Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-01-17
MOUNT MICA OPERATIONS.

Editor DcmOcrgt.
As some OF your readers would like 10
know OF the results OF the past year
operations al Mt. Mica, II gives me
pleasure 10 send you brief account OF
what has been done, and also what has
been found.
IL will be proper for me TO state that
the reports printed freely over the coun-
try. about fortunes having been made at
Mt Mica, and treasures OF great value
having been found there. are not true.
The intent Of these reports was 20 i'm
properly boom mineral deposit In a
neighboring county at the expense of
Mt. Mica, whereas, In reality, no COM
parison can be made. The stories OF
gems having been sold 20 Austria, were
invented 10 aid the scheme, aud have no
foundation.
The most valuable gem thus far found
81 Mt. Mica Is 20 be seen AZ the National
Museum at Washington, and WAS sold by
the Nj. Mica Co for one thousand dol
lars. IL is now the property OF the
nation Several other fine green tour
malines have been found and sold for
| five hundred dollars apiece, but 10 obtain
these beautiful gems, much money and
time has been expended, during the last
thirty wears. Five TO six thousand tons
| II rock have been removed thus far IN
| the explorations, and II we consider all
proper charges OF expense, IL Is doubtful
| IL much profit remains.
But pecuniary profits were not much
| thought OF in the Investigation OF Mt
| Mica Many years ago, the British
Museum wrote the writer that II WAS hi;
duty 20 see that the mineral deposit Wa:
scientifically explored, and it, rare
minerals brought 20 light. The request
OF the British Museum has been needed
and today Mt. Mica Is known 10 every
student of minerslogy in the civilized
world, and Is regarded as one Of the
most remarkable mineral deposits known
Oxford County ought TO be proud OF it
and the state as well.
During the past year the ledge Ia:
been blasted on its eastern flank, snc
many hundred tons OF rock removed
and during several months Of hard labor
nothing Whatever OF interest or value
was found. Some time in August, two
smsll cavities were found, which yielded
some dark blue green crystals o.
little value, but the find was encourag
ing, and the work was kept up, and OF
the lst of September, two or three NOR
cavities were brought 10 light, which
contained several large red and greer
tourmalines of beautiful colors. TIVE
Of these, nine or ten inches In length
and three or more 10 width, were magnif
icent cabinet specimens, but OF littl
value as gems. 10 fact most OF the fin
gems are found in the smaller crystals
la the month of October, several NOR
cavities were struck at = greater depth
and some fine crystals of blue green, AM
red, were found, which yielded SOM
gems Of value. The color OF some o
these CRYSTALS was strangely distributed
One fine crystal was pink at the base
changing into a clear grass green, will
band OF yellow green In the middle
the prism. Another crystal was gras
. green at the top, changing into whit
and pink towards the central portion
while the remaining part and base Wa
OF a decided blue. Another crystal, siI
inches in length, and over an inch and
half in diameter. WAS OF fine trans
parent blue, terminating at the has
with an inch of red. The crystals foun
this year show several specimens wit
. bands Of yellow green in the centre
the prism. Some years ago, crystal
were found with bands OF blue. an
many of the cavities exhibit tourmaline
of peculiar tints Of color.
Besides the tourmalines, very little
interest or value was found In this year
work. A few pounds Of Montmorri
lionite, smblygonite and lepidolite wer
found, but not enough TO assist much J
defraying expenses. We hope to b
more successful during the coming veal
and we wish to extend a hearty WELDON
, to the people Of Oxford County to visi
: the locality.
AUG. e. HAMLTN,
> President Mt. Mica Co.