The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-08-22
BARYTEs FOUND IN MARYLAND
Company to Be Organized to Mine
and Market Useful and Valuable
Mieral

A vast deposit OF barytes, the sulphate Of
barium, an immensely valuable mineral cspa
BILE of an almost infinite variety Of commercial
and scientific uses, has been discovered in
Frederick county. An expert has declared
that millions of tons of the mineral awaits
exploitation, and plans are already under way
for the organization of company which will
mine and market the deposit aud add vastly
TO the mineral wealth of Maryland and Balti.
more.
The project passed the hypothetical stage
Friday Of last week when party of New York
and Philadelphia capitalists visited the scene
of the deposit Thorough investigation e..
tahlished beyond doubt the extent aud rich
ness Of the supply Of the mineral, and the
organization of The Union Barium and Lead
Company will be the immediate result
The deposit is located 10 townsville distric;
of Frederick county, "a miles from the West.
e-n Maryland Railroad, on farm owned by
Peter Sauble, from whom perpetual lease
has been taken. The tract is a half mile long
aud a quarter mile wide, underlAin by the
barytes, at distances ranging from IL 10 80
feet, practically throughout its entire extent.
The mineral was discovered by George A,
Viekers, a native Of Charles county, this state,
but now OF New York and Phila 1elphia, during
prospecting tour through louisville district
on a search for lead deposits. Fragments OF
haryies were found and successful effort
was made to locate the body Of the mineral
from which the fragments had been separat.
ed. Mr.. James Hurswell, of Philadelphia,
became associated with Mr.. NiekeTs IN an
attempt to realize from the discovery aud
various capitalists have been interested. The
eulmination Of their efforts came when these
gentlemen, accompanied by DIR. A. 7. Free.
Of New York, an eminent mineralogisi made
tour Of inspection. Dr. Free declared that
there we're millions Of tons Of ihe deposit.
WHICH, in the main, siIl produce 80 per cent.
pure barytes. Ia the party, besides those
named, were Mr., John Williams, OF John
Williams 4 Co., bankers. Wall street, New
York; Willis Abbott, capitalist OF Philadel
phia and New York, aud George Broadharst,
Of New York.
Mr.. Vincent says that only partial oEtliue
of plans could be given as yet, bat that com-
pas.y would be formed IN the near future, aud
operations begun as soon thereafter as prac-
ucable.
Barytes Is an immensely valuable miuaral.
aud at present comes exclusively from the
Joplin lead district Of Missouri, aud is miued
and ground by the American Lead aud
Barium Company-the so-called lead trust.
The original sources Of supply we're in Nir-
ginia and North Carolina, bat the deposits
there we're exhausted before the mineral was
discovered 10 Missouri. Il is presumed that
the Maryland enterprise will prove mighty
competitor with the lead trust for the Eastern
market, If. Indeed, il does not result ia the
development Of the beet sugar industry IN
Maryland and other Eastern States.
The mineral, among other commercial
uses, S employed in the manufacture Of beet
sugar. to separate the molaSses FROM the eFys
tails OF sugar. Ii plays an important part in
the making Of open-hearth steel; ii has an ia
creasing importance as a substitute for white
lead in the manufacture Of paint; il rs widely
used as filler in the manufacture OF white
paper. and is valuable in the making of both
plate and flint glass, taking the place Of red
lead in the case of the latter. In addition 10
a wide diversity of gross uses it is scientifically
valuable in the laboratory. As chemical rea
gents, in various combinations; as hydrate Of
barium. and as nitrate Of barium, while the
fact that il is highly sensitive to carbonic acid
gives il additional value TO the chemist. Il Is
supposed that the mex. few years will develop
many other important fields of usefulness for
this mineral