The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1908-04-16
ONCE PEoN. NOW. MuLLroNAIRE.
Mine Discovered by Mexican Melted
Him $3.50, ,OOO, 200 in Six Years.

him SIoO,OOO,OOO In Six Years.
The famous Palmillo mine near
Parral. State of Chihuahua, Mexico.
which produced for its owner Pedro
Alvarado. s150,O00,000 in six years,
has passed into the hands Of Ameri-
cans.
Up to the time the American min
Ing engineers we're admitted to the
Palmillo mine II was a complete mys-
terry to mining men. Alvarado
would never permit any one except
his Mexican laborers to go into 1t un-
til he reached decision to lease II.
Ii is the opinion of mining ex-
perts here that Alvarado will obtain
greater profits from the wonderful
mine by leasing 1t than he did while
operating 1t 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 II cost SIS per
ton to mine. transport and treat the
ores. II 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-
rado is to received Is 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 a few years
ago. was a peon W, king in the mines
for thirtyflve cents day, Is prepar-
ing 10 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
clio church here at cost of $780,
600. He will soon visit the City Of
Mexico. for the purpose of investi-
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 a practica! kind.
The marble l"lace which Alvarado
erected here few years ago is said
to have cost $2,000.0OO. 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 a gaudy appearance
from the outside.
The wide stairway which lead 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
IL piano. and in cages ranged along
the halls are hundreds of canary
Uirds.
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. 1t is known he never
comes into Parral without bringing
large sum of money which he dis
tributes among the needy poor peo-
Pile.
He is only thirty-eight years old.
1t Is his ambition to visit the United
States and Europe, and now that he
has the active management of the
famous oalmillo mines off his hands.
1t 's probable that he will soon car
ry out his desire for extensive travel.