Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1898-09-21
MINES AND MINING CAMPS
NEWS OF PRECIOUS METALS.
Empire Camp Coming TO the Front
An Important Decision on Sur
veying CInims-A Republic DIvi-
dend-Deal mt buffalo Hump
Piacers on the Reservation-Min-
ing Notes.

Placers ON the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ing Notes.
Empire camp, which lies four miles
west of Curlew creek and about 90 from
Republic, is once more attracting attcn-
tion. There was a boom there little
more than a year ago, but it subsiaed
and since then everything has been mov-
ing slowly. The ores are a combination
of gold, silver and copper and the ledges
are strong. Their values are such as
nary inducement to investors. A gen
tleman who is thoroughly posted on min
ing WIS in the camp few days since,
and says:
"There is no doubt about tine 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. they
are too sparing OF each either for their
own good or that of the country. II the
owners would display half the activity in
developing some of their lodges that they
did in making and setting stake', there
would undoubtedly have been more than
one mine in camp ere this. What the
camp most needs at this time is the III
fusion of new blood. This must come be-
fore there will be great material progress
in the shape of development. There are
a few holders who while probably not bur-
dened by wealth have some energy, and
spare muscle. and are now using it "a
some purpose.
There are some excellent shuwings in
the camp. Among those that are mere
than ordinarily promising and upon which
work is now in progress or soon will be
is the Crown Point. 1t has 2O-foot
shaft and about five feet OF solid quartz.
1t is said that the ore averages some
thing over $50 per ton.
PIncers ON the Reservation.
Placer gold in paying quantity has
been discovered on the north half of the
reservation, and the coming spring viii
probably see lively camp on Boulder
creek. II. II. Redman has been in Re.
public for few days looking after bisi-
ness matters. He is the locator and dis
eoverer of the placer diggings. He said
Il was convinced that placer rineS
could be found ON the reservation, and as
l believe such properties offer quicker
returns than quartz propositions ! start.
ed on vigorous search. went 20 Boul-
der creek, which is about 10 mics west
of Meyers creek. The indications pointed
unmistakably to the existence OF gold in
the stream and on the low bars. ] sank
few holes and found gravel. fonn'l
gold in all of them, occasionally getting
coarse pieces ranging from cents to
10 cents in value. Colors were plentiful.
After prospecting over large area OF
ground became satisfied that when
operated with a sluice il would pay about
$5 per day to each man working. At a
conservative estimate the ground will pay
30 cents per cubic yard from top to bot
tom. The gravel contains few boulders
of any great size. 1t is loose enough to
ground sluice advantageously.
81 am putting in bedrock 6ume and
have reached depth of nine feet, but
am not on bedrock. So far have ground
sluiced only, but as soon as I get the up
per end Of the lume to bedrock shall
put in hydraulic plant. The :,rourd is
geographically well adapted to that style
of mining. The creek has considerable
fall, afrording excellent facilities for
dumping, with no possibility OF hindrancc
from tailings. BY constructing few
hundreds yards of ditch or laying pipe, u
fall of 200 feet can be obtained, which
will be ample to move the gravel rap.
idly.
No u. y. Surveyor Needed.
A decision of the secretary of the in
terror has been received at the land Office
on motion for review OF the commission
er's decision Of April 10, 1898. in the case
of w. ID. McFadden ct al. vs.. the Noun
tain View Mining & Milling Company.
The plaintiffs filed an adverse claim in
the local land Office, which was rejected
for reasons tD that it was not evidenced
in manner prescribed by the rules Of the
department; (2) plat of adverse claim
was not made by deputy United States
mineral surveyor; t3) no showing as TO
value and ownership Of labor and inn
provements upon the claims a4 required
by the rules OF the department These
objections were sustained by the COM
missioner OF the general land Office. The
secretary of the interior now oyerrules
the decision and holds that the adverse as
presented at the local land Office by Nc
Fadden was sufficient and that 1t was not
necessary for deputy United States min
eral surveyor to make survey and plat
which was filed with the adverse.
The secretary follows the decision in
the case of Anchor ct al. VS.. Howe ct al,
50th Federal Reporter, 3G6.
The secretary further holds that rules
made by the commissioner OF the general
land Office can not be binding when said
rules exceed the scope Of the law, there
fore the rule requiring that a deputy
United States mineral surveyor shall
make plat and survey for an adverse
claim is not binding and does not have
the force and effect Of law.
First BunaIo Hump Deal.
A Spokane man took the first bond on
one of the promising claims in the Buff
falo Hump district OF Idaho, where the
recent exciting stampede took place. The
claim is the Hobson's Choice. and II. NJ.