Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-05-23
COPPER az LAKE SUPERIOR.


We have living before us specimens of the cop
per ore from the Superior or Fon du Lac mineral
range. at the head of Lake Superior, left in our
Office by Mr. II. F. Slaughter, who will please ac-
cent our thanks for his kindness. These Speci-
mems are said to be fair sample of the general
Weld Of the mines in that region, and ii this is sos
" 10 not wonder at the tide Of emigration setting
Snreror-wards. The article before us is dcnom-
mated stamp work copper and appears to be
amal@amatcd with cacarcous, stony substance
which is easily disconnected from the genuine ar
tele by stamping process well known to miners
hence its name. Preference is given to this
description of ore over that of the native copper,
because II can be more easily and cheaply worked,
requiring ONLY to be crushed to separate the pi-
rotes of copper, while the native copper in masses
it is frequently found, requires much effort and
labor TO separate it from the vein and remove it
from the shaft. The specimens have the appear
ance Of the copper having been melted at some
previous period, and the stony substance adher-
ing to and intcr,ninglins with it bears evidence
that such is the fact. What strange, capricious
tricks Nature is continually playing, and all for
til benefit Of man.
We learn from Mr.. Slaughter and Others that
work will probably be commenced in several of
the Ir;rt, this range the present season, and
buSin - consequently will be very brisk. The
whe have located on this range generally
practical, experienced miners, from the Ontona-
-nn. and are represented as Industrious, WORTHY,
intelligent men. lihe-il III their views, genial in
their nature, AMI just the population t. Improve
s,,f .l.-ur mt rho tS n m of
course, We could expect nothing else eff a class
which i willing to confront the elements of nature
10 bring from the bowels of the earth that which
i of III re utility to man than the gold of Cali
fornia. and we are glad to learn that most, if not
all Of thom, likely to be richly repaid for the
lah,s, hardship and privation endured in ac1uir
in their locations, as every days eX oration but
scry to confirm the opinion heretofore enter
tiincd by them, that the Superior range is the
richest vrt discovered on the Lake.
Il. Pail should keep her eye Lake Superior.
S...ae- or later, there will be great city upon
-. Lou.s Bir, and if wr are not up and doing,
Ia TRADE. that mi INT he brought here will be d-
y,.tei to o;h,r charn'ls. Already we hear much
AID # LAX Superior in the States below Us, and
capitalists aie moving heaven and earth to tap
n =; '-nine melon. AMI draw from it rich nour-
;-iin.1. Shall We sit sup'ncly by and let them
Il. ], or shall Sc act as becomcS rational men, in
-"iIei r. Il very natural AMI important market:
rjav none Object = &C u in the trade of the
Iii - - i!.e Lax, bit then il requires action,
noble, c"1like action and we very plainly sea
that unless this action is taken, and at Il very
'arly day, the pear will he picked by some of our
lucky neichborS, and we LIFT to regret our supine
RS.
The la i coming when the copper business Of
Lake Superior will outrival any business in the
EoTtli-West, and we hope to live long enough to
r.cpri the fact that the raw material, dug from
the mines, IS transported to st. anthony, and
there sln lied and worked into useful articles
When this day comes, (and it is not distant,) we
shall begin to realize the importance of the Lake
Superior trade, but until then We have no ado
quuc idea of the advantages to be derived from
int recourse with the copper mines OF that
prolific region.
\, a means of facilitating communication be-
tween st. Paul and Lake Superior, more imme-
diatelv, we suggest that the appropriation of
S2A.OD recently made by Congress for tho Gov
eminent Road FROM Point Douglas 10 the mouth
OF 1t. Louis river, which is already completed
some twelve miles beyond Taylor'S Falls, ought
10 b. expended in bridging the streams and cut
ting oit the timber on The remaining part of the
roil 20 IS 10 enable teams 10 pass at least in the
winter season. VIII our citizens see to this, and
cIidcayor 70 have it 30 appropriated?