LEAD AND ZINC ORE 277 



called dry bone and considered worthless. It accumulated 

 in great heaps until the arrival, in 1838, of a German named 

 Hagen, who knew the value of dry bone, and erected furnaces 

 for its reduction. The result of the utilization of the cerussite 

 was a largely increased production. 



The ignorance of the practical miner likewise retarded 

 the utilization of zinc ores, which are associated with lead 

 ores and now constitute the chief value of the output of 

 the zinc lead mines. The presence of zinc in the lead 

 mines of the Mississippi valley was noted by Schoolcraft, 

 who wrote as early as 1819: ''Considering the rarity of this 

 metal in America, and its extensive usefulness, which is yearly 

 increasing, I have no doubt it will shortly attract the atten- 

 tion of some capitalist and become a source of much profit." 



It took, however, more than half a century before the 

 prediction was fulfilled. \Vhitney, writing thirtj' five years 

 later, gave expression to the following view: 



*'No one acquainted with the manufacture of zinc ores 

 into metal or oxide would recommend the establishment 

 of works for this purpose in the western lead region, as the 

 business can not be made profitable against the competition 

 of the Belgian and Prussian manufactories, except vmder 

 the most favorable circumstances of situation and an abun- 

 dant supply of ore which can be obtained without any con- 

 siderable mining cost. The zinc deposits of the west do not 

 satisfy these conditions either as regards quantity or quality 

 of the ore or of the proximity of fuel." 



These words of one who was an expert in his own time 

 have a peculiar sound to-day, when it is considered that over 

 $8,000,000 is won annually from the western zinc deposits. 



For over half a century zinc ore was taken out of the 

 mines of the southwestern part of Missouri, in connection 

 with lead ore, and thrown upon the dump pile as worthless. 

 Mines were deserted because of the prevalence of this refuse, 

 or tiff, as it was called by the miners. In the early seventies 

 this peculiar looking substance, which was causing the lead 

 miners so much trouble, was examined by a geologist and 

 pronounced to be zinc ore. A carload of it was shipped to 

 Lasalle, 111., for treatment. The smelter returned $15 for 



