The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1879-06-19
Discovery Of Rich Copper and Silver
Deposits in Wisconsin.
st. Paul Pioncer-Pr,

DtpOSitS HI WiSCOuSlHs
st. Paul Pioneer-Press.
Mr.. Henry Allen, "a gentleman who
has had had long experience with the
Indians, as detective for the gov
eminent in hunting down parties
guilty OF selling whisky to them, ar
rived in st. Paul yesterday. Mr..
Allen reports the discovery, a week
since, of valuable silver and copper
land in the dense Wisconsin forests,
whi n has created consider able ex-
c:temsnt. The report as he obtained
ii Is well authenticated, and is 10 this
effect: For the past three or four
years Charles and james Patrick, of
Eau Claire, having been among the
Chippewa Indians in and around the
Lac Court Oiielles reservation, de-
voting their attention to watching a
large tract OF timber land which they
will soon come in possession Of.
James Patrick talks the Chippewa
tongue readily. and during conver-
sation with one OF the old Indians on
the reservation incidentally learned
that within a few miles Of the Lac
Court Orielles was a large tract OF
land teeming wiN rich copper and
silver ore. The whereabouts OF this
mineral strip was apparently known
only to this Indian, who displayed
large pieces OF copper which he had
secured. and positively refused to
divulge his secret to the white men.
Fifteen years ago this old Indian,
while In the pursuit OF deer In the
winter, through the thick woods,
founed huge ledge rising abruptly
out OF the ground and covered with
snow. 1t extended for space OF i've
or six hundred feet, and afforded ex
cellent shelter. OF which the Indian
availed himself. He discovered,
partly hidden by moss, pieces OF cop
per ore and secured several large
specimens. These were the same
upon which the eyes OF Mr.. Patrick
rested and which aroused his curiosi-
ty. In vain for along while did he
attempt TO induce the discoverer to
reveal TO him this spot, making many
liberal promises. Several weeks since
the Indian named his price. $500 and
a load OF provisions for which he
would conduct the white men to this
mine OF copper. The Patrick brothers
quietly went to Eau Claire, informed
a leading banker Of that city OF the
proposition. who at once advanced
the money and accompanied them
back to Lac Cours Orielles. The
three men, with the old Indian and
his sons, early one morning. started
for the spot. a march of about
twenty miles through the woods
brought them to the place. When
Within wv VI tHiCc iiiilcS tuc Supcj
stition OF the Indian that he would
incur the displeasure OF the Great
Spirit by revealing any secret to the
white man asserted itself. The old
man and the two bucks threw them
selves on the ground and proceeded
to indulge In mournful incantations
for several minutes. Then they were
ready to go forward, and led the
men to the immense ledge. Even
though they anticipated much. their
their hopes were more than realized.
The presence OF copper in great
quantities was plainly to be seen, and
the party also found much silver ore.
OF the former they obtained chunks a
foot in length, with which the ledge
seemed TO bristle. After a careful
examination the party returned con-
tident that they had struck u bonanza
with millions in it. Upon reaching
Lac Court Orielles, the Indian was
paid his $500 and load OF provisions,
and the Eau Claire banker at once
started to take claim for ten thou
sand acres OF land. Mr.. Allen talked
with the old Indian and with the Pat
lick brothers, and each corroborated
the story OF the wonderful wealth
seen. Arrangements were at once
made for the working OF this mine,
and within two or three weeks work
will be commenced. The land Is In
Barron county, half way between the
North Wisco sin railroad and Lac
Court Orielles.