Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-04-01

ana Wnlc0 prOmlSeu 30 much III Tue
way of development, the mining in.
dustry was left fiat. Whether or not
however, this was disaster or a
blessing in disguise there is no need to
speculate. That Question is now to
be determined by the developments Of
the immediate future. 1t was not
many years after the rush to Califor.
MIA commenced thatthe free working
ores had become exhausted to an even
greater extent than bad been the case
in this country, aid there was but
little left but thd refractory ores.
The combined mining intelligence and
talent of the world tackled the
problem, and after awhile there began
to develop scientific means for over
coming the difficulties in the way.
These difficulties were finally mini
mized, and now thesextraction. Of gold
from refractory oresis comparatively
sure and certain process.
As the result of Investigation COM
menced several years ago, Major Jones
at length became satisfied that many
of the refractory ores of this section
were at least equal, if not superior, to
the best to be found in California, and
in the belief that the manufacture of
sulphuric acid and oxide paint can be
developed into most profitable busi-
ness, even exclusive of the gold that is
necessarily secured in the process of
treatment, he lost no time in erecting
the necessary plant. The works are
now in full operation, and altogether
they constitute the largest plant to be
found in this or any adjoining State,
and, up to the present, the only one of
its particular kind p the world. Acid
is being turned outfn large quantities,
and also paint. The yield of gold is
quite satisfactory, and the owners of
ore veins are gradually finding that by
going to the trouble of mining and
hauling, they are enabled to realize
good prices for that which could here
tofore only be regarded as being with
out any value whatever. Sometimes
there are as many as 40 teams engaged
in hauling ore to the works daily.
Carload after carload is constantly
coming in over the railroad. Notwith-
standing all this, the writer is told
that the undertaking is only in its
inception.
But will this splendid enterprise prove
q success? 1t is not within the province
of the writer to say. When the man
ufacture of cotton was in its infancy in
this section, there were those who were
disposed to be skeptical. Cotton man.
ufacturing had been successful else
where; but they were afraid that such
would not be the case here. Just why,
they were not able to satisfactorily ex-
plain. The feeling, however, it will
be remembered, was 80 strong, that it
was with reluctance that the pioneers
embarked on the enterprise, and it
was not for several years that they
were fully assured. Mining develop
ments have paid elsewhere, and they
have paid big. Some will say that
other sections are richer in ores.
There is not a fact, however, to sus-
tain the belief. Everything, actual
results included, goes to prove that
the ores of this section are much richer
than in certain other sections that
have met with the greatest business
success. No; everything depends upon
nerve intelligence and proper business
management, and there is abundant
reason to believe that Major Jones is
equal to the emergency. If he sue
ceeds, as much as meant the success of
cotton manufacturing, this means a
great deal more, for where there is
now one big plant making ''something
out of nothing" in a few years more
there will be dozens, and the whole
county will be the gamer. If he fails,
he will deserve monument; but let
US hope he will succeed. Nobody is
going to object to still another doubling
of the income of the county.