The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-01-04
TIE UNIQUE REPLIES.
Interesting Experiences of a Cen
SuS StatiStician.
''rLL GIVE YOU THE D---D NINE
zine Name nf My Mine is the IT, b. Damned,
and to Your Questions Repeat the
Name''-Other Answers.

ana TO Your Questions Repeat the
Name"-Other Answers.
A writer in the New York Sun of De-
cember IA gives some rather entertaining
glimpses of the experiences of census
statlstlclan. 1t is scarcely necessary to
say that the writer of the article is in no
way connected with the census work, and
that his "revelations'' are in no way Off
cial
superintendent of Census Porter last
year appointed DR.. David P. Day of the
United States Geological Survey special
agent Tor the collection of the general sta
tlstlcs OIL mines and mining. DR.. Day has
been long connected with the Geological
Survey, and is familiar with the mineral
resources Of this country, but the work
given him was too much for one man to
accomplish. The different classes of mines
were, therefore, sub divided into groups, as
gold and silver, quicksilver, copper and
lead, zlnc iron, coal, and the less valuable
metals. Experts were placed in charge of
each sub division, and it has been planned
tnat Or. Day shall compile general report
on the mines and mining industry of the
United States from the various reports
submitted TO him.
Mr.. Richard P. Rothwell, editor of the
hn9tnee'ing and Mining Journal, was made
special agent for the collection of the stat
lstlcs OF gold and silver mines and reduc-
| tion works
Mr. Rothwell decided to secure the re-
turns chiefly by correspondence, and in
1urtnerance of this object blank forms
s Mele malleo TO an concerned in gold and
silver mining. The blanks contained cues
tlons which called for information regard
ing the total amount and value of ore pro
| yucca and treated in 1889 and the amount
anu value OF tho bullion produced from the
ore; also the number Of men and animals
employed, wages paid, total of expendi-
lures, present cash value of the mine and
mining plant, the value of the mill, smelt-
ing, or other reduction works, and other
particulars.
Inc census authorities expected to find
put little trouble in securing satisfactory
replies, but in this they were very much
mistaken. While some mine Operators
| willingly gave the desired information. a
lew paid no heed whatever to the letters
ana great many answered in an unexpec-
tea manner. One man, to the question of
Three niggers and Chinese cook, and
chllllngly added, Would you also like to
know the number of bedbugs l kill every
night!'
sometimes answers were DELAYED by
Cupid's pranks. The secretary has gone
up the lake to see his best girl said one
letter, and when he comes back he will
give you all the information you desire
Numerous replies full of prevalent de-
tails were received. One communication
contained temperance sermon. Il have
Deen mining for the past twenty-five
years, said the writer, during which time
l had partner who was one of the
best OF men up to two years ago, when
whisky overlook him. and he is now bum,
Delng hard working man.
Another told tale of misplaced conf
dence: In reference to mining, met man
who told me he was an expert. Myself
and partner thought we had the right man
IN the right place, so we hired him, we
belng only amateurs. Before we got
through with him he mulcted US out of
500. We didn't get $40 worth of gold out
OF the mine The writer naively con-
Guides; 1really think the Same party knew
more about shoeing mules than he did
about mining.
Failure to strike it rich was reflected
in many of the answers. The owner of an
unproductlve mine wrote: The name of
my mine is the ''U. B. Damned.n and all T
can say to your questions as to its value ia
to repeat the name. The OILY things have
ever got from SAID mine are a sore back,
sour temper, and 81, 500 worth of debts. If
you know any misguided man who would |
IKE mine freo of charge, refer him to
me. VIII give him one-half of the ''U. b. |
Damned" and for your trouble will make |
you present of the other half
IAN equally caustic gentleman, who. by |
Inc way, says he IS Harvard graduate |
ana ADDS -. A to his name, contributes |
fniInUInn In
tons, would say that, SO far as | know.
the mina OF which l have the honor to be |
tue sole owner has never produced a red |
cent, although three former owners com |
mltted suicide after vain envdeavors to |
make the id thing pay. In order to |
avoid similar fate, have secured a fiat |
terlng position as chief bartender and con
coceer OIL 1qnld delights in Billy Scotts |
popular art gallery and gambling palace. |
II you ever come out this way hunt me up. |
I'll give you the d ID mne.'
An enterprisiDg New Mexican, bent on |
hndlng the precious metal somewhere. |
writes; Only the Almighty God can get
any silver out of my mine. 1t has all the |
CHARACTERISTICS o. silver bonanza-except |
the silver. However, L hope to strike the |
VEN some day, and, In the meantime. NAV
! strike you for the loan of five dolarsl,
quite the gem OF the collection is mis-
spellea tale of woe from Arizona This
blank was returned blank but contained |
on the reverse touching communication.
apparently written by sufferer of triple |
vision aud St Vitus' dance: the superin
tendent is ded drunk he alays is. the |
secretary is in jale for az solt and betterv an
the ondersined l am sick in Bed from the |
Enecks and go to hill feeling hangs |
aroun this shanty. good buy
1T was early seen by those who were
awaiting the statistical returns on the
blanks furnished that correspondence alone |
could not be successful where Ignorance
and illiteracy had to be contended
with. BY the advice of DR.. Day and Mr.
RothWell, enamerators were appointed. but
the limited amount of the census appropria-
ton pre- Guided the employment Of an ade-
quate number of men.
lin the selection of the mining enumer-
ators unavoidable mistakes were made az
the census authorities had no means of
the applicants aptness Tor the
work. Some OF the men appointed did not
seem to realize what was expected of them
and others showed an unconyentionalitv
that would make the brisUes rise On some
OF the bureaucrats at Washington. One
Fellow reported: The owners of the Red
Bird claim are two Cinnamon. who are
either unable to speakiEnglish or unwilling
10 give any information. In answer to nv
questions they only shook their heads. and
told me- that high lee tooah mal,ah high
loW.' coaXed and threatened but ALWAYS /
the same song about high lee and shiSb |:
loW,' with 'toolah makah' thrown in he
tween hn