The age-herald., 1902-03-13

With the many stories of Alabama 8 mineral wealth and of the successfully conducted mines that are operated in the State. it is notable that no single in- stance has come to light of a mine be- ing worked by women. While from the mineral belts of the great west come the most marvellous stories of the wo- men who successfully operate mines.
 It is said that large number of wo- men are today engaged in this field of money getting, and proving on an aver age more successful than the men. It is claimed that in every instance where woman has opened up mine that she has found the investment satisfactory.
 If the west is a successful field for the woman whose inclinations lead her into developing the mineral wealth of the country, there would seem to be limit less possibilities for her in Alabama, where she would have every opportunity for becoming authority on ore and coal. to say nothing of a prospect of growing fabulously rich.
 While mining has not as yet been plac- ed in the lists of avocations for women in this section of the country. there is no reason why it could not be made as practical and profitable as other channels of work, and for the plucky woman who is interested in minerals and who is look ing for an investment, there is no doubt but that a cool million is awaiting some lucky woman who may be looking over the situation in Alabama.
 Quote a wealthy mine owner: "There is nothing in mine operating that bars women from taking it up. In the early days a woman who would attempt to prospect or operate a mine would have been regarded as a lunatic, but when women with good common sense and with plenty of energy find their way to the camps they soon learn that with shrewd management, close figuring and letting all work by contract marketing the ores, urchasing their supplies in bulk, and caring for the finances in every depart ment, arc the essentials of successfully working a mine.'
 Several instances of the women who are successfully operating mines m the west
  York papers, and the following are some of the prominent examples, which could no doubt be emulated In the mineral sec tions of Alabama:
 Mrs Hort ense Adams of Boise, Idaho, is perhaps the only woman known who discovered a mine of great value. She is widow on the shady side of thirty, wide awake and practical. A few years ago friends extended 10 her an invita- tion to attend picnic which she re- luctantly accepted. Lunch was spread on a flat rock To the observant eye of Mrs. Adams it was soon apparent that the place had been at some time prospected and that the rock which served as a table was different from the neighboring rocks
 She secured a sample, and upon her re- turn to Boise had the piece assayed, with the result that within forty eight hours afterward she located a large group of claims and commenced their development. The first vein encountered gave $40 per ton, and since then rocK worth many hundreds of dollars per ton has been taken out The finest specimens of mineral ever shown in the mining bureau came l from this mine.
 Mrs. Adams obtained the services of an expert manager and closely studied his methods. In a short time she dismissed the expert. assuming the entire manage ment herself, and within nve months she refused s250000 cash for her property.
 "Another instance of woman's pluck and perseverance was shown when An tonic, the husband of Mary Trussele, of Santa Fe, N. M, had thrown aside pick and spade and decided to abandon a claim which at it's inception had prom ised big returns but later proved a dis appointment. The wife, however, with faith and ambition, started operations on her own account. with the result that a few months ago. the Lewisohn inter- ests acquired the mine at very high figure
 "The great Highland Mary mine, up Cunningham Gulch. in San Juan County, Col, owes the high price obtained for the property to Mrs. T.s E. Murrell, who rep resented the owners and has since been offered a very tempting interest for her services from the wealthy New York syn dicate who now control the mine.
 Miss Mary Tracy and her sister Edith,