Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-12-24

South DnkofR's Gold Production fs
Greater Than Last Year.

Create Than Last Year.
Sampson Jeffrey, state mine inspec-
tor, has filed his report for the year
ending Dec. 1, 1896, in the office Of the
governor. and gives ]. detailed state
ment of The condition of all the mines
In the Black Hills mining district, with
a statement as to the output of the
mines compared with the past year.
While the report in detail would be
OF Interest to many, there being no APP
preparation available for the purpose
of printing il the report is confined to
the copy flied with the governor. and
a few Of the most important facts and
conclusions which he states are all
which can well be included in a news
paper article.
The mines include all the working
mines in his supervision, all of which
are i'm good and safe condition. This
Is emphasized by the fact that but
three lives were lost in the mines the
past year. and but four are reported as
being otherwise injured.
fila jOMO- a,ogethert I chime hett
The unusual activity in mining seen
during the year 1895 has been main
tanned throughout the year 1896. /
have reported 1927 miners employed
W w ntlt nOCc III 1hNibtAC AAiNtA
engaged at the mills, shelters and
other reduction works, and such other
v0cations above ground as are directly
connected with and incident to mining
operations. Ills is in excess of the
year 1895 by pa men, and the casual
ties are fewer in number. The in
creascs in the gold product for 1893
over that of 1895 is $1.26S,G75, and the
outlook for the year to come is more
promising than ever.
The siliceous ore bodies have been
largely developed; is fact, the work in
this line is described as phenomenal,
and made more certain and profitable
by the fact that old hit and miss"
methods of prospecting and developing
these bodies have given away to intel
ligent and more scientific search, aided
by q far better understanding of the
formations in which paying ore is to
be found. 1.-THE possibilities OF slice
Gus ores alone promise a future for the
Black Hills, OF which a conservative
survey might easily be declared fabu-
louS.'' The finds n the Bald Noun
tain, Ruby Basin and Spearfish dis
tricts give promise OF, greatly increas-
ed gold output for the future. The
ores Of all these districts are easy of
access, the district being laced with n
network of railroads, reaching 10 all
the mines Of any Importance, while no
complicated machinery is required in
their operation, the pick and shovel,
and hand drill being effective in pros
ecuting economical work.
In the free milling ore regions Of
Harvey Peak there are very rich mines
which have been lying idle for want of
capital for development. One of the
great drawbacks to the development OF
this section and n OF its most dis
couraging features is the extravagant
estiI,ate Placed upon the many claims
by holders and p~roSpectors who have
nothing but their location stakes and
a prospect hole. with a few specimens
of free gold. without patents on their
claims. While such claims are not in
a condition to be placed ON the mar
ket, claims which are convenient TO
transportation facilities and with per-
fected titles, which show good pros
poets never go begging ON the market
In Custer county there has been but
little mining the past season, but the
future promises greater activity. Lack
OF water for milling purposes has been
the principal trouble, but that will be
remcdied. There is an abundance OF
ore which can be worked with profit
when water can be securet, and the
Black Hills Water and Mining com
pany is now constructing fumes which
viii supply the want, and give b dis
trict an increased activity.
Reduction works of all classes are in
creasing their plants and getting in
shape to handle q larger output OF ore
than in any past year.
The following table shows he
amount Of ore milled by smelters and
reduction works, and the value Of the
output of each for 1896: