The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1911-10-22
GOES ELEVEN HUNDRED FEET
INTO THE DEPTHS OF THE
EARTH IN DAKOTA.
DOWN HOMESTAKE MINE
Nations Executive Has Enjoyable
Day in South Dakota--Is Gold.
brieked by Citizens Of Deadwood,
Receiving Melted Bullion Worth
Three Hundred Dollars in Cash.

Deadwood. $. D., Oct 2i.-Presldent
Taft further qualified as miner to-
day when he was taken 1.lo0 feet
down In the famous Homestake gold
mine at Lead Two years ago Mr..
Taft was taken down to the 1.2oo-foot
level in the Leonard copper mine at
Butte and spent fully al hour Crop
ing about the drifts and tunnels and
watching the men at work. His ex-
periences today were much the same.
t'ie principal difference being In the
more precious quality of the quartz
veins through which Mr.. Taft was
guided, miners lanterns lighting the
way. The president began his trip to
the mine by first learning the proper
pronounciation of the town Of Lead.
which Is not named after the metal
lead. but for the mining term indicat-
Ing lead into body OF ore.
Next he climbed to the mouth of
one OF the shafts. The altitude at the
entrance to the mine is just one mile
above sea level and the president
stopped to rest several times before al
lowing himself to be locked. with sew
eral members OF his party. into one OF
the steel cages used in hoisting men
and metals from the bowels of the
earth II was long. dark ride down
the shaf'. the depth being twice the
height of the Washington monument.
Elevators I'm the Washington monu-
nent creep To the top OF that shaft In
from 10 TO Is minutes. Mr.. Taft
went sailing down In the darkness to-
day at speed which carried him To
the LOO foot level r. less than two
u, ,inu,es. Three quarters of an hour
later he was hoisted to the surface at
a pace even fasies.
All Work Suspended.
All work In the mine had been s,Is-
pended this afternoon. partly to give
the men an opportunity to hear Mr..
Taft speak In Lead. and partly as
precaution for the presidents safety
In visiting the mine, II being deemed
inadvisable to have any blasting while
he was In the tunnels.
The entire process OF mining the ore
and of smelling II was explained to the
president. Outside. snow was on tho
ground. and there were flurries OF
falling flakes. Down I'm the mine the
temperature rose to Htween 10 aud 80.
One OF the drifts followed by the presi-
dent led to an enormous cave-iike
opening where most Of the ore Is now
being taken out. The dome OF the
cave was fully 10 feet high. Miners
stationed at different levels In the
enormous cut burned calciuiu Taper
to illuminate the cavern. q
nil ~ hn
miners yelled from far above.
Pretty good" the president an
swered, with laugh; how are you
way up there?'
Fine, old boy: glad to see you."
Mr.. Taft spent some time In the
government assay office at Lead. and
watched the casting of real gold
brick Later he was shown q rpom
full of the bricks. each of which
weighed f25 pounds and Is worth
about 100000 apiece Someone
'stumped' the president to lift Q brick.
He picked up one OF the bars with
the greatest ease. Senator Gamble
tried to do likewise, but was not so
successful
In the city. where he spoke shortly
hAA'' NUN vi ih1 tdlHl fttOEs tnc
president VAS presented with a small
gold brick worth more than 5000
1T is a great pleasure to goldbrick
the president" Representative Martin
said in making the presentati ton.
II Is a great pleasure TO be gold
bricked this Way" the president re-
piled.
Mr. Tart received a noisy welcome
both IN DeadwOod and In Lead. Prac-
t'eally the entire population of the two
mmunities turned out 10 greet him.
! lle mnched with Representative Mar
! tin At Lead he was presented with
4 replica of a miners candlestick.
done in gold.
Earlier In the day the president spoke
AT Edgemont and Custer After leav-
| ing here he spoke at Sturgls and Rapid
/ CITY, leaving the latter city at 10 p.
/ m. for Pierre. where he viii spend
! Sunday and Sunday night.
Sees Indian Chiefs.
I Rapid city, :, d., oct. 21.--President
. ia II raa4bpd here tnuigbt an hallr he.