Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-26


together specimens Of this rock and made con-
siderable money by its sale.
How many people know that gold mining has
been carried on, of and on, In Montgomery
county. Maryland, since 1S49? Yet such 10 the
case, and at present the late successes in Ger.
tain places have been so great that almost
every farmer within radius OF Is miles OF the
favored spots 10 digging holes In the ground,
putting up windlssses aud endeavoring to raise
. company to work the mines. Many Of the
miners never get further than the first little
hole. On the other hand there are several
mines in the county shat are being worked with
great activity and seemingly with considerable
success.
TRIP 10 THE MINES.
A STAR reporter started of the other day to
have look at the mining industries carried
on SO near the city and to see what gold really
looks like before il has felt the polluting touch
of government stamp.
Rockville is the the center Of the mining re-
gion, and in talk with several citizens OF
that place il was found to be the general i'm
preston that Montgomery county has a great
future in its mineral resources. In the upper
part Of the county recent discoveries have
also been made, and a Colorado company Is
land near Hyattstown.
Three miles southwest Of Rockville . syndi-
cate has leased the Miller farm, comprising ITO
acres, for twelve months, with an option Of
buying in six months for s12,000 or at the e,-
piration of the lease for $4,000 Very littls
work has, as yet, been done on these mines.
The company is prospecting. The assays, how
ever, are said to be gratifying. Two miles be-
low the Miller property another syndicate 10
working on what is known as the William Col
Inns farm. This mine is under the charge OF
Capt. NJ. V. Cutler of Colorado, who is on his
second shaft and is about fifty feet down.
WHERE GOLD WAS FIRST POUND.
IA ia far oh 1 u h.
first free gold was ever discovered in Mary
land. Way back in the forties James and Thomas
BATTERY, two eccentric old bachelors lived
there and managed to make a living by the
discovery and sale Of free specimen of gold.
The country at that time was very sparsely set
tied, and what few neighbors the two old
prospectors had considered them the worst
kind of lunatics. The Ratterys, however, went
on pottering about with their tin dishes and
iron spoons, paying no heed to comments and
selling their finds to jeweler on Bridge street,
Georgetown, whose son still carries on the
business at the same place.
Capt. Cutler expresses himself as more than
satisfied with the results so far at the mine.
The work has been progressing steadily here
for twelve months. The rock is said to be very
rich, with a considerable amount Of free gold,
assaying out anywhere from "a to S92 per ton.
The company expect to spend a large sum Of
money In developing and in working out the
drift Of the veins. Capt Cutler is an old Colo
RADIO miner and he says that II in any part of Col
orado the indications for gold were as great az
they are in Montgomery county it would be like
setting match to a train of powder, the eX-
element would be 80 great.
WORKING OTHER MINES.
About a mile below the Collins farm comes
the Stearns mine. This vein is supposed by
many to be the thickest one in the county, but
the property is SO tied up by law suit that the
mine is not being worked to any extent Next
in order toward the river and about three
quarters OF mile from Stearns comes the
famous Montgomery mines. The promoters
claim that at this spot larger amount of free
gold has been found than at any place on the
American continent The mine was worked up
to few years ago by Gen. Felix Agnus of the
Baltimore American. 1t is now in the hands OF
q syndicate of Baltimore and Chicago capital
lists. who are sinking shafts an putting in ex-
tensive machinery.
little further on il a mining area where
large sums of money are being invested. About
two years ago Col. G. w. Kirk of Tennessee
went out there on prospecting tour and the
indications struck him so favorably that ever
since he has been at work helping to develop
the region. Col. Kirk has had in his hands four
mines, in two Of which he stiIl retains a large
interest. The Lynch property has recently
been sold to q Philadelphia syndicate. An
other piece Of property. comprising $40 acres
was purchased by Senator Sawyer of Wiscon-
sin. The Kirk farm of 100 acres is still in the
hands of Col. Kirk and he is also in charge OF
what is known as the Ford property, which lies
nhrSu Eall