Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-05-18
STERLING
NINE SOLD
The Famous Mine In jackson
County Changes Hands,
Office at ROsebnTg

keny, OF jackson county, 10 'frcd DE-
Blakelcy, of Roseburg, who purchased
it for syndicate Of Eastern and local
capitalists.
The mine has been owned by the
Cook and Ankeny families for nearly
half century, and has produced mil.
lions of dollars in gold.
In the early days it was mined by
hand and as evidence Of the number
of men employed it is known thatwhen
Lincoln was elected president there
were six hundred votes cast for him at
the voting place on this mine.
Mr.. Ankeny's father realized the
great possibilities of the property IL
water could be had to take the place
of manual labor. Away back in the
"7O's" he began the building of
canal to convey the waters Of the Lit
tie Applegate river on to the mine.
Winding around the sides of the great
mountains which hedge the mine in on
all sides this great ditch or waterway
was constructed, and when completed
the canal was twentyseven miles in
length.
The elder Ankeny did not live, how
ever, to see the splendid results Of his
labor. The first year the giants tore
down the banks and when the annual
clean up came, il was found that little
pay dirt had been moved. Shortly
after this the elder Ankeny died. The
work was then taken up by his son,
Hon. Henry f. Ankeny, Of Eugene.
During the next season, under his man
agenment, the mine showed splendid
returns, and has since continued TO do
so every year, making both Mr. Cook
and Mr.. Ankeny very rich men. All
these years Mr.. Ankeny has managed
the property.
The news Of the sale Of the Sterling
caused great deal Of surprise in all
quarters. Mr.. Ankeny stated that he
sold the mine because he had arrived
at an age where he did not care to
mine any longer, and owing to his
large interests in the klamath eoun-
try had not the time to give it the re.
qured attention even il he had the in.
clination.
Mr.. Blakoly, who returned home this
morning, gave out the following inter
view to Review representative:
eyes, have purchased the Sterling
mine, and it Is needless 20 say am well
pleased with my bargain. Some
months ago, the proposition was made
to me, made a careful inspection Of
the property myself, then had some
mining experts pass upon il, and finally
had Mr.. Charles Roberts, our capable
county surveyor, make extensive sur
veys to determine the feasibility Of
putting the water on the Medford side
of the mountain for irrigation and
other purposes. Upon the judgment Of
these various gentlemen, decided to
purchase the property.
"IIsving interested some local
friends in the deal, ] then went East
and succeeded in getting Eastern
friends to join with us, and yesterday
the entire deal was closed up,
''It will take some little time TO de-
eide just how we win proceed, but
can say that this water right covers an
immense territory, included in which
are the great apple orchards of the
Rogue River alley, and they need
water badly. This water right alone
is worth half million dollars of any
man 3 money, and feel safe in saying
that the improvements we contemplate
making will make the mine better
paying proposition in the future than
it has ever been in the past.
"The gentlemen interested whh me
have abundant means to put the prop
erty in shape and make all improve
ments necessary. The offices of the
company will be located in Aoseburg
just who the officers aud directors will
be cannot say, but meeting win b'
held in this city in few days, wher
that matter will be fully settled.
"The price paid for the property il
matter between Messrs. Cook and An
keny and my associates, and while il
is a large sum, I can say we are salts
fed with the purchase and presume the
late owners are equally so.
"Mr. J. d. Heard will be manager
under the new company. He went
south on the overland train this morn
ing to take charge, and was accom-
panied by Mr.. Ankeny,"
Roseburg is fortunate in securing
the headquarters of this large com
pany, and will do its full share toward
the development of our sister county