Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1902-09-11
SOUTHERN OREGON COPPER
MINES.


In spite Of the evident decline OF
copper in the markets OF the world,
there is no decline IN the activity
manifest in copper mining in Southern
Oregon. few years ago copper
mines were comparatively unknown
in the mining districts Of this sec
tion of ths state now everybody that
doesn't own gold mine or pros
pect' owns a copper mine, and very
likely he may own all three. The
copper mines Of southern Oregon are
confined to the Waldo district princi-
pally, which extends along the west
ern border of Josephine county, and
crosses the line into Del Norte county,
Col There are number Of rich
mines on the California side, but as
they can only be reached by way of
Josephine county, they are practically
in southern Oregon and may right
fully be claimed by this district.
The great McVey copper mines,
situated just south of the Josephine
county line, have been recently sold
by the owners and discoverers to a
Montana company for considera-
tion of $500, 600. 1t was bat little
over a year ago that these mines were
first discovered. They were then
part Of district that was naught
but a roaring wilderness in the
midst of rugged mountains and deep
forests they were not very inviting
prospect; but since their discovery,
sufficient development work has been
done upon them to show that they
will become as great if not greater
producers of copper, than the cele-
brated Iron Mountain and Keswick
mines of Shasta county, Cal, which
are situated just over the diviue and
farther south.
The recent purchasers of the McVey
mines, are men with capital, and they
will make of these properties just
what men and money have made of
the Iron Mountain and Keswick mines.
Their first work will be to bring the
mines nearer civilization. This will
be accomplished by the building of
railroad either to the coast, or
connecting with the Southern Pacific.
They may build west and connect
with the line that is to be built from
here to Crescent City; by so doing
they will have direct connections
either with the ocean or with the
Southern Pacific. They will at least
give them thorough development,
and with this the surrounding mines
and prospects will also open up.
There is considerable rush on for
the newly discovered copper fields
of the Diamond Creek country, To-.
Gated on the Greg California line
in Josebhine county, Oregon, and in
Del Norte county, Cal Nearly every
day parties leave here for these new
and rich fields and many claims are
being taken up, both by local mining
men and by people from distance.
The specimens of copper ore brought
to this city from the new districts
are the finest and best brought
from any of the districts The speci-
mems are chunks of pure copper or
electrum ores. Colonel j. W. Craw-
ford, of Philadelphia, was the first
discoverer of copper in the district
and the new district has been named
Camp Crawford in his honor Colonel
Crawford has large crew of men
at work developing his several claims
and sacking ore for shipment He has
already shipped quantity Of ore and
has large quantity more ready for
shipmednt. He is removing the ore
by quarrying-scooping il out by
the ton. The big chunks being sacked
can hardly be called ore as they are
really pure metal. 1t is doubtful if
anything like it has ever before been
discovered anywhere.