The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1899-05-31

of ore have been consumed out of
I34. o00, 900 tons mined the past 43
years, Ii the natural increase of con-
sumption continues, the hard ore
mines Of this region must in a year or
two be taxed as they have never been
before. unless new properties are
discovered and opened up to relieve
the shortage OF which iron ore men
are beginning to complain.
In all this discussion by iron ore
authorities there has never been
word said about Cook county, Mimi.
There is a tradition that there is no
understandable iron ore in that
county, but this idea is gradually
dispelling. The Mesaba and Vermil-
ion range interests have always been
unfriendly to the iron prospects of
Cook county. 1t was said that the
ore found there contains so much tit
anium that the properties could not
be successfully worked. This report
has been repeatedly confirmed, and it
appears to be fact that the ores of
the northern part Of that county,
which are known as magnetic. do
contain large amount Of titanium.
There seems, also, To be considerable
divergence of view as to the extent
OF the ore deposits in Cook county.
The reports made on this point are
undoubtedly influenced in large de-
gree by the interests Of the person
giving the infoI nation. One mining
man of Duluth. who is known through
the iron industry and who is regard
ed as an authority, says that the ore
deposits of Cook county exist largely
in the imagination. He says that lie
explored the county for ore very thor
oughly several years ago, and that he
is convinced they are unlmportant as
to extent, and not desirable at that.
Despite this bearish report on the
iron ore resources of Cook county,
there certainly can be no mistake
that there are extensive deposits. but
how extensive deposits, but how ex-
tensive and how desirable is a matter
for the future to tell.
1t is certain that the iron ore inter-
ests are beginning to move on Cook
county. but who is behind the move
ment is a matter of mere speculation.
The Johnson Nickel company has &C
quired large tracts Of iron property in
that county, near the Gunfiint range,
and it has two diamond drills at
work, and has had for more than
year, ascertaining the extent and
character of the ore eeposits. 1t has
been popularity supposed that the
johnson people were after nickel ores,
without any thought, except in an
incidental way, Of the possibility of
deposits of black ores. Now it trans
pires that they are after only black
ores, and that nickel ores constitute
the side issue. A man in position
to know great deal about the John
son Nickel company said yesterday:
Il do not know who is behind the
Johnson Nickel company, but it is
some exceedingly strong factor in the
iron and steel business. 1t is popu-
larry supposed that they are after
nickel ores, of which there are some
in Cook county. but l learned rot
long ago that the nickel ore proposit-
ion is secondary to the real search
which is simply for iron ore. l was
quite surprised, myself. when learn
searching for iron ore. for it has been
widely published that it was nickel
ore, and nickel ore only, that it was
after; and WAS all that they expected
so get. Much has been said about
the titanium that has been found ia
Cook county ores, wish to say that
there have been important develop
ments in the knowledge ON this sub
ject. The titanium gradually disap-
pears from the ores as depth is at
tanned. This fact Is not generally
known and it was the Johnson people
that discovered it. There are unQueS-
tionably large deposits of iron ore in
Cook county, and the fact that the
titanium disappears from the ores
at considerable depth below the sur
face is of the utmost Importance at
this time, when iron ore properties
in demand. 1t is my opinion that
some of the big iron and steel inter-
ests are behind the Johnson people.
We do not need to be told that there
are many, keen, farsighted men in
the business. l suspect Henry w.
Oliver of knowing something about