The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-02-04
PLACER MINING FOR SHOT.
Two Men in Nebraska Are Making
Money in q NnYeI WnX.

Two Men in Nebraska Are Making
Money in a Novel Way.
Probably the most unique mine In the
world Is located within two miles Of
Omaha, Neb. Others have dug and
washed for gold, silver, copper, iron,
ETC., but the owners of the mine in
question, which is placer, are mining
for shot, and the finished product is
turned out In quantities to earn neat
income for the workers.
Across the Mississippi is located the
Omaha Gun Club grounds, where fire.
quent "shoots" have been held for the
last twelve years. Some time ago A.
II. Cooley, formerly superintendent of
the BartonNash Stone Company, and
Thomas Brltton, formerly vice-presl-
dent Of the BrlttOn Engine Company,
were walking over these grounds and
noticed that at certain place the earth
was covered with layer of shot. At
once the idea came to them that here
was a paying mine If they could secure
the right to work It, and keeping their
discovery secret they called upon the
officers of the club and proposed to
lease that particular spot for mining
purposes.
They were laughed at, but secured
the lease. 1t included tract of ground
extending from the shooting box dis
tance of 300 feet, with about 300 feet
on either side. 1t Is over this tract
that the shot Intended for clay and live
pigeons fly. How much of 1t has been
buried in the ground is a question stiIl
to be determined. One thing, however,
Is certain, there Is a great quantity of
1t, and the owners of the unique mine
are taking out on an average of 300
pounds a day In working a space not
exceeding twelve by fifteen feet.
AS soon as Cooley and Britton Sc
cured their lease they purchased gas-
oline engine Of twO-hOrse power, with
pump combination. Then they drove
well, striking an abundant flow of
water at a depth of twenty feet This
done, they constructed their sldice
boxes and were ready for work.
As the shot is imbedded in the ground
to depth Of two feet, all this earth
has to be washed over To do this It
is shoveled into a slulce box feet long,
II inches deep and Is inches wide,
standing upon four legs about three
feet above the ground. Water from
the pump is turned ON and the dirt is
loosened allowing the shot to drop to
the bottom while the dirt is washed
out at the end of the box.
When the greater part Of the earth
has been washed away the deposit in
the bottom of the siuice, consisting of
shot, stones and other foreign sub
stances, is placed In a second box with
wire netting bottom. Here second
washing is given, after which the
stones are picked out and the shot
spread upon boards to dry. The shot is
then placed in bags holding fifty
pounds each and is taken to the foun.
dry. There 1t Is recast into perfect
shot or into lead bars.
Resurrected shot sells for $3.50 n
100 pounds a price a very little less
than virgin lead, This difference Of
price is due to the presence of anti
mony, which must be removed before
casting. Selling at this price, the two
men are clearing $40 a day. and some
days, by working extra hard, they net
as much as S15.
So successful have Cooley and Brit
ton been, says the New York Times,
that they are now looking over the
country for the location Of other lead
mines Of a similar nature. All over
the country there are abandoned shoot
ing grounds, and on several Of these
they have secured leases