The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1897-08-18


and below ground. Underhand. back
and breast stopping, square sets, caying
sets, saddle backs, and milling and
filling are common. Steam shoyels
and locomotives have taken the place
OF shOvels and carts. Every known
system has been or is in use. Many
mines have presented difficulties that
in the early days would have been
considered insurmountable, but each
has been overcome.
ITO one closely identified with this
industry for nearly 80 years, no single
change has seemed important, and
only by looking backward can one
measure the advance. The early op-
orators had little knowledge of iron
ore deposits, their position in relation
to associate rocks, their dip, pitch,
strike, depth and many other facts,
an understanding of which is neces-
sary to continued success. This
knowledge has been acquired and
with it have come right, courage.
true economy instead of parsimony,
the general development of ore sup
plies far beyond immediate needs and
a thoughtful preparation for the
future.
Nitro glycerine and power drills
have done more to reduce cost than
any other two changes. In 1871 a
drift was driven at the Cleveland
mine which cost 500 per foot Now
the cost would not exceed SIG. In one
case men were harnessed to derrick
sweep. Heavy rains were nearly al
ways followed by few days of idle
ness, and the pumps were expected to
freeze every cold night.
In speaking of mining methods, the
leaving system" was mentioned,
which several claim to have invented
or introduced. The first ore taken
out by this method was mined at the
Cleveland hematite in 1883. The ore
was very soft, with treacherous walls,
and Mr.. @. w. Wallace tried what
some of his men said was successful
under like conditions in England. 1t
proved satisfactory and is now known
as the caying system. Mr.. John Pen
gilly was sent to the Cleveland Hem
attic to learn the method that be
might nse it at the Brotherton mine.
While to the miner the quantity and
quality, and not the origin, have been
important, he has still acquired a
thorough knowledge Of local geology.
A look at the past may tickle our
vanity, but our interests are in the
future. Can we maintain present
output? Can we increase it? For
how many years can buyers depend
upon Lake Superior for their supply?
The discovery and quick development
of the Mesaba profoundly affected the
iron and steel industry of this
country in every branch, and the
effect may extend beyond our shores.
The opening of the Mesaba does not
mean idleness on the other ranges.
but does mean for them greater econ
cmies and smaller profits. The new
range completes with itself as well as
with others. But each era of depres-
sion brings reward in the better
methods that are forced upon US and
which continued into days of pros
perity increase the volume of business
and to that extent the profits. With
the low prices that are here to remain
it is more than ever difficult to esti-
mate the annual consumption. Speak
ing of the several ranges as one, the
acreage of known ore is but a small
part of the area that may contain ore.
Discoveries are still being made in
the Marquette district, the exhaust
ion of which was expected 20 years
ago. And | may say in passing, that
the known ore under the bed of Lake
Angelina is four times as great as was
all the known ore in all the mines of
that county at any time prior to 1887.
The past few years have not been such
as encourage prospecting; but given
favorable conditions, we may conf
IDENTITY depend upon important discov-
cries. For 30 years this region has
met all demands and its resources are
today, as compared with the demand.
greater than at any time past, and
believe that those who are now active
will have stepped aside and perhaps
been forgotten before this region will
fail to meet all demands.
lis it not your opinion that with
wise legislation this people can build
and maintain merchant marine that
will carry the products of our farms
and mills to distant ports, advertising
to the world that we have taken the