Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-06-30


tunnel, obtained some rich samples
of ore and started on a long tramp
up the river. Mr.. Ostermann is edu-
Gated in chemistry and metalurgy.
He can put any crue mineral into So
luton and some of the ore from their
mine is so rich in copper that merely
dipping a nail into the solution coates
1t with that metal The ore which
they are taking is all about the same
quality as all the mines in this group,
showing rich blendings of gold, sill
yer, copper, lead and antimony.
Some Of the Other Mines.
There are many other mines in the
Santiam mining country which are be-
ing developed, which lie about 40
miles north of the Quartzville district
in Linn county. Among these are the
"Sunnyside,' owned by G. c. Holt and
other Portland parties, showing many
lodges of mineral quartz. The Poor
Mans" Mine Company of Portland,
also have some valuable properties.
One of the first mines as you go up the
North Fork is the "Pierce-Slater"
mine, formerly owned at Salem.
There is a group of about IL mines
known as the Mineral Harbor
Claims" which are awaiting develop
ment. 1t would require a page of
this paper to enumerate the mining
claims that have been located in the
Eastern part of Marion county, and it
seems that this industry is the last
one to be developed in our community.
To illustrate the extent of the mining
companies doing business in this sec
tion, it may be stated that the incor |
.poration tax amounts to nearly $1,000. |
The Eddy bill falls heavily on these |
new enterprises that are not yet pay
ing dollar. 1t would seem to be
proper amendment of this law, that
mines undergoing development work
not be taxed until the corporation be-
comes a dividend paying concern.
Roads Should Be Opened.
Nothing should be left undone to
open a wagon road from Elknorn in
to this mining district. The PROPOSE
tion of the mine owners to construct
and grade a road, providing the coun'
ty will put in the bridges, is liberal
and practical. That would insure the
immediate erection of stamp mills,
and the first carload of concentrates
shipped out to a smelter would DEM
onstrate the incalculable mineral
wealth of this region. Thousands OF
miners and labors would be employed
within a few years, and, where thou
sands of dollars are now being sunk
on tunneling and prospecting, nun
dreds of thousands would be coming
back to Marion county from the miner
al product. The Journal has given this
industry considerable space. The edi-
tor of this paper has taken the time
to thoroughly investigate these mining
properties. He believes there is more
substantial merit in this industry than
in any new enterprise that is offered |
to the people of Oregon for encour'
agement or investigation.
Credit to Our County Court
County Judge Scott and Commits |
sioners Needham and Miley deserve the
appreciation of the people for taking
time to tramp over the mountain trails
and endure the discomforts of making
the personal research necessary to be-
come familiar with the facts. While
the court was out on this trip they
learned a great deal about building
roads in new country. They inVes'
tigated the work done by number OF
road supervisors, and gained great
deal of practical information about the
conditions under which people on the
frontier and in the mountains are com
PEELED to struggle TO make a living.
The Marion county court has shown a
willingness to consider the facts and
to give the mining industry favorable
consideration. They will make no
mistake If they follow up their Trip
into the Santiam mines by prompt ac-
ton. They will eventuate in the con-
stmction and maintenance of a good
wagon road that can be travelled all
the way around. 1t must not be over
looked that these mines, when they
are once opened, can be worked at all
seasons of the year They will, be
come the central point for the distri-
button of large sums in the employ
ment of labor. The supplies and pro-
visions required for these mining
camps will add to the prosperity of
HEALTHY PLANTS
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