, 1899-01-19

~
The following article on Wyoming
Mines in 1885," by Prof. Wilbur c.
Knight, state g~eologist, appeared in the
last number of the Engineering and
Mining Journal:
The mineral industries of Wyoming
never looked better than they do to-
day, when considered as a whole. Dur
ing the last year numerous prospects
have been developed, new companies
have been organized and old ones have
made material advances. There are
several new enterprises on foot that
may materialize amy day. This pros
perity, however, in no way savors of a
boom. Men entering the new enter
prises are as a rule being directed by
skilled representatives, which is a most
desirable change. From the present
outlook the year 1899 will be the great
est in the history of Wyoming along
the lime OF mineral discovery, develop
| ment and output in gold, copper, soda,
petroleum and coal.
AS usual numerous gold discoveries
have been reported, but none OF them
have yet produced enough to be called
a mine. Among the mines that have
produced the Carissa is the only one
that shows a marked change; 1T has
been fully equipped with new machinH
cry and new buildings. . One stamp
mill was started in September and a
second new mill a month or more later.
Judging from the mount OF ore in
sight this mine will stamp throughout
1899, at least, without further develop
ment.
The placers have also changed in
methods Of operation for two compan>
les have purchased large steam shoyels
which will go to work as soon as the
frost is out in the spring.
The copper camp at Battle Lake has
shown marked improvement. The
Haggarty mine has been added to the
producers, and many prospects bid fair
to make producing mines during the
winter development. The ore is rich
enough to haul fifty miles to the rail-
road and then leave the miners a good
profit.
The coal mines are about the in num-
Der as 1897, but nearly all have made
improvements and can handle a larger
tonnage of coal than ever before. Early
in the fall the demands for coal were
greater than the supply; and then there
have been times when a single COM
pany has been behind 600 cars on Or
ders.
The shipment of soda eastward from
the soda beds at Laramie was resum-
ed in the fail and laater a great COM
pany was Incorporated to manufacture
soda, glass and chemicals at Laramie,
which has ample means. The other
soda companies are talking OF incor-
porating.
The petroleum industry has been in
very bad shape. Until recently the
Denver and Gulf railroad has furnished
the only outlet for the Wyoming oil.
Less than a month ago the Fremont,
Elkhorn and Missouri Valley railroad
gave satisfactory rates to Omaha and
Chicago. There has been sample capt.
tai to launch the oil industry IN Wyo-
mjng, but there was only a limited
market and no way to reach the Mis-
souri, river trade. This rate ean
everything to the development Of the
oil industry. New companies will COM
mence to drill early in the spring.
Wells partly down win be completed
and a rush may be expected into ol ter
ritory along the Fremont, Elkhoqu end
Missouri Valley line, at all points that
are within fifty miles Of the road.
The development OF the graphite de-
postts at Hallack Canon made progress
during the year and the owuer say
that they have a market for the pro-
duct tn Chicago and that they will COM
mence to ship very o
The stone Quarries wore quite acdve.
Tue Dtarpondville quarry worked .
large forcso at men all the seasou, fufn-