Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-09-10
CHAMBER OTcOMMERCF.
Convention to Promo te American Com
merce-Silver Islet--Its Richness and
Great Production = Minnesota More
Mineral Wealth to tlae Square Mile Than

Convention to Promote American Com.
merce-Silver Islee--Its Richness and
Great Production = Minnesota More
Mineral Wealth to tlae Square Mile Than
Nevada.
At the meeting of the chamber of comnerce
yesterday letter.was cad from Col. A. Allen,
who declined to accept the position of director,
and w. L. Wilson was ell ected to fill the vacancy.
A communication was received from New
Orleans inviting the appointment of delega-
ton to attend convention for the promotion
of American commerce, to be held in that city
Dec. Sd. The invitation sets forth the object
of the convention to be securing the improve
ment of the Mississippi; aid for the Southern
Pacific; advancing our trade with the West
midas, Mexico and South America, and cheap
transportation generally.
Col. Hewitt offered the following, which was
adopted:
RESOLVED, That the St. P,.ul chamber of COM
MERGE accepts the invitation to participate in
the convention for the pr emotion of American
commerce." to be-, held in New Orleans, on the
Sd day of December next.
In view of the fearful epidemic now per-
vading that city and the South. we respectfully
suggest that the convent on be postponed until
January or February next
THE NEW BONANZA ON TIE NORTH SHORE.
The president, Mr.. Lee, then called the at
specimens of silver ore pla':ed upon the table
for exhibition, and asked { teri. Baker to make
a statement in reference to, the same.
Gen. Baker stated that these specimens of
free silver had been plac at his control by
the president of the Silver Islet company
They had been but rece ntly taken from the
new discoveries at the fs .mous islet. That this
was the richest ore ever before taken from any
vein or mine was beyond question. Their
- T. h. m
particular interest we, IS Minnesotians, had in
this remarkable di ,covery was the fact
that the whole trend of volcanic
rock bearing veins, in every way
similar to that at Silv er Islet, ran west from
that deposit across the international line into
Minnesota. General Baker stated that he had
heard Mr.. Learnard, the president of the Silver
Islet company, declare to Mr.. Devens, the
| attorney general of the United States, that he
believed that Minnesota had more of the pre-
cious minerals to the square mile than Nevada
had. That it only required the courage and
persistent efforts of her citizens to open up
mines within the limits of our OWL State with
ore as rich as that upon the table. General
Baker stated that these rich masses of ore were
here by the courtesy of the Hon. Edward
Learnard, of Pitt1held. Mass, who had con-
sented, at his (Baker's) earnest request to stay
day or two in our city, to show
our people their mineral wealth.
At the instance of General Baker, Mr..
Lee then introduced Mr.. Learnard to the cham
ber and he was received with cheers Mr..
Learnard then proceeded to give clear and in
| telligent account of the discovery of Silver
Islet, and of the developments which had been
made. He gave an interesting account of the
| new discoveries, and showed by map the maze
of intricate work going on below the waters of
Lake Superior. He gave his testimony to the
value of Minnesota's mineral possession, and
hoped we would soon find way prudently,
| but earnestly, to develop our our resources.
The history of the island, he said, was ro-
| mantle. The isle is only about 70xSO feet
| square, and four feet above the water. In 1868
| or $50 the silver was discovered and some Can
! nadia parties took out nineteen tons with ham.
mers and chiseis, from which they realized
| $38, 900. crib and Golfer dam was then built
with great difficulty, but within twenty four
days after its completion $101 600 in silver was
1872 some $2,2OO,OO0 had been taken
out. The cost of securing this was
$1.300,0O0, and the company divided
100000. among its stockholders.
This was mistake, as they needed some more
| expensive works and did not have the capital
| to secure them. Work had now been resumed,
and in August they sent forward $75, 600. He
had just received q telegram stating that the
yield last week was 100000.
| Mr.. Learnard was listened to with marked at
/! tention. and his remarks produced decided
effect. He especially urged upon all the ne
| cessity of having road built through this
\ mineral region to facilitate expeditions and
development.
The specimens of silver ore were then exam
in ed by the members, who were literally dazed
wit their evident and palpable richness.
T hey are probably the finest specimens of
free SILVER ever exhibited.