Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1901-10-03
Grants Pass nnd Its Mines.

Grants Pass and Its Mines.
Grants Pass is a mining town, from
the fact that it is the center Of q vast
region in which the mineral industry
leads all others. Big, red apples, luscious
peaches and monster melons thrive in
abundance about Grants Pass and brings
its agricultural worth prominently to
view, yet above all these the immense
amount Of gold that has been removed
from the placer beds and quartz veins
OF the district, and the myriad treasures
that still lie hidden and undiscovered,
have made, and will continue to make
Grants Pass a mining town Of no little
Importance on the Pacific coast.
Grants Pass is pretty city, situated
on the north bank of the Rogue, nestling
in the center of a fertile vale, that
spreads out in gentle slope to the
surrounding mounts ins. Oyer 5000 con-
tented people live there contented
because there is naught to cause dis
content. The climate is that OF the
famous Rogue River Valley-neilher
too hot nor too cold. Rain? Yes, on
an average OF about 20 inches each year /;
but no more than is needed, Tor onr OF
the items that make the Josephine
placer mines OF such value is their good
water supply, affording longer runs and
likewise big cleanups.
The city is well equipped With electric
lights, water works with good water,
good schools and plenty of churches.
All lines Of commercial and proles-
sional life are well represented. The
business men are wide awake, and ever
elert to the best interests of the town.
These, like the remainder OF the people,
are prosperous business is good, cash
ready, and bullion plentiful, There
are three banks in Grants Pass, three
newspapers, an opera house, fine city
hall, and a volunteer fire department.
The great fire OF two years ago wiped out
all the wooden buildings in the business
portion, and now that section is made
up OF solid brick blocks.
Southern Oregon quartz mines have
long been noted for their bunchy or
pocket formations, and this, in many
instances has led capital to eyade them.
1t is true that the gold mines Of this dis
trict are Of this nature on the surface,
but IN all instances the big lodges that
have shown up in pockets and punches
on the surface, assume permanent
aspect when followed down, The noted
Greenback mine, of the Grave creek
district, now known as the Victor
Junior, was, when first discovered, sup
posed to be only pocket, as it appear ed
as such but to see the big Victor Junior
at work today, as its great battery OF
stamps keep up ceaseess roar, and
the day and night shift crews remove
the rich rock from the several levels,
will lead one 10 conclude that II is a
pocket" OF more than ordinary dimen-
sions
The same can be said OF the Mountain
Lion, now down 500 feet and working
the richest and best rock yet encountered
in the mine; the Gold Bug, working a
rich pay.chute, on the 50O-loot level
The Rising Star and the Exchequer
with many others are getting deer
down into the earth and finding the
treasures OF gold permanent and un
ialtering in their values.
These things have led mining men tc
conclude that the quartz mines Of the
Southern Oregon districts are not al
pockets. The many undeveloped prop
critics are being developed, and theil
owners are encouraged by the success o
others about them. The past year hal
been one OF great progress in Southern
Oregon mines. Old properties have
added to their equipment, and new onel
have put in stamps and gone e
work in a business'like way. The sue
cess attending these things point towarC
a new era in 0regon's minee, and tn,
hitherto unknown and uurecoguize,
mineral region Of Southern Oregon vii
eventually develop into the richest an,
leading properties OF the state.
From the lower Illinois river distric
to the Siskiyou range Of mountains il
California runs mineral deposit o
copper that is proving OF late to be ih,
richest ledges Of this metal yet foun,
any where in this section OF the world
The belt is known as the Waldo coppe
fields. The district covers an area OF 2
miles wide by 80 long, occupying all 0
southwestern Josephine county.
At the present time there are dozel
mines in the Waldo district bein
worked or developed, while over scor
more claims have been recently staked
and new discoveries are being constant
y made. The snelter is situated a
the Strong group Of mines, and treat
the ore Of the immediate workings
Other smelters are being talked OF 10
the district, as the vast amount Of or
being removed would keep 4 dozen il
operation.
The Waldo district, like all othe
sections Of Southern Oregon, is wei
supplied with wood and water-tw
absolute necessities in mining. Tn
various returns Of assays made on or
removed from tue various mines Of th
district prove that the mines Of thi
belt will compare in richness with th
ore Of the richest copper mines in th
II T. l. a