The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-10-17

A Mineral which Has Lately Been Used
In flreproof Paints

N AtfNEFooa t%fNtr
An industry OF which there is but
little said excepting In general way.
but which Is. however. none the less
important. Is the production OF soap
stone There are but comparatively
few people who are familiar with the
various features OF this commodity.
and some facts treating upon tho In
dustry will, doubtless prove Of in
terest
la the first place, soapstone. or,
more technically speaking. steatitc. is
mineral OF a soft and flexible nature.
and consisting principally OF silica
magnesia and more or less alumina
and water. ~ has an oily feeling.
quito suggestive OF piece OF wet
soap and is Of three or four different
colors. although mostly OF whitish
cast Large quantities are quarried
in parts OF New England and the mid
die states. the surplus coming from
Pennsylvania and New Hampshire.
Its applications are numerous and
varied. Cotton manufacturers use IL
extensively on the sizing OF rollers.
Its great durability in withstanding
excessive heat renders IL valuable In
lining furnaces for the reduction OF
ore by huxes. and In lining ranges
etc. Lately it has been used In the
manufacture OF a fireproof waterproof
and acidproof paint where II gives
much satisfaction For the prcserya-
ton OF limestone or sandstone build
ings during atmospheric changes IL al
A 4. IA asNs. 4
here that in China some Of the soft
stone buildings covered with paint
made from powdered soapstone have
been kept intact for centuries. In it's
powdered form IL is also largely used
rs "A lubricant and as an ingredient in
the manufacture OF some kinds OF
steam packing. Some other Of it's in
stances OF usefulness are Ia the manu-
iucture OF cooking utensils and sinks
in the preparation OF hides in the
adulteration Of soap, paper and rub
Der. In use where a hot box is occur
ring. in polishing glass marble, etc.
and in thousand other ways. So wa
! can see what "A prominent position IL
! occupies among American industries
During the year 1899, says tho
/ American Cultivation there were H.
4 7l3 tons OF this mineral produced at a
4 value OF 1921. 70S II u automatically
i stated that the birth OF this industry
dates back 10 the time OF tho American
! aboriginals Doubtless the use OF
soapstone in cooking vessels was an
/ idea OF this race, M all along the CAL
i ifornia coast and in fact IN nearly
all productive parts Of the country,
have been found unmistakable evidence
Of previous existence f the industry.
The natives had much more difficult
time In shaping the various articles
than wo are aware rs no,wiihstand-
Ing the soft ard flexible nature OF the
material. ii must be remembered that
they had 10 perform their work with
tools OF stone parts OF auilers aud
sometimes even OF wood. Probably
the most elaborate OF those soapstone
manufactures were pipes which arc
said 10 have been very beautiful in
shape and Of most exquisite finish
At place in New York state called
Gouyerneur II found specie OF soap
stone known as dbrous tale, which is
especially valuable N filler In tho
manufacture OF the medium qualities
OF PAPER. The tale Is crushed into
small particles ground with buhr
stones. and then placed in n large iron
cylinder together with quantity OF
flint peoples which. while revolving.
reduce the tale to required degree
OF ineness by friction.