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Letters from Arthur M. Scott on Quicksilver mine

Title: "Manifold Writer" with carbon copies of letters written by Irving Murray Scott regarding economic analysis of a quicksilver mine
Author: Scott, Irving Murray
Description: 77 leaves with carbons of handwritten letters by Irving Murray Scott on rectos, plus unused leaves at end. 10½x8, original morocco-backed mottled boards.Copy book containing carbons of letters from mechanical engineer/industrialist Irving Murray Scott (1837-1903), relating to the operations and fiscal status of the XLCR/Redington quicksilver mine in northern California. A native of Maryland, Scott moved to San Francisco in 1858, engaged as draughtsman at the Union iron-works, San Francisco, California, where he remained until 1862. After a year at the Miner's foundry in S.F., he returned to the iron-works, eventually rising to partner and general manager. The firm became notable for the many warships it built, but it was always heavily involved in the mining industry and innovations in mining equipment. The present copybook contains analysis by Scott of a quicksilver mine, and is quite significant in its scope and detail. In the initial 21-page evaluation of the mine, dated November 24, 1871, Scott, writing to Messrs. J.H. Green & John H. Redington, gives an appraisal and evaluation of the XLCR (pronounced Excelsior) mine in the Morgan Valley/ Knoxville area of California, later renamed the Redington, Boston and finally Knoxville mine, which became perhaps the state's third largest mercury mine after the legendary New Idria and New Almaden mines. He begins with a listing of the physical assets of the mine, including buildings, equipment, livestock and more. He then gives a description of the "Working of the Mine": "…The mines appear to have been worked upon the Mexican plan using no timbers, and leaving pillars to support the chambers. As usual in such cases these chambers have caved to some extent. They are now working from the ninety-feet-level upwards using timbers, leaving dump holes, and filling in the waste…" He speaks of the ventilation "Good ventilation is maintained in all parts of the mine by connections with shafts, and drifts, and by pipe conveying air supplied from two Sturdevant blowers number four which are driven by a vertical engine…""
Heading: drainage "The drainage is effected through a vertical shaft 4 feet square and 224 feet deep, in which limited space two pumps 8 inches diameter and 6 feet stroke"…""Place Published: San Francisco
Publisher:
Date Published: 1871-72