Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1904-12-03
b. H. GOLD OUTPUT FOR 1904.
Mine Inspector Gregory Submits ais AN
nual Report to Gov. Herreid.

nual Report to Gov. Herreid.
Thomas Gregory. state inspector oi
mines, has completed the compiling oi
his annual report to the governor, CIV
ing detailed statement Of the business
of his office for the year ending No
yember l, 1904, in which he gives a
most interesting review OF the
condition of the mining industry
and progress accomplished during the
past year by the producing mines. We
extract the following from the Lead Call
| from his letter of transmittal:
Conditions as have found them de-
note a gradual advancement and the
important mines have arrived at a
basis of great stability. There is no ma
terial variation in the scope Of their op-
erations from month to month, nor is
there upon brief observation aEy per-
ceptible 1uctuation in their individual
production. improvements are con
stantly being made, however; modern
appliances and advanced methods are
supplanting the primitive tools and
crude practices of the past. Labor saying
machinery has been extensively intro
duced in this field during the last few
years and the mining industry here has
been benefit ed greatly by the discov-
cries and developments In the realm OF
chemistry, which have resulted irArend-
sring available to commerce vast stores
OF natural wealth in ores that a few
years ago were Improbable because OF
their limited mineral contents.
Mining in South Dakota possesses Ger
tain unique features that place it in a
class almost by itself Success comes
slowly and is attained by implicit adher-
ance to business principles and the exer-
cises of economy and sound judgment
rather than by sudden and specuIar &C.
cumulation of wealth. The successful
mine has successful manager who is
master of the situation. The harmoni-
Gus relations Of employers and employ
ed in and about the mines Of South Da
kota are noteworthy and are gratifying
in view Of the industrial conditions that
have existed elsew here at different
times during the past twelYe months.
In that time there has not been a strike
or walkout ampng the mines operative
of this state, and has not come to my
notice an instance OF disagreement or
Fiction. As near as can gather there
are 5000 wsge esfners on the pay ro.,s
Of South Dakota mining companies, em
pioying as miners, helpers, in timbering
crews, mill men and mechanics. The
average daily pay orthe miner is $3.50.
helpers So, shoYe,ers and mill hands
$3.50. *S* The bodily welfare OF the
employees IL given oommendable atten-
tion by the management OF eTory
important mine of the state. All reas
enable pains is taken TO guard against
accidents that might produce loss OF
life or injury; rooms are in most in
stances provided where employees going
on or off shift may change raiment and
Doth in comfort during severe weather,
etc. *** The mines of South Dakota
have produced $1,000, ,4sl7l in gold hui.
lion for the past twelve mouths ending
November !, 1904. The daily tonnage Of
ore that has been miIled is $500 tons,
not including ore treated from inter
mediate producers. There occurred in
the mines Of the state during the past
year twenty mining accidents, by which
ten persons lost their lives and twelve
persons were injured. The amount OF
gold taken out by the differt companies
shows that the Homestake company
output was nearly S5,O0o,0oo Of this To-
tai By comnaniee Il yes.