Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-11-01
A NEW INDUSTRY IN VIEW.
A Graphite Mine opened-Cood
Prospects.

NaSSPONhSa
On the east side of Mt. Anthony, be-
tween one and half and two miles from
the center of the village, is the scene of
mining operations, a vein of graphite be-
ing sought for. The mine, which is on
the Hawley lot, has now been opened to
depth OF about sixteen feet and is
about 10xl0 feet. For about three weeks
two men have been employed on the job.
The digging and blasting has been in
limestone and mica schist. Evidences
of a rich find were apparent in the early
stages Of the work, and as the excava-
tion becomes deeper, the prospects be-
come still more encouraging. The
graphite is now found in incrustatiOns
but growing in quantity and improving
in quality as the work proceeds, and it
is now hoped that vein of the free min
eral may soon be struck. Upon wash
ing, the diggings now yield about 30 per
sent. Of graphite. We're it possible to
bring water to the mine for washing pur-
poses, this percentage would make
profitable yield, but no water can be
found in sufficient quantity in that vi
cinity, 80 the work is Iow simply
search sor the vein which is supposed to
Ee near. In case q vein of sufficient pu-
rity is found profitable market for the
entire output is assured, and if hopes are
not blasted, an industry of considerable
proportions will be added to the list that
already makes Bennington an enterpris-
ing and prosperous town.
Evidences of the presence of graphite
we're found some time since by Harry 7.
Cushman, county clerk, while prospect
ing for the bi-sulpluret of iron, iron
pyrites, deposits which are to be
found in this vicinity. He was success.
full as far as he went in his search for
this latter mineral, but for several rea-
sons abandoned further work in this di
rection to follow up the evidences he had
found of the presence of a richer min
eral, graphite. Finally he found proof to
warrant him in purchasing several hun,
dred acres of land where the mine is sit
uated and operations were then COM
menced, all of which have been under
the personal supervision of Mr.. Cush-
man.
He tells an interesting story of the cir
cumstances that lead to the location of
the graphite. In his search along the
mountain side, he noticed chipmunk
hole. Turning over the dirt that the an
imals had thrown out, Mr.. Cushman de-
tected some glistening particles that, up
on test, proved to be graphite. And so
the presence of a deposit was discovered
and the mine opened.
Mt. Anthony is peak of the Taconic
range which is rich in mineral deposits.
In North Adams and Williamstown,
graphite mines have been wOrkC d in this
range. One of the mines, at least, that
at Williamst0wn, proved that there was
simply small pocket of the mineral and
was Soon abandoned. Whether this de-
posit acre will prove to be a large and
valuable vein or simply pocket, time
and search alone will tell, but Mr.. Cush-
man, from his own researches and the
assurances of mineralOgists, is confident
that valuable vein is to be found. He
has the courage of his convictions as is
shown by his outlay of time and money.
Mr.. Cushman has a natural taste for
mineralcgy and has devoted much time
during the past few years to study of
the minerals and metals that are to be
found in this vicinity, and of the differ
ent formations. He has been indefat
igable in his researches, and that they
himself, and an additional industry for
the town, is the universal wish of Ben
ningtOnians.
Later-Upon view of the shaft by a
gentleman of many years. experience in
this sort of work, the pit is pronounced
to be mining at present higher quality
of the ore thau any of the strata previ-
ously entered.
Graphite is used for making so called
lead pencils, stove polish, for polishing
iron work, lubricating machinery and
making crucibles, in the process of cleo
trotyping and for various other pur-
| poses.
There are but three graphite mines in
this country that are prohtably worked
i'm North Carolina, Maine and near I'll
conderOga, N. Y. Owing to the many
uses to which the mineral is put, the
output is not nearly large enough to sup
ply the demand.