The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-11-27
INTERESTED IN zinc.
Wheeling People Returning From an
Inspection Of Their Properties Near
Inn1in-A prnmiainp Investment.

Wheeling People Returning From an
Inspection of Their Properties Near
JOplin-A Promising Investment.
Mr.. A. S. Hare, of the Natural Gas
Company Of West vlrgInla, has re-
turned from weeks inspection Of the
zinc mining region near Joplin, Mo-.
where he is Interested in the develop
ment of some very rich territory. The
Ohio Valley Mil and Mining Company,
composed Of Wheeling people, was or
ganlzed under a West Virginia charter
November 15. 1899. and the first meet
ing was held at Joplin, and elected the
following officers; President, h. ].
Mendel; secretary and general mana
ger. George T. plgby, both OF Wheel
ing, and includes several Wheeling In
vestors. The company has torty-elght
acres Of land, three and one-hRIe
miles from Joplin, on which they have
erected a new mill. having capacity
Of one hundred tons daily. The ore is
exceptionally RICH some experts claim
ing 1t will run u per cent OF pure zinc.
This estimate, II borne out, will make
1t one Of the richest producers in the
entire region, as per cent Of milled
product Is profitable.
Mr.. Hare brought home with him
several specimens Of the crude rock ta-
ken at random from the mine, and 1t
is seen to contain the zinc in almost a
pure condition. Some Of the ore can be
converted in the smelter without
crushing, but In other portions II Is not
On FtfV Tho 0f mining Ia
very interesting one, as It differs great
ly from the eastern coal mines. A shaft
is first sunk to the ore level and the use
OF explosives is employed to loosen and
dislodge the mineral. In the Ohio VAL
ley mine there is considerable mud,
which makes the handling Of the ore
easier. The mineral Is then brought to
the surface In chain conVeyors and
passes to the crushers and "jigs' which
are in decreasing series until suit
able fineness is reached, when water Is
employed to carry away the cohesive
rock, which is Of light gravity and
readily separates from the zinc ore.
This rock Is largely employed In road
making, much resembling our crushed
limestone. This crushed ore Is the
marketable product and the company's
labor ends. The crude ore product Is
now quoted at $31 per ton, but conser--
vative mining men predict q price Of
$50 to 800 per ton by the first Of the
year. The present South African war
has been disturbing element in the
price Of zinc, as the Transvaal gold
and diamond fields have been large
purchasers Of the metal
Among Mr. Hares specimens are
samples Of pure lead ore or galena,
which, though not at presen> discover
ed in the Ohio Valley Companys mine,
is a possibility of further development
and would add profitable source Of
revenue. This ore is in such a pure
slate that no crushing is necessary and
finds a ready market at $54 per short
ton. The deposits are not in regular
formation. but are liable to appear in
unexpected places.
Another mine In which Wheeling
people are the investors Is located at
Webb City, about six miles from Jop-
lin, and they expect to have their mill
completed the present week. Mr.. H. H.
Dunlevy and DR.. s. L. S. Spragg, Of
Wheeling. are on the ground.
Capt. John Crockard. who is another
Wheeling stockholders OF the Ohio
Valley mine is expected home to-day
from an inspection Of the property.