The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-03-18
From the Mining
Commissioner.

The Astorian has received the follow
Ing communication from G. w. Ayers
Mining Commissioner for Oregon:
The time allotted us in the collection
and classification of Oregon's Minera
Exhibit at the Worlds Columbian Elk
is necessarily very limited. We there
fore earnestly urge and solicit coop
Grafton and assistance on the part OF
all who are interested in securing 6
creditable display Of the vast and val
liable mineral resources of our state
Sush an opportunity of disseminating
Information and calling the worlds
attention to the greatness and profit
ableness of Oregon's mining properties
will not soon recur. In gathering the
exhibits and preparing same for ship
ment. system land uniformity must
| be observed. To that end we beg
! leave to submit the following suggest
ions and directions:
l. For coal exhibits it will be neces-
sary to pack closely in boxes that will
hold not more than 40 pounds, and in
as large pieces as possible up to this
weight
Building stone, lime stone, marble,
kaolin, fire-clay and kindred substances
in cubes of u inches, dressed on diff
ferent faces to show difference in
quantity of manufactured articles
made from the materials mentioned.
2. Iron ores in greater pieces of no
greater weight than 100 pounds and not
more than one such piece from any one
mine. Where 1t is of smaller chunks,
not more pieces than will aggregate
100 pounds in weight.
8. Gold, silver, copper, nickel and
kindred ores in quantities of not less
than 1O0pounds from each mine or
prospective mine, and not more than
5000 pounds from any one. Ores in
large pieces are the best for exhibit
ing purposes. and s much of our ores
in Oregon are in a granulated or de-
composed condition, great care must
be used in handling and shipping.
A. Dirt from placer mines should be
gathered from off bedrock, and all
gravel stones larger than a quails egg
pick out. Two or three sacks of such
dirt from any one mine is sufficient.
This dirt will be worked at the fair
on the miniature placer mine in regular
manner and credit given the mine from
which the dirt Is taken.
To better enable a proper classifica-
tion Of the exhibit and for the distri-
button of information concerning Or
egon's mineral wealth among interest
ed and inquiring visitors at the exposi-
ton, 1t is requisite and of the utmost
Importance that an accurate and prop
err description of each specimen accom-
pany the same. We have prepared and
herewith enclosed list of the data de-
sired. These questions should be care
fully answered and in each instance re-
turned with the exhibit. Anyone hav-
ing any choice, rich specimens of ore
that were found in Oregon, are asked
to let us have them, and receipt will
be given for their safe return at the
close of the exposition. All such spec
linens, together with all nuggets, gold
and silver bricks, opals, crystals, ETC., |
and anything of special value, will be
kept in locked show case, and will |
be put in a safe at all hours during |
which the exhibition is closed to visit
ors.
1t will not be possible for us to re-
ceive any private cabinets or collec-
tions, as our space in the mineral
building will not admit, but all valu-
able or choice specimsns will be ac-
cepted from them and placed in show
cases and proper credit given to the
owners In all such cases, however
It will be necessary for the owner to
give proper description of each speci-
men, as without identity they are with
out value.
All mine owners desirous of placing
he name and location of their mines
n the official Worlds Fair Catalogue
should remit $40 to the undersigned
without delay, as but a short time yet
'emains before said official catalogue
s sent to the press. A valuable oppor-
unity is here offered you of advertis-
ng your properties.
Mr.. f. H. Rowe is experimenting the
collection of exhibits in Eastern Ore
yon, and all ores and specimens from
hat section should be sent to him at
Baker City. Exhibits from other sec
ions should be forwarded to C. w.
Ayers, mining commissioner, Portland,
Oregon.