, 1889-05-09
PRECIOUS METALS.
Pencil Drawing of Washing
tons Mineral Regions.
The Most Enticing to Pros
pectors in the United States.
Progress of Development and glimpse
Of the Future ns Judged by
the Present outlook.

Montana, Idaho and Colorado owe their
present prosperity to the development OF
their rich mineral resources. The knowl-
edge O, their wealth was slow at first, but,
little BY little the veins were uncovered
and when it was known positively that the
mountains contained valuable deposits OF
precious metal, capitalists opened their
Golfers and poured In the sinews 30 es-
sential to the development OF mining ter
ritory. Colorado commenced to attract
attention first and before many years haa
passed abe became the leading producer OF
precious metals iu tne United States, then
NJ ontana attracted the adventurous miner
no discovered rich veins, and In turn az
tracted capital and though five years nave
scarcely passed, from small production
she has risen to the position or queen Oh
the American mineral producing region
and swayc the scepter over territory that
produces millions more than any OF her
sister states or territories,
THE RICHEST OF ALL.
Washington territory wall no doubt out
rival Idaho, and the day IL not tar distant
when Montana will abdicate IN our favor,
aud the crown will pass into our posses
sion, and Washington will be known IA
the greatest producer of gold and silver In
America. The excitements that nave pre-,
vailed through Montana, Colorado and
Id aho has kept the great natural wealth OF
our territory in comparative ooscurity,
but all parts of these territories have been
thoroughly Irospected and each In turn
has received the credit that was its due.
| The pioneer of American mining the pros
pector, is always anxious for new worlds
to conquer; to him An unexplored noun
tainous region ia an Eden; it ia necessary
to his existence, and once he enters upon
his favorite ground. If tre country Is rich
in mineral resources. the result OF his la.
| bors Is soon apparent by the smoke from
| countless stacks and the musical vibrations
of the stamp, as it turns into bars the pre-
cious metal extracted from the crude ores.
Great is the prosperity OF a country where
the prospector is enabled to find precious
metal and Joins hands with capital to de-
velop it.
| The United States is broad and there are
many chains of mountains In its bounds
but nearly every peak in the United States
| has been prospecIed with the exception OF
this territory. The miner in search or
NEW FIELDS TO CONQUER
has but one country to turn TO. and that IL
| Washington territory, There are more
unexplored regions uere than In all the
other states aud territories combined. This
condition of affairs has been brought about
by the fact that the other territories COM
manded the attention OF the miner, and
the further fact that the great agricultural
wealth Of Washington kept the eyes OF Its
| population from exploring the mountains,
consequently the mining world heard noth-
ing of our mines. Another great draw
back was the existence of Indian reserva-
tions in most of our mountainous regions.
But change has come; the miners, driven
by exploration from the other territories
have pushed themselves into the last re-
naming ground that gives evidence
OF great mineral wealth and to
day the result Of their explo
tions causes our people to claim the
Montana. For during the last two year
the discoveries made in Washington terci
tory have been so rich, marvellous and ez
tensive that the cupioity OF every mar
who visits onr northern counties Is excited
THE CoLvIILE COUNTRY.
Northwest of Spokane Falls lies the rich
Colville country, where ore is found which
actually pays to cart by wagons long dis
tances to railroad. Though many mine'
have been opened. the country is practical
ly in its virginity. Miner after miue
comes in with specimens rich in gold anC
silver, that he has broken from the surface
of veins cropping long distances and read!
to yeid wealth to enterprise and labor
This section of our territory alone Offer
such Inducements that will cause the har
dy prospector to invade our domains. ant
aud rich will be their reward, foi ours arr
no ordinary mines, but depositories o
rich ores that will pay from the eras
roots. Ores averaging from 1900 to S5Ot
10 gold and silver are no rarity while th'
veins running from $40 to 500 per tor
are numerous in that section.
The progressive citizens OF Spokane
Falls recognizing the great benetts tina
will accrue to their city by the develop
ment of these northern mines, have under
taken to increase the prosperity OF theil
CITY by giving the mines of the Colvill'
district the developing Influences OF steam
transportation. and are building the Spn
kane & Northern railroad with its objective
point the great mineral fields north OF
this city. This road will make 1t possible
TO bring dry and wet ores TO SPOKANE
Falls, and here. no doubt, capital viii
erect large smelters.
THE oKANOGAN COUNTRY.
Three years ago last March the Okano-
gan region of Washington territory with
its vast uuex plored mountain chaius whict
had go long been an Indian reservation
was declared open for settlement. Thi.
ma sniicent strip of country extending
north of the Columbia river to the boun
diary line between the United States ano
British Colum ola. was ~ far ~ the A meri
can miner was concerned, as unexplored
AS portions of Africa. Two years ago q
few miners worked their way up into the
Okauo ogan river country and made few
locations around what IL nov known
An, Ruoy City. Conconully and WaDacut
lake. Here they found that the noun
tains were literally teemipg with veins OF
gold and silver. Specimens were brought
TO Seattle. Tacoma and Portland and
| showp IN the assayers: the results were NO