The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-01-01
ACROSS The BORDER.
Pointers for American Prospectors
Who Are Going to the SLOGAN
ss Country.
Tho Canadian Mining Laws Are
| Simple and Not Difficult to
Fully Meet.
Claim Jumping Almost U~nknown.-Dis.
putes srsticd by a Commissioners,
WITH the Eight ofiAppeaI.

Claim Jumping Almost unknown.-Dis-
putes srtticd by a Coma miss
WITH the Eight oftAppcai.
SPOKANE, Wash, Dec. 2S.-ESpecial. -
From preaent Indications it appears to be a
certainty that there will be M unprsce-
dcutsd rush into the kootenai, Is. O..
country in tho early spring on account of
the reported rich and extensive mineral
discoveries made in the Kasio- SLOGAN Sec
tions Just before the snowfall of winter
began.
That many will return disappointed is
certain as there will scarcely be enough
rich mineral claims to 60 round should as
many prospcctors flock into the districts as
are expected. Yet it is too soon to diacuss
the merits of the region as it takes time.
development and money to prove whether
il will come up to the expectation of tho
original discoverers or not.
There is no doubt bqt a number OF Mon
tana and Idaho miners and prospectors will
try their luck in that much advertised
section. and rs many Of them probably are
not familiar with the laws and customs of
British Columbia Al applied to mining, I
will give q brief outline of the same.
In the first place the laws of the country
are very simple in every respect and are
rigidly enforced, civil, criminal and min
ing. No hoodlumism is tolerated on that
soil and no maudlin sympathy wasted on
ono who transsresses tho laws. Drunken
ness and the carrying of concealed woap-
ons in towns il strictly prohibited and
speedily punished az nisdemeanors, and
for a person who commits q felony there ls
no escape from punishment when once con-
viotsd. Hence ths liberty, properly and
lives Of all are thoroughly protected.
Claim jumping, an occupation much re-
sorted to in United States mining camps,
is practically unknown in British Colum-
bia. The government of q mining division
il vested in an officer callod . gold COM
missioner. He settles all,disputes that may
arise bstwesn miners regarding their claims
o. speedily az possible and generally his
decisions are so just that they are final, yet
the losing party has the right to appeal to
the courts Of the country.
Ths first requisite for 3 miner or prospec-
tor on entering British Columbia is to Sc
cure u free miners certificate.
This gives him Q license to explore, To-
cato or purchase mineral ground. Without
2 III 6G llG . CVA ulAoAVo nW q -
no title TO mineral land or enforce the col
lection of his wages before a court.
This certificate costs S. per year and may
be taken out from one to four years ac-
cording rs the applicant desires. The free
miners certificate is all the evidence of
citizenship necessary. and it matters not
whether a person was born in America,
British Columbia or China, he or she must
obtain this licenss should they have any
kaiag aESail to do with mining. Mineral
CAN b. staked on the csoppings, but
no latest law it is necessary to have
before making Il location.
insr sinox Of asclaim is the same as
elitsd States. i. c., COOL 800 feet,
i only necessary to place three
u . location, one at each end and
he cetlter. These stakes should be
he cont, line and shall be numbered
conaectivelY, the center stake being
No ploss ector is allowed to locate
than one claim en- 8
but he can acquire a.
e annual assessment work shall be
formed within one year from the time
making the location, and shall consist oil
% worth of labor improvements. The
NJ is very ttrict regarding this annua!
Ii aditure and q detailed statement OF the
Eo k. sworn to, must be recorded. Pros
sctcrs have fifteen days from the time OF
4 Aaaking q location to maks q record of the
fact one day additional time for each ten
miles his claim lies from the recording
ofiioe. 1t is not necessary to file az sfi-
recorder can take down the description OF
claim on his record book orally from the
miner. The lumber of tbs FREQ miners
license should be placed on all his location
stakes and appear in all records that he
makes.
Apparently il costs a prospector moro to
operate in British Columbia than in the
ID United States. For instance, Il man be-
comes interested in that country and To-
e..tes but one claim, the expenses for the
gear are ss follows: Free miners certifi-
Gets, S5; recording claim, $3.50: recording
assessment work affidavit, etc, Sc; total,
$3.50. This looks steep. but when it is
taken into consideration that this money is
used for tho building of roads and trails
and the general improvement of the coun-
try, tho cost of prospecting and mining on
that side of the border compares tayorably
with the United States.
Persons of either sex above the ago of Il
years can procure free minors certificates
and hold mineral land. II u company ia
inoorporated for the purpose of prospecting
articles of incorporation have been duly
fled in the proper Office. only one fsee
miners certificate il necessary for such III.
corporation. .-=@
Great care should be taken by companies
and individuals that their free miner
certif cate do not expire. for should they
all rights to mining elaims are thereby for
feited.
A crown grant, which is the Same as
patent on this side the line, cun be obtained
after doing $500 worth of work and having
q survey made, or the owner of a claim cal
purchase the Same for 800 par acre at an,
time after having advertised his application
for sixty days.
II a claim on which Il crown grant is OBJ
tanned is worked, there is no taxes to pay
but if it is allowed to lie idle the govern.
ment imposes 4 tax of S25 per year.
K. II. X.
Landmarks crninble and pass awas, but Wash
barn Crosby Go. y world renowned and justl
celebrated Best -four stays with us foreve
and thero are more barrels of it sold now tina
ever before. Ask your grocer for it. A. |
Gates Grocery Co, mill agent. Helean, Mont.
Snnu b. Davis Special,