Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1899-11-15
state University Affairs.

several departments or the U. or. j.
beginning with the mining department
as it is especially interesting and i'm
portant to your section of the state.
Indeed the interest manifested is in
dicated by the increase number of
students taking this course. The rate
increase over last a is 40 per cent.
Doubtless much of this increas is due
to the splendid exhibit at Boise last
winter. At that time what attracted
the most attention was the model 8
stamp mill made by two of the mining
students. This was something unique,
attractive and complete in every de-
tail. It contained every thing from the
active machinery to the electric lights.
While everything was diminished in
size, it had perfect motion and was the
wonder of the exhibits. AS DIR. Miller
said at Boise, There is no subject so
interesting and no occupation so faci-
mating as mining. The farmer will
abandon his plow. the mechanic his
tools, the clerk the counter, the LAWYER
the bench and the preacher the pulpit.
to pursue the search for the precious
metal, for which they forgo tn comfort
of home, and the association of friends,
cross the burning sands Of the desert or
brave the vigors of an artic climate,
live in caves of the mountains or in a
log cabin away from civilization culture
and refinement"
In 1898 the estimated value of gold,
silver and lead produced in Idaho was
$15, 3S9, ASS. The recent progress in
this science enables 40 per cent more
of gold to be saved with Z of what it
used to cost. IL is astonishing what
this department is doing for the state
and without the state 8 support, for it
is entirely maintained by the U. S.
government. After all in this respect
the Gov. takes more interest in us than
we do ourselves.
Recently, at DR.. Miller's request, Mr..
Alexander, the inventor of a hydraulic
air compressor, has donated one Of his
air compressors to the mining depart
ment which will be used for expert
mental purposes to run an air drill to
force air through the pulp IN treating
ore by the pneumatic cynide process,
and for other work in the laboratory
where compressed air power can be
= used.
The library of this department is
quite complete and superior. All the
!, latest and best books used and taught
: are to be found here. Allthe best min
ing, m~etallurgic and geological jour
nels are regularly supplied. Many of
the very best and most important
specimens have lately been received.
DR.. Miller has beautifully classified and
and arranged all his specimens. The
pen cannot make them appreciated,
only the eve has power to do that.
Every teacher knows if a student is
willing to do extra work, he must be
heart and soul in his work. Now this
is true among the students of this de-
partment. Last year., as l haYe already
stated. they designed and construct a
working model of a stamp and concen-
trating mill which was exhibited at
Boise and WAS the only exhibit from
the university of Idaho. At the Spok
ane Industrial Exhibition this year all
the mining men approved it and some
even offered to buy it and exhibit it in
t eastern cities. Let me give another
} instance to show the enthusiasm of the
students. In dressing ore q large per.
centage is lost. especially in wet dres.
sing. Sporra, a Pension mining official
has demonstrated that with a gradual.
ly increasing velocity and a constant
| dip of the table all the particles except
!, that of a special size are carried away
regardless of their specific gravity
Pernolet proved that the laws govern.
ing the free fall of bodies in water d.
not hold good for particles, on account
of the increasing influence of thu
| adhesion and viscosity of the water
compressed with the weight of tht
small mineral body. These fact have
, so far baffled everybody in ate mptins
l to save this fine material. One of thu
T students has undertaken to solve thil
problem and tle progress he has made
indicates that he will invent a machine
I saving all this fine material.
Perhaps no department has advertised
the school more than this. Various ant
favorable articles have appeared in thu
Oregonian and other leading papers Of
the great Northwest extending ints
British Columbia.
: At some future time l hope to give {
! short sketch of the proposed staml
mill and concentrator, but next time
will take up another department. lie
: me iGapress uPon the public mind thi