US Patent: 5,562X
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Washing, Clearing and Separating Gold Dust, &c.
Machine for Washing, Cleaning, and Separating Gold Dust, &c.
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Patentee:
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| Richard Lee (exact or similar names) - Erwinsville, Cleveland County, NC |
| Manufacturer: |
| Not known to have been produced |
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Patent Dates:
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| Granted: |
Jul. 08, 1829 |
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Joel Havens
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Description: |
| Most of the patents prior to 1836 were lost in the Dec. 1836 fire. Only about 2,000 of the almost 10,000 documents were recovered. Little is known about this patent. Only the patent drawing is available. This patent is in the database for reference only.
“For a machine for Separating Gold Dust, Grains and Particles from the Ore, and other minerals lighter than gold; Richard Lee, Rutherford county, North Carolina, July 8,
The new and inviting business which now claims the attention of a large number of the citizens of North Carolina, the search after gold, is likely to give birth to many contrivances for conducting the washing and other operations of the mines. The business, as it is new, is of necessity conducted in a rude manner, and in some situations where considerable quantities of gold are found, we are convinced that not more than 50 per cent. of that contained in the ground is separated; we speak from actual knowledge, and credible information.
Although in a business so long pursued in other countries, the ingenuity and skill of those concerned have produced many admirable devices for attaining the end proposed, it is difficult to become acquainted with them, as they are, in general, very imperfectly described in books, and the best works upon the subject are in foreign languages, particularly in the German, as it is principally in Germany and in South America, that this business has claimed attention.
The principle of operation in the machinery now patented has not in it anything of novelty, and we think it inferior in its details to some which have been described. The ore to be washed is to be placed in a long trough, a little inclined. The lower end of the trough stands over a hopper, or funnel, in which there is a screen, or sieve, to detain the coarser pieces of stone, or ore. The matter which washes over passes down into a trunk, or trough, the end of which inclines upwards, that the water, and lighter particles of earth may flow out, and leave the heavier portion behind. The larger particles of gold may afterwards be picked out, and the finer separated by amalgamation.
The claim is to the trunk, or body of the machine, with its spout and funnel.
Were we to undertake to conduct operations in the gold district, we should industriously seek information respecting plans long followed and approved; an inquiry more likely to produce useful results than anything which will, probably, be discovered, whilst what has been previously effected remains unknown.”
Journal of the Franklin Institute Vol. 7, Oct. 1829 pgs. 252-253
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