Gilpin observer., 1909-06-03
ORE TREATMENT
HENRY P. LOWE OF GILPIN
HEADS BIG SYNDICATE Smell
TER NEAR ARGo-WILL TREAT
600 TONS OF ORE PER DAY.

of the cost of treatment will now
be crushed at a profit is promised
when the fires are lighted in the
furnaces of the Modern Smelling and
Refining Company's plant at Utah
Junction about two miles from Argo.
This statement means more to the
welfare of the citizens of this coun-
ty than anything proposed or pro-
missed in the last twenty years. AS
the project unfolds itself to the
mind the larger it looms up upon the
horizon of the future. The company
is already Incorporated with a capital
stock of two and one half millions
of dollars, enlisting in its imposing
array of leaders in the financial
world capitalists of all the great cen
ters of wealth in the eastern states.
1t is not a commercial mirage to soon
fade away in the misty haze of spe-
culation but a stupendous reality that
bids fair to revolutionize things for
good in the mining world. The plant
which in machinery and methods of
treatment is so years ahead of all
rivals in its chosen field of endeavor,
is not only under construction but so
near completion that shipments may
be received as early as the first of
July. The ores will be smelted upon
a copper basis, and as the machinery
is nearly automatic in its action, 300
men will accomplish the work for
the old style smelters. The ores are
handled by the hand only once during
the entire process of unloading from
the cars running through the samp-
lers, into the tanks and through the
smelters. The management expects
ultimately to increase the capacity
OF the plant to 1900 tons per day.
The plant will treat low grade ores
without roasting and will use the
sulphur generated by the smelling
process for fuel.
The above outline of this new ven
ture justifies the prediction SO often
made that Gilpin's glory is not
eclipsed and that some day a pro-
cess would be found whereby the
great quantities of low grade ore
with which this county abounds would
be treated at profit. 1t also explains
the tenacious grip maintained by the
well informed mining men upon all
low grade properties under their con-
troll. For months it has been next
to impossible to buy. lease or bond
mines with any record of production,
particularly in the Russell district
Lowe and his associates are center
ed. While many of these properties
have been idle for years yet over
lures on the part of intended pur.
chasers have always been met with
the information that they were not
in the market" 1t is now evident
that values were visible to the pro.
moters OF the new smelter that were
hidden from the common eye. The
incorporation of two companies by
Mr.. Lowe for a million each to op'
crate exclusively in the Russell dis
trict is significant in the light OF
recent events. 1t would seem that
the Frontenac. Addudell and Topeka
mines could furnish enough ore foI
the initial capacity Of the new smelt
er but the management declare them
selves as prepared to take care OF
all shipments by constantly enlarg
ing the plant as needs require. Some
prise will not be overlooked by Gilpir
residents.
First-It is not a stock company
but close corporation. Second
1t is absolutely and unqualifiedly in
dependent. While this will bring small
comfort to the Guggenheims it will
be hailed with delight by long suf
fering mining fraternity as a deliv
erance from the extortion and high
handed methods Of trust, with
character so black that the darkes
crayon on earth drawn across II
crime stained surface would leave
white mark.
This article would not be complet
without some Acknowledgement of tn
services rendered to the people @
this county by one whose energy an
great ability has always been consec
rated to the public good. Mr.. Low
is a mining promoter in the bes
sense Of this much abused tern
: While engaged in large undertaking
he has always maintained the respec
and goodwill Of the investing publ,