Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1895-09-14
Mica Galore.

Ahc ppcrcbSc VI SUCH Ndst qhaHtittcs ~
this important mineral. for which there
is such an active and growing demand,
was not expected in mine that had
been lying idle for period of nearly
twelve years. The methods employed
in its former management were as in.
judicious and foolish as could well be
imagined, being strictly in line with the
absurd methods adopted in the manage
ment Of all mining enterprises in the
early history of the southern Hills The
mine was worked from open cuts, none
Of which attained to any considerable
depth, the waste material being thrown
back as the work progressed, thus COM
p'etely filing mp the cuts and effas9fy
covering the vein. This method vas
continued until the mica contained in
the shallow cuts became exhausted,
when, without further exploitation. the
mine was shut down. Whether the
promoters of the enterprise, which was
very profitable while it lasted, imbbed
the erroneous impression that mica did
not exist in payable quantity at greater
depth than they had worked the vein,
or that 1t was impossible te mine the
mineral to any greater depth, are qnes
tions supon which the history Of that
primitive period throws no discernible
ray of light. But be that as il may, it has
recently been very clearly demonstrated
by the removal of the waste matter,
that mica Of excellent quality and al
most unlimited quantity exists at a
greater depth than had been reach
ed in the by gone days. and that it was
entirely practicable to profitably mine it.
After having been shown through the
mine by j. L. Pitcher, the genial super
intendent, and making a careful ex
animation Of the same. We found no
difficulty in reaching the happy con-
clusion that the property, in every
feature which serves to give value to a
mine Of this character, stands to-day
without peer in the Hills, if not in the
United States.
Mr.. Joseph Major, one of the promo.
tiers Of the enterprise. under whose
direction the work is being prosecuted,
has made rapid progress in getting the
mine in condition for operation, and in
the erection of buildings required in the
prosecution of this industry. A build
ing in which the asserting and cutting
of the product is done, and also black
smith shop and Office has been COM
pleted, and another building of greater
dimensions than those above mentioned
will soon be constructed in which the
machinery for operating dies for the
cutting of mica for electrical purposes
will be placed. Mr.. Major being now
absent in the east negotiating its pur-
chase. The enterprise is, as yet, in a
very early stage Of its development, but
even in the short time DEVOTED to it, the
value of the output has exceeded the
total amount of the expenditures in
eluding the dead work incident to put
ting the mine in shape to operate. A
number of orders for mica for stove
purpose are being received from the vari-
Gus towns of the Hills. which the COM
p ny is now prepared to fill in all sizes
and to any required amount. The en-.
terprise is backed by unlimited capital,
and it is the intention to prosecute this
industry upon scale Of magnitude
meyer before attempted here. 1t is their
purpose to mine and prepare the pro-
duct for all the various purposes for
which it is used, including its pulveriza
ton, which latter will be a distinct
industry, its operating plant to be
erected in this city, which will be the
general headquarters OF the company.
The establishment of a plant for the
grinding of refuse mica in this place Of
the large capacity contemplated by the
company. would be the means of plac-
ing in operation all Of the prominent
mica mines in this section, inasmuch as
it would offer a ready market for the
refuse mica, which in itself would
justify their operation even in the event
of their producing no mica whatever Of
a quality suitable for other purposes,
and would give constant and profitable
employment to much larger number
Of men than have ever been engaged in
all other industries ever inaugurated in
the region, including the much mooted
saw mills, which by force of circum-
stances haye now ceased to be so much
in evidence as they were in the palmy
past. T
We look forward to the elimination
of this important industry with much
confidence and great satisfaction, rs it
promises to exceed in it's measure Of
benfit to the community at large, any
and all other enterprises ever establish
ed in our midst. With this industry
fully established and our gold resources
properly utilized, the Pioneer city may
snap her fortunate fingers at the harm
less hand Of destiny, and go right along
on her way rejoycing to the crack of