Great Falls tribune., 1889-01-05
MAKING SILVER.
THE MONTANA sMELTER COMPANY
BEGINS WORK.
The Great Furnace Produces Bullion
for the First Time-The Smell
ter Complete in Every
Respect.

The smelter is at work. On Wednes-
day afternoon the blast was put on at the
furnace at at 10 p. m. the first bullion
ten bars-was taken from the smelter
The immense furnace which has been
constructed with so much care worked
admirably and fully realized the expecta-
tions Of Mr.. sticht, the metallurgist.
The ore for the occasion was received
first in the sampling house, where it was
reduced to powder by the crushing and
milling machinery. Samples were here
taken in order to determine the value of
the ore at the assay office which is pro-
vided with the most delicate appliances
for the purpose.
From there the ore was removed to the
bins, in cars which move on a narrow
guage railroad. From the bins the ore
was conveyed to the roasting furnaces of
which there are 90 In these ovens as
they might be called, intense heat was
applied and the sulphur disappeared in
vapor These furnaces have been in
operation some time in order that there
may be abundance of roasted ore on hand
before the "fiery furnace" began the final
work of publication.
From the roasters the ore was taken to
other bins to await the preparations at
the furnaces, of which there are four.
About Christmas Mr.. Sticht had fire
placed in the furnace, in order to dry it
thoroughly. Meanwhile, fuel was accum-
ulated. Coal was brought from Sand
Coulee, coke from Connellsville, Pa, and
limestone from Wolf creek.
As soon as the furnace was ready the
ores, flux and fuel were placed therein in
the proper proportions Then fires were
lighted under the boilers and the mighty
engine which provides the blast was put
in motion. 1t worked admirably, for it
had been constructed carefully in accord
ance with the directions of Mr.. Eilers, the
president of the company, who has
had extensive practical experience in
metallurgy and has conducted successful
ly extensive reduction works in Colorado.
Finally the werd was given to put on the
blast Then the air pouring through the
tllyeres gave renewed combustion to the
smouldering fire. The heavy mass soon
felt the increased heat and in due time
became apparently a body of molten
metal. All worked as was expected.
There was no hitch; no confusion. The
ponderous machinery worked as smooth
ly as sewing machine or clock; the
water circulated freely in the steel jacket
which surrounds the "charge" that is be-
ing reduced to silver and lead. Finally
when Mr.. sticht, determined that the ore
had given up its silver and lead the fur
mace door was opened and the molten
metal flowed out and was received in
moulds.
This bullion will be sent east for furth-
er publication and it will then reappear
as coin in our pockets or, perhaps, as sill
yer spoons on the table of some Indian
nabob. Meantime, more bullion is being
produced daily.
General Manager Child, Mr.. Sticht and
all concerned are entitled to congratula-
tions on the successful start which has
been made.
THE REV. GEO. H. THAYER, of
Bourbon, Ind, says: "Both myself and
wife owe our lives to SHILOH'S CON-
SUMPTION CTJRE At Tanevra Rroa