Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1898-06-17
.sss7. 2ss .o5 s7ss, 562 81 sss, 2s4 :

Totals :. 1851. PCS .O5 $763, j62 81 SCI 294 Sc
Thi, indicates an increase amounting to
sO6.2o4 81 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 refneres handl-
inc the product Of the mines, and from
the records of the government minis and
assay offices receiving the bullion from
thi, 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
in certain instances, as practically the
entire output is from 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 productive and perma.
nent basis. Intense activity has charac-
terzed 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 500, 294.56 in to.
tai yield of $763, 562 81, or over 81 per
cent, thus becomes of paramount import
ance in that it shows a growth OF this
industry from prospecting and 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 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 sI
at the United States mints and assay offices
during the caledar year 1897:
GOLD.
Institution STANDARD Ounces. Na'le
Assay Offices
Helena. . . ......... 1854 .212 : &c. 2l7. 81
New York 1893 ESQ
Boise - A. Ols 1898. 81
MINIS
Philadelphia 1864 14sl 9.
san Francisco 34O5. 7s4 60. 1863. A.
Total w S1s2 GIL sl52 23i. 81