Extravagant Profits of Lead Mining
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
The “Grant County Herald” remarks as follows, under this head : " We learn that smelters at Franklin, Iow Co., are paying $40 per 1000 lbs., for mineral. We fear that this rate is the result of competition, or else over estimated demand. That mineral will fluctuate the coming season between $30 and $40, we have no doubt but that its steady value, based upon the eastern and St. Louis price of lead, will be $40, we donbt very much. Be that as it may, miners may rely upon a very high compensation for their labors henceforth." We fully agree in the above opinion. The price ot our staple, for some time to come, must mainly deptnd on the prices asked by the owners of Spanish and English lead, for it is plain that our own mines cannot supply the market. If foreign dealers choose to keep the price to near its present limit, we think they can do so, but this cannot be a safe reliance in the transaction of a heavy business.— [Galena Advertiser.
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.
