Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-09-04
COPPER REGION or LAKE suPE-
KIflN


disastrous to those who rush into them
wiibou, knowledge or prudence. These
mines however are certainly proved to be
OF wonderful richness. The following ac-
count of them is extracted from the Bal
tlmore American
THE CopPER REGION OF LAKE SUpe.
RroR.-The attention OF spectators has
been for some time directed to the copper
region of Lake Superior, which is said to
be immensely rich in mineral resources
A few years ago the Government gave
permits of location to persons exploring
that country on condition that they should
work the mines discovered by them. -
These permits were to continue for nine
years. 10 consequence of this policy the
copper region has been visited, we may
almost say, by multitndes, and the whole
country is "shinged" over with permits
to such en- extent that the Government has
been obliged to stop the systems Of grants
entirely.
The explorations thus made have been
but partial, except IN Two places. At
Copper Harbor, and at Eagle RIVER, com
panles have been formed with substantial
capital and the mines have been worked
with great success The ore is said to
yield from fifteen to eighty per cent. Por-
tons OF j; are mingled with silver amount
ing to five per cent. the whole weight,
worth from three to four hundred dollars
per ton. The veins dip from the shore of
the Lake and become more rich as they
descend. la other places the metal ap-
pears to have forced up throguh the fused
rocks by the action OF volcanic fires. In
one case the ore is found EMBEDDED in rock
six hundred feet above the level of the lake.
correspondent of the Boston Atlas
who writes from the mineral region. gives
a detailed account of the Eagle River es-
tablishmeut. He says:
"There are now between seventy and
eighty persons employed by the Company
at the expense of twelve hundred dollars
per month. The greater part of this
force is now employed upon the mills
When these are completed, the whole
strength of the Company will be turned
into tho mines. II is ascerialned that
three men can raise two tons Of the ore
per day, and the company may put IN as
many men as il chooses. One thousand
could work wtthoa; interruption. The
stock of the company is divided INTO 1900
shares, and thir:y-fve dollars have been
assessed and paid in upon eacn share,
making in all $50, 000--which ii is belIev
ed, will put the machinery ard saw mill
in full operation. The Company have
sold locations to the amount OF $50 ,0o6,
which will leave to its members $ 900
surplus, after the completion of their ma.
chlnery. The saw mill will be great
source of revenue to the Company, IL
being the only mill in the country, where
lumber isextravagantly high. The works
a, Eagle river are under the direction of
the Company's agents, MeSsrs. Gratlot
and Douglass-ihe former, gentleman
of wealth and character, and great expe-
riencs in mning-the latter was the as.
sistani State Geologist Of Michigan. under
DR.. Houghton, and is the diScoyerer of
nearly every vein now known in the ain-
eral region"
In the fever Of speculation the shares
Of this company and of other companies
in the mineral region, have been run up
to very highest prices. Stocks lor which
twenty dollars share have been paid
are selling at S790. Mr. HENsHAw, late
Secretary of the Navy, and President OF
the Eagle River Company, holds his shares
at 81, 800. OF course there are mary
frauds perpeuated in this sort of specula.
tons. Companies are formed on the
most imaginary basis, their stocls being
fanciIal, and the operators in the business
utterly dishonest. The process of graf
ting" is also carried on, A man takes
some o.e from Eagle River or Copper
Harbour and fixes il so as TO make II look
ike a natural deposit ID some spot where
nature never lodge aay copper, and upon
the discovery Of this, the land is located
and company formed.
Notwithstanding these receptions how
ever and many exaggerauonS, there dp-
pears tn be no DOUBT of the fact that rich
depos'hes Of copper ore abound On the
shores OF Lake Superior. The population
of tho mineral region is rapidly Iacreas-
ing. Some accounts make It as great as
ten thousand already. lr the future ex-
ploratons and and working Of the mines
correspond with the present indications of
their value, the copper region OF Lake
Superior must soon becoGe the scene Of
dense settlements, with villages, towns
and cities rising up amid the forests OF that
distant spot, thousand miles from the
confines Of civilization. The facilities
for transportation afforded by the naviga.
BILE waters OF Lake Superior viii give
great advantages 10 the operators there,
and enable them to convey the products
of their mines to market at little expense
THE LAST COMFORT. II have taken
much pains" says the learned Sslden, ~
know anything that was esteemed worn
knowing among men /; but with all my
disouisiiions and reading, nothing no"
remains with to comfort me at the cios'
of life, but This passage of 81. Paul J
is faithful saying, and worthy OF all &C
ceptstion, that Jesus Chris, esme into th'
world to save sinners To thus clesv'
and herein find nv rest"