Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-01-11
Even then he is pfor
helm o. deceived
one to believe he is


being deceived
A serious drawback to the prospect
ors efforts in Porto Rico is the fact
that the surface Of the mountains is
covered with a soil composed Of de-
| composed lime rock and volcanic rock,
! which form an unctuous soil many
feet in depth, and which in turn is gen.
| orally covered with a dense growth Of
| tropical vegetation, even to the sum-
mits of the mountains. This soil and
| jungle of vegetation effectually hide
| any metaiiferous veins or dikeS that
may lie beneath, and it is only where
landslide occurs, or the soil is re-
moved by artificial means, that a min
eral bearing vein may be accidentally
discovered.
Iron exists in abundance everywhere
on the island, the entire soil being
strongly impregnated with this metal.
An immense deposit Of magnetic iron
ore of great purity, containing more
than so per cent of iron and scarcely
more than trace Of PHOSPHORUS, has
been discovered near Juncos. This de-
post forms sort of hill about 500
feet high. 1t is estimated that it con-
tains 100000 tons of ore in sight.
Many valuable deposits of mineral
fertilizers occur, particularly in the
western part of the island. These are
mostly in the form of chalk and shell
marls and lime phosphates. The phos-
pilates are many Of them rich in plant
food, as has been practically demon
strated. In one deposit alone, located
in an immense limestone cavern near
Guyanilla, there is estimated to be
more than 100000 tons of phosphate,
easily accessible, and only three miles
from an excellent harbor, navigable by
schooners and similar light craft. The
commercial value of this natural fertil-
iZer is sufficient, doubtless, to warrant
its shipment to the states at a good
profit.
One rich in platinum, and with a
trace of gold similar to the platinum
ore found in Colombia and Panama,
has been discovered in a valley some
fifteen miles northwest of Ponce
American resident of Ponce has dis
covered large deposit of pure an
thracite coal, which crops out at the
surface along the bank of a ravine. In
the western part Of the island is also
found good quality of Ignite re-
sembling "Stone," or camel coal,
which is compact and hard and sus-
ceptible of fine polish.
Besides the minerals named, CLAWS in
original and redeposits are numerous,
some of which are of excellent quality
for the manufacture of brick and tile
Beautifully, variagated marble is
found in various parts of the island,
usually in the foothills adjacent to the
coast. The finest specimens of this
mineral are found near Juana Diaz.
Thermal springs, strongly impreg-
mated with mineral salts, abound,
many of which possess medicinal prop
critics valuable in various blood dis
eases and kidney troubles
The soil Of the whole island is of an
unctuous, greasy nature, due to it's
composition Of clay, broken down lime
rock, and iron. This soil is decidedly
detrimental to good roadmaking, but it
is strong and rich in plant food
The known mineral resources of
Porto Rico are extensive and valuable,
and, Judging from the geological feat
ures of the island. the yet undeveloped
and undiscovered mineral wealth will
far surpass that Illready known.
That there are races of gold II ~..e
gravel and sands of every stream is
conceded by everyone. The inference
is irresistible that there exists some
where on the island an immense orig
inal ledge of vein from which these I'M
mistakable traces of gold have been
worn down by erosion and carried
along by the current of the stream
Some day some inquisitive American
prospector may strike the mother
vein" and become a modern Porto
Rican Croseus. Of this there can be but
little doubt