The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1897-09-11
RUPLEY'S SCHEME.
Plenty of Good Mineral in Cook County,
Rupley's Report to the Contrary
45ss5 Notwithstanding.

Az& Rupley's Report to the Contrary
Notwithstanding.
The following is an extract from a
Port Arthur special to the Duluth Even
ing Herald from the pea of John L..
Morrison, the Herald's special cores
pondent:
All the way from Thunder bay to
Hunters island the woods are full of
people who firmly believe that John D.
Rockefeller is. scheming to get controlof
the Cook county iron ranges.
The belief is both firm and general
that the scheme is to falsely prove that
iron does not exist in paying quantities
!, nor OF proper quality to be of value.
Then, when the claim holders have lost
hope and interest, to purchase their pro-
perry for nominal sums. Ell. Is
The impression is also firmly implant-
ed that George Rupley, Of Duluth, is a
pa1a agent of the magnate of the Mesaba
and that his work the past six months
has been to discredit the merit and value
OF that region. In support of that men
Of unqnestioned probity point to the
farcical OF foolish operations there with
the diamond drill last spring.
Along about the first of May, under
George Rupley's direction, Cole & Camp
bell took in diamond drill. The story
was given out that capitalists had placed
$4,000 in Rupley to be expended
in boring holes on about 5000 acres of
Cook county iron lands. That sum was
considered sufficient to bore five miles Of
holes, and that, surely, would prove a
pretty fair test of the width, length,
depth and richness of the beds Of iron
ore. Time went by, and at last George
Rupley appeared in Duluth. The buoy
ant, expectant look on his face had given
way to one Of disappo in tment and dis
couragement. He gave it out to the
public that somewhat extensive opera
lions had demonstrated that the iron
range did not possess sufficient merit to
warrant further efforts, and that the pro-
lect for a railroad across Cook county
had been "laid on the table, for an in
definite length Of time. With the gener-
al public Rupley's report went unques-
toned, and a general sigh Of d1sappoint-
ment from many Duluthians was the re-
{ suit. Upon the other hand, various
holders Of Cook county IRON claims, who
knew the real extent Of Rupley's inyesti-
cations as well as those they had made
themselves, not only were not disheart-
ened. but felt certain they scented a
huge Ethiopian in the wood pile.
visited the iron range west Of Gun
flint lake the other day. saw some 81
the iron ore. talked with men who
have spent years in there, who are prac-
tical mining men and who have no per
sonal interests. I talked with settlers
and disinterested parties who know buf
little or nothing about mining. Since
then 4 have talked with men who Both
understand iron and mining and who
have interests. The universal verdict
was that George Rupley either showed
the greatest ignorance in his investiga-
lions or else he was not there IN sincerity
Z and for Legitimate purpose.
In support Of that the fact IS present.
ed that Mr.. Rupley knows nothing about
iron mines and mining; that he was only
IN Cook county two weeks; that his con.
tractor only operated the diamond dri!l