The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-22
Descends /, 200 Feet and
Emergc S With Mug
get Of G lid.
HIS FIhSr Trip
" D r SURFACE
keenly Enjoys His Unique Ex-
perience. and Displays Great
Interest in Workings of APP
paratus-Heartily Cheered
During Address to Work
ers and Their Wives.
Especial to The Times-D,sps,op


Rapid CITY. S. d. October al-Presi-
dent Taft went down into the Home.
stake mine. the largest gold mine in
the world. at Lead. to-day. and energ
ed With nugget OF gold in his pocket.
The President descended 1900 feet
through the main shaft and walked a
quarter of a mile through the depths
OF the mine, while members of his
party held tiny lights to illuminate his
way 1t was the Presidents first din
into g mine, and he declared when he
got once more up into daylight that
II was the most unique experience of
his life.
MT Taft made the trip to the Home.
stake rr!fe in the afternoon after a
Visit 70 Deadwood. He roo. the three
miles UP the Black hills 10 Lead
along muddy roads in an automobile.
On the way the President ana his
party stopped off at the Lead govern
ment assay Office. pesched OH the
mountain side, halt mile from the
summit In the assay Office the Prest-
dent looked on as government en- =
plcyes melted down a crucible OF gold
into pure elittering gold The presi.
dent displayed interest in the cruel.
Dies red hot liquid. which was poured
into mold and after being cooled Of
and the crust of alloy scraped of tbs
gnstening bar of gold was produced
The bar which the President saw
made was weighed in his presence and
found to be worth }3s,uUo. Mr.. Taft
picked up one of the hay dozen bars
of similar value that stood upon the
sssayer's desk II weighed 40
pounds. The President remarked "a
ne hfted IL. that never before had he
held so much gold in his hands at one
time
Addresses Mine Workers.
before making his descent into the
Homestake mine the President went
to public park alongside the Hearst
tiee kindergarten and addressed a
throng OF 1000 rnineworkers and their
wives. The President got rouaina
cheer as he stepped TO grMIstand
draped with the national colors and
displaying his picture.
The President spoke OF the resources
OF the Black Hills. and said the peonle
OF Lead were to be congratulated On
haVins q mine. the Homestake the
output of which was more than sum
Client 2 keep Uncle Sam in gold
congratulate you on the evi-
dences of comfort, of business energy.
OF municipal pride that / see here"
said the President
The President expressed desire To
climb to the top of the hill, after the
machine had conveyed him to within
ooo feet OF the summit in his autono-
Die and halted. Mr.. Taft made his
way up More than once he STONED to
catch his breath. for climbing the slope
OF mountains at an elevation of nearly
300 teet above sea level was no easy
TASK The President, despite his
weight made ir with his party trailing
along after him Then came the de-
scent into the mine, on the main lift.
with the sheer drop of nearly p quar-
Ter OF e mile. through utter darkness.
Mt Taft laughed as he got TO the bot
tom He keenly enjoyed il all The
ffesidsnt was taken to ledge where
drilling apparatus was ct work. and
was allowed to take hts pick OF stock
OF nuggets. Into the huge engine
room Went the President, and looked
at the pcnderous machinery that low
ers the lifts and sets in motion other
apparatus in the mine He shook hands
win rhe men in the engine room.
poster picture OF the President in
the engine room. draped with the ma
.iohal colors. caused the remark that
II was the fartherest under ground he
ever expected his picture to penetrate.
Ihe Presidents photograph was
taken down in the mine by 2 fash
light. and then he assembled by wav Of
another lift