The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1924-12-11

0AeASOI oOoR0tOAO9 aARA0
coal, sapphires, octahedral diamonds
moss agate, mocha, black tourmaline
yellow and smoky topaz, rhodon1te
jasper, garnets, and azurmalachite.
While copper, zinc, silver, gold
lead, limestones, manganese, coal
phosphate, arsenic, petroleum ano
sapphire industries have attained 9
high grade of development, vast
quantities Of the states mineral re
sources remain as yet untouched.
In the successive periods of he1
development the name of Montana
has been associated with many metals
and other things as well. In the eos
Montana suggested placer gold and
Indians. A few years later it was
linked with silver mines and vast
herds of range cattle. In later years
to think of Montana meant to think
of copper mines and this continues
to the present day, although Montana
still produces all of the metals form
erly associated with her name, still
has her range cattle and her Indians,
savage no longer, but many of them
outstanding worthy citizens.
Leads In Many Departments.
During successive periods since its
first mineral discovery in 1862, Mon
tana has led all of the states in gold,
silver, copper or zinc production.
Today she is first in the annual
production OF zinc, manganese, ar
senic and precious stones; is second
in the production of silver, third in
the output of copper, fourth in lead
and eighth in gold.
in gross production her record is
even better. The mines of Butte,
alone have given to the world more
copper and more silver than any 9TH
er district on earth; one-third of all
the copper mined in the United
States and one-sixth of the worlds
production of copper to date.
In round figures, Montana has
yielded more than $4,000, 100000 in
mineral wealth, of which $1,000
0O0,0 has been left in the state in
the form of wages, freight and sup
plies.
This colossal mineral edifice,
known as 'The Treasure State" re-
veaIs a foundation of gold, a ground
floor of silver, an upper story of
copper, and a zinc roof, with COM
DO6At0 luCIIOI GU dIlOll0 VI COdlB
oil, lead, arsenic, manganese and
sapphires.
When in the spring of 1861 James
and Granville Stuart found 'colors'
In the gravelly bed of Gold creek and
the stampede that resulted in
rich strikes at Bannack, Alder and
Last Chance gulches, they builded
better than they knew. In three
years Montana was a territory, and
% years a state.
Montana's placers from 1862 to
1882, yielded approximately $780,
700, 200.
Quartz mining, a contemporary of
he pIacers, began with the discovery
II the Dacotah lode near Bannack in
1852. Within a few
months a mill raj set up and put to
york, the four stamp stems being
made of wood and the shoes and dies
f old wagon tires, cut and welded
ogether.
Today most of Montana's gold yield
) a by-product of the copper, zinc
nd lead recoveries. The state is
-ow producing annually $4,000
unces.
The era of silver began in 1865,
Them a rich vein was discovered in
he Travona claim, just west of
lutte. Silver developments began
he following year. The really sue
essfui silver treatment dates from
875, when William A. Clark built
he Dexter ten-stamp mill at Butte.
Silver Production.
Montana has produced more than
350,000,0 600 worth of silver, the
output being that of 1918,
yhich amounted to s1~6,797,479.
The third or copper period in Mon
mineral history began in 1880,
yhen Marcus DAILY deepened the An
conda mine at Butte from the so
DOT level to a little more than 100
eet, and found that instead of sill
er, he had struck copper.
The Making of Butte.
In sharp contrast to the gloom of
he old-timers and the pessimism of /
is partners, DAILY was cheerful and
ptimistic. He contended stubborn |
that the hill was rich in copper (
urged the purchase of ~neighbor-
ng properties. He insisted that he i
gas going to mine and ship enough {
Ugh grade ore to Swansea, Wales, to
ecure the money necessary to build s
huge smelter, capable of treating t
ne enormous amount he claimed was
idden beneath the rugged contour OF F
ute hill. il
n