The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-31
this question of gold in Kansas shale
does not demand most careful investi-
4 Afx,-.s
DIR. ERNST FABRICS REPORT.


does not demand most careful investi-
CATION
DIR. ERNST FABRICS REPORT.
DR.: Fahrig is chief of laboratories for
the Philadelphia Commercial Museum,
and was employed to investigate and
test the shales by a syndicate in which
Chas- Lantry, w. H Cushing, c. K
Holiday, Fred Freeman, and a number
of other Topeka men are interested DR..
Fahrig's report in part is as follows:
"A great many tests or proving as
says were made, and the results OBJ
tanned during these tests were astonish-
ing. While one sample assay ton would
give negative results. another sample
from the same sample squarings gave
over twelve dollars per ton value
THE much relied upon method of fire
assay also was found to be unsuitable
Samples assayed, found to be of no
value by process of fire assay, the tall
ingS of which were subjected to chem
ica1 analysis, showed traces of both
metals, and the electro1ytic assays
showed results over $3.25 value per ton
of gold, and $1-6o in silver, or total
value of $4.85 per ton of shale. Every
known method of wet assay was tried
with various results. but the electro
1ytic process proved the most reliable
of all. Two hundred assays were made
before the bulk was tested by electro
lisis."
From the first 100 test assays DIR.
Fahrig obtained an average value of 81
per ton From the second hundred nc
states the tests showed somewhat
higher, averaging over So per ton The
172d test showed $27. DR.. Fahrig gives
the following summary of his first 100
tests:
Traces of gold and silver. II per cent
No traces. 1890 -....-.-..... AZ
Results -.---.. 81
Failures due to accidents. 2
OF the portion which gave results"
DR.. Fahrig makes the following sub
division:
Under 50 per ton. Y per cent.
Over So per ton.- 13
Over 81 per ton. 3
Over IS per ton 5
Over $40 per tom.
DR.. Fahrig says: 1T may reason
ably be supposed that the average yield
of our findings will increase in value at
the ratio of depth, just as found in prac-
tiee in any other precious metal mining
proposition
The report continues: I'VE need not
wonder that scientists of undoubted
good standing, mining engineers metal
lurgists, chemists and experienced as
sayers have failed in proving results,
and have therefore ridiculed the idea
of expecting gold in shale.
1.-THE majority of them know it with
out trying The idea Of looking for gold
in a mud deposit was too deliciously
ridiculous. They said 'Noi' While 9TH
ers. not quite so positive, tried the un
failing fire assay and recorded naturally
their non-results. If fire assay is the
only unfailing proof for assaying prec-
ious metals. then this Kansas shaie is
positively worthless
DR.. Fahrig then describes in detail the
electrolytic process which he has in
vented and gives directions for the
manufacture of the machinery to use
the process, which is patented by him.
Continuing he says:
There is absolutely no limit to the
electrolytic process as far as volume
of ore to be handled per day is con-
cerned- We know of no other process
where that can be said, and all the
secret processes have yet to prove their
success. But let no one think we have
carelessly overlooked other processes of
extraction. We have duly tested tie
chlorine, bromine, iodine, permanganate
and cyanide processes. All of them
gave various results, not one of them
so reliable, at least in our hands, as the
electrolytic process. No matter how
successful a process might be in ex-
tracing the value of precious metal, the
expenses for extraction in this specific
should be less than 81 per ton of
ore"
In conclusion, DR.. Fahrig says: "And
now looking over our experiences IN
testing this peculiar ore, giving so as
tonishing spasmotic results, it is our
solemn belief (not knowledge) that by
far greater surprises will be in store
for those pioneers who next will VEN
ture the extracting precious metal from
Trego shale The gold and silver is in
the shale; it is but a matter of time,
and someone will extract it profitably."