East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1904-12-17

In recent publication of the Unit
ed states geological survey called "A
geological reconnaissance across the
Cascade range near the 49th parallel"
Messrs. George Otis Smith and Frank
C. Calkins give some interesting de-
tails regarding the mineral resources
of that part of the state of Washing
ton. This reconnaissance was made
In connection with an inspection of
the northwest boundary line, under
taken at the request of the secretary
of state,
Okanogan valley has been the scene |
of mining operations for a considera-
BILE period The search for placer
gold dates back to the time of the |
original survey of the boundary when |
coarse gold was found on the Simil- |
kameen, Immediately south of the
49th parallel, in quantities that caused
great excitement.
In later years development work
has been carried on to a considerable |
extent in the gold quartz mines, al
though there was less activity in 1901, !
the year when Messrs. Smith and Cal
kins visited the district, than a few
years before.
The Palmer mountain tunnel near
Loomis had been driven for several
thousand feet into greensboro, and
had cut 2S veins. The country rock
| is granite and the vein material
quartz and pyrite, with free milling
gold except where galena occurs in
association. The highest value in
these lead ores is $40, but the aver
age gold value is reported as about
$25, with silver never exceeding four
ounces.
In the Okanogan mountains, from
Mount Chopaka west to Pasayten
river and along the higher part of the
HaZomeen range, the country in the
vicinity of the 49th parallel appears to
be barren of ore deposits In the lower
valley of Pasayten river the alluvial
gravels were thoroughly test-bitted
many years ago without promising re-
suits.
In the vicinity of Barron, as well
as below, on Slate and Ruby creeks,
there have been mining operations.
Several mines were worked at Barron
ana prospectors are active through
out the Slate Creek district. Recent
ly, hydraulic mining on large scale
was attempted at the mouth of Ruby
creek, where placers once yielded
rich returns to the miners, but the
extensive plant, which includes
long and expensive flume, has proved
failure. Prospecting has been
done on the upper Skagit in the vicin-
ity of Lightning creek, but no sue
cess has been reported.
The Mount Baker district is more
promising field for investigation
Some veins of free-milling gold have
been found and partly developed. The
first find of importance in this dis
trict was made as late as 1891 ana
the mine that was developed in con-
sequence is the only one that could be
said to be on producing basis IN
1901. This is the Lone Jack, one or
the Post-Lambert group Of claims, on
the eastern slope of Bear Mountain
and near the head of the west FORK
of SILICA, or Slesse creek. The VEN
is four to five feet of clear-looking'
solid quartz, and the ore, which oc-
ours throughout the vein, is both free
gold and telluride. Tt was reported
as averaging $25 to $50 to the ton.
Another type of ore deposit is at
the Grand Excelsior mine on Welis
creek. about one mile southeast of the
bridge over the Nooksak Sulphides
occur here scattered through an 1r-
regular body of mineralized rock that
4 appears to be near the surface ana
approximately parallel with the slope.
4 Other properties on Tummeahai
creek and in the vicinity of Hannegan
and Twin Lake basins were VISITED
by Messrs. Smith and Calkins but
underground development had not
reached a point where much could pe
ascertained as to the true value OF the
ORE deposits. Cold appears to be the
principal ore value, but both silver
and copper ore are also reported
Productive coal mines are found IN
the extreme northwest part OF Wash-
ington at Cokedale and at Blue can
Won. In Skagit valley. near Hamii-
ton. there are also coal prospects VI
beds. but no development has peer
accomplished at that locality. None
of these localities was visited In the
course of this reconnaissance, ana ol
others that were visited none appears
sufficiently encouraging to warran'
development. Among them was
prospect in the Swauk formation IT
the hills southwest of wenatchee' 1,
is noteworthy that the important Goa
measures in the Cascade mountains
southwest of this locality are not II
} the Swauk formation, but In tnt
younger Roslyn formation. Three Goa
prospects in the vicinity of the inter.
national boundary that were VISITED
are briefly described.
J This bulletin (No. 1859 is published
for gratuitious distribution and may
be obtained on application to the di,
rector of the United States geological
survey, washington, D. G.
A Frightened Horse,
Running like mad down the street