Gilpin observer., 1905-09-21
NEWS FROM The MINES and MILLS

Over 10000 acres of borax, nitro,
soda and salt deposits have been To-
Gated In Death Valley. The entire re-
gion seems to be vast chemical labo-
ratory in which nature has com
pounded and stored millions of tons OF
crude drugs. 1t has been called the
drug store of the universe" and the
appellation is singularly fit Borax
from Death Valley first found it's way
into the market about quarter of
century ago. 1t was mined from de-
posits found in the Calico mountains
and from one or two sinks at the edge
of the valley, and it was taken out in
comparatively small quantities and
hauled across the Mojave desert in
wagons drawn by mule teams consist
ing of from eighteen to thirty-two ami
mails. This desultory mining was car
r1ed on until 1888, when it was aban-
doned because men could not be in
duced to work the mines or even to
drive the mules. 1t became known
that few of those who entered the val
ley ever came forth alive. Six or seven
months seemed to be the limit of en-
durance. At the end of that time the
venturesome miner had either sue
cumbed to the killing heat and the
poison-laden atmosphere or had be-
come such physical wreck that he
was forever incapacitated for further
effort. 1t was believed to be form of
suicide to engage in the occupation.
After fourteen years of idleness the
Smith Mining Company reopened the
mines and developed new ones Bet
ter methods and more modern equip
ment, together with additional meas
ures looking toward the safety and
comfort of those engaged in the work,
have made temporary sojourn in the
valley less hazardous, and men have
been induced once more to accept the
liberal wages offered by the company.
The mule teams are still employed to
haul the product of the mines to the re-
duction works, but at the mines great
traction engines weighing hundreds of
tons are used to carry the crude prod
uct to the gateway of the valley.
During the summer old Sol seems to
concentrate all his energies in burning
the atmosphere of Death Valley to a
crisp. Everything becomes so fiery hot
that it literally Kisses. The thermom-
eter settles on lis as the minimum
and does not scruple to show 140 on
especial occasions. The humidity is so
Slight that, it matters not how vigo-
rously one exercises, perspiration
never manifests itself The texture of
the skin OF one who remains for some
time within the influence of the pecu-
liar atmosphere of the region becomes
ike leather burned. In this abnormal
heat mans thirst demands something
like three gallons of water a day, and
then 1t Is not quenched-the desire In
still 1mportunate. 1t is also a matter
OF record at the California mining
bureau that men who have entered the
valley with an abundance of water at
their command have died there of
thirst, the acrid. chemically charged
air sapping the moisture from their
bodies more rapidly than they could
supply the drain.
1t has also been verified time and
again that dementia of the most ap-
palling form is apt to precede dissolu-
ton. In this hideous death trap many
q prospector has abandoned his search
for treasures and bent all his effort to
an eager. hopeless search for water
All of the pathways are lined with the
bones of men and beasts, and it is not
an uncommon thing to find the body of
victim lying shriveled like mummy.
If left unmutilated by vultpres, ants or
coyotes, dead bodies would remain un-
changed for centuries in the peculiar
air of Death Valley. All animal decay
Is Immediately arrested by the drug
impregnated air.
OF course, the winter climate is not
so destructive. Some persons have
been able to winter in the valley with
out suffering any marked discomfort.
This is particularly the case with those
who have found II impossible to live in
moisL localities on account of advanced
pulmonary disease.