The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-04-24
The Forum
Opinions of the Readers of the
Eagle on Current Topics.

BIG STRIKE NEAR MORRISON, O. t.
To the Eagle:
| In a section of the country. three miles
south of Morrison, Noble county, o. T.,
| large dixie some two miles long rears
| itself above the surrounding country.
This branches off in a succession of small
er ridges forming at this point the divide,
or watershed, between the Arkansas and
Cimmaron rivers. as the water on each
side empty into these rivers.
What formed this upheaval seems to be
wrapped in mystery, as history and the
oldest settlers do not seem to know.
The formation indicates at one time
a low lying lake region, the highest alti-
tude at the present time is only about
! 1000 feet.
At the western end of this dixie near the
county line between Payne and Noble
counties, is found a large quantity of cop
per ore carrying from thirty-five to forty
ounces to the ton. Through the courtesy
of Mr.. G.. w. Crawford, the lessee, we
were shown over this property also the
! assays. several in number, giving the
amount of mineral per ton. TWO assays
from Denver, Colo, gave respectively 81
per cent and 40 per cent copper, and a
fraction of over So of silver to the ton.
An assay made at the United States mint
at Denver, gave 40 per cent copper. One
from Morency, Arizona, gave so per cent.
while another at the Agricultural college
at Saltwater. O. T., gave IS per cent.
proXimate to nearly 30 copper. The sill
yer added to this at the market value of
the two metals would bring the value up
to $4,000 a ton.
Mr.. Crawford has lately signed a con-
tract with New York and Joplin parties
for the working OF this property.
AS they are practical business men and
own and operate large mines in Joplin,
Mo, and New Mexico, it goes without
saying that things will get a hump on
themselves, as soon as they get their out
fit on the ground, which Will be in a very
few days
This section like Cripple Creek, a few
years ago. was a famous cattle range.
and the sportive cowboy as he galloped
over these ridges after the festive
longhorn and his bronchos hoofs
spurned the green and blue rocks,
hoofs spurned the green and blue rocks.
little dreamed he was riding over a for
tune that would be opened up some day
after the long-horn and his owner had
passed on to other fields.
And the little Pawnee pappoose. as he
played among the riffs on the hillside
with his Sauna Hoa+ Ii-tla Thought tho,
the white man would come to this ridge
with the big chug- chug-chug (steam drilD
and open up the hillside in his efforts to
obtain the painted stones which perhaps
later his Uncle Sam at Washington would
make into the red and the white Paw
pee-ches (money1.
We visited the farm of Mr.. r. Buchan-
an, three miles northeast Of Saltwater
the countyseat of Payne county. Near
the south side of this farm stone quar-
~ IS opened up. Mr.. Buchanan has fur
nshed from his quarry the principal part
Of the Curb-stones for the business streets
of Saltwater. The rock from this quarry
is a dark gray and very heavy. On ex-
animation it was found TO contain both
silver and copper, and If run through a
concentration and properly handled. would
give a value from ten TO fifteen dollars
per ton.
Everybody seems To be talking oil in
this country. and well they may. as the
indications all point that way. and are
very sood. oil is found here on the
springs in places. also in some OF the
wells. and the Creeks have that peculiar
scum o nJhe surface which Is seen in any
oil region. Several oil companies are or
eanized in this vicinity. prominent among
them Is the Pioneer Co. Of Morrison
This company IS made up principally OF
rich farmers in the valleys some twenty
in number and we are told they have
money enough raised among themselves
10 buy all necessary machinery The off
Gers Of this company are all old settlers
and are men Of sterling integrity.
Capt Ed 2. Svmthe Of Sterling. Kan.
is here prospecting for copper one-haIf
mile west of Morrison. He Is working in
the interest Of Joplin parties and expects
70 hit the ooppear bearing rock AZ eighty
feet a. w FORD
Morrison. o. T.
Robert Malzshn. justice Ct the peace
and saiooakceper 81 Good Thunder. MINI.
was Fecetnly arrested Tor selling adutler-
ated brandy. lie Vas tried before hirn-
self. found guilty. and sentenced 10 pay
fine OF s.. The fine was PAID and
justice satisfied.