Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-03-20
GOLD FEVER in CHINA.

Preparations Being Made to Work Re-
Gently Discovered Lead Of Great RIchness-
A conference was held at the Grand
Pacific yesterday between two Chinese
noblemen and two representatives Of the
mining machinery firm OF Fraser & Chal-
mers, with the result that negotiations
were formally enteTed into looking to the
construction Of a0-stamp mill In the
mountains Of China. The magnitude Of
the deal may be understood when 1t is
stated that the mill, with all Its machin-
cry and appointments, win cost not far
from 81, ,000,000. This sum will inclHde
all preliminary expenses. The announce
ment that such gigantic mill was to be
built In China astounded even the mem
bers of the firm, well posted as they are
In all matters pertaining to mining and
mining machinery. They had no idea
that there was enough gold bearing rock
in China to pay for the erection of a
staEp mill Of any size. They were in
formed by the Chinese noblemen that
there has been discovered in the heart of
China the richest and most extensive
gold bearing lead in the world.
There Is an old story in Chinese history
TO the effect that at one time, many CEN
turies ago, there was tremendous excite
ment over the discovery Of gold In the
Tai-Shan. But after 9 time the gold
gave out, and although the industrious
Celestials continued to dig for several
years their profits were very small. FL
nally the search for the yellow grains
was entirely given up. The Chinese did
not know very much about mining In
those days. They did not know that by
crushing the rocks and treating the re-
sulting dust with chemicals the hidden
gold could be released. Now they know
all about the methods Of gold produc-
ton. Cinnamon rushed to California
during the gold excitement and fey
years later rushed to Australia. They
raturned to their homes with money and
knowledge.
About two years ago some Chinese
brospectors entered the Tai-Shan noun
tains determined to find gold bearing
quartz If it existed in the country. Be
fore the first week Of their search was
ended they found significant outcrop-
pings. A little later they discovered the
great lead which is now known to be of
almost fabulous value. One Of these men
was Leng Chen, a man who had had con-
siderable experience in mining and pros
pecting in California, and who knew the
wisdom Of silence. They kept very still
about the find until a company had been
formed and clear title to a large tract
of land secured. Some crude stamp mills
were erected, and the crushing and re-
duction of quartz was begun. From the
outset the production Of gold was enor.
nous, and it is stated that not ton of
ore has been treated that has yielded less
than $500. In particular cases the ore
has yielded as much as SIC, 900 to the ton.
The news of the lucky mining venture
spread rapidly In China, but for Some
reason has been kept from the world.
A trust, controlling about eighty miles
of land in the gold country, sent Chu
Ling Kwan and Tong Sing Kou to this
country to make preliminary arrange
ments for the purchase Of the necessary
machinery to begin operations on mod
ern and gigantic scale.
When a reporter was admitted to the
room the distinguished arrivals occupied
he found Chu Ling Kwan attired in the
full dress of Chinese mandarin. Every
garment upon him was made of the soft
est and shiniest of silk. Tong Sing Kou
wore American dress. Tong Sing lived
In America many years, and attended
American schools He speaks English
very fluently.
"Our property at one point is within
sixteen miles of the sea coast" said he,
'and it is not more than twenty miles to
. good port. The land owned by the
companies is all in the county of Ming
Hoi, in the province of Shan-Tung. If
you are not familiar with the geography
Of China, I will tell you that the mines
are on peninsula across the Corean sea
from the Peninsula of CGea and directly
west"
Tong Sing opened yalise, unrolled a
ehamois skin and exhibited his speci-
mems. "You will see," he said, ''that
the gold is quite coarse in these speci-
mems. It is not so throughout the lead.
In some places it is exceeding fine and
again it is found in nuggets. The streams
which run through the mountains wash
out gold and 5000 people make living
by grading the sand in the bed Of one
river. After every heavy rain the sup
ply of gold dust in the river bed is re-
plenished. believe that in very few
years the mines viii be themes valuable
in the world. We contemplate erecting
the finest plant in the world. There was
a difference of opinion among the stock
holders as to whether it would be better
to erect one 300-stamp mill or three 100.
stamp mills. We have asked Fraser &
Chalmers to make estimates on both
propositions. The stock in the mining
companies is held by upper class China
men. Most Of the stockholders are gov
ernment officials, but the government Of
the Chinese empire does not in any way
own or control the mines. The COM
panies are essentially private corpora
tions Chicago Herald.
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