The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-12-17
OUR MINING RESOURCES.
A Few Pertinent Remarks On the Subject
by Mr.. Choate.

FORT BENTON, December 10, 1884.
Editor OF the River Press:
The want of fully understanding and
approaching the great resources Of this
country i the cause Of the lack Of con-
fdence on the part Of some people in
the future Of Fort Benton and northern
Montana. What should be done to
bring to, or make tributary to, Fort Ben
ton a large population of consumers:
/ assume and from my personal OBJ
servation and experience feel confident
in asserting that nowhere in the United
States is there a finer surface showing
of mineral than at Neihart and Snow
creek. In nearly every instance where
work has been done to any extent i'm
provement has been manifest with every
foot sunk on the vein or lode-a most
favorable and encouraging indication.
The mining interests that lie tributary
to Fort Benton, and of which | shall
speak, are simply inexhaustible. Shall
anything be done to help develop these
mines and bring to the surface the shin
ing and valuable oreso OF my OWL
knowledge [ know of at least seventeen
mines that have fine walls and we'll de-
veloped veins, i'll any Of which | cam
by roasting the ore in a fire, bring silver
out SO it will be as large as pin heads
and visible all over the specimen. 1t is
not to be understood hatthe whole vein
is as rich as described, but usually this
streak of rich ore is from four to ten
inches in width in a VEIN that will aver
age from four to eight feet. Usually the
rest of the lead will run from go to 300
ounces to the ton. Isay usually because
[ speak of those leads that [ have a
knowledge of. These mines, however,
gre owned by poor men who are unable
to develop them and ship the ores.
An experiment Of shipping ores has
been tried at Neihart, and the least pos
sible expense of transportation is 500 a
ton. But even with this enormous ex-
pense returns to the amount of $3.50 to
$500 a ton have been received.
If the foregoing are facts, and I stand
ready to verify every one of them, why
should there be a feeling of discourage
ment? Our mining interests are the
future great source of wealth and popu-
lation. The stock industry is practically
nothing in comparison. IF we open, or
assist in opening, by building roads and
otherwise aiding in the development of
these mines, we bring to our doors a
population of hardy and industrious
miners who will require ali the produce
our farmers can raise, giving them a
good home market.
[ venture the prediction that with
proper encouragement a population of
5000 could be brought to Nejhart and
Snow creek in the next two years. The
mines are there and only need develop
ment to bring about this result, and such
a population would be all consumers and
of some benefit to the community.
While 1 have nothing to say against
any interest, it is clear to my mind that
the mines adjacent to Benton are the
future source of wealth and prosperity
to this town, and our people are not
looking to their best interests when they
utterly neglect and ignore the imDor-
lance of the mining district referred to,
or any other that is tributary and prom
Uses like good results. G.. r. CHoATE.
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More Little Rocky Gold. s