The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1924-12-12


/ coal. sapphires, octahedral diamonds
moss agate, mocha, black tourmaline
yellow and smoky topaz, rhodonlte
| jasper, garnets, and azurmalachite.
While copper, zinc, silver, gold
lead, limestones, manganese, coal.
phosphate, arsenic, petroleum and
sapphire industries have attained
high grade of development, vast
quantities of the states mineral re-
sources remain as yet untouched.
In the successive periods of her
development the name of Montana
has been associated with many metals
and other things as we'll. In the SOS
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 s2,0O0,O00,OOO in
mineral wealth, of which $780,
100000 has been left in the state in
the form of wages, freight and sup
plies.
This colossal mineral edifice,
known as 1.-THE Treasure State" re-
veals foundation of gold, a ground
floor of silver, an upper story of
copper, and a zinc roof, with COM
posite inerior decorations of coal,
oil, lead, arsenic, manganese and
When in the spring of 1851 James
and Granville Stuart found "colors''
N the gravelly bed of Gold creek and |
started the stampede that resulted in
'ich strikes at Bannack, Alder and |
LAST Chance gulches, they builded |
better than they knew. In three |
ears Montana was a territory, and |
n % years a state.
Montana's placers from 1852 to |
1882, yielded approximately $780,
100000.
Quartz mining, a contemporary of
he placers, began with the discovery
If the Dacotah lode near Bannack in |
1862. Within a few |
months mill was set up and put to |
work, the four stamp stems being |
made of wood and the shoes and dies
# old wagon tires, cut and welded
ogether.
Today most of Montana's gold yield
5 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,
hen a rich vein was discovered in
be Travona claim, just west of
lutte. Silver developments began
ne following year. The really sue
essful silver treatment dates from
875, when William A. Clark built
ne Dexter ten-stamp mill at Butte
Silver Production.
Montana has produced more than
$50, 100000 worth of silver, the
Lrgest output being that of 1918,
hich amounted to $16,797,479.
The third or copper period in Mon
mas mineral history began in 1880, .
hen Marcus DAILY deepened the An ;
,onda mine at Butte from the so I
,ot level to a little more than 100 t
.et, and found that instead of sill !
sr, he had struck copper. f
The Making of Butte.
In sharp contrast to the gloom of /
lie old-timers and the pessimism of i
IS partners, Daily was cheerful and
,timistic. He contended stubborn /
that the hill was rich in copper f
Id urged the purchase of neighbor-
G properties. He insisted that he il
as going to mine and ship enough c
gh grade ore to Swansea, Wales, to F
cure the money necessary to build S
huge smelter, capable of treating t
e enormous amount he claimed was Y
dden beneath the rugged contour of F
lite hill. il