Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1904-09-01
SHELTER IS BLOWN IN
Takilma Plant Now Ready to
Operate.

Operate.
Charles L. Tut Of Colorado Springs,
the president Of the United States.
Reduction & Refining Company, one
Of the largest smelling companies in
Colorado. was at tho Portland Sunday
night, accompanied by Mrs. Tut.
Mr.. Tut has just reached Portland
from Takilma, Josephine county,
where he has been for the past four
years interested in the development
Of the gold and copper mining in
dustry OF the section. AS the resu 1t
OF his labors, new smelter with a
capacity Of $50 tons of ore day was
blown in on August 25, and will be in
operation by the lst of September, the
plant having been erected at cost of
more than $3.50, 600 and at a vast ex-
pense Of time and labor.
To an Oregonian reporter Mr.. Tut
told his experiences in the mountains
Of josephine county, of the hardships
necessary in the construction Of his
smelter and Of the final success crown
ing his efforts 81 have spent the
past four years in Josephine county, "
said Mr. Tut, "and have done a lot
OF hard work there, but / am sure
that 1t has been to good purpose and
that it will result in the betterment
OF the district-not only from a min
ing standpoint, for the establishment
of the smelter will tend to open the
country in other ways.
1.-THE Takilma smelter, of which
am the owner, is located at little
postoffice by that name in the mount
aims of Josephine county, and about
40 miles to the southwest Of Grants
Pass.
" When | went into the district, "
continued the mining investor, 81
early discovered that there we're great
quantities Of ore to be taken from the
ground and bearing quantities not
only OF copper, but Of gold as we'll.
Owing to the great distance from
the railroad, however, and the rough.
ness Of the trail, it was impossible |
to get the ore to shipping point at a
profit. 1t was then, after a great |
ideal Of consideration, that / conclud
ed to build smelter, not only for nv
benefit, but for the good of the dis
trict, which is capable of great de-
Work on the plant was begun ON
March 10 last, and no one who has
never been through the country can
appreciate the task confronting the
workmen. In the first place, quarters
iad to be constructed for the men,
md as there was no way of getting
umber from the railroad, a sawmill
lad to be built. After that the ex-
AVIATION work proceeded in the mud
md storms of the early Spring until
he foundations were laid and the
main construction work was begun.
At this point another difficulty
aced the workmen. 1t was necessary
% make the brick from which to
'uild the big chimney of the smelter.
IS well as the walls and the furnace
asings, all larts, in fact, where
'rickwork was required. Not only
lid the brick have to be made, hut we {
lad to burn the lime for the mortar.
All these difficulties were over
ome, however, continued Mr.. Tut,
and the smelter was blown in for ,
IS trial run Of September 25. when it
vas demonstrated to be complete
ucoess. Matte was produced which
Vill. when all expenses are deducted,
ay good percentage on the invest.
lent. Owing to the fact that an ad.
ition will have to be made to the {
'ater supply, the continuous opera.
ion of the plant will not be COM
lenced until September /. After that
ime the smelter will run contin. {
usly the year round. 5
" l am sure that the venture will be I
success, for it will make market
'r the ores to be mined in the dis. v
rict. The product of the smelter b
IN be shipped out at a profit, while h
ithout its help the miners could not :
ave IA market fer the metals taken
ON their claims With the sue. +
'ssful operation Of the smelter. we .,
'pe, in time to secure easier II
and when that comes ~
q mineral district of Southren Ore.
m will lead the state. "