Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-15
A BIG find Of SILVER.
Martin Joyce Says He Has a
Genuine Mine
CLOSE TO C0NNELLSVILLE.
He Has Leased Contiguous Territory
To Protect the Lode.
THE REGIONS HIDDEN MINERAL

That Western Pennsylvania is noted fol
its mineral wealth goes without saying,
but most people believe that the said wealth
is confined chiefly to the commoner grades
of minerals. Iron, coal and oil have all con-
tributed their share to the prosperity
Of the State, and have added many dollars
to the private fortunes of some of its citi-
Eens. 1t is on this account that striking Of
new coal or iron mine causes no comment,
and the bringing in of a new oil or gas well
creates but little stir, except among those
directly interested. People of this section
have been accustomed to look to the West
for our supply of the more precious metals,
but in all likelihood the day for so doing
has passed. A silver mine has been found
almost at the very doors of Pittsburg, as it
were.
WHERE THE JOYCE LODE is.
Four miles above Cornellsville, on the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, there is a
large stone quarry operated by Martin
Jovce, the well-known contractor of this
citv. The quarry is worked to secure the
stone for the paving of various streets for
which Mr.. Joyce has the contracts. Some
months ago while the laborers were remov-
ing the stone from the quarry they noticed,
here and there, traces of some mineral which
they took to be lead or tin.
THE SILVER WAS A SLEEPER
At first no notice was taken of the min
eral except to avoid it lift interfered with the
removal of the stone. As the work pro-
gressed, however, the mineral became more
apparent and soon developed into two we'll
defined veins.
The larger of these veins proved to be of
a peculiar kind of iron ore, for the smelling
of which Mr.. Joyce has built furnace near
the quarry, and he proposes to turn out a
superior article of tool steel under a patent
taken out by man now in his employ. 1t
is on the smaller of the veins that our in
terest now centers.
This vein, which was at first very faint
and taken to be another outcropping of the
iron ore, has been growing larger and more
distinct of late, and a couple of DAYS ago be-
came so pronounced as TO bother the quarry
men very much. 1t is now, as laid bare,
from inches to IA inches in thickness, and
about 60 feet from the surface of the ground
1t is hard to work in its present position,
but specimens broken off bv a hammer in
the hands of Mr.. Joyce and submitted to
experts have been pronounced a fine grade
of silver.
Mr. Joyce was hunted up last night and
asked about the matter. He said:
CLAIMS THAT IT Is BONA FIDE.
81 have been trying to keep this thing
quiet, but it seems as if I will not succeed.
was approached bv the reporters sometime
ago, but told them that had only found
a vein of iron ore. At the time believed
this to be correct, but the other vein
has become so distinct that
suppose someone has learned of the
matter, and, of course, everything
must come out 1t is true that have found
a silver mine, and it is going to be paying
one, If the opinions of experts go for any,
thing. have had some of the ore assayed.
but viii not as yet give out the results
They are, however, of such nature as to
cause me to build a smelling mill on the
ground and prepare the ore for shipment.
The vein runs to the south, dipping consid-
erably as it goes; but 1 have secured enough
land in the vicinity to make me safe in CIV
ing its general direction"
Mr.. Joyce also showed the reporter lump
of pure silver which he claimed had been
smelted down from one brought to the city
by himself. The find is creating great excite
ment in the vicinity Of the quarry, and the
farmers are acting as if an oil or gas gusher
had been struck in their midst Several
Pittsburg parties are said to be trying to
secure leases, but so far have had but little
success