The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1892-02-18
Temescai Tin Mines.

Ihere Is much honest doubt In the
minds of people Of this country In regard
to the success oftin mining and tin manu-
facture in this country. As bearing upon
This question We quote from an article
that appeared originally In the Overland
Monthly, and is from the pen of Maine
man, well known to many in the State,
formerly the Democratic Municipal judge
OF the city Of Portland, the Hon. Enoch
Knight, who has for some years resided
in Los Angeles, California
When President Harrison was In South.
ern California last spring and stepped out
upon the platform station at South River
side he was greeted with the vision of a
pile of tin fifteen feet high, bearing the
legend First American Tin, April %,
1891" and standing alongside OF ii he
made one Of the happiest addresses OF a
series notable for tact and grace. But It
was not until a short time ago that con.
slant and systematic work began, when
one could see with his own eyes, as he
can now do daily, the hosting and crush.
ing of ore, the working concentrating
machines the smelling, and the hauling
away for shipment into the market the
pig tin of commerce.
The writer, On a recent visit to the
mines, was allowed to see the confidential
reports of the directors of the company
also of the experts, and given the fullest
use of all official information. The amount
of ore being daily handled now that
things are working well, is something
over thirty tons, and the tin metal product
about three fourths of ton. The pro-
duct for December was twenty five tons
marketed "a little being left over from
November; y the actual amount smelteC
WAS slightly more than twenty tons
The superintendent estimates the output
of this one lode for 1892 at 250 TONS al
the present rate of work and yield of ore
With the third level he expects to get bet
ter ore, the present yield being about
per cent.
The reader will remember that only one
lode of the thirty is being worked, and
this under plain restrictions in the way OF
machinery, fuel supply, etc. The gross
value of a ton of 2240 pounds of pig tin
at the highest price yet paid, % cents, is
$5l5. The superintendent conservative
estimate, however, is $3.50 a ton; and
this year, then, working the ore near the
surface and taking into account only this
one lode, will, at the lowest estimate
bring to the company, in round numbers
$1l2.000.
Capt. Harris, the Supt., says; But as
to this mine, l expect to find the ore
much better as we go down, and if II
proves to be so it will be the richest mine
l have ever known. The average YIELD
now is more than twice as much as those
of Cornwall. OF course, If this were moi
so, we could not touch it, with the many
disadvantages, and particularly the great
er cost of labor. | propose to develop
this one lode for all it is worth, produc-
ing meantime twenty tons or more of tin
a month II it continues to improve as il
promises, and as we have right to ex
pect, then we have about thirty more just
as rich and extensive, and it will be big
and valuable property"
But there Is even now an assured Amer
lean tin niue. There is no doubt abou
it, 1t is very easy to work, the ore crop
ping out so near the surface of these lit
tie low lying hills over aud among which
one may ride anywhere in buggy. 1t il
near a great railway, and in The midst o.
rich, cultivated country.
count it great gain and assurance OF
success that English capital has been en-
listed here. 1t has always freely follow
ed significant beckonings. 1t is instinct
almost, with the British bent for mines
and mining. This investment means al
Endorsement of the claims made on behalf
of the property and the placing of i
where its merits may justify.