Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1898-06-18

f7tiN'l 90 - - 900 '--'''N''
Totals =. .s697 26s o. 1858, SOP 81 $66,29i. SO
This indicates an increase amounting to
S66,294.56 in the output of gold and silver
during 1897. These figures have been
compiled from returns furnished by the
producers of precious metals in the state
of Washington and from data given by
the various smelters and retineries handl-
ing the product of the mines, and from
the records of the government minis and
assay offices receiving the bullion from
this state. Care has been taken to avoid
all duplication in the preparation OF the
total product of the state.
Owing to the present nature OF the in
dustry it has not been found practicable
to prepare more detailed tables than those
that accompany this review. To do so
and show the production of the different
counties would be a breach of confidence
in certain instances, as practically the
entire output is from Il single mine and
thus what has been given to this bureau
in confidence would really become public
70 review the yield and the origin OF
precious metals in the state of Washing
ton it is necessary to 60 beyond the scope
Of actual production and look into the
forces at work which will have an immc-
date influence on the further production
Nor can one be obivious to the many dis
coyeries and locations and the develop
ment of the same.
The increased production has an import
ance beyond that expressed i'll the above
figures in that the development of the
mineral resources of the state is being es
tabished on a productive and pema-
nent basis. Intense activity has charac-
terized the mining industry in the state of
Washington during the past year and for
the actual amounts of gold and silver pro
duced this activity is propOrtionately
much greater than in any other state.
Only i'll recent years have the mineral re-
sources of Washington attracted attention
and until recently the best energy and
thought have been concentrated toward
the prospecting of the enormous areas
embraced in the several districts. As Il
result many valuable discoveries have
been made and their Importance is rapid
ly attracting wide interest to the posi-
bilities of these future mines. The in
creased production Of SG6 ,294.56 in a to,
tai yield of $7G3, 5G2.6l, or over s! per
cent, thus becomes of paramount import
ance in that it shows a growth of this
industry from prospecting and desultory
production to a profitable basis. To those
who understand the progression of pros
pecting' into production it is evident
that Washington is at no distant future
to take rank with the older producing
states.
The inaecessibilty of the mineral dis
tricts has retarded an earlier and IL larg
CT production. Thus far the discoveries
have been of large ore bodies of low grade
ore, which will not warrant transportation
to or treatment at smelters, but must be
worked where mined by milling, concen-
tration or cyaniding in order to afford a
profit These districts constiutute all of
the northern and central western por-
ton of the state.
Small lots of placer gold have been Sc
cured in Garfield, Lewis, Lincoln, Pierce
and Whatcom counties which would ag-
gregate but a small amount. Owing to
these having been handled by those who
purchase small quantities, both their orr
gin, identity and amount have been lost,
Bullion of Washington production deposited
al the United States minis and assay offices
during the caledar year 1891
GOLD.
Institution. Standard ounces. Value.
Assay Offices