The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1892-12-22
SILVER FROM OUR MOUNTAINS.
Fruits and Flowers from
Our Rolling Plains.
And Gold Dust from Our
Sands.

The Idaho mineral exhibit contains
two small vials filed with sand from
the placers in the Neal district This
is ordinary, coarse-looking sand of
various colors from white to black.
But when it is examined closely the
brown and red particles are found to
be small crystals, and glitter like
rubies. This sand contains chromium,
one of the rare elements more precious
than gold, being worth $65 an ounce.
1t has about the same specific
gravity as gold, and in placer mining
tits deposited along with the yellow
metal. The name commonly applied
to these crystals is hyacinth or ruby
sand. Zircon sand is found at
Helena, Montana; in southern
Colorado; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and
in Arizona. 1t is also found in Idaho
and Washington counties in this state,
besides the Neal district. At Warrens
in Idaho county, it can be taken out
in paying quantities. The only place
in the United States for the reduction
of zircon sand is at Baltimore. Zir-
conium when heated to q certain
temperature emits white light, and
it has been utilized in combination
with gas for Illuminating purposes.
Efforts will be made in the spring to
obtain more of this sand for the
Worlds Fair.
So far in the exhibits Washington
and Nez Perce appear to be the
banner agricultural counties of the
state. And their products are no
merely specimens, but are sent il
wholesale lots, such as 175 jars O
fruit from Nez Perce and 1874 bushel!
of oats from one acre in Washington
Every county in the state has valu
able mining interests. Efforts hav'
been made to secure specimens from
each one. When these are al
collected at Chicago, Idaho will hav
magnificent display The spac
allotted this state in the mining build
ing is prominent one, being secon
2 from the main entrance. The colo
4 of the pavilion is white and gold
Y The style is that of classic temple
D Between each set of pillars above th
; plate-glass is the word Idaho, on
: medallion. The pavilion is entere
e by doors at both the sides and end.
: Idaho will have specimens enough
d fill all her space. f. B. SchemerhorI
who closed his work for the wintt
/ the first of the month, canvasse
y Owyhee, Cassia, Logan, Altura
e Custer, Lemhi, Boise and Bingha
e counties, and collected over eightet
hundred samples. This is in additiC
to the work done by the assista
commissioners in each of the cou
2. ties.
In the mineral exhibit is a piece
le ore that looks like an ordinary chul
d, of lead 1t is specimen of almo
a pure galena, ground down into t.
e, rectangular blocks, like two box'
s. one small one on top of the oth'
ar The top cube is engraved with mine
+. tools, pick, shovel and hammer
ed the side of the larger solid is cut
ne gold letters the name of the donor,
as A. Lusk, superintendent of the Que
en- of the Hills mine at Bellevue, FRI
RS which the ore is mined. 1t is hs
ed for one who examines the specin
ill to think that it is not lead bulli'
he But it is native galena, contain
,ar about rs per cent lead (86. 6 per C
ly being pure galena) and about fit
,m per cent sulphur. The ore carr
one hundred and thirty ounces
silver to the ton.
There are some very pretty sp'
zen mems of wire silver among Idal
ne mineral collection. Great care
VII been taken in packing them that t
'ng may safely make the trip to Chica
III They are first wrapped in tissue pa
On and then surrounded with the coti
ce. These delicate silver threads of T
'ne metal clinging tenaciously to
pes galena ore, are SO handsome that
VI will probably be placed in a sepa
1he exhibit from the scientific departm
der
A Merry Christmas 10 all.