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Medford mining matters.
WE asked, in a recent issue of the Register, for information relative to a Medford silver mine.
We are now answering our own query, though not as fully as we might wish.
We have no scheme to promote, or mining stock for sale.
The subject is simply one of historic interest, and worthy of record.
We naturally turn to the files of the press for information of this mining operation of 1881.
The
Medford Mercury, then in its first year of publication, under date of September 17, tells of a visit made by reporters of four
Boston dailies.
The occasion was enlivened by the presence of ladies, and somebody's ‘Old Bill’ furnished the motive power up Forest street to the
Spot Pond house.
From thence the party walked through the woods to the scene of operations.
There the writer, who signs himself S. W. G., had ‘a half-hour interview with
Mr. Harrigan,’ from which he deduced the following:—
This mine was discovered by F. W. Morandi of Malden, who was wandering through the Fells for pleasure.
He immediately purchased a large tract of land, and contracted for the sinking of a shaft 25 feet deep with a Mr. Halliday.
The shaft is now 12 feet deep, the workmen having been about two weeks at work, putting in from 3 to 5 blasts per day, each bringing forth encouraging results.
Mr. Harrigan told us, that if in going down the next ten feet the richness increased as it had thus far, the mine would be a paying investment, and in all probability the shaft would be sunk 100 feet.
The first assay yielded $18 in silver, $4 in gold, and the estimate is at present $50 per ton, with copper in large proportions both in sulphide and oxide.
The ore is taken to the smelting works in East Boston.
About a mile northeast, Matthew Roberton has discovered silver, which is supposed to be an outcropping from the same vein.
On October 15 appears—
That silver mine at Spot Pond is progressing favorably.
The shaft has been sunk to a depth of 30 feet, and Mr. Harrigan has contracted to carry it 25 feet farther down.
It is understood that the yield is satisfactory thus far, and that more land will be bought for mining purposes.
The above is all that our local paper tells of the mining operations in a technical way. Thirty-three years
