The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1895-02-07
TAKES "A FALL"
Prof. WinChe11 Makes an Official
Report on the Delhi
Gold Mine.
He "RubS 1t In" UnmerCifully and
Scores Both Miner and
ASSdyer,

Readers of The GAZETTE will remem-
ber that about two months ago Prof.
NV. Winchell,of the State Geological
survey, and Hon. John Goodnow Wis
tied this city for the purpose of max
ing an inspection of the alleged gold
mines north of Delhi, and also of the
quality of Ignite fonnd by the Stow
ellis just north of this city. As result
OF this Investigation, together with
recent researches in the Rainy Lake
regions the State Geological depart
ment has issued its twenty-third an
nual report. In this report the alleged
Redwood or Delhi gold mine gets a
severe roast. For the benefit of our
readers the article is given in full:
Very few months pass in which there
is not some report in the newspapers of
gold discoveries somewhere in Mime
sofa. From one end of the State to
the other, in all kinds of situations
and under various possible and inn
possible conditions these discoveries
have from time to time been reported
Most of them fail to arouse any gen.
eral interest and are soon forgotten.
But in some instances the fact of
some real basis for the reports, or the
persistence and deceptive misrepre-
sentations of mining swindlers keep
the rumors alive until the public is
actually deceived and led to take
some stock in them.
It is fact that gold is widely dis
seminated in nature, aud that it may
be found in small quantities in the
sand and gravel deposits of the river
beds and lake basins OF, the State. But
this is in such minute quantities and
in such fine state of division that it
is seldom noticed and is rarely the
cause of any of these unfounded ru-
mors. Rusty mica, either in the sand
of creek beds or in rotten granite
boulders, is most frequently mistaken
for gold by the uninformed. Almost
every week samples of this stuff are
sent in for examination, and the send
ers are usually very 10th to believe
that the shiny particles have no value
whatever. When unprincipled indi-
viduals make such discoveries, or find
quartz veins, no matter how barren
particularly 10 a farming community
they sometimes make a pretense OF
starting mine operations, and succeed
in selling considerable amounts Of
stock or land at inflated and fictitious
valuations.
A good illustration of this class OF
mining operations is furnished by
those of the Minnesota Gold Mining
and Refining company. For several
months this corporation furnished re-
ports to the daily papers of the won
derful gold quartz found in the Min.
nesota River valley near Redwood
Falls, or more properly speaking, near
Delhi, about eight miles from Red.
wood Falls. These news items re-
corded the progress of explorations at
the "mine" owned by this company
Shafts we're being sunk; ore was be-
ing taken out, and sent away to be as
sayed and even in car lots to be treat
ed; stamp mills were ordered, an elec.
trio light plant was to be erected; a
village was projected; and an electric
road was talked of, to accommodate
the miners who would wish to go to
and fro between the "mine" and Red
wood Falls.
The corporation was organized with
a capital stock of $4,000 in shares
of $40 each, and stock was offered fol
sale at $ per share, valuation OF
100000 for the property. Ike officers
OF the company we're active in dispos-
ing of this stock, and representing
their ore to have value of $40 to $95
per ton; saying also that single as.
says had given results as high as
$2,96O per ton. Finding that many
citizens of the State, who could ill af.
ford to throw away any money, were
likely to invest in this stock, one ol
the writer's made visit to the "mine'
and took samples of the rock for as
say.
The developments were rather dis
appointing to one who had read the
newspaper stories. Situated in the
Minnesota River valley, but few
feet above the water, was test pi,
less than 20 feet deep. This was the
"mine." The "plant" consisted of {
board shanty, windlass and two
buckets. The large force of men fo1
HIGHEST Of all in I I.eaxen;nr p.