, 1901-12-12

states of the Union, it is an idle preju-
dice that would say Its no use to
mine in Wyoming"
1t is an interesting fac hat some
of the earliest gold discoveries in the
west were reported from the confines
of this state but were ~discredited at
the time and there are some who are
not convinced even yet.
The great tide of emigration that
swept across the country fifty years
ago brought p~rospectors and miners
whose efforts were rewarded by the
gold discoveries OF what afterwards
became known as the Sweetwater Gold
Mines at South Pass in Fremont Coun.
ty.
These discoveries have been extend
ed with varying success until the pres
ent day when gold is known to exist
in every county of the state, with a IL
thentic reports of pay ore that has
been worked in ten of the thirteen
counties.
Silver and lead are found in six
counties, copper ore in eight. CONNER
cial iron ores in five, oil that is adapt
ed for every s and is shown to be
of superior quality in the different
kinds in six counties and coal in every
county of a grade varying from a semi
anthracite to the later lignites which
are now attracting so much attention
from fuel experts. This list might be
indefinitely extended but space does
not permit.
1t has been said many times that
Wyoming was destined to become the
Pennsylvania of the Rockies but this
should be revised to imply that she
| will become great not only in the Penn
sylvanian products but also in pro-
ducts peculiarly her own, such as So
das, gypsum, asbestos etc,
The geological formations in which
these and other minerals are found are
but now beginning to be understood
and cannot be discussed here.
The experience gained at great cost
in other mining centers, is proving a
great factor in developing u pros
poets and u%nravelling the mystery that
has SO long surrounded the mineral
wealth of the state.
The rich copper ores found here
need no assistance from me, they are
here and speak for themselves and dre
known wherever copper is mined.
1t is believed that n of the prin-
| cipal sources of wealth in this State
will be the opening up of low grade con-
~centrating copper ores similar to those
noted in several localities in southern
| Carbon County, and in Laramie and
Albany Counties; also, low grade gold
ores similar in value to those known
Pass country but perhaps occurring
under different conditions.
These ores present typical features
of their class and as they are opened
up and understood and the treatment
is perfected, other parts of the State
will receive the attention they deserve
and be explored for similar ores with
the additional light thus gained.
Placers rich enough to pay on a
small scale were the first attraction TO
the miner and were promptly worked
to the limit of the crude apparatus
then used. The placers now known are
only profitable on a large scale like
those in Albany County and some in
Fremont County that have been work
ed this year by an improved system
of giants and hydraulic elevators.
The vast deposits of alkaline earths,
sodas. etc, the plastic minerals such
as clays. %fireclays ETC., that form such
a large part of our state, l can but
mention but it is a fact beyond ques-
ton that greater amounts Of the min
erals necessary for the basis Of a great
err variety of manufactured products
are found here in a pure natural state
than in any other similar known area.
The numerous mineral springs
known to exist in different parts Of
the state. are attracting attention
from the outside world by reason Of
their medicinal and curative qualities
and give promise of being a source Of
revenue to the State.
What Has Been Done.
The amount OF gold that has been
produced in this state is practically un-
known but is undoubtedly considera-
BILE; the only authoritative figures OBJ,
tainable come from the South Pass
country and are given at about 81. 500.-
900. The reason assigned for this con-
dition Is that . great deal of Wyoming
gold has been marketed In adjoining
states and not credited to this state.
Now Is the time to take up this mat
ter with the proper authorities and