Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-02-16

Never before has the worlds proiuc-
ton of gold been as large as it was
in 1905, when it aggregated 1915, 597,-
S90. This is per cent greater than
the previous record, in 1904, and judy
ing by the progressive spirit which
is debating further improvements in
mining and metallurgical methods and
machinery to reduce the cost and
make possible the profitable develop
ment of many lowgrade mines, the
gold production in 1906 may carry the
banner as the leader.
An unusual occurrence in 1906 was
the drop from first to third place as
reported $S4. 1858, and the rise to
with $86,298,OOO; while the Trans
vaal led with $1O1, 179.473, it's high
record. Together these three coun-
tries supplied nearly three-quarters of
the worlds gold output in 1905.
The silver production in the world,
reported principally by Mexico and
the United States, showed marked ex-
pansion in 1905. amounting approx
mately to 1SO,0OO,OOO fine ounces.
Market prices during 1905 were the
highest in years, and encouraged the
development of properties which have
heretofore suffered from inadequate
earnings. The silver output in the
United States was 58,938,355 fine
ounces, most of which was obtained
as a by-product in the treatment Of
ores containing other metals, notably
copper and lead.
A most gratifying feature of the
gold and silver mining industry in
1905 was the payment of increased
dividends and the accumulation of
large surplus by the better managed
roperties.-Chicago Mining World.
Ralph Baggaley. former manager of
the Pittsburg & Montana company.
says he retired from the management
of the company's business in accord
ance with an understanding had with
the directors when he took hold of
the company four years ago that he
would retire as soon as the company
was put on a paying basis. His re-
tirement, he says, is not due to any
dissatisfaction nor does it mean any
change in policy. Oscar Rohm, form
erly with the Tennessee Copper COM
pany, has taken Mr.. Baggaley's place.
Mr.. Bagagley also denies that there
has been any change in the owner
ship of the controlling interest. He
still owns one-third of all the stock
and Judge Reed of Pittsburg owns
one-thiTM. The remaining third is own
ed by about 1876 persons. including the
Mellens of Pittsburg. who, it was ru-
mored, had purchased control of the
company. when l took hold of the
business of the company four years
ago" said Mr.. Baggaley cit was my
intention to remain in Butte only long
enough to place the business on a
paying basis. This I have done and
have turned the reins over to others.
Pittsburg is my home. I am now en-
gagged in securing patents pertaining
to the treatment or ores of Butte OF
course the plant is not yet large
enough, so far as its furnaces are con-
cerned. to handle large quantity Of
ore, but the boiler power, blowing
power. and everything else is sufficient
In capacity to treat a much greater
output of ore than has been establish
ed. The company is now treating
about 200 tons of ore per day, and
the converter is working without a
hitch, the crude silicious ores of the
cOmpany's mines being dissolved and
reduced to copper without trouble by
the new process. Chicago Mining
World
At the January rate OF output the
two smelters of the Amalgamated
Copper company will in 1906 produce
very nearly 100000, 900 pounds of cop
per. The January output is at the
rate of 29OO0O,00O pounds year
2cO,O00.O00 for the WashOe plant at
Anaconda and 9OO0O.OOO for the Bos-
= & Montana smelter at Great Falls.
The best information is that during
the first two weeks of January the
WashOe production amounted to 8,40O.
900 pounds, and the output is likely
to be increased during the year. The
shoe is at present treating 1900 lbs.
of ore a day, all of which comes from
Amalgamated and North Butte mines
with the exception of about 800 tons
a day of custom ores. The Washoe
is also treating some ore from the
Boston & Montana mines. and the
latter are shipping to the Great Falls
smelter $3.50 tons day. about 230
tons more than was shipped to that
smelter during the latter six months
Of last year. The Amalgamated com
pany has started the new year with
an evident intention to break all rec.
Ords of yearly productions of copper
Salt Lake City, Feb. 15.-A special
TO the Tribune from New York gives
the following account of big merger
alleged to be accomplished among
mining interests in the West:
The important details of the cop
per, lead and smelling deal which
has been developed for months be
came known in Wall street today. II
can be authoritatively stated that an