Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1895-07-05

Brides Preposlerous Claim to
County.
Another examination is to be made
of school section 16 to determine
whether or not gold is to be found
there in quantities sufficient to justify
John &. McBride's claim that it is
gold'bearing land. The examination
will be conducted by geologist OF
the United States geological survey.
Attorney General w. c. Jones is in
receipt OF an official communication
from the Interior Department in
reference to the now famous litigation
over the possession of this valuable
tract of land. The letter is self-ex-
planatory and is as follows:
Department of the Interior,
Washington City, June 6, 1S95-In
the year 1890 testimony was taken
in the case of the State of Washington
against John G. Mcbride, involving
certain alleged mineral lands lying
near the city of Tacoma, Washington.
The case reached this department on
the appeal Of the State, and it was
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 rendered upon the record.
al therefore directed that the 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 COM
pleted, the testimony ss to the results
found be taken and judgment therein
be rendered.
"The case has again reached this
department on the appeal of the State,
and the testimony has been carefully
examined. While the record that is
now made contains much that is
valuable in arriving at the true merits
of the controversy, yet upon the main
issue Of the case-namely the name
and extent of the alleged mineral de-
posits-the testimony is still so con-
fiicting that / hesitate to pass in judg-
ment upon the same.
III have therefore, decided that more
satisfactory result may be reached by
eupplementing the testimony already
taken by an independent examination
made by geologist of the geological
survey. Such an expert, skilled in
the investigation of placer mines. and
experienced in sampling deposits, will,
as early as practicable, proceed 10 the
grounds in controversy and take there
from samples of the gravel at different
elevations on each of the six locations,
give the results and cause assays to be
made of the resulting concentrates,
and determine therefrom the value per
cubic yard of the mineral so treated
and the possibility OF profitable opera
ton.
When he shall have sufficiently
prospected 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
to administer oaths. Opportunities
will be given for thorough cross-ex-
animation, and five days notice will
be given to both parties as to the
time, place and before whom the tes-
timony will be given. There will also
be submitted to both parties copy Of
his official instructions as to his method
Of procedure.
"The expense of the investigation
and also that of reducing the testimony
to writing will be paid by the govern
ment, and when completed, the same
will be promptly forwarded to this de-
partment to be considered with the
record now made.
1.-THE representatives of Mcbride
have been duly advised Of this action.
Very respectfully,
HoKE SMITH,
Secretary"