Gilpin observer., 1909-12-30
scarce by use.

scarce by use.
Much has been written as to tho
adoption Of gold as basis Of wealth
or as medium Of exchange. Nearly
all the metals have at some time
been exchanged for commodities of
some sort or other. So have other
things, for that matter. But that is
neither here nor there. This deals
with mines-mines In the sense Of
deIvins for the precious contents Of
earth SO unequaIIy distributed.
There is much speculation that min
erals are not found everywhere. In
certain localities only can the ground
be Of value owing to the contents of
the rock remaining pretty much with
out disturbance since the deposit
was laid, down. Geological periods
have been pretty much the same all
over the earth, but changes have oc-
CURED to disturb and dissipate all
that was valuable leaving nothing but
a formation of an era non-productive.
That is, like our seasons, nothing
can grow in winter while summer is
productive. So 1t was In periods of
time, there was the productive and
unproductive. The elements and per-
iods favoring the chemical action the
metals were deposited pretty sensr-
ally but periods and further chemical
action have also dissipated them Ieav-
ing sections barren.
But the present day quest Is pure
ly commercial and one finds the ac-
quisitive and those desiring opulence
who make it a business because Of
the belief that to produce the metals
means the first place in all products,
inasmuch as-in the case Of eold-it
is that which makes the world go
round. To produce gold means the
world is that much the richer or
gamer and the producer recognizes
the fact that he is a real benefactor
and bettsring himself far more quick
Iy than in any other pursuit.
OF course, there are many who go
into mining with the "set-rieh-quick"
idea, but the most are rational on the
subject and are willing to work for
all they receive.
There is something, too, about min
ing, about the mine operator, that
places him pretty we'll to the fore as
regards social conditions. He is
recognized as on a par with the fl
nancier and banker. Success in min
ing stamps the individual above the
common run of humanity. His luck
is something extraordinary and look
ed upon pretty much as an instru-
ment of providence to work out ends
the Examinations of which are not
seen. Not that they are people of
destiny; that idea is foolish when ap-
piled to mining. In short, the fortu-
nate miner is more of man Of
the world than he who turns his tai
ents to successful account in other
directions. There is no mistake about
this and many recognize that the
operator Is in a class by himself and
It is superior position and seldom
assaiIed.
Emphasis is laid on the fact that
the man making business of min
ing must have the inclination before
he may hope to succeed. He is ven
turesome, too, and may be called a
great gambler. He is certainly bold
in his investments. The chances he
takes are seldom met in other
branches. His eggs are pretty much
in one basket. While not altogether
a hit or miss affair, It is often make
or break. He is brave soul Of gen.
erous impulses. In proof Of which the
prospeetor seldom reaps
the benefit Of his find. And the man
who follows Is just as generous and
brave In his ventures as he who
made tho discovery.
The Uniformity Of this section
makes It a most inviting field for In
vestment. There Is not the fauItIng
Of sections where the
ls pretty much Of chemical
origin, such as found In earboniferous
fields. There 10 much In the depth
theory to prove values In granite and
feIdspars. Then the ore bodies are
by the large deposits
that must follow with depth. There
are many locations and their owners
are Indifferent Indeed In not develop
Ing them Into paying propositions.