting was begun.
The work was carried on in leisurely
sort Of way, and it was some time later
that shafts were dug and little expert
mental three'stamp gold mill was erected.
At the southern end of the hill on
which the house stands the first digging
was done. Just under the surface the
ledge of rock that was looked for was
found, and IN il what has already been
shown to be a very rich vein of gold bear
ing quality.
DIR. Kempster says; 'This land is u
part of the great ledge that extends across
This continent from Georgia to Nova Soo-
tia. In this ledge was convinced that
there was 'mneraliZed belt and that this
was part of that belt.
The Virginia Gold Mines.
II recently made q trip down through
Virginia and found many mines there
that are being worked and have been
worked proftably for years. Mostot these
mines are owned by one person or a firm.
Nd OF L. ian,,nI lnI,..,. =