The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1901-11-30
BARAGA COUNTY
GRAPHITE MINES.
Products Find Their Way to
Market in Many Countries
Across the Seas.
MINES ARE NEAR L'ANsE.
Graphite Paint Used as the "War
Paint Of Uncle Sans Vessels
I'm Spanish-American War.

The following, regarding Baraga
county's pioneer graphite mine, and
the uses to which graphite is
adapted, is taken from the Detroit
Tribune. The article was accom-
panied by half-tone picture of A..
B. Boutell, president of the Detroit
Graphite Manufacturing company.
The mines referred to are located
about three miles southeast of
L'Anse:
Early in the '80s an old soldier
found himself without money or oc-
cupation, his only asset being sup
posed graphite mine in the northern
peninsula. With visions of coming
millions he enlisted the support Of
some prominent business men of
Detroit and organized a company
for the purpose of turning out
foundry facings. The capital stock
was $500, 900. Necessary ma
chinery was obtained, the mine
exploited, and some product pre-
pared for the market, but no sales
were made. The output was found
unfit for the purpose intended. The
question was what to do with it.
BY chance some was ground and
applied as paint on the factory
smokstack, and it preserved the
metal 50 well that a splendid pur-
pose was thereby suggested for the
graphite. After thorough expert
Investigation its great value for
this purpose was fully demon
strated. The present company, the
Detroit Graphite Manufacturing
Co., was formed on the ruins of the
older concern, the same officers re-
tanning the helm.
Graphite Up this time was a
comparatively unknown quantity,
very few being acquainted with it..
1t, therefore, required plenty OF
nerve and grit to try the pos
sibilities of this discovery, which
was as yet wholly AN experiment.
Those directing the companys af-
fairs were provided with the neces-
sary courage so they went ahead
with strong faith and bright hopes.
Two ways opened before the infant
concern-to adulterate the products
of the mine with cheap solvents,
hoping to profit by the low prices
that would thus be possible; or to
apply the product of this mine to
the very highest purpose for which
it was adapted, and produce an
-article, the use of which would be q
sufficient recommendation of itself.
They chose the latter course, but ii
took long, hard years to demon
strate its value by actual ex
perience.
"From the far-away mine on the
shores of Lake Superior the ore is
shipped by rail to Detroit and there
reduced to powder by machinery ol
the company's own design. AS the
value of paint depends entirely on
the fineness and smoothness OF its
| pigment, the company spared neither
money nor effort ia this direction
and have produced an article they
think cannot be excelled. The con
cern uses only the best materials
and its stability was tested wher
linseed oil doubled in price and the
company neither deprecated its
product nor advanced prices. The
plant is at Twelfth and River
streets, Detroit. It's customers are
the largest consumers in America
"It was not known until Ions
after the Spanish-American wa,
| that this Detroit firm supplied al
the "war paint" used at the Brook
| lyn navy yard to put the United
States ships in fighting trim
Uncle Sam is still one OF the com
pany's standby customers. Be
sides the large and ever-growin,
business at home, Canada, Cuba
Mexico and the Sandwich Island