Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1898-06-15

Totals 1861, 26S % $I63, 562 81 $66, 294 56
This indicates an increase amounting to
$3.50, 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 refineries 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 breach of confidence
in certain instances, as practically the
entire output is from a single mine and
thus what has been given to this bureau
in confidence would really become public.
To review the yield and the origin of
precious metals in the state of Washing
ton it is necessary to go 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 oblivious to the many dis
coveries and locations and the develop
ment of the same.
The increased production has an import.
ance beyond that expressed in the above
figures in that the development of the
mineral resources of the state is being es-
tablished on a productive and perma
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 in 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 $66,294.56 in to.
tai yield of $763,562.6l, or over 81 per
cent, thus becomes of paramount import
ance in that it shows a growth of this
industry from prospecting and a desultory
production to 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 inaccessibility of the mineral dis
tricts has retarded an earlier and a larg-
er 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
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 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
at the United States mnts and assay Offices
during the caledar year 1897