The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-02-04

The nrst impetus gwen to the growth OF the
village and to the country, was through the
discovery of the Great Minnesota Mine in 1S47,
by Mr.. 8. o. Knapp, OF Michigan. He Was led
TO the discovery by examining the indentations
which were plainly discernable along the sur
face on top OF the vein, and which proved TO be
ancient mining excavations. This was the nrst
discovery OF the Indian diggings," which have
since been found to exist everywhere in the
copper region. SO general is this fact, that
there is scarcely a vein or an ut-crop OF min
eral in the whole copper district but what the
evidences are found OF the prior working by
our ancient predecessors.
One Of the principal pits opened by Mr..
Knapp, was found to have penetrated the vein
to a depth OF az feet. 1t was piled mp with an
accumulation of dirt and partially decayed veg
etabe matter, but at IS feet from the surface
a mass of nearly pure copper was found weigh
ing upwards Of six tons. This mass had been
raised from its original bed, a distance OF five
feet, and secured there on timbers which had
been placed under it, and probably beng unable
to raise it to the surface. the ancient miners had
abandoned it, 1t had been hammered over
until its surface was entirely smooth, and the
adhering gangue, or rock crystals, were almost
wholly removed. In this pit, as in others,
when cleared OF the rubbish which filed them,
was found great numbers of stone hammers,
bits OF burnt wood, etc. These hammers are
simply small boulders OF hard trap rock, OF
from lbs. to 80 lbs. weight. Sometimes with
groove cut around the middle for fastening
on handle, and sometimes made with one
sharp edge. 1t s impossible to ascertain by
whom, or at what period this mining work was
carried on. The Indians, who inhabited the
country when the white man first penetrated it,
were as ignorant of the matter as were the
white men themselves. That long penod Of
time had elapsed, is evident from the fact that
growing in the dirt which partially fills the pits,
are frequently found trees that are hundreds
OF years old.
Directly over the mass above described, de-
irving it's support from the soil and debris
which nearly filed the pit, stood hemlock,
which showed when cut, $50 distinct annual
rings Of growth aud this was standing by the
side Of much larger stump OF tree that had
grown mp and gone to decay since this pit had
been e1cavated, and the mass of copper found
beneath its roots had been raised from its bed,
and the brands which were found beneath 1t
had been burned, and the long period OF time
had transpired necessary for the accumulation
OF the soil that filed the pit and supported the
organic growth.
Tho riNh aHnrda6 N tha disp0vayy Af
this mass Of copper was greatly increased by
the speady results which further explorations
Immediately developed, and was subsequently
in the highest measure verified and fulfilled in
the abounding prosperity Of the company
Four years later the almost equally celebrated
National Mining Company began work upon Its
lacation adjoining the Minnesota. These two
companies, among the most profitable enter
prises ever organized on Lake Superior, gave
to the Ontonagon Mineral District wide celeb
rity, and for nearly twenty years i. enjoyed a
comparatively high degree Of material pros
perty. The wonderful success which attended
the operations OF the Minnesota and the Ma
tional, stimulated mining enterprise in this dis
trict to high degree, and innumerable COM
panes were formed, some of which prosecuted
mining work with considerable zeal and lavish
expenditures, but unfortunately at little profit.
During the past ten years but little mining
work has been done, and Ontonagon has be-
come almost synonym, in the copper REGION,
for stagnation; but recently there are many
indications denoting probable revival Of It's
business prosperity.
The National Company has just begun the
work Of unwatering the mine with the view to
resume mining work, and at the Mass, Ridge,
Nonesuch, Aztec, etc., work Is being successfully
prosecuted and at other locations there is an
outlook Of possible activity. 1t is easy to un-
derstand, how, that region so isolated and In
accessib!e-without railroad, or telegraphc COM
munication, combined with the rigorous cli-
mate-should be slow of settlement. And yet
to Offset its many and serious obstacles TO i'm
provement, the county possesses resources and
advantages that must ultimately secure to it a
great degree OF prosperity. The Mineral Range
which starts from the western extremity OF the
Keweenaw Peninsula, and runs southerly, para
lell with the coast line through Keweenaw and
Houghton counties, extends also TO the south
ern limit OF Ontonagon county; and If the
Minnesota and National be taken as an index
and the not unreasonable homo OF the reviva
OF these great mines to a productive capacity
approxlmating to their past be entertained, OF
the future discovery of productive lodes, such as
these have been, be accepted as the basis oi
conjecture, there are certainly grounds for tht
hope which the most confident may entertain
OF the future mining prosperity of the country
The indications of the existance OF valuable
deposits of iron ores, which are found in th,
southern and southwestern part Of the comfy
may become, at no distant future, the basis Of
prosperous industry in iron mining.
But aside from it's mineral resources. which
hers as elsewhere must always be in a degre,
speculative and intangible, this portion of on
state is exceedingly valuable for its timber ant
for its soil. There are large areas OF excellen
pine land, which are as yet untouched, anC
which will afford millions OF feet annually 70
many years to come, while the great forests o
birdseye, yellow birch, cedar, etc.. must at leas