Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1871-07-21
The North Shore of Lake Superior.

OF the mineral wealth on the
north shore of Lake Superior, the
country has long heard reports,
without, however, receiving any
data sufficiently reliable that an in
telligcnt opinion could be safely
predicted on them. Facts, however,
have recently accumulated, so that
the subject is cnveloped in neither
doubt nor mystery. The wealth
has demonstrated existence, and
the only other question is the extent
Of the region and the probability of
permanency.
The maps i'll common use do not
show one set of facts, of great geo.
logical significance in this connec-
ton. The north shore is margined
by border of low islands, at vary
inc distances from the present coast
line, whose extension is the Silver
islet, Of which so much has been
recently said. Westward the range
extends towards the great southwest
trend of the shore. The islands are
numerous, with intervals of navi ga
BILE waters between, and are, in
fact, the naked points of submerg-
ed ridge-mountain tops as com
pared with the bed of the great lake
itself. This submarine range runs
in direction a little north of west,
and corresponds somewhat with the
iron mountains on the south side.
Across this line, running southeast
and southwest, is the enormous trap
range of keweenaw Point, from
which such vast amounts of native
copper have been taken within the
past twenty years. And what is
particularly noticeable is the fact
that the lines of tissurc in the cop
per region seem to have their eX-
tension in the silver region on the
north side of the lake. The min
cral veins cross the islands in the
same direction, and seem to have
been filled by the same operating
causes ut the same time. The only
difference is, that with a filing very
similar the matriN encloses silver
instead of copper.
The accounts from Silver Island
are something wonderful, and vet
they seem to he we'll authenticated.
The present yield is set down at an
average of seven thousand dollars
n day, and stock originally worth
but fifty dollars Il share, par value,
is now rated ut $500 per share.
The mine improves rapidly with
each foot of descent, and gives ev-
cry indication of being not only Il
true vein, but of leading to masses
of the metal similar to those found
in the copper districts. Late exam
nations show that the veins are not
confined to this single locality, but
that they cut across other islands,
and penetrate the main shore many
miles distant. This seems to be es-
pccially true Of Mckcllcr Island,
more nearly in the centre of igncous
action, in which lode nearly fifty
feet wide has been discovered, the
trap yielding on test at the rate of
~ ounces to the ton; the quartz s.
and zine blende 2S2-and this upon
a mere surface assay. That it will
improve with deeper excavation is
IA well-known fact, established by
the experience Of all mining.
1t is reported that she Silver Is
land shaft has already yielded
million Of dollars worth Of the met
al, and it seems entirely probable
that with the improved machinery
Of the present time, and the acces-
sibility Of the region by steamer,
that the Lake Superior country will
soon be as noted for silver rs for
copper. Thus far the ore has been
shipped to Newark, n. j., for re-
duction, but works for that purpose
will soon be completed at Wyan-
dotte, near Detroit. : Chicago Post.
OF all animals, only birds close