Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1900-01-11

out success. Gold is found only in
minute particles in the beds of
streams, especially in the eastern and
northeastern parts of the island
Prospectors, chiefly Americans, are
constantly securing the island with the
hope of discovering rich deposits OIL
mineral. The poems also are enthusi-
astic in their endeavors to discover
"ore," and when one of them finds
piece of rock containing iron pyrites
he is sanguine his fortune is made, I'M
til he exhibits sample of this fools
gold' and gleefully exclaims: Mon
cho aro!" and is told that it is moth.
ing but iron sulphide and worthless.
Even then he is prone to believe he is
being deceived.
A serious drawback to the prospect
or's efforts in Porto Rico is the fact
that the surface of the mountains is
covered with 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 dense growth of
tropical vegetation, even to the sum-
mits of the mountains. This soil and
jungle of vegetation effectually hide
any metaliferous veins or bikes that
may lie beneath, and it is only where
landslide occurs, or the soil is re-
moved by artificial means, that 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 60 per cent. of iron and scarcely
more than trace of PHOSPHORUS, has
been discovered near Juncos This de-
posit forms a sort of hill about 500
feet high. 1t is estimated that it con-
tains 35,0OO,O00 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
| it's shipment to the states at 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.
A few miles northwest of Utuado an
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 a 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, clays 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
| ~
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 its
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 already known.
That there are traces of gold in the
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.
WINNING AN ARGUMENT.