Gilpin observer., 1905-12-28
4 Mine in GiIpin County Which is the Only
Mine in the World Outside Of One
Producing PAchb|ende.
MINERAL WORTH TWO DOLLARS A POUND

many and other points IN Europe, nave
some very interesting incidents to relate
in connection with their European visit.
Mr.. and Mrs. Nesmith went almost di-
rect from America to Hamburg, Ger
many, their object in visiting that point
being to dispose OF lotion shipment OF
pitchblende which WAS extracted from
the Kirk mine in Leavenworth gulch, in
Gilpin county, a property owned by Den
YER parties. but being operated by Mr..
Nesmith. Pitchblende is a very rare
mineral and is found in only one or two
parts of the world. The price offered
Mr.. Nesmith by purchasers who were in
the market for the mineral, although
seemingly high; was much lower figure
than the gentleman knew it to be worth
in Germany and he therefore took the
trip abroad to dispose Of his valuable
product. AS the pitchblende Mr.. Mes
mith had taken from the Kirk mine in
Gilpin county was first class, he had no
trouble in Hamburg in selling 1t. be
disposed OF the entire lotion shipment
to chemists OF the German city at good
price. What the price received for the
mineral was, Mr.. Nesmith would not
state when being interviewed by an OBJ
server reporter, for reasons which he
thought were sufficient. He gave his
questioner an idea, however, that the
amount he received was handsome, as
he said the market price for pitchblende
IS $500 per pound and up, according to
the quality. He would not divulge the
names OF the chemists to whom he sold
the shipment, respecting their request
in the matter; neither would he say what
they used the mineral for as he really
did not know, but the gentleman did
state that it is used in some parts OF the
foreign country for coloring glass and is
also used in photography.
The Kirk mine in Gilpin county is the
only one producing pitchblende in
America in quantities, although the min
eral in small quantities has been found
in the German and the Wood properties,
which are located in the same district as
the Kirk According to Mr.. Nesmith,
who is familiar with the history Of the
mine he is working, pitchblende was
discovered in the working Of the proper
ty forty years ago when it was first op-
Grated for gold and silver. The opera
tors ran across a pocket Of the mineral,
and not knowing at that time what pitch
blende was, thought it was black jack,
as 1t caused the plates to clog when the
ore was being treated for gold and silver,
preventing the proper values from being
extracted. In 1878 DR.. Pierce, who was
working the Kirk mine at that time, dis
covered that it was pitchblende, and
made small shipment to Swansea,
Wales, for treatment, but the high cost
Of shipping and treatment and the low
price obtained for the flnished article
discouraged him from making more than
the one shipment. About ten years ago
lessees took hold OF the Kirk for about a
year, during which time they took out
about thirteen tons Of fair grade pitch.
blende. They really took out what had
been left by old operators. This ore was
sold in Denver and New York.
The discovery Of radium by the Curies
in the residue OF pitchblende gave an
impetus to the mining Of this rare min.
eral and induced the operators, who are
working the Kirk at present, to take
hold about two years ago. As the mine
had been practically abandoned for TWEEN.
ty or twenty five years before, much work
was necessary to get 1t in shape, unwater.
ing and putting up the necessary TOP
buildings.
Pitchblende, as has been stated be
fore, is only found in two or three sec
tions Of the world and perhaps the lar.
gcst mine is in st. Joachimstahl, Bohe.
mia. This is operated and controlled by
the Austrian government. While abroad
Mr.. Nesmith. who has made a study ot
pitchblende, managed after much schem.
ing to procure permit from the govern
ment officials to visit the property. This
was privilege seldom accorded anyone
and the difficulties Mr. Nesmith had te
overcome before he was permitted TO en-
ter the mine is told in his own language
together with other incidents Of the triT
to the valley Of st. Joachimstahl:
away of in the Err mountains o
Bohemia, guarding the pretty little val
ley Of st. Joachimstahl, is the mine o.
that name which, with the Kirk, in thu
Rockies. are today the only CONNIE rciall,
producing pitchblende mines In tn,
world. About tho former clusters q bi
Of history, II were we'll Tor us to know