The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-09
EIGH-GRADE BESSEMER.

A MOUNTAIN OF IRON WITHIN THIS STATE.
QUANTITY AND PURITY COMBINED.
To the Editor Of the CaIl-SIR: Although pros
pecting in this county is yet in its infancy, San
Bernardino is rapidly coming 10 the front in
its discoveries and in the production OF the
precious metals. Rich strikes of gold and
silver have recently been recorded. Neglected
or abandoned mines again resound with the
noises OF industry. The pioneer prospectors,
with pick, shovel and burro are trespassing
upon the confines of the desert and the strong,
brown arm of the sturdy miner is transforming
the prospect into mine. Much has been done,
yet there are many square miles in this county
untouched by the foot of man that may some
time surprise the country with its now hidden
wealth. There is one metal that is not hid
den-that stands out to view as does a
mountain peak from the apex of the
range beyond-and that is its iron. Situated
a few miles south of the Atlantic and Pacific
Railroad 100 miles east of Los Angeles, is a
mountain of iron-a Bessemer of exceeding
purity, lying in several parallel veins, at least
three OF which are more than 100 feet each in
width in solid ore, averaging close to 20 per
cent in metallic iron. These veins, black and
massive, almost defiant, visible from many
miles away, standing as monument to the
poverty OF the owners and q repToach to the
want OF enterprise and absence OF capital for
the Developments Of an element which, in the
form OF commodity, is imported into Califor-
MIA by the thousands OF tons annually, bur-
dened by hundreds OF thousands of dollars
in transcontinental freightage. The owners
are not sufficiently public spirited to give the
property away. yet recognizing the paucity OF
their purses would deal fairly with capital
which would develop it, or would as secon-
dairy proposition part with it for traction OF
its value.
1t is entirely within the range of probability
that these veins, which to the northward ap-
pear to join (as do the veins at Carson Hill
from the north), are prolongation of the
mother VEIN of Eel Dorado, Tuolumne, Gala
yeras and Mariposa counties, as they are close
in the general trend. But whether or not
part Of the rich veins OF precious metals in the
counties further porth they are individually OF
collectively OF sufficient magnitude to rank as
mother vein or veins, and in purity of ore as
virgins.
While at San Diego it is now proposed 10 i'm
port iron ore OF lower grade from Lower Cali
fornia 10 foreign country for reduction, 1t is a
question which only time may determine when
capital shall compel this mountain of Besse-
mer ore to yield its wealth to enrich the State,
give employment TO many OF its citizens. build
up a great industry for the manipulation OF an
element which more than any other enters
into every avenue OF life and enriehes its pro-
motors.
1t seems almost q crime to permit so great a
body of ore TO lie year after year unproductiye,
the only development being the annual assess
ment work, while so many thousands OF tons
of iron and steel are imported at cost greatly
in excess of that required to convert this ore,
even recognizing the greater cost OF fuel here
as compared with poin IS of production East.
We're this property situated in the Eastern
or Southern States, Cuba, or in South America,
it would be snatched up only too quickly by
that capital which sees merit in something dis
tant while overlooking investment at home.
famous German geologist has in substance
said, show me vein wearing an iron hatand
/ will show you mine rich in the precious
metals" 1t may be that some day with proper
development his prediction may here be veri-
fiedsby gold property which will astonish the
world, for there is much to indicate that,
although there is iron here imbedded sufficient
for generations yet unborn, its surface aurifer-
Gus character gives promise OF golden harvest
not only in working the baser metal, but in