The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-12-29
sAPPHIREs.
Interesting Account OF one Of the
Most Remarkable Mines In
the World.


the World.
Fergus county, Mont, possesses one
of the most remarkable mines in the
world-the Yogo sapphire properties
in that the precious stones are foundin
regularly formed veins like gold, silver
and other valuable metals, whereas, in
other communities, diamonds, sap
phires, opals and the other buried
treasures are found in pockets or clus-
tiers. Consequently a description of
this unique mine and its mode of oper-
alton will prove interesting, says the
st. Louis Globe Democrat.
The sapphires are found scattered all
along the lode or vein, and, as in any
kind of mining, there is much dead"
work, as well as frequent rich strikes.
Last month, for instance, five blocks of
ground were worked; from one 10000
carats were extracted, while from an
other of equal dimensions only "a car
ats were taken, and the cost of working.
the block from which the 10000 carats
were secured was only about one-tenth
that of working the other four blocks
from which 5000 carats were realized.
The sapphires are found in a per-
pendicular lead of dry clay, with wall
rock on either side, and, as this clayey
formation is mined, it is thoroughly
washed and the gems extracted and
picked over. They are of all sizes and
various degrees of excellence, but the
amethystine gems continue very rare.
So far the company has worked down
only so or so feet, but prospecting has
been done to a depth three times as
great, and there are sapphires all the
way down. The deeper they go the
harder the formation becomes, requir-
ing greater exposureto cause disinte-
grafton. All dirS that is worked over
this year will be exposed through the
late fall and winter to the action of the.
elements, causing disintegration, and
next year 1T win be washed over again
in the sluice boxes, and there may Sc
extracted as many gems as were found.
this year.
Through the summer many gems are
thrown aside as culs, but men are left
at the mines all through the winter,
and they devote their spare time TO
sorting over the culls. There would.
however, be no danger in leaving the
mines u%nguarded through the winter,
for nature protects them. After the
water freezes no one eXtract the
sapphire from the hard, clayey bed.
The company secures its water from
a point IL miles distant from the
mines, conveying it by bitches and
fumes. The supply of water this sea
son had been smaller than usual, ow-
ing to a light snowfall last winter, but
it was 0 necessary at any time to
suspend operations. About 40 men are
constantly employed at the Yogo
mines.
The output for this season will be
very large, and some particularly fine
stones have been secured. The largest
stone yet found at the mines was dis
covered early in June of this year, and
it weighed 10 carats. The demand for
sapphires is constantly increasing, and
the supply is insufficient, despite the
fact that many individuals are also en-
gagged in mining them at various spots
along the Missouri river, in addition to
the Yogo mines.
All the stones are shipped direct TO
London, where many OF them are cut,
while others are sent to Antwerp for
that purpose. But about half of the
product finds its way back to the Unit
ed States. several large American com
panies having contracts with the Eng
fish firm to which the mining company
sells its product. The duty on the cut
gems is only ten per cent. The actual
mining season is from April Is to De-
tober 81, or until the water freezes.
There is no Indication that the mines
are playing out; on the contrary, they
seem to be getting richer. AS a by
product, considerable corundum is be-
Ing mined, but this viii be valueless
until a railroad shall have been built
to the mines, Fergus county being the
only one in the state unacuuainted
withthe iron horse. Corundum is wort,
10 per ton in London, and is used in
the making Of emery wheels, etc.
Thousands Of tons of this mineral are
now lying on The dumps" awaiting
cheap transportation and even.shouId
the sapphires become exhausted. the
railroad would make the mining OF the
latter a most roftablemdertaldng.
hui Not suEaE-Coafed.
A man who marries a d~Isagreeable
woman for the sake OF her money
a--VUL L 49,