Newark post., 1912-09-18

AS far back as the memory OF the
oldest citizen can go the iron pits
on Chestnut Hill, near Newark,
hvae been one of the objects Of in
terest in the locality. After long
years Of abandonment this site has
again become the scene Of activity.
About a year ago the Old iron
pits and adjoining land We're pur-
chased from the McConaughey
heirs by Mr.. Ferdinand Keller,
of Philadelphia. The purchase
was made on the recommendation
Of Messrs. W. NJ. Scott and John
Stadel Of the same city. Mr.. Stadel
on a visit to the locality obtained
specimens of the ore which he be-
lived to be rich in iron. He took
these to the assayer, Mr.. W M.
Scott, who after making several
tests and analyses, became inter-
ested in the proposition and III turn
interested the purchaser, Mr.. kel-
Ter.
Operation were begun at the pits
about three months ago. The old
entrance by way Of the William
r Wilson farm, through the
| McConaughey property, received
the first attention. A bridge has
been built over the Christiana and
five hundred loads Of earth have
been hauled, in the building of the
present roadway leading to the
scene of operations.
Just below the old pit, machin,
has been placed which will be run
ming by the first of the week, test.
ing the practicability of operating
the mine.
The process which will be useo
differs widely from that of the ole
days. The intention, according tC
the modern idea of efficiency, is to
utilize all the metal, and in this
plan lies the hope of financia
success. Previously only the pure
iron was used, which was scattered
through such quantities Of the orr
that the enormous freight charges
in conveying it to the smeltery eX
ceeded the profits from the irol
alone.
Mr. Scott has Travelled extensive
ly in the West, and been interested
in the silver and gold mines. II
proposes to apply the principle b.
which these metals are handled t
the iron in question.
He has installed a crusher weigh
ing 20 tons, which will grind 30
tons of the deposit daily. This pul
verized soil, as fine as the fines
F -four, passes into concentration
capable of handling five tons pc
day, where the pure iron is collect
er and the residue passes out o
tables arranged below. Here tn
silica, and oxide of iron with whic
the soil is filled, lodge on the table
where they have been separated b
) means of the difference in tn
weights. The oxide Of iron whic
heretofore was dumped as wast
and which is very abundant in I'll
soil, is the item upon which M
: Scott is banking for greatest final
cial success. This, after only
slight chemical treatment, can |
turned into paint, of either the ma
ural color or after second trea
}, ment, bright red. This part {
= = the plan is original with Mr.. Scot
and upon its outcome depends Il
success o fthe venture. The lars
; engine which has been placed al
s also the heavy crusher are perm
:, nent fixtures. The concentrate
and other apparatus, however,
but a small part of what Mr.. SEQ
intends to install should the tr
out prove successful. Two gre
It piles of dump" placed there
/ useless by the last operators atfol
IS material already mined and
!; hand for the process, which is
? be tried within a few days. A wa
over the hill convinces one of t