Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1909-10-02
TAFT VISITS
COPPER MINE
Dropped 1900 Feet In Darkness
Locked In Iron Gage.
SAW MINERS At WORK

lpent Half an Hour Underground at
Suite, Mont, and Was cheered
When Brought to the surfaee--visits
state Fair and Reviews Parade OF
School Children.
Helena. Mont, Sept 2S.--Attired in
a linen buster. an old black SLOUGH hat
and swinging an electric lantern at
his side, President Taft was locked in
a narrow iron cage and dropped 1900
feet through darkness into the depths
OF the famous old Leonard copper mine
at Butte He had the rare experience
of seeing miners at work with a giant
drill in vein OF high grade ore that
sparkled green with its wealth OF min
eral.
After half an hour underground the
president was brought to the surface.
blinking in the glare of the SUM- He
was cheered to the echo by the crowd
of curious people gathered at the
hoist He declared enthusiastically:
Il would not have missed 1t for the
world"
II was the presidents first visit to
the Montana copper region, and be-
tween the shelters at Anaconda and
the mines at Butte he had a series of
interesting experiences. Not the least
of these was thrilling automobile
ride over the mountains from Butte to
the mouth of the Leonard mine. The
grades were steep and winding, but
the chauffeurs we're experienced men,
and while there was apparently no
threat of danger at any stage of the
trip, there was a sigh of relief when
Mr.. Taft had once more been placed
safely aboard the Mayfiower for the
run to Helena.
Arriving at Helena, he went directly
to the state fair grounds. where, after
viewing portion of the exhibits, he
made an open air address and witness
ed race OF cowboys. Returning to
the city, Mr.. Taft reviewed parade
of high school children
Leaving Helena. he headed direct
for Spokane, where he is expected to
deliver his formal speech on the con-
servation of the natural resources and
the reclamation of arid lands.
Trip into Mine.
When the president disappeared
down the shaft of the mine he was
accompanied by Postmaster General
Hitchcock, Secretary Ballinger and
John Hays Hammond.
The descent occupied two and one
half minutes, and during the journey
there was nothing but blackness and
silence.
AT the 1200-foot Lowell the two lower
cages dropped by the opening total
low the president to step out first. It
was still inky dark.
The opening OF the level had been
decorated with bunting, and along the
gallery the ordinary incandescent
bulbs lighting the passage had given
place to more bulbs OF red, white and
blue. The walk through the crosscut
to the ore vein was about quarter OF
q mile Through the darker places the
president helped to light the way with
his electric lantern. while the other
members OF the party carried candles.
The president was amazed to en-
counter two sleek looking horses In
comfortable stalls at one point OF the
trip, and his inquiries brought out the
information that every two or three
years the animals are taken to the sur
face for years vacation on a ranch
that is called 'the horses heaven"
Precautions are taken to protect the
horses from blindness when they are
brought to the surface after long ser
vice below.
Past the powerful pumps. where he
shook hands with the men In charge.
the president was taken at last into
drift where a drill was at work. The
shutdown owing to the internal trou-
bles in the Western Federation Of
Miners was adjusted aud the men were
preparing to return TO work on full
time.
The whole method OF copper mining
was explained TO the president.
President Taft walked with limp
when he first got off the train at Ana
conda, the result OF sprained tendon
In his right foot. The sprain occurred
at Beverly. but he suffered little IN.
convenience from It until his foot was
considerably swollen There is nothing
serious about the sprain, and Mr.. Taft
did not let 1t interfere in any way with
his plans