The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-23
MINES OF THE STATE.
Geologist Bethune on Mineral
Resources Of Warrington.
RGpoRT HEADS LIKE 4 RoasANce
1nexhsustibls Treasure rrsvs san ni1-
49,. while 1rAay Pseduetivs Ti.ds
1avs Dsss xreatabIy Dsvslsps1.

Aen, while 1rAay Productivs Ti.ds
Msvs Dssa 1roatably DsvslsDsl.
George A. Bethune. the first state geol-
o9ist, has submitted his annual report 70
the legislaturo on the mines and minerals
~ Warrington. II II printed in pamph-
~ form, covering more than 122 pages,
md gives an exhaustive description of the
mines end the mineral resources, showing
careful research IN quest Of Information.
~. Bethune dov0tes considerable space to
the discovery Of gold in this state, which
10 terms a. romantic and deeply interest
ing g the discovery Of that precious
metal IN California in 1640. In his opinion
10 chapter in the absorbingly interesting
history Of this state II Of such enhancing
Interest - e the story Of the finding Of the
treasure trove Of nature, from time inn
memorid heretofore hidden beneath her
eoil.
ITO this state d due the distinction"
eays Mr.. Bethune, .'of being the first
division Of the Union In which gold was
discovered, north Of California, on the Pa
chic coast" He then gives an extended
description Of the discovery Of gold in 1859,
by the commission sent out to establish .
boundary line between the United States
and British Columbia. How when the
boundary commission, In 1850, reached
point on what 10 now known a. the Sim
lkamsen river, just this side Of the estab-
1lehed boundary line, In the Okanogan
county Of today, members Of the party
noticed the sparkle In the ground lining
sho banks OF tho stream, and became
speedily convinced by investigation that
gold was abundant.
Wild ara. and noon the hariv miners IN
poxtiee 81 from one TO bundled fiocked Ia
he hanka 81 the 0imilkameen Old
Oknuoaan CITY Wa the embarcadero for
the nsW-found places, and Ike 8 mush-
room on il natural soil there sprang M
= v tSs r onsh camp +. xhch
nulmbercd nearly 300 souls. Mr.. Bethune
go 81 70 tcll al the Advance at mining
n fhis sfata Ia The nresenf flav Il, 4 most
intere1tinR manner. One. in readinr this
portion Of the report, would at times inn
%o d e no,siist ne ~o 1o,re o. some 2;
chsSscter. : '-''s -
The discovery and DEVELOPMENT of the
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ouartx Of Washinpton i
= intsresfine ia absorbinr as - tbe n dis !,
covcrv 81 plscer gold a. chronicled above
To Hon. Hiram r. Smith. now = mem.
Der 81 the legislature. M. Bethune gives
fho credit ST discoyerine the first eold-
Bearing rock in Washington. He saw.
that NJ. Smith and : little band Of pros
nm. carnred e Ira hase ~ Monnt rha,
~. 4 bsld pesk arisinr from An ,,ndmla-
finr surrouniinr counfrv. There nnn-
borlees prominent ledees az gold and sill.
ver-hearinr ores wers discovcSed and sonoe
81 these have BEEN deyeloned into the the
most promising mining properties known
Tina nerf discnverv ~ m;r.r.l-h..r;r.
ore q nisoed "a TIA credit ~ M = 3 rre
vi. I'M evsnt occnrred In 1a7s = ,;ttIs
less than : wear sffer the sane Scntleman
diecoycred 20 rich nlacers on the d.
schastin river. interest sftaches greatlv -