The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-06-30
SCHOOL SECTION 10.
A Government Engineer to Look Into
McBride's Preposterous Claim.
IL.


Another examination Is TO be made Of
school section Is TO determine whether or
not gold .s 10 be found there in quantities
sufficient to justify John @. McBride'5
claim that II is collaborating land. The
examination will be conducted by geolo-
gist OF the United States geological sur
yey.
Attorney General w. C. Jones is in re-
ceIpt OF an official communication from
the interior department in reference 10
the now famous litigation over the pos
session of this valuable tract of land. The
letter IS self-explanatory and is as fol-
lows.
Department OF the Interior, Washing
ton City. June 6. 1s95.-In the year 1880
testimony was taken in the case of the
state OF Washington against John @. Nc
Bride, involving certain alleged mineral
lands lying near the city of Tacoma,
Washington. The case reached this de-
partment on the appeal OF the state. and
Ii found that witnesses. apparently
equally skilled as practical miners and
prospectors and equally honest in their
opinions. had prospected the lands, and
differed so widely as TO the extent and
character of the alleged deposits that
satisfactory judgment could not be rem
dered upon the record.
'T therefore directed that Che land be
thoroughly prospected and a record kept
of the quantity. character and value OF
the precious metals found therein, and
when the tests were completed. the festi-
rnony as to the results found be taken
and judgment thereon be rendered.
1.-The case has again reached this depart
ment on the appeal of the state and the
testimony has been carefully examined.
While the record that is now made con-
tains much that is valuable in arriving a.
the true merits OF the controversy, yet
T.
the name and extent of the alleged min
eral deposits-the testimony is still so
conflicting that | hesitate to pass in
judgment upon the same.
'I have therefore. decided that more
satisfac tory result may be reached by
experimenting the testimony already
taken by an independent examination
made by a geo,ogist of the geological sur
vey Such an expert. skilled in the in
vcstigation of placer mines. and expert
enced In sampling deposits. will, as early
as practicable, proceed to the grounds in
controversy and take therefrom samples
of the gravel at different elevations on
each of the six locations. give the results
and cause assays 10 be made OF the re-
sulting concentrates, and determine
therefron the value per cubic yard of the
mineral so treated and the possibility OF
profitable operation.
when he shall have sufficiently pros
pected the claim. his testimony and also
that of any OF his assistants may be
given before the register and receiver, or
some officer duly qualified 70 administer
oaths. Opportunities viii he given for
thorough cross-examination. and five
days notice viii be given 20 both parties
as 10 the time place and before whom the
testimony viii be given. There viii also be
submitted 10 both parties copy OF his
official instructions as to his method OF
procedure.
''rhe expense Of the Investigation and
also that Of reducing the Testimony 10
writing will be paid by the government.
and when completed. the same will be
promptly forwarded 10 this department
To be considered with the record now
made.
The representatives Of Mcbride have
heeen duly advised OF this action. Very
respectfully.
"HoKE SMITH. Secretary"