Gilpin observer., 1913-01-09
THE PROPRIETOR
AND HIS BURRo.
(salt Lake Mining Review.)


prospector to his burro, ito prove the
true value of body of ore. Of course,
thorough checking up of series of
sampling and assaying should give an
approximate idea of what is in a mine;
but, the mill is the ultimate and final
test, even if the recovery is low, for an
assay of the heads and tails will give
complete record of the value of the
mines production; just as it is necessary
to be out in the hills, with your burro,
for season, before the true nature of
the beast of burden can be very clearly
established. For, burro is often like
body of ore, good to look at and as full
of promise as an egg is full of meat; and
yet, when the supreme test is made,
both may prove deceptive and fail to
come up to your expectations. You say
that comparisons are odious to you, for
to your way of thinking, burros are al
ways good and to be relied upon, which
that being charitable is one of your vir-
tues; something to be commended. And
yet, at the same time this is no proof
that your judgement is correct; none
whatever, for it is often the case that
burro that is slick and so meek looking
as to seem almost sanity, is hot wire
when it comes to deviltry, and danger
Gus to have around, as well; which all
goes to show that the comparison have
made is apt and timely, and will serve
tcf, fpr ha or I 10, Tod
out to tell you.
mot long ago" continued the pros
pector, "a mining company operating
out in an isolated camp was successful
in blocking out large body of ore,
some 100, 900 tons, or more, which, ac-
cording to the company assayer, carried
average values in pure gold, of Sis to
the ton. The company was so elated
over the showing that it went to consid-
cradle expense in the enlargement and
remodeling of it's milling plant, expect
ing to make great showing as soon as
the minerun of the ore could be treat
ed. The starting of the mill was to be
gala day in the camp and the president
come from the east to be present when
the mill was to be put into commission.
The day finally arrived, and the presid
ent and secretary were passengers on
the stage plying between the railroad
station and the mine. They were right
royalty welcomed, but, were somewhat
surprised to learn that the mine assayer
had suddenly decided that important
businss on the coast necessitated his i'm
mediate departure on the returning
stage. The visitors thought this rather
queer, and the mine manager was sore
ly perplexed at the sudden action of the
assayer. AS matter of fact, all thought
the departure of the assayer both mys-
terious and somewhat suspicious, but
soon forgot the incident in the excite
ment Of starting up the mill. At the end
of two days a cleanup was made when,
to the astonishment of all, the returns
showed value of only So per ton of ore.
Dismayed, but not discouraged, more
extensive run was made, but the results
were the same. A consultation was held
and it was decided to make re-sampl-
ing of the mine. This was done in a
most exhaustive manner; the samples
were assayed and re-assayed, checked
and re-checked, and yet the final results
showed value of only So per ton. AS a
result both mine and mill were closed
down, and the proposition was likely to
be classed as failure; a condition that
shocked the company, which believed
it had near dividend-pa in the mine
the members of which had been buying
all of the floating stock obtainable, and
at fancy figures which were cheerfully
paid because of the very favorable re-
ports which were continually being re-
ceived concerning the physical condition
of the mine. know you think this is a
funny story; but, it was not funny, at
all, to the mine-0wners, as theywere al
ready figuring how to spend the divid-
ends that were soon to be paid, and who
even now, are unable to account for the
discrepancy between the value of the
ore as given by the company assayer
and the actual returns as demonstrated
by a millrun. / do not believe, under the
circumstances, that the assayer simply
made mistake. On the contrary, be-
lieve that he held an ace up his sleeve.
common practice among poker players,
and that he was playing into the hands
of holders of floating stock who, by
meaps Of the deceptive assays, were
able to dispose of their holdings at fancy
figures, the unreliable assayer getting
handsome rake-off on the deal. l can
see no other solution Of the problem;
there can hardly be any other, even If
were inclined to be as charitable as you