16 Transactions of the 



rioue mineral Wolframite (tungstate of iron and manganese (Fe Mn) WO4), from which, 

 as its specific gravity is nearly the same as that of Cassiterite, it is frequently extremely 

 difficult to separate the ore. I also forwarded specimens of the ore to Prof. O. D. Allen, 

 of the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale College, who stands as the acknowledged head 

 of American metallurgy. He pronounced the specimens rich iu tin, but at the same 

 time intimated to me his suspicions that the enterprise was a "salted" one. Dr. .John 

 Torrey, of the United States assay office at New York city, before his deatli, also assayed 

 the ore, and reported as follows: "The ore is a true Cassiterite, or tin-stone mixed with 

 quartz; some of it is massive, but a considerable portion of the examined specimen is in 

 the form of small, translucent, quadrangular prisms, some of which are perfectly termi- 

 nated. The average of the samples yielded 33.3 per cent, of metallic tin." Similar 

 assays were also made by Dr. Jennings, of Detroit, and by Drown and Carliss, of Phila- 

 delphia, all testifying to the promising character of the ore. When we remember that 

 pure Cassiterite itself affiards but 78.38 per cent, metallic tin, we can better appreciate the 

 rich results obtained by Dr. Torrey. 



Stimulated by these flattering indications, the company already designated as the 

 "Otter Head Tin Land Pool," was organized, a tract of land to the extent of 28,314?r acres 

 was purchased, shares issued and thrown upon the market, and, as may be supposed, were 

 for a time in ready demand. In the report of the trustees of this organization are dis- 

 played apparently well-authenticated accounts of individuals exploring this region. The 

 veins are described as well defined, and fully five hundred in number. Tlieir courses are 

 said to be generally well marked from northeast to southwest, with a dip of eighty degrees 

 to the south. In width they are said to vary from an inch to six and eiglit feet, and to 

 extend miles inland. The veins are also said to cross eacli other, forming at their inter- 

 sections deposits designated by the Germans as stockwerk. The value of tlie dressed ores, 

 as given in the report, is estimated to vary from $23 to $369 per ton. But notwithstand- 

 ing all these very promising indications and the apparently frank and minute statement 

 of details, many doubtful circumstances soon created suspicion that the whole enterprise was 

 a "salted" undertaking. Time has only served to confirm this suspicion in the minds of 

 many, and the market value of the stock is now immensely depreciated. If such should 

 prove to be the case, the query now arises, From whence was this rich ore obtained? 

 Rumors have reported the finding of the boxes and barrels in which the ore was supposed 

 to have been transported, in close proximity to the so-called veins; and also of the vessels 

 in which the metallic tin was melted and judiciously distributed, though the latter can 

 hardly be accredited. But let us remember that such an undertaking by no means argues 

 a dishonest purpose in the minds of many or even most of those engaged therein. This 

 consolidated Tin Land Pool numbers among its members many sincere and honorable 

 men, who are now extensively purchasing the stock at its greatly depreciated value. But 

 let us also bear in mind that the problem of deceiving even skilled metallurgists is by no 

 means a difficult one. How much more easily, then, may those be misled who are un^ 

 schooled by experience in mining matters? 



The chemist, in collecting his specimens from the mine which he is called upon to ex- 

 amine, gathers them in small canvas bags. Th&se, speedily becoming too heavy for 

 convenient transportation, are deposited at convenient points, to be collected at the close 

 of the exploration. How easy to replace them by similar bags containing a far richer 

 ore! It was by this very process that an Eastern capitalist was recently very nearly swin- 

 dled out of $206,000 by the analysis of his own chemist. 



In conclusion, then, until the "Lake Superior Tin Land Pool" shall have given us 

 abundant pledges of its good faith in the form of ingots of fine tin thrown upon the mar- 

 ket, we cannot do otherwise than number it as one of the great fraudulent enterprises of 

 the age. 



K. S. A. C. Chemical, Department. October, 1874. 



