The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-07-17
ONCE PEoN. NOW MILLIONAIRE.
Mine Discovered by Mexican Melted
Elm S15O,0Oo,0OO in Six Years.

Elm $15O,GOO,OOO III Six Years.
The famous Palmillo mine near
Parral, State of Chihuahua, Mexico.
which produced for its owner Pedro
:.;,..i:,c,9. $!50. 0.0Oh.&.8 IN S!% vf'"--
! has passed iLio TIE hands u A-Aeri-
cans.
Up to the time the American min
Ing engineers, were admitted to the
Palmillo mine it was complete nlys-
terry to mining men. Alvarado
would never permit any one except
his Mexican laborers to go into il un-
til he reached a decision to lease it.
1t is the opi.lion OF mining ex-
perts here that Aivarado will obtain
greater profits from the wonderful
mine BY leasing it than he did while
operating it himself. 1t is said he
paid no attention to the science OF
mining in taking out the ore, and
that vast bodies of ore of great rich
ness are still untouched.
Under his methods it cost SIS per
ton to mine, transport and treat the
ores. 1t is shown by recent tests
that this cost can be cut down almost
one-half, and that the ore is ideal for
cyanide treatment.
The lessees are installing the most
modern machinery. and the mine Is
to be equipped so as to increase its
production to the fullest limit
Under the terms Of the lease Alva-
RADIO is to received As per cent OF the
net profits of the mine. He also re-
ceived a cash payment of 100000
when the lease went into effect.
Alvarado, who only few years
ago, was peon working in the mines
for thirty-fve cents a day, is prepar-
ing to enjoy his millions Of dollars
of wealth which the Palmillo brought
him. He has planned to do a great
deal of charitable work, such as pro-
viding homes for the poor. building
and endowing schools and erecting
church edifices. He has contributed
hundreds of thousands Of dollars to
the poor people of Parral during the
last few years. He erected :. Cath
olic church here at cost of $780,
600. He will soon visit the City OF
Mexico, for the purpose of investl-
eating the condition Of the poorer
classes there.
He contemplates establishing
great industrial school in that city,
where the children Of the poor Will
be taught trades of various kinds
and trained in industries and given
knowledge of practical kind.
The marble palace which Alvarado
erected here a few years ago is said
to have cost S2,000.000. 1t is To-
Gated on the bank of the Parral riv-
er, and beyond the wealth Of carV-
ing which the exterior stones bear
does not have gaudy appearance
from the outside.
The wide stairway which leads to
the upper floor is Of onyx; gold and
silver ornaments are to be seen on
every hand. A large room OF the
palace is fitted up as chapel and the
altar is of solid gold. In every room
ls a piano, and in cages ranged along
the halls are hundreds Of canary
birds.
The story Is told that AlvaradO
keeps many millions Of dollars of his
wealth in cash stored in big steel
vault or cage in the basement of his
residence. It Is known he never
comes into Parral without bringing
u large sum Of money which he dis
tributes among the needy poor peo-
ple..
He is only thirty-eight years old.
It is his ambition to visit the United
States and Europe, and now that ne
tas the active management OF the
famous -oalmillo mines off his hands,
it is probable that he will soon car
ry out his desire for extensive travel.