Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-09-07
AMONG THE MINERS
LATEST NEWS FROM THE TIMING CAMPS OF
FERGUS COUNTY AND elsewhere. = = =

were worked by the Spanish for over
200 years. In Bolivia, the mines at
Cerros de Potosi are numerous, being
within 100 feet of the summit, that has
height of 5000 feet. Quicksilver
occurs at many places in the Andes
mountains. Copper is found in Peru
and Chile, the mines in the desert of
Atacama being the most productive.
Tin has been discovered in quantity in
Chile and Bolivia, and both lead and
iron nave also been produced in these
countries. The state of ChOco in Co
lombia supplies an appreciate quanti-
ty of platinum
The mad rush of gold seekers to Cal
ifornia following discovery of gold in
1S49 did not reach its climax for sew
eral years. Much the larger portion
went by sea, the favored route being
by the Isthmus of Panama. The pas.
sengers landed at Chagres and took a
boat up the river to Cruces, then cross.
ed over by horse or mule to Panama,
where they sailed on coasting steam
ers or other craft. The crowds that
fiocked thither by all sorts of Allan
capacity, and many had to wait long
weary weeks before getting passage
to California. Three thousand people
were at one time collected at Panama,
and so wild with Impotence were they
that several small companies were sue
cessful in their attempt to make the
voyage TO San Francisco by the ma
tives' log canoes. But a far more ter
rible foe than ennui had to be faced.
cholera and. Panama fever carried off
large numbers of the argOnauts. as well
as quarter of the inhabitants of Pan
anna. Before the excitement had be-
gun two new steamers. the California
and Oregon, were assigned TO this
route. to run monthly. The fare was
$500, and the competition for space
ran so high that double that price was
at times paid. The California reach
ed San Francisco on her first trim,
February 2S. 1S49. When she came
up the west coast after rounding the
Horn to reach Panama, the gold fever
had just affected Peru, and Is Peru
vians took passage. This preoccupa-
ton OF space so enraged the thousand
or more of waiting Americans that
they induced the commandant of the
United States forces in California. who
was waiting with them, to issue proc.
lamatiOn ejecting the Peruvians as in
tending trespassers on United States
public lands not yet open for settle.
ment. AS they refused to go, no one
dared to use force. The Peruvians i'll
time reached California. At one time
300 intended passengers at Panama
drew lots for the SO steamer tickets
on sale. The hardships endured by
the argonaut in that memorable rush
have not since been equaled, though
the cold of Alaska played havoc with
many who sought the gold there
The Mining World.
The old Drumlummon mine of the
Montana Mining company at Marys-
vile. reports for July: Tailngs plant
3,402 tons of tailings and fines in 81
days, producing cyanide precipitates
$3.50 ounces gold and 1000 ounces sill
Ver), estimated value, $500 General
maintenance expenses We're 81 400
and treatment charges $500; total
$1,000. leaving a profit of $1,000. The
Lucky Girl mine ran it's 20-stamp mill
80 days, crushing 1885 tons of ore,
which produced bullion bars and cyan
ide preciptates containing 76O ounces
gold and $50 ounces silver. having an
estimated value of $4,000. Expenses
for mining milling and cyaniding were
$500, leaving profit of $500. The
expenditures on development work
We're $1,4O0. not included in the min
ing account above.