The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-02
Topeka Mica Manufacturing
Co. Begins Operating Mill.
Supply of Mica Coming Stead
lily From the Mine.
PROVE UP THIRTEEN CLAIMS
Railroads Prove Mica Lubri-
cant to Be Satisfactory.
Special Invention Makes Mica
Production Profitable.

The Topeka Mica Manufacturing
company has leased from the receiver
the mill at 119 North Quincy street
and is now busy grinding car of mica
which just reached Topeka. The To-
peka Mica Manufacturing company
owns thirteen claims of twenty acres
each upon which the company has the
location work as we'll as the annual
assessment work completed, they have
also been surveyed and recorded The
company has taken two other claims
which they are now proving up Ihese
claims are undisputed and in no way
connected with claims owned by any
other company.
After Mr.. S. B. Rohrer became in
terested in the mica business he found
conditions entirely different from What
he had anticipated. in that the cost OIL
producing mica was greater than the
selling price of the raw product SO
after experimenting for some time ne
invented a separator which enables
his company to produce mica at a cost
not exceeding fifteen per cent Of the
method formerly used. The machine
was installed at the mine near Rloera,
y NJ. some time ago and has proved
a wonderful success in the economy OF
mining scrap mica, of which, accord
ing to Mr.. C. J. Price, engineer OF
mining, there are millions OF tons on
the com pany's property.
Mica is found in the territory about
cent will carry from 20 to 5 per cent
rock Under the old method of hand
ling mica it was necessary to preak
this rock with a hammer ana haIlo
pick it but with the machinery now m
stalled and in operation. the ore and
rock is run through a crusher. then
through separator, all the rock Is
removed and the mica is ready TOT
shipment. The mica taken out OF the
Topeka ompany's mine has been eX-
amined by some of the best experts IN
the mica trade, who pronounce 1t equal
to anything produced in the Unlteu
States
The products of the mill have been
tested by one of the largest railroad
com panys as a lubricant for hot boxes
The officers of the mica. company have
now in their possession, the report OF
tests on fifty-three engines The rail-
road company reports splendid results
on fifty-two of the fifty-three, in every
case no complaint after used
Mica is used for so many different
things and the supply being limited
there is no question but the company
will do a very large and successful
business Mica is used largely IN the
construction of roofing, sound dedu
ening in large buildings. insulation OF
all kinds refrigerator cars, fire ana
acid proof paints. the construction OF
hard rubber, the preparation or the
highest class of lubricants. IN oecoId-
ing wall paper and the air float the
finest mica powder, is coming into
great demand for use between rubber
tires to avoid sticking and heating.
Quite a number of the automobile
owners in Topeka and elsewhere are
using their specially prepared Iubrl-
cant in their auto diferentials with
splendid results. The manufacture of
this lubricant will be one of the fea-
lures of the business which the COM
pany will develop. Other branches
will be developed from time to time
as the business warrants.
This company is managed by some
of Topeka's most successful business
men who are deeply interested in it's
success and give the management
their most careful consideration. Their
office is 504 New England building,
where they will be pleased to show
samples of ore as it comes from the
mines and such other information as
NAV be desired.