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George Edward WebbeR, a member of the Institute since 1906, died in San Francisco, May 29,1922. Born in Dixmont, Me., in 1852, he went to California in 1857 where he lived until 1883 and received a thorough training in precious metal mining in the employ of his father and J. B. Haggin. In 1883, he went to the Black Hills, South Dakota, as superintendent of the Father DeSmit mine; later the Deadwood Terra also came under his management. These mines are now part of the Homestake Mining Co. In 1889, the Rothchilds asked Hamilton Smith to recommend an engineer to take the place of the late Henning Jennings, who had resigned from the El Calloo Mining Co., of El Calloo, Venezuela, in order that he might proceed to South Africa. Mr. Webber accepted the position, remaining there until 1893 when he returned to the United States on his way to Johannesburg, South Africa, where he had been appointed manager of the Crown Reef Mining Co., Ltd. Early in 1896, he became general manager of the Rand Mines, Ltd., and served in this capacity until 1911. During the latter part of this period, Mr. Webber was active in the greater amalgamations of H. Eckstein & Co., and it was largely on his advice that H. Eckstein & Co. carried out the negotiations preceding the formation of the Crown Mines, Ltd. On his retirement from South Africa, he returned to live in Ross Valley, near San Francisco, Cal. The Rand Mines, Ltd., of which Mr. Webber was general manager, was the largest company controlled by Wernher Beit, the leading London house interested in South Africa mining, whose local agents in Johannesburg were H. Eckstein & Co. This firm is now known as the Central Mining & Investment Corpn., and after the departure of Henning Jennings, Mr. Webber was the firm's most valued and confidential advisor and was very highly thought of in mining circles in South Africa. He was a ma of most upright and straightforward high character, plain spoken and sincere; and his recognized high character was one more qualification which aided his great success.

Jan 1, 1923

By J. Elmer Thomas

If 1929 witnessed a growing realization on the part of the oil industry that supply must be balanced against demand, 1930 proved conclusively that excessive inventories constitute a price depressant even with balanced conditions. Increased attention was certainly paid to economic considerations last year, and the achievement of holding daily crude production, with a constantly mounting potential, to levels 500,000 bbl. below the output of the summer before, deserves special mention. The ill-advised accumulation, however, of gasoline stocks, at least 10,000,000 bbl. larger than necessary, nullified the restraint exercised by the producers and finally necessitated drastic downward price revisions. An event of special significance was the appointment by the Federal Oil Conservation Board, last March, of a temporary Committee on Petroleum Economics that attempted a forecast of demand, an estimate of supply, and an allocation of the latter between the principal producing states. Thus for the first time was an economic program for an entire basic industry drafted by an independent body under the auspices of the Federal Government. The report was widely discussed and generally approved, but its schedules were not adopted by the refining division nor by oil producers in the State of Texas until too late to contribute to the industry's prosperity during 1930. If the restraint of November had been exercised in May a profitable year might have been the result: The gasoline price war in California during June, however, illustrated the point that even with a fairly sound statistical position insistent pressure to expand normal marketing outlets must result in losses to all concerned. The balanced program so painfully attained by producers must be maintained by refiners and distributors to be completely effective. Again in November the Federal Oil Conservation Board, acting on the request of the directors of the American Petroleum Institute, called its Committee on Petroleum Economics back into existence to prepare a new estimate for the next six months. An economic program adopted in advance of the winter period of accumulating inventories may aid this large and essential industry toward the profits to which it is entitled

Jan 1, 1931

By L. G. E. Bignell, E. A. Hanson, J. O. Lewis

There was a general upward trend of all petroleum activities in Oklahoma during 1933, especially in the last quarter, though the average price for crude oil for the year was below 1932 and overproduction in East Texas demoralized conditions for several months. As the Federal Agencies established under the National Industry Recovery Act began to function conditions in Oklahoma were visibly affected and production of "hot oil" from Oklahoma City field practically ceased. More oil wells were completed, six new fields discovered, extensive geophysical prospecting carried on in many parts of the state, and an increased amount of clean-out and reconditioning work done in older pools during the past year. To increase quantity and rate of recovery of oil many wells producing from limestone formations were treated with hydrochloric acid. The Oklahoma City field had a reported production of 66,984,570 bbl. of oil during 1933, or almost exactly twice the amount reported for 1932. Potential tests and other indicators show that the wells are rapidly approaching the stage where mechanical lift must be applied to all of them, including the wells in the Wilcox sand zone. The major pipe-line companies serving the oil fields of Oklahoma have been anxious to make connections to all wells during 1933 and have indicated a willingness to accept all oil available. The amount offered has been restricted by proration orders, but the state did produce 178,356,-449 bbl. during the year, an increase of about 18.6 per cent over 1932. This increase was practically all due to the greater demand for Oklahoma City oil, as all other pools of any importance showed loss in production or very small gains last year. The U. S. Bureau of Mines' laboratory reports the lubricating distillate content of Oklahoma City crude from Arbuckle and Lower Simpson formations about 17 per cent by volume. East Texas oil is reported to contain about 5.6 per cent lubricating distillates. The desire of the transportation companies to keep their equipment operating at maximum capacity and the need of some refineries for more

Jan 1, 1934

By Albert F. Schneider

The peculiar conditions under which lead and silver ores are now smelted in Salt Lake Valley, Utah, render it advantageous to make slags that are siliceous and carry a high percentage of lime. The ores treated come from Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada; nine-tenths coming from Utah. These ores are siliceous, and contain but little fluxing material; the iron present scarcely sufficing for the sulphur and arsenic. Formerly ores high in iron were furnished from Cottonwood Canons, but this supply is meagre. The ores from Idaho, Montana, and Nevada are high grade galenas, more or less impure. They generally require a large amount of iron for the sulphur, arsenic, and antimony. In the winter and spring of 1880—'81, we were treating at the Germania Works principally Bingham Canon lead ores and silver ores from Tintic. The former contained 15 to 30 per cent. silica, and only 4 to 5 per cent. iron (generally as iron pyrites); they ranged high in lead and low in silver, and carried more or less alumina; the lead was present chiefly as carbonate. The silver ores from Tintic contained sulphides, and ran as high as 80 per cent. silica. We had been running on a slag approximating 40 per cent. FeO, 20 per cent. CaO, 10 per cent. other bases, and 30 per cent. SiO2, which had heretofore been very satisfactory; but with the class of ores then coming in it was of the utmost advantage to use less iron and more lime, especially as the iron ore (50-55 per cent. iron and 5-7 per cent. silica) cost four times as much as the limestone (50-55 per cent. lime, 3-5 per cent. silica). The large amount of alumina in the slag influenced them for the worse; the addition of lime to the charge helped them, and after many experiments regarding the proportion of FeO, CaO, and SiO2, a slag approximating 35 per cent. FeO, 25 per cent. CaO, 5 per cent. other bases, and 35 per cent. SiO2 seemed to answer

Jan 1, 1883

By E. L. Estabrook, H. H. Hill

This report summarizes the information that was obtained by the Committee on Unit Operation in Eastern United States and in the foreign countries. Letters and questionnaires were sent to all of the Eastern members of the Petroleum Division of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers and to those who are living outside of the United States, asking them to advise the Committee of any unit operations that are in effect in the various countries of the world and to furnish the names of men to whom inquiries should be directed for detailed information on the different projects. The response to the Committee's request is worthy of note. Practically all of the members who had knowledge of foreign operations replied to the questionnaire and not only furnished information that was of value to the Committee, but they evidenced a real interest in the subject of unit operations and assured the Committee of their willingness to assist in every way possible in order to make the study a success. The Committee wishes, at this time, to express its appreciation of the excellent cooperation that was received from the members of the A. I. M. E. to whom questionnaires were sent. Unfortunately, the limited time that has been given to this survey did not permit the collection of detailed data on the different unit operations that are now in effect. It required several weeks to get back replies from the members located in some of the foreign countries and as a result the men who were asked to furnish information on the various projects have not had sufficient time to submit the detailed data that were requested. The Committee has been assured, however, that information relating to a number of unit operations will be furnished in the near future. Part of the delay has been due to the fact that the purpose of the study was not understood and because the terms "unit" and "near-unit" operations were not clearly defined. In the foreign countries, practically all of the operations in noncompetitive fields are on concessions or leases that have been granted to a single company and for that reason

Jan 1, 1930

By A. C. Veatch

THE MIDLANDS of England contain large areas of important oil lands, which, however, will not become of commercial importance for at least 5 years, because the ownership of the oil has become a political issue. In Great Britain, except in certain special areas, all minerals, except for gold and silver, belong to the surface owner. The leasing of minerals on the large estates is a very complicated business, as the family solicitors have many forms and formalities that must be observed. In the case of one of the large estates, the principal revenues of which for several hundred years have been from coal leases, the average time between the agreement on terms for a coal lease and the signing of the same has been 8 years. In 1916, one coal lease on this estate had been pending for 15 years, and was still unsigned, although the important terms had been agreed upon 15 years previously. Under war conditions, and considering the extreme importance that the production of petroleum in England would have had, such delays could not be tolerated. Most of the British landlords, relying on the almost, universal opinion of their own countrymen that there were no commercial deposits of petroleum in Great Britain, were prepared to give all their oil rights to the government, but they feared that such action might establish a precedent with respect to coal. For years the Labor Party and extreme radicals have protested against the payment of royalties to landlords on coal. The government, therefore, introduced a bill taking over all the oil rights and providing for the payment of a small royalty to the landlords, to safeguard the principle of compensation in case the coal mines should ever be nationalized. The provision of this bill, with respect to the payment of royalty to landlords, was defeated by a vote of 44 to 35 in a night session of the House of Commons on Oct. 25, 1917, when most of the members were absent, but when a group of labor members and extreme radicals were present. The resubmission of the point to the House of Commons was prevented by the labor members of the coalition government, who reminded the cabinet that the agreement

Jan 1, 1920

By Donald B. Gillies

The fundamentals of human nature don't change much from generation to generation, or even from century to century. Except for the spur of necessity and the lure of reward and ad venture, few of us would bestir ourselves unduly. The general welfare has little appeal to the average individual. Its promotion comes about mainly as a by-product to individual efforts directed at more personal benefits and satisfactions. In discussing incentives for the mining industry, we really are talking about incentives for people who devote their energies and resources to mining. The vigorous and productive mining industry as we have known it was the product of the varied incentives we have known in the past: the lure of great financial reward if you struck it rich; the thrill of romance and adventure in the search for mineral wealth, usually along the frontiers 'of civilization; the satisfaction of developing a great, productive enterprise by the application of skill, courage, and determination in the face of obstacles. Back of the prospector and engineer were other venturesome persons willing to take a flyer with their savings in a grubstake, or in stock in a promising mining venture, hoping for large returns, but reconciled to take a loss and try again with the next opportunity. It is free enterprise-a chance for high profits, but a chance also of total loss-that created the great mining industry of this country and of the world. Free enterprise has given us, in the United States, the greatest productive system in the world, the highest standard of living, the most abundant life. The lure of gold-whether from the ground or merely incidental to the discovery and development of our mineral resources-pushed our frontiers westward across the country and northward into Canada and Alaska far in advance of the staid course of agriculture and commerce. No one guaranteed success to our forebears as they risked life and fortune in developing a new country. Self-reliance was the backbone of our economic and spiritual Progress and achievements. Our neighbors had little time to spare from their own problems. And though there was a willingness among the pioneers to help one another, they didn't lean too much on one another.

Jan 5, 1950

By H. J. Stehli

Probably the earliest sinter from lead ore was made in the product sinter boxes attached to some hand reverberatory roasters. The ore was drawn from the roaster bed when dead roasted, and then by laborious effort fritted together by rabbling at a high temperature in the sinter box. This was not a true sinter, but was a great improvement over the dusty dead-roasted fine ores. The Huntington-Heberlein pots were the first real advance in the art, and produced some real sinter. They required that the sulphides be preroasted to 5 or 6 per cent sulphur, and the long cycle of operating and deep bed of material used in the pots fostered the formation of densely fused material and fines. This necessitated crushing of the densely fused cake and returning to the next charge large amounts of fines screened out. The Huntington-Heberlein pots made comparatively high lead losses because the deep bed and high internal temperature together favored the volatilization of lead. Lime (CaO) was added to the charges, and this addition constituted the patented feature of the Huntington-Heberlein process. Its sole function we now know was to act as an isolator of the sulphide particles, and any other substance—for instance, iron oxide—of equal fineness performed the same function. The Savelsberg process used limestone instead of burned lime, and in this there was a definite advantage. The converting of CaCO3, to CaO is a highly endothermic reaction, so the lime acted not only as an isolator of sulphide particles but absorbed excess heat and to some extent prevented premature fusion of the sulphides. The Carmichael-Bradford process used gypsum instead of limestone, and had the disadvantage of adding more sulphur to a charge from which it was desired to eliminate sulphur. Here again the gypsum served only as an infusible isolator of sulphide particles. The first Dwight-Lloyd apparatus to sinter lead ores commercially was installed at Perth Amboy in 1907. The fact that lime in any form was necessary to sintering was quickly disproved by making excellent sinter from Bunker Hill and Sullivan table concentrates, silica sand and iron oxide only.

Jan 1, 1937

By W. R. Finney

THE formation of scale in boilers and other industrial equipment, and the corrosion of such equipment, are closely related problems. Since in the petroleum industry these problems cover a very broad field, this paper has been confined to the effects of scale and corrosion on gas engines, compressors, pipes and fittings, used in plants extracting gasoline from natural gas, and the steps taken in arriving at a workable plan for combating these evils at the Midwest Refining Co.'s plants in the Salt Creek field, Wyoming. Eliminating, or at least minimizing, the many deleterious effects occasioned by the use of bad water in jackets and cooling systems of gas engines and compressors has been the subject of much study for many years but no generally accepted plan has been evolved. The problem was unusually difficult at Salt Creek, as the severe winters of Wyoming bring operating conditions quite different from those encountered in warmer states, and the water available was especially bad. While the conditioning of water to prevent scale and to lessen corrosion may not be a particularly difficult problem in plants in large industrial centers, it becomes much more difficult when attempted at plants remote from railroads and by men without previous experience to guide them. In fact this difficulty has been so great in the Wyoming oil fields that until comparatively recently it has been the practice to allow much equipment to be ruined rather than to attempt corrective measures. At the Midwest plants this problem was given attention first by the plant men and later by both plant men and laboratory staff. To the latter it was simply one of many problems which arise in connection with field and plant operations, which must be studied and, if possible, solved. Many mistakes were made during the course of this investigation, but since mistakes, properly interpreted, are of value in guiding one's steps aright, it is believed that a review of the different stages of development which have led up to the present method of handling this problem will prove of interest to the industry.

Jan 12, 1926

By Howard S. Bryant

The state of Kansas in 1931 continued to hold fourth place on the list of oil-producing states, despite the fact that low prices for crude oil curtailed drilling to just one-half the amount done in 1930, which itself was the lowest in the preceding 10 years. The estimated crude oil production for 1931, according to sources available to the writer, will approximate 37,037,000 bbl., the lowest since 1925. Thus Kansas produced one-eighth less oil this year than it did last year when it produced 42,729,085 barrels. This year's development was characterized by a very small amount of wildcat drilling; however, large new areas were semiproven for oil production, and several thousands of acres were added to the actually proved areas in western Kansas, so that the state now has larger proven areas of oil reserves than at any time in its history since the heyday of the famous El Dorado pool. The general prospects for oil production in the near future are indeed promising for central western Kansas, where drilling costs are moderate and depths are relatively shallow compared to the remaining unexplored parts of the northern Mid-Continent area. Probably the greatest singular achievement in the state for 1931 was the development of its natural gas reserves. This development took place principally in two spots, McPherson County in central Kansas, and Stevens and Morton counties in southwestern Kansas, and it is a matter of record that more than one and one-half billion cubic feet of open-flow capacity per day were added to reserves, nearly twice the amount developed in 1930, previously the largest amount in the history of gas development in Kansas. Gas pipe lines already built and now building are in position to deliver natural gas by one system to Chicago, Ill., by another to Indianapolis, Ind., from whence lines already lead practically to the Atlantic seaboard, and to other cities large and small located west, northwest, north and northeast of Kansas. Table 2 shows all well completions for 1931 in a form to compare with the results of previous years.

Jan 1, 1932

Ellsworth Daggett, who joined the Institute in 1873, and had beeu a prominent figure in the mining profession of Utah and other Western states for many years, died in San Francisco, Jan. 5, 1923. Mr. Daggett was a contemporary and intimate friend of Clarence King, James D. Hague, R. W. Raymond, and other Nestors of the mining engineering profession prominent in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. He was born at Canandaigua, N. Y., May 24, 1845; graduated from Sheffield Scientific School in 1864; pursued post-graduate courses there for two years, and for one year at the Bergakademie, in Berlin. He was in active practice as mining engineer from 1866 to 1914, but devoted most of his time during the World War to the perfecting of a submarine torpedo. He was connected with the United States Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel in 1870. The plates illustrating mining industry, Volume III of the reports of that survey, were engraved from drawings obtained in the field during progress of the survey and prepared for the engraver by Mr. Daggett. He operated the Winnamuck mine and smelter at Bingham Cation, Utah, in the early seventies; the mines and mill at Cusihuiriachic, Chihuahua, 18867; and the Berlin mine near Austin, Nevada, 1904-6. On June 24, 1874, Mr. Daggett married Miss June Spencer, of Salt Lake City, who survives him, residing in New Haven, Corn. Appointed United States Surveyor General for Utah by President Harrison, in 1888, he was the first engineer to hold that office in Utah. He reorganized the mineral division of the office, required the courses of mineral surveys to be referred to the true meridian determined by solar or stellar observations, and did much to improve the accuracy and reliability of such surveys. Mr. Daggett was a member of the Alta and University Clubs of Salt Lake City, and president of the latter from 1890 to 1892; he was also a member of the Century Club, New York. Through his instrumentality, irrigation was brought to considerable tracts of land in northeastern Utah, and Daggett County of that state is named for him. Re wrote numerous technical papers, and an economic review entitled "A Quarter of a Century of Prices," in which was shown the close relation

Jan 1, 1923

Ellsworth Daggett, who joined the Institute in 1873, and had beeu a prominent figure in the mining profession of Utah and other Western states for many years, died in San Francisco, Jan. 5, 1923. Mr. Daggett was a contemporary and intimate friend of Clarence King, James D. Hague, R. W. Raymond, and other Nestors of the mining engineering profession prominent in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. He was born at Canandaigua, N. Y., May 24, 1845; graduated from Sheffield Scientific School in 1864; pursued post-graduate courses there for two years, and for one year at the Bergakademie, in Berlin. He was in active practice as mining engineer from 1866 to 1914, but devoted most of his time during the World War to the perfecting of a submarine torpedo. He was connected with the United States Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel in 1870. The plates illustrating mining industry, Volume III of the reports of that survey, were engraved from drawings obtained in the field during progress of the survey and prepared for the engraver by Mr. Daggett. He operated the Winnamuck mine and smelter at Bingham Cation, Utah, in the early seventies; the mines and mill at Cusihuiriachic, Chihuahua, 18867; and the Berlin mine near Austin, Nevada, 1904-6. On June 24, 1874, Mr. Daggett married Miss June Spencer, of Salt Lake City, who survives him, residing in New Haven, Corn. Appointed United States Surveyor General for Utah by President Harrison, in 1888, he was the first engineer to hold that office in Utah. He reorganized the mineral division of the office, required the courses of mineral surveys to be referred to the true meridian determined by solar or stellar observations, and did much to improve the accuracy and reliability of such surveys. Mr. Daggett was a member of the Alta and University Clubs of Salt Lake City, and president of the latter from 1890 to 1892; he was also a member of the Century Club, New York. Through his instrumentality, irrigation was brought to considerable tracts of land in northeastern Utah, and Daggett County of that state is named for him. Re wrote numerous technical papers, and an economic review entitled "A Quarter of a Century of Prices," in which was shown the close relation

Jan 1, 1923

By F. J. Longworth

FoR a number of years an intensive study has been made to improve the blast-furnace practice at Copperhill not only as to cost% but to provide a good grade of gas for the acid plants. This study took us back to the fundamentals of successful pyrite smelting; namely, a blast furnace working on a clean sulfide ore, free from fines, and the use of quartz high in silica as a flux. In 1919, the quality of the flux was improved and its effect on the metallurgy was very marked. To improve the practice further, it was necessary to work out some method of treatment for the sulfide fines and the siliceous and refractory ores, other than in the blast furnace. A series of milling tests indicated that these products could be successfully treated by differential flotation, and in 1922 plans were made and a flotation plant built. It was estimated that the flotation plant would deliver to the smelter 40 to 50 tons of concentrates per day; the problem was what to do with these concentrates. It was out of the question to attempt to smelt them in a blast furnace because of the dust losses and because our practice demands a charge free from fines for satisfactory operation. There is no custom smelter in the vicinity to which concentrates may be sold, pending the time when the tonnage will be sufficient to warrant roasters and a reverbatory furnace. Sintering and nodulizing were investigated but neither method fitted into our scheme of metallurgy. A close study of the converter practice was then made to see if some method could not be evolved to smelt this tonnage of concentrates in a converter without preliminary treatment. At that time, the converter installation consisted of two 12-ft. Great Falls converters, which were handling 12 to 14 per cent. matte. The heat balance of the converters working with 12 to 14 per cent. matte was more than sufficient to smelt the contemplated tonnage of concentrates but the mechanical difficulties of feeding fines into the Great Falls converter made the use of this type of converter impractical. While there was no opportunity to experiment with the Pierce-Smith converter, equipped with a Garr gun, theoretically it seemed practical

Jan 1, 1925

By Alfred James

John Stewart MacARthUr, born in 1856, was the son of Robert MacArthur of Glasgow, and came of Scots stock distinguished for character and religious conviction. His election as elder of the Free Kirk gave him greater pride than the receipt of the gold medal of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy. The former honor was for character— it marked him as a son worthy to follow in his father's footsteps; the latter was awarded for his life work of eminent service to the gold industry. Cheery optimism, resolution, tenacity of purpose, and industry ever characterized his actions. Apprenticed to the Tharsis Sulphur & Copper Co., his work on the chemical staff brought him to the notice of the Cassel Gold Extracting CO.,. at that time struggling with an unworkable electrolytic process..He was engaged by that company, in 1886, as technical manager and before long brought out the perchloride process, which was speedily followed (in 1887) by the epoch-making cyanide process. This process revolutionized gold mining and directly led the way to the elevation of the mining engineer to the most broadly trained product of the engineering profession. A noteworthy feature of the cyanide process was its completeness when introduced. Over thirty years have elapsed and the use of the process has been worldwide, but no suggested improvement has stood the test of time. The extension of the process to the beneficiation of silver ores—containing far more metal per ton and thus requiring the employment of stronger solutions—has brought us the Merrill and Crowe improvements in precipitation and the Nipissing desulfurization process for certain silver-hearing minerals. Roasting apparatus, fine crushing, filtration, and settling equipment have all aided the extension of the process in and from its original field. As Hennen Jennings put it,, the cyanide process today is essentially that of 1890. This self-containedness of the cyanide process arose from no mere chance; it was directly due to MacArthur. It was he who personally investigated every known method of precipitation and then every form of zinc from sheet, punchings, filings, millings, rods and shaving down to fume; it was he who investigated the effect of protective alkalies, of so-called accelerators, and of the addition of lead salts; he was determined to leave nothing to chance.

Jan 1, 1921

By Wilbur Nelson

ALL of our accounts of the discovery of copper ore at Ducktown, Tenn., state that the discovery was made in August, 1843, yet it would appear that samples of copper from this district were found by the Spanish explorer, DeSoto, when he wandered into Southern Tennessee, in 1539, in his four years of exploration through the Southern States. The following quotation is taken from his diary: "Towards the north there was a province named Chisca; and that there was a melting of copper, and of another metall of the same colour, save that it was finer, and of a farre more perfect colour, and farre better to the sight, and that they used it not so much, because it was softer. And the selfe same thing was told the governor in Cutifa-Chiqui, where we saw some little hatchets of copper, which were said to have a mixture of gold. But in that part of the country it was not well peopled; and they said there were mountains, which the horses could not passe; and for that cause, the governor would not goe from Cutifa-Chiqui directly quicker." DeSoto sent two of his company to try to find these mines, but after five days' wandering through the mountains they returned, stating that their guides had become lost. Although the Ducktown area may have been known to the ancient Indians, it was not until August, 1843, when a Mr. Lemmons, who was panning for gold on Potato Creek, in the Ducktown basin, found some reddish-brown decomposed rock, which he supposed to be gold, that the copper deposits were actually discovered. His disgust on finding that this yellow metal. was not gold was so great that he did not. try to develop his find. In March, 1847, B. C. Dugger erected an iron forge at this same place, but was unable to work the iron as it contained so much copper that on cooling it would break to pieces. The finding of copper in the iron ore by Mr. Dugger led to further explorations; and in April, of the same year, A. J. Weaver, who was passing through that country, told the people that the black rocks they had dug out were rich copper ore. Mr. Weaver began the first mining in this district.

Jan 10, 1924

By N. W. Perry

Some months ago a gentleman gave me a handful of minerals which he had collected in an arroyo, or dry stream-bed, that ran through the town of Ramos, State of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, as a sample of the class of ore that might be expected in the mines of that section. I was, however, familiar with those mines and their ores, and cast the pebbles aside as of no interest. I afterwards returned to Mexico and took charge of two groups of mines, one in the State of Zacatecas, and the other in the town of Ramos, State of San Luis Potosi. While I was thus engaged, it was a very frequent occurrence for parties to bring me specimens of rock, ores, etc., for my opinion on them; and one day a man brought me a half-dozen or more small pieces of a very black shiny mineral, desiring to know what it was. I did not recognize it, and desired him to give me the specimens for analysis, which he promised to do in a day or two. He never did give them to me, for he lost them ; but he said there were plenty more where these came from—at Ramos—and he could get them at any time for me. I thought no more of the matter until after my return to this country, when, one day, in looking over some of my old " trash," I came across the specimens at first referred to as having been cast aside so carelessly. I noticed two distinct minerals among the pebbles : one being erubescite or tetrahedrite, the predominating mineral of the mines of Ramos, and the other a hard black shining mineral, the same that I had wished to analyze in Mexico. On testing for hardness I was surprised that it scratched topaz with some degree of ease, thus placing it above 8 in the scale of hardness. Trying it with a corundum, I sometimes succeeded in scratching it, but at other times it would scratch the corundum, and at still other times neither would produce the slightest effect on the other. Crystallized topaz would be ground to a powder in attempting to scratch the black mineral, without abrading it in the slightest. It must, therefore, be placed at 9 in the scale of hardness. It is of the deepest opaque black, not unlike pitch-blende in ap-

Jan 1, 1884

By F. R. Pyne

The following notes are presented in an endeavor to point out the disadvantages attending the use of chrome brick in reverberatory furnaces in which are conducted the treatment of materials of such a nature that absorption by the brick is of too great value to be wasted, and these values must be recovered, if possible, in order to prevent metal losses that can not be tolerated. Several years ago one of the large Eastern copper refineries decided to utilize basic material in place of siliceous material in the walls of their reverberatory furnaces for the treatment of very foul blister copper, as the latter rapidly corroded the siliceous linings. It was also expected that there would be less slag formation, with a consequent decrease in the cost of treatment and a reduction in the metal losses. Magnesite brick were first used, but while the corrosive action of the foul material was greatly reduced, and the amount of slag formed was very much less, the magnesite proved to be unsatisfactory in certain parts of the furnace, because of its tendency to crack and spall badly when subjected to the alternate heating and cooling that takes place in a reverberatory refining furnace. This made many repairs necessary, and consequent frequent interruption in the operation of the furnace, which, together with the high price of the magnesite brick, ran up the cost of maintenance to an unreasonable amount. It was, therefore, decided to substitute chrome brick for magnesite brick in the parts of the furnace affected. The results, as far as the reverberatory furnace was concerned, were very satisfactory. The corrosion due to the action of the foul blister was small and the amount of slag formed was no greater than when using magnesite, and the tendency to crack and spall shown by the magnesite was eliminated. Gradually the use of chrome brick was extended to all furnaces, those treating blister copper as well as those melting cathodes, and the results were so satisfactory that the siliceous roofs were replaced by roofs of chrome brick except in certain places where experience showed a more satisfactory performance on the part of the silica brick. It was immediately recognized, for both the magnesite and the chrome brick, that the metal absorption was very heavy, but it was felt that the

Jan 1, 1918

By G. Stuart Jenkins

Conditions at the properties of the Consolidated Coal Co. had reached a point where improvements were almost impractical. The mines, sunk years ago, had shafts and entries so small as to preclude the use of large mine cars. A radical change was necessary in the type of mining and also in the type of mine to accommodate such haulage units. After due consideration, the company decided to enter the field of trackless mining, utilizing belt conveyors and chain-flight conveyors, the belt conveyors to take the long haul, and the chain-flight conveyors to be used for gathering. It was decided not to sink a shaft, hut to drive a slope on an inclination of 17½°, which the company believes to be about the limit on which coal can be carried on a belt without rolling back unduly. Sinking the Slope It was decided, in sinking the slope, to make an opencut until rock was reached, which was some 65 ft. below the surface, and then to drive the slope through an inclined tunnel from that point. In making the open-cut, the schedule called for the removal of about 25,000 cu. yd. of clay, holding the banks on an inclination of one and a half to one, the thought being to make this cut in a minimum of time, put in a reinforced concrete slope, and then back-fill. Difficulty was experienced because the clay was of a sort that was called "subsiding base" material by contractors visiting the job. In other words, a "squeeze" occurred, the pressure causing the floor of the cut to move up just as it does in many mines where the coal is underlain by thick fire clay and inadequate pillars have been left. It was necessary to move the waste banks back from the edge of the cut 700 or 800 ft., and even then the floor could not be controlled, the result being that almost 100,000 cu. yd. of clay was handled before the rock was reached. A concrete slope was then rapidly constructed, using 95 tons of special-shaped reinforcing iron. The floor of this slope was made 30 in. thick at the bottom, and 17 in. thick at the top, the sidewalls being 18 in.

Jan 1, 1940

By G. Stuart Jenkins

Conditions at the properties of the Consolidated Coal Co. had reached a point where improvements were almost impractical. The mines, sunk years ago, had shafts and entries so small as to preclude the use of large mine cars. A radical change was necessary in the type of mining and also in the type of mine to accommodate such haulage units. After due consideration, the company decided to enter the field of trackless mining, utilizing belt conveyors and chain-flight conveyors, the belt conveyors to take the long haul, and the chain-flight conveyors to be used for gathering. It was decided not to sink a shaft, hut to drive a slope on an inclination of 17½°, which the company believes to be about the limit on which coal can be carried on a belt without rolling back unduly. Sinking the Slope It was decided, in sinking the slope, to make an opencut until rock was reached, which was some 65 ft. below the surface, and then to drive the slope through an inclined tunnel from that point. In making the open-cut, the schedule called for the removal of about 25,000 cu. yd. of clay, holding the banks on an inclination of one and a half to one, the thought being to make this cut in a minimum of time, put in a reinforced concrete slope, and then back-fill. Difficulty was experienced because the clay was of a sort that was called "subsiding base" material by contractors visiting the job. In other words, a "squeeze" occurred, the pressure causing the floor of the cut to move up just as it does in many mines where the coal is underlain by thick fire clay and inadequate pillars have been left. It was necessary to move the waste banks back from the edge of the cut 700 or 800 ft., and even then the floor could not be controlled, the result being that almost 100,000 cu. yd. of clay was handled before the rock was reached. A concrete slope was then rapidly constructed, using 95 tons of special-shaped reinforcing iron. The floor of this slope was made 30 in. thick at the bottom, and 17 in. thick at the top, the sidewalls being 18 in.

Jan 1, 1940

By Philip W. Moen

It is with sincere regret that the members of the Institute will have heard of the death, on March 17th last, at Terre Haute, Ind., of Professor Charles 0. Thompson, A.M., Ph.D., President of the Rose Polytechnic Institute of that city, and for many years pre viously the head of the Worcester County (Mass.) Free Institute of Industrial Science, and in 1881 and 1882 one of the managers of this society. To us he was chiefly known by the excellent character of the work which he had performed, as a recognized leader among the technical educators of the country. He was a constant, and interested atten dant at our meetings, seeking to acquaint himself not less with all that was noteworthy in the practical attainments and developments of the branches of industry represented by our membership, than with such such facts as would be of service to him in shaping or guiding a wise course of instruction in the institutions of which he had charge. We shall not soon forget him, or the genial courtesy of his manner, or his ready words and thoughtful comments. Charles Oliver Thompson was born September 25th, 1836, at East Windsor Hill, Conn., where his father, Rev. William Thomp son, D.D., was professor in the Connecticut Theological Seminary, since removed to Hartford. The son was fitted for college under the late Paul A. Chadbourne, and entered Dartmouth College in 1854. He was graduated in 1858 with honors. In all the studies of his course he had maintained a high rank, but showed marked proficiency in chemistry and mechanical philosophy. In 1861 he received the degree of A.M., followed by that of Ph.D. from his own college in 1879, and from Williams in 1880. In September, 1858, the year of his graduation, he became principal of the Peacham Academy, Vt., remaining in that position until November of 1864, though during that period he devoted several months to practical work as a surveyor and civil engineer. Thus his experiences were developing the qualities which, later on, fitted him to carry out so successfully the plans of the thoughtful projectors of a new system of technical education, along a path before untrodden, but which the test of time and the indisputable proof of success have shown to be both wise and fruitful.

Jan 1, 1886