Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-22
ON TOUR OF OBSERVATION
Gropes Among Drifts and Tunnels,
Lamps Lighting the Way.
RECEIVES REAL GOLD BRICK
Presidents Experience in South
Dakota Greatly Varied--Speeches
at Several Points.


President Taft further qualified as a
miner today when he was dropped LOO
feet down into 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,
Mont. and spent fully an hour cropping
about the drifts and tunnels and watch
;ng the men at work His experiences
difference being i'm the more precious
quality of the quartz veins through
which he was guided. with miners lam
terms lighting the way.
= The President began his trip to the
mine by first learning the proper pro-
,1unciation of the town of Lead, which is
not named after the metal lead, but for
the mining term indicating lead into a
body of ore. Next he climbed a high
hight of steps and crossed long trestle
leading to the mouth of one of the shafts.
Mile Above Sea Level.
Thc altitude at the entrance to the
mine is Just one mile above sea level and
the President stopped to rest several min
utes before allowing himself TO be locked
with several members of his party into
one Of the steel cages used in hosting
men and metals from the bowels of the
earth. II was a long, dark ride down the
: aft. the depth being twice the height of
the Washington Monument. Elevators in
the Washington Monument creep to the
top Of that granite shaft from ten to fif-
teen minutes Mr.. Taft went sailing
down in the darkness today at speed
which carried him to the 1,100-fOot level
in less than two minutes.
Three-quarters of an hour later he was
hoisted to the surface at even faster
pace
Nj work in the mine had been suspend
cd this afternoon. partly TO give the men
IN opportunity to hear Mr.. Taft speak in
cad and partly as precaution for the
Presidents safety in visiting the mine. it
lc;ng deemed inadvisable to have any
blasting while lie was in the tunnels
Process of Mining Explained.
The entire process of mining the ore
ard of smelling it explained to the
President as he walked through the damp
drifts. Outside snow was on the ground
ard there We're fiurries OF falling flakes.
Down in the mine the temperature rose
to between go and 80 One of the drifts
followed by the President led to an enor-
!nous caveIke opening where most OF
tie ore now is being taken out The
dome of the cate was fully fifteen feet
high. Miners stationed at different levels
in the enormous cut burned calcium pa
per 10 illuminate the cavern.
How are you. Bill?" yelled one of the
miners from far above
Pretty good" laughed the President.
How are you away UP there?
Fine, old boy; glad 10 see you.'
Real Gold Brick Made.
Mr. Taft also spent some time in the
government assay office at Lead and
watched the casting of real gold brick.
Later the President shown q room
fun of the precious bricks. each of which
weighed 10 pounds, and worth about
SiuGO apiece. Some one "stumped" the
President to lift d brick. He picked up
one of the precious bars with the greatest
ease Senator Gamble tried to do like
wise, but was not successful. In this
city, where he spoke shortly after noon
Gu the tariff vetoes. the President was
PRESENTED with a small gold brick. worth
over $500.
1t is great pleasure to gold brick
. TIRE President said Representative Z.
VI. Martin in making the presentation
1t is II great pleasure to be gold
b'icked III this way replied the Presi-
dent
Given Noisy Welcome.
Mr.. Taft received noisy Welcome
both in Deadwood and in Lead. Prac-
ticaily the entire population of the two
communities turned out To greet him.
The President Iunched with Representa-
tive Martin At Lead he was presented
with representation of miners candle
stick. done in pure gold.
Earlier in the day the President spoke
at EdEmcnt and Custer. After leaving
here he spoke at Sturgis and Rapid City.
leaving the latter city at 10 pm. for
Pierre, where he NiIl spend all day Sun
day and Sunday night.