The Helena independent., 1894-07-19

has Witnessed tho introduction OF labor
saving devices aud cloeer economical
Men trained in tho best methods and
schools have taken tho place Of the un-
skilled aud extrayagnnt aud properties
that once could not be worked heoause
tof low grade ores are now payers OF
handsome dividends. Experienced men
now 90 into mining with 0s much cer-
tainty OF return as men who 60 into
other occupations. or course theereen-
horn aud the teuderioot are still plucked
by tho inscriptions, but not moro 80
than they are In commercial enterprises
IN older sections OF the country.
Another thing about the mining bus
moss that escapes the notice OF those
not familiar with II ls lie permaneoey
OF character Many people assume that
a mine is like tho old darISey's definition
Of man: "ro.day dar ho Ia and to-mor-
rer whar is heg" This Is o mistaken
notion. Prof. A. d. Churchill, formerly
OF tho Columbia school OF mines, ono OF
tho loading mining engineera OF tho
country, has shown how tallacious is the
idea that our mining gains arc transl-
tory. tlc says;
~ nm familiar, by personal obserya-
ton and experience, with the mining
districts OF Arizona, California, Colo
RADIO, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Montana
aud the Lake Superior region. Mon
tana mining, as II Is now carried on,
differs from that OF otherstate and ter
rtores in several respects, especially
SO in the taet that a large proportion OF
the Montana mines are fssure VEINS in
granite. This is fact OF tho very
greatest importance, for to 1t ia due the
permanency OF the mines and their con-
stantly increasing output. 1 regard
Montana, as n whole, TO be the best re.
gon in America for mining investments
or development. Montana leads all
other states and territories rs pro-
ducer of the precious metals, including
copper. The ratio OF Montana's IN
crease from year 10 year has been much
larger than that OF any other region in
this country. This is due to two facts;
First, the permanent character OF its
voins, together with their large size;
second, 90 the methods by which the
mines have been developed. The min
ing business first started in Montana
developed only the placer 1t is we'll
known that very large sums OF money
wero taken from Last Chance, Confed-
crate, Alder and other famous gulches,
aud much Of the wealth thus produced
remained in the territory. That
money enabled mining men TO
develop their mines with their
own capital. Montana is, in
fact, the only state where its leading
bankers are also its leading mining men;
n condition Of great Importance, insur-
ing financial stability TO the mining bus
mess in that region not 80 fully enjoyed
by any other locality. The accumu-
lated wealth in the money centers Of
Montana, resulting directly from the
products Of the mines, is very large.
Much Of this money has furnished the
capital which stocked the ranges with
sheep and cattle, and has fostered and
developed agricultural interests. This
comparative independence Of outside
capital is perhaps the certain guaran tee
that the development OF Montana will
progress more rapidly than any other
mineral region.
"The natural facilities for mining in
Montana are unsurpassed. First, the
altitude Of the mining districts is very
low, compared with other mining re-
gions, thus permitting the easy con-
struction OF railroads ard highways, and
rendering the climate mild and equit-
able. The rainfall throughout the dis
trict is sufficient, and the wood and
water-so important TO successful min
iug-are abundant The altitude OF the
highes: mines in Montana 10 less than
that OF most OF the lowest districts in
other regions OF the mountain system.
Here the parallel ranges Of the Rockies
seem 10 come much closer than at any
other point in their entire extent, thus
avoiding the vast barren tablelands that
ailict the country farther south. AZ TO
fuel, the coal fields Of Montana have
been sufficiently exr r.yred to demon
strate practically lluitless supply, and
at various places good coking coal has
been found"
This statement was made two or
three years ago, ond il has been so fully
verified by time as to make il doubly
valuable. In the same interview Prof.
Churchill said: "Up 10 the present
time nearly all the enormous metal
value has been the product Of the d-y
ores OF gold, silver and copper 1t is
now beginning TO be realized that the
refractory gold ores, or gold sulphates,
are limitless in their tonuDge. The act
ual wealth in these ores cannot be esti-
mated"
IL is worthy Of note that the han
ding OF refractory ores has now become
an accomplished inct, and in several dis
tficts 10 the state such ores are being
treated With the greatest success and
with handsome margin OF profit Tor
the mine owners.
Tho same cnreiul study Of conditions,
observation Of economics and business