The San Francisco call., 1898-03-27
The Latest RumOrS of Edison'S Gold Mining
 Scheme. Prospects That Grew Into MineS-Big River Dredging PlanS-DevelopmentS
 of a Week.

The rather vague and sensational newspaper reports that Wizard Edison has invented a new Eod-savlng process, which ic yet secret and that he has bought the great Ortiz grant in New Mexico to try his invention in, have awakereG a curious a1c expscIult interest in the mining world we'll as general incredu- lity. Of course. If Thomas A Edison is really going to revoutionize gold mining and really has something and good In the line of what the mining world most wants-cheaper processes-he will be welcomed with honor and given a complimentary M. E. The latest ac- count is given follows by the Albuquerque Citizen:
 ''The New Mexican has finally possessed it. self of definite and authentic information con cerning the immense and sensational deal whereby the world-renowned inventor, Thomas A Edison, of Orange N. J., in association with an English syndicate that commands un- limited capital, has secured a two years option on the famous Ortiz mine grant of about 56, 900 acres of gold land in South Santa Fe County. and at the end of that time will unquestion- ably pay over to the owners of the grant the modest sum of $1, SOC. .000 named In the bond as the price of the property.
 'Of course no one here knows what manner Coinage p of Mr % Edsons ' own n,'f fertile and re sourceful brain, but an idea of its mammoth proportions can be formed from the tact o eha6 n tons of placer dirt every twenty-four hours. After the plant is ,mpleted, MT Edison will come at once to this city with his family, and thereafter his headquarters will be here for an indefinite period"
 Heretofore undeveloped prospects all over the State are being rapidly taken hold of by men and companies, after bonding or purchas- ing and being developed more or less with little faith and money to find out what may be below There are almost daily reports of such properties showing up well opera tiops proceed. and here and there one will turn into great mine The men who are are engaged in wholly speculative ventures, and they are doing great deal for the mining iV1,, ,rt~ vN1z of %hacA finn tc given by the Grass Valley Tidings, as follows:
 "A mining property which has passed the now bids fair to be one of the coming mines. Is the Mistietoe property In the vicinity or ooaar @ ana s Ready no An ,hss The aa 6y over sS0 to the ton, although at that time a color of free gold had not been seen
 Last night the miners employed there took out some good rock from the bottom of the shaft which showed specks of free gold. The of gold. The walls are four and half feet apart and the ledge is well defined. Two min CTS who have looked at the mine and who have had considerable experience say 1t Is the prettiest prospect they have seen. The shaft will be sunk to depth of 100 feet before drifting is commenced. although much good ore has already been encountered"
 Shelter talk is cheap and has been frequent in Southern California for some time. A sue cessful smelter would do much for that mining region The Los Angeles Mining News gives the following account of the latest enter prise:
 of building smelter in Los Angeles. but not until few days ago have active steps been taken in that direction. Tuesday a corporation called the Northwestern SmeIting and Refining Company was formed. and officers elected at once. The board of directors consists of M. w. Clay. D. T. Jackson both of Missouri L. W. Morgan of Los Angeles. E. H. Rose of Colton and E. H. Gruwell of Riverside. The capital stock of the company is $500. 900. of which s300.000 has already been subscribed.
 The site for the smelter has not yet been chosen. but committee has been appointed to examine several localities which might be