St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-07-18

have been but slightly developed. AS
fields for American enterprise both
sources of wealth present attractive pos
sibilities Under the new order of things
which will prevail in Cuba fields SO in
viting will not remain long unoocupied,
and in the consequent development of
her great productive capacity both Cuba
and the United States will be the
gamers.
The mineral wealth of Cuba is so
great that if even partially developed
she would take high rank in this re-
spect. Gold and silver have been found
in paying quantities, but this industry
has never been properly attended to-
and under more skillful management,
with better methods, both these metals
could be mined advantageously.
Copper was mined by the natives at
Copre before Columbus discovered the
island, and there is strong proof that
native copper was carried across to
Florida and used by the Florida Indians
many centuries ago. The mound build
ers of that state buried with their dead
copper ornaments and utensils, and
as there is no copper in Florida or in
the United States for long distance
from there it is reasonable to conclude
that the metal was brought from Cuba.
Certainty, however, took the place of
conjecture when chemical analysis
showed the identity of Cuban copper
with that found in the mounds.
Copper mines were opened in Cuba
as early as 1915 to obtain metal for
casting cannon, but they were soon
abandoned owing to the restrictions
| placed by the government on the bust
ness. In 1741, when Admiral Vernon
captured the bay of Guantanamo, cop
per money was coined by the order of
Governor Cajigal. From this time up
to 1880 the mines were unworked, but
in the latter year foreign companies re-
opened them, and a native company
was organized soon afterward. A min
ing excitement followed, and in 1914
there were 227 mines in operation.
Nearly all of these were subsequently
abandoned, but two foreign companies
and one native company still continued
to work the mines about nine miles
from Santiago.
For many years preceding 1857 from
So, 900, 900 to So, 500, 900 worth of cop
per from these mines was exported sto
the United States, besides the quanti-
ties sent to other countries. Since the
year mentioned combination of Cir
cumstances led to the mines being
closed, though still as productive as
ever, and the various shafts, from 900
to 200 feet deep, filled with water,
all save 800 feet of their depth being
below sea level. In later years consid-
cradle copper has been taken from these
mines by pumping the water from the
shafts into tanks, which contained
scraps of iron. The copper held in solu-
ton by the water was deposited on the
iron and was removed when a sufficient
quantity had accumulated. The process
of freeing these submerged mines from
water would be costly one, but ex-
perts say it would prove profitable.
The iron mines of Cuba, all of which
so far worked are in the vicinity Of
Santiago, overshadow in Importance all
other industries on the eastern end Of
the island Furthermore the industry
is the only one that has been able t.
, Withstand the industrial paralysis con
sequent upon the present insurrection
The Juragua and Baiquiri iron com
panies both American, with capita
of over So, 900, 900, now operate mines
,, in this vicinity, and usually employ
from 800 to 1,400 men, The two com
panies ship into this country from 30,
e 600 to so, 900 tons of iron ore per month
: the largest portion of which is used a
Bethlehem, Steelton, Sparrows Poin
e and the Carnegie iron works at Pitts
S burg. The ore derived from these mine
t is among the richest in the world, yield
Il ing from 81 to 81 per cent of pure iron
j and is almost free from sulphur an,
: phosphorus. There are numerous unde
, veloped mines Of equal richness in tn
same region.
= Manganese, a metal difficult to pro
:. cure and so indispensable in the manu-
:. facture of steel, also exists in Cuba
S Numerous deposits of this metal ar
:, found in the Sierra Maestro range o.
:, the southern coast, from Santiago Yves
l. to Manzanillo, within distance of 10
miles. An enterprising American oper
e ed mine about 20 miles from SAINT
y u ago, at place called Ponupo, and bui
;, railroad to it. The mine was foun
s productive, the ore yielding So per Gel
If of metal of superior quality, but afte
s one cargo of manganese had been shippe
.e to the United States further operation
were stopped by the insurgents.
st AS power that will guarantee s.
Is curity now holds sway in southern @,
l. ba, the work in this mine will doub
u less be resumed before long. Nearly a
i, the manganese used in the Unite
Il States comes from the Black sea regiC
of Europe, and small quantity is al