Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1898-09-23
MINES AND MINING CAMPS
NEWS OF PRECIOUS METALS.
Empire Camp Coming to the Front
An Important Decision on Sur
NeSing GIaims-A Republic DiVi-
dend-Deal at DuffnlO Hump
PIacers on the ReservatiOn-Min-
ing Notes.

Empire camp, which lies four miles
west OF Curlcw creek and about 20 from
Republic, is once more attracting atten-
ton. There was a boom there little
more than a year ago, but it subsidized,
and since then everything has been NOV
ing slowly. The ores are colnbinatio ,
OF gold, silver and copper and the Lodges
are strong. Their values are such as
would seem to offer more than an ordl-
nary inducement to investors. \ gen
tleman who is thoroughly posted on min-
ing was i'll the camp few days since,
and says:
There is no doubt about the future
of Empires mines. The lodges are there
plenty of them. and the ores carry eX-
ceptional values. Like all other camps.
the owners of prospects either are afraid
of their muscles or their money. lhey
are too sparing OF each either for their
own good or that of the country. Ii the
owners would display half the activity Ill
developing some of their lodges that they
did in making and setting stakes, there
would undoubtedly have been more than
one mine in camp ere this. What the
camp most needs at this time is the m
fusion of new blood. This must come be-
fore there will be great material progress
in the shape of development. There are
few holders who while probably y not bur
dened by wealth have some energy, and
spare muscle. and are now using 1t 20
some purpose.
There are some excellent shpWingS in
, the camp. Among those that are mere
than ordinarily promising and upon which
t work is now in progress or soor will be
is the Crown Point. 1t has 2o-foor
, shaft and about five feet of solid quartz.
1t is said that the ore averages some
thing over $40 per ton.
|. PIncers on the Reservation.
Placer gold in paying quantity has
1 been discovered on the north half OF the
reservation, and the coming spring will
probably see a lively camp on Boulder
X creek II. H. Redman has been in Re
= public for a few days looking after b,si-
5, ness matters. He is the locator and dis
: coverer of the placer diggings. He said:
t Il was convinced that placer mines
l. could be found ON the reservation, and a;
II | believe such properties offer quicker
u returns than quartz propositions | start
IL ed on vigorous search. | went 20 Boul
Is der creek, which is about 10 miles wes
e. of Movers creek. The indications pointc,
Is Enthusiastically TO the existence of gold il
d the stream and on the low bars | SAM
Ill
Is gold in all of them, occasionally gettin!
> coarse pieces ranging from cents t.
'h 10 cents in value. Colors were plentiful
. After prospecting over large area o
y ground l became satisfied that whel
C. operated with sluice it would pay abou
~ So per day to each man working. At
@ conservative estimate the ground will ia
III 80 cents per cubic yard from top to bot
~ tom. The gravel contains few boulder
~ of any great size. 1t is loose enough t
IN ground sluice advantageously.
- 10 81 am putting in bedrock flume an
- have reached a depth of nine feer, bu
, am not on bedrock. So far have groun
l. sluiced only, but as soon as | get the III
- per end of the ilume to bedrock | sha
=; put in a hydyaulic plant. The ground
geographically well adapted TO that sly
- of mining. The creek has considcrab
IS fall, atfording excellent facilities f.
~ dumping, with no possibility of hindran
~ from tailings. By constructing fe
ha hundreds yards of ditch or laying pipe
I'm fall of 200 feet can be obtained, whit
-, will be ample to move the gravel r.l
u idly.
No L. s. Surveyor Needed.
A decision of the secretary of the
terror has been received at the land off
nan on motion for review of the commissio
na er's decision of April l6, 1898, in the CT,
NV of w. d. McFadden ct al. vs.. the Mou
=, :, tain View Mining & Milling Compan
tho The plaintiffs filed an adverse claim
m the local land Office, which was reject
", for reasons l) that it was not evidenc
40 in manner prescribed by the rules of t
mt department; ~ plat of adverse tla
Do was not made by deputy United Stat
ana mineral surveyor; (3) no showing as
49,. value and ownership of labor and i
;uo provements upon the claims a. regull
.aI by the rules of the department Tn,
will Jo:.. we. r u'''''neu y! one "
hiiooiohei VI the general ldHu ONCE.
secretary of the interior now overru
the decision and holds that the adverse
- presented at the local land office by
Fadden was sufficient and that it was
~, necessary for deputy United States III
-; eral surveyor to make survey and p
, y, which was filed with the adverse.
The secretary follows the decision
;,n the case of Anchor ct al. VS.. Howe ct
ash 5Oth Federal Reporter, 366.
,oan The secretary further holds that ri
,ron made by the commissioner of the gene
land Office can not be binding when 5
II rules exceed the scope of the law, the
fore the rule requiring that dep,
United States mineral surveyor 81
,;ral make plat and survey for an adve
,ere claim is not binding and does not h
tho the force and effect of law.
+ba First buffalo Hmm Deal