The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-04-13
MAPS FOR MINERS.



ologioai survey.
WASHINGTON. April i2.-Tho United States
geological survey Is nov engaged In making
topoRrap phioal and geological maps OF the
United States. Thsss mars are 10 bo con-
struotsd on a scale 20 immense that they
will show local details. and II has been
found necessary 10 divide them. The en-
tire publication will consist Of several thou-
sand atlas shssts. each Of which will take
the name Of a particular locality within the
area IL Is designed TO cover.
Acoo ding 10 the editor OF the geologic
maps. Bailey Willis. the publication con
taining an atlas sheet is called folio. IL
consists Of a cover. bearing an indeK mhp.
which shows the preoiss location OF the
sheet within the state 10 which 10 relates.
Included within this cover sre pages Of
text describing the region represented in
its geological history, the faets Of its geo
Logical and mineral resources, and the
character OF its soil. This tent gives all
the information which gsologists have been
able 10 gather In regard 20 ths soonomie
resources OF the region. and alao data which
will be Of interest 20 teachers and scien-
tine studsnts.
In the preparation Of these texts great
care 10 taken 20 avoid technical statements
90 that they may be understood by those
who are not geoloRiats.
Following the text within the cover 10 a
typographical map showing the dis,ribu-
tion of streams. the unevennssa of the
roads. and the political boundaries. An
other map will show the dist ibutton OF the
different kinds OF rocks within the area. IL
will be printed In striking cOiora, 90 that
its details mar bo readily seen.
To the gold hunters Of the west these
maps will be Of the greatest assistance.
Their work As at present conducted 10 far
from attractive. Although the annual out
put Of gold In the world has been con-
stantly increasing in the last eight years
that Of the United States has decreased
gradually since 1853. when 10 attained It's
highest figurss-S65. 900. 900.
In 1899 the gold product Of this country
was estimated at S33. co., 900. Ihe value OF
ali the gold mined in the world that year
was placed at $3.50. s17. 600. Ia the last year
the worlds product has increased 20 tl4b. =
OO0, 600 but that of the United States 70 not
far Z ON the total of 1892. The difficulties
in tue war OF mining gold In this country
have increased each year.
In the early days Of gold mining much Of
the prsoious metal was found In the beds
of rivers and In rocks which had been
forced TO the eafth'a surface by volcanic
action. On the western slope OF the sier-
Tas. In CAlifOrnis. where shs original dis.
eoverY Of placer deposits in the Uaited
States was made. the Geographical oondi-
tions we're favosabis 70 the concentration
Of gravel and detTital material resulting
from the disinseRration OF gold -bsaring
rocks into bodies that could readily be
worked by the aid OF abundant water.
The increasing difficulty aud cost of gold
mining in the United States drove the seek
ere after the metal away from the streams
into the mountains. They had nothing 90
guide them but the eIpsrience gained In
placer mining. and Thousands of them
eventually gave up the struggle. rome OF
them succeeded in locating rich veins aud,
in tims, capital came to their aid.
II will readily be seen that II these PROS
psctsrs had possessed the Information
which the geological survey has now set out
TO provide their tssk would have been Tar
easier. Instead Of . hApbazard search for
cold bearing rock, they would have been
sble 20 continue their search for wealth in
q thoroughly buaineasliks way. The most
Ignorant prospsetoF would havs been placed
practically on an squAlity with the expert
iced mstallu 'eist. The change in meth
oda which this mapping OF abe auriferoua
deposits OF the country will bring absut Is
typical Of ths general change which has
taken place in conneetion With Wsstern q
eonQussts of the soil.
In the near future the seeker after gold
and other metals in the Slsrraa and the
Rockies will hid adieu so many OF the dis
comforts and unsoTtaintiss which formerly
fell to his portion. With the nsu maps oi
the geological survey In his possession he
will no longer be obliged TO depend on
Quesswork. While the maps will not point
out the exact spots where the o e-bearing
lodges and rich plaoers may be found, theJ
will shov the areas In which gold or silver
exists in paying quantities.
There will be plenty of work for the pros
psetor 20 do, but il will be 90 divested OF
the element Of chance that he will be spi
10 regard il a. play In comparison with hii
for runsr adoFtn