The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-03-26
In CANAAN GOLD FIELDS.
The Chase After til, Yellow Metal VIII
Be Resumed Ere The Robins
Nest Again.

The approaching spring brings the
time near for the resumption OF Out-Of-
door work, and speculation is again be-
ing induced in as to the outcome of
the prospecting for mineral ut South
Canaan, which it is said will be re-
sumed with the open weather. Mr..
Burrows, the mincralogist and engineer
who has charge of the work is Il Volublc
talker on the tariff, financial or social
questions, but when it comes to a dis
Cussion of the prospects at South Ca
naan he is match for the most expert
interviewer ever sent out from news
paer Office. His views on everything
but the specific outlook at South Ca
naan are fluently and voluntarily eX-
planned, but on that subject he keeps
his own counsel; or perhaps it would be
more correct to say the counsel of him
self and his hackers.
Who these backers, are is another in
teresting puzzle. Somebody is supply
ing Burrows with money and lots of it.
He had been prospecting in Wayne
county for two or three years before
the general public got onto" him. He
takes frequent trips to New York, and
has all the appearance of man who
does not worry about his daily bread
now or in the future. Somebody has
suggested that a big syndicate is pro-
viding the money for a thorough search
for mineral veins, and the theory is not
very wild one.
That here is mineral in the noun
tains around South Canaan is not to ne
doubted. \ good deal of smoke always
| indicates more or less fire, and there
| has been enough smoke over there to
! base hypothesis on, at least. Samples
| of the earth have been sent from time
! to time to competent assayers and they
! have invariably reported mineral de-
/ posits. though not in large quantities.
There was a New Yorker III Carbon
/ dale afeW days ago who told story
! that, if true, shows that expert Bur.
| rows, not expecting him to appear in
| this section. so far departed from his
usual foxy rcticence ON mining affairs
as to grow quite communicative. and he
is alleged to have declared that the
/ prospects We're more than bright for a
| rich find of underground wealth at
South Canaan; that the geological for
nation Of the hills ana their contents
has been found to be almost identical
with the South African gold fields, which
are the second richest in the world
some startling news one of these bright
mornings.
The New Yorker is quoted as having
| said to a Carrordale merchant:
This man Burrows is d big TOOL, or q
big knave, or he has something great il
store for this section He is no fool fol
have known him some time, and hes
! a ShreWd prOspeCtOr: / have neVel
heard pf his 1DiDSs a kna wish and 81
| conclude that you can look for gOoc
news unless his calculations are al
wrong in this Instance
. Why are they waiting so long before
beginning active mining operations? is
the natural question under the circum'
stances. Several explanations might b,
made to the query. The matter o
leases may nave a good deal to do Will
it. or it may be that like wise mon thu
prospcctor and his hackers prefer to g
slow and he sure of their ground before
Investing a large sum ON Il venture, TO
gold mining is generally gigantic
plunge, bringing gigantic failure o
enormous returns, according to its out
| come.
What is known of the geology of tn
hills that throw their great shadow owe
the peaceful village Of Canaan has beel
learned from two bore holes Whicl
have been put down to the depth o
1900 feet each, a quarter of g mil
apart. That these must have shoWl
promising results is certain, for the op
eIations are to be continued. Kumo
has il that not only traces of gold nav
been discovered but silver and plat
mum deposits are in evidence.