, 1884-02-23
NOT ALL IN OXE PLACE.
Another Rich Mineral Field Awaiting
Development.

In the blind excitement cOnse-
quent upon the discovery of the gold
mines of Coeur d'Alene people rush
pell nell into the country and with
out examination or question turn
their toes toward Eagle City imag-
lining that the only mineral in the
entire northwest is confined to II
small section of country in, about
and adjacent to eagle and Prichard
Creeks, and if they do not scramble
into the camp without delay the gold
will all be gobbled up and they re-
duced to the extremity of sitting de-
jectedly upon a boulder and cursing
their luck in not getting into the
digging in time to scoop up a car
load When the mountains become
full of men, and Eagle City and 9TH
er towns to spring up overflow with
inhabi ants, and the old prOspectOrs
sigh for other fields to conquer with
the pick and drill, then the search
for minerals will be extended TO
neighbOring localities, and If We are
not greatly mistaken in our calcula-
tiOns, based upon the reports of those
who have inspected the country,
mines as rich as those of the Coeur
d'Alene will be worked in the noun
tains between Spokane Falls and the
4 al Ii "a RiN Z L
fact that gold and silver both exist
near Chewelah, in Stevens county,
and that at the present time capi-
talists are interested in quartz mines
that have assayed high enough TO in
sure to the owners large fortunes.
Very little has been written in ref
erence to the mineral belt to the
north of this city, and this silence
has resulted from the very best Of
motives. When quartz was discOv-
cred it was question in the mind
Of the finders whether or no the re-
suit of the assay would justify the
working of the vein, and pending
the report Of experts it was thought
unwise to create an excitement that
if the reports were unfavorable, would
only bring disappointment to those
led into trip to the country by per-
mature publicity through the col
umns Of the press. The specimens
forwarded to assayers have been
thoroughly tested and if any faith
can be put in the written statements
of that class of professional gentle-
men we are at liberty to say that the
quartz mines Of Stevens County will
cut an important figure in the min
eral production of Washington Ter
ritory for years to come. Shafts in
the mines now in operation have
been sunk only about 100 feet in
depth and every indication warrants
the company in pushing ahead work,
which will be done in the spring.
The Company is now arranging to
put in a stamp mill, and adding such
works as are necessary for oreXtracting
the ore from the rock. Several
claims have been taken up in the
same vicinity and before the expira-
tion Of the year there will be a busy
colony in the ncighborhoOd of the
find. Should the mines prove as
productive as is anticipated, the sec
tion will be of great importance to
Spokane Falls as well as the country
at large. Our city would have no
competition in the bid for trade, and
its ability to supply any demand
made upon it gives it prestage that
insures the place not only the pat
ronage of the northern country, but
otall the territory surrounding. The
mineral bearing country to the north
is by no means confined to the small
portion now located, but we fire.
queLtly hear hints of quartz lodges
much nearer this city, and we would
not he surprised if finds were made
public that lay so near the city that
the owners can walk out to their
claims every morning before break
fast There is no use talking the
resources Of this country, geological,
agricultural and Industrial are al
most entirely undeveloped.