REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR AND STATE GEOLOGIST 1903 143 



In calcining the gypsum tiie Cummer process is used, and the 

 equipment of the mill consfists of a Butterworth & Lowe crusher, 

 one calciner, four coolers and four Sturtevant emery mills. 

 Difficulty was experienced at first in securing a satisfactory 

 product, but certain modifications have heen brought about in the 

 process, so that a ready market is secured for the entire product. 

 The Diamond Wall Cement Co. uses a large proportion of the 

 product in the manufacture of cement wall plaster, and recently 

 (December 1902) the Sackett Wall Board Co. has commenced the 

 manufacture of its patent wall board in a large building near by, 

 in which it uses about 150 tons of stucco each week. 



Wheatland. About 3J miles east of Caledonia are located the 

 mines and mills of the Wheatland Land Plaster Co. The mine is 

 located in a knoll and is entered by a tunnel. The gypsum de- 

 posit is about 6 feet thick and consists of (three distinct layers, 

 the best being in the middle. The drills used are hand power, 

 HoAvell t«4st drills, and the explosive is dynamite. In taking out 

 the gypsum, pillars are left which range in size from 15 feet in 

 diameter to 30 x 75 feet according to the condition of the roof. 



Timbers are used in all parts of the mine. The rock is hauled 

 from the mine on cars holding about a ton. The floor of the 

 mine is about on a level with the mill, which is on the opposite 

 side of Allen's creek, so that the cars can be hauled directly from 

 the mine to the mill. The mills consist of tw^o buildings. In 

 the nearest one to the mine are a Blake crusher and two bur- 

 stone mills. In the other building, which is much larger, are a 

 nipper and two burstone mills. 



When the rock is brought from the mine, the cars are halted 

 at the flrsit building and the larger pieces thrown into the 

 crusher, in which the rock is reduced to about three quarters of 

 an inch in diameter. The smaller pieces of rock are then taken 

 to the second mill and run through the nipper. Most of the 

 plaster from these mills is shipped in bulk in carload lots. 

 Some of it, however, is used in the manufacture of an insecti- 

 cide. 



