The daily sentinel., 1905-09-30
RICH in
MINERAL
Is the Uintah Forest Re-
Serve-Destined To Be
A Rich Mining District
Says An Old Resident

Much is heard nowadays regard
ing the mineral resources of the
uiniah reservation, people who have
visited Grand Junction and various
reports In the newspapers of this
state and Utah have declared that
there is rich mineral lands in the
reservation.
According to letter received by
Major S X. Hooper. general pas
senger agent of the Denver & Rio
Grande. the reservation. especiaIlv
that portion of it set aside as a forest
reserve is rich in mineral products.
and when it is finally thrown open
II Will prove to be a great mining
district.
The mining deposits are quite
varied. although copper and gilson-
lite predomlnate. According to the
writer w. II, Smith. who has long
been a resident of that section and
is familiar with the country, 1t is
believed that considerable portion
of the land filed upon last month con
tains rich mineral wealth. The let
ter is as follows:
Uintah Reservation, Myton, Utah.
September 21, 1905.
Mr.. S. X. Hooper. General Passenger
Agent Rio Grande. Denver:
My Dear Sir-A word about the
mineral lands of the reservation:
The mineral resources OF the Uintah
reservation are as yet unknown, and
no locations of mineral can be made
until sixty days from the opening, or
until October Is; but on the forest
reserve, recently set aside prospec-
tors have been abroad for three
weeks and are finding some fine
specimens of ore. especially copper. !
In one assay of SG5 to the ton silver !
and lead predominated. Gold values |
seem to run low as far as definite in |
formation has been obtained Con- |
siderable of gold rock has been |
shown, but whether from the reser- |
walton or from districts beyond Is the |
query, for there are irresponsible peo- |
pie here, both of the Utes and whites |
As prospecting has but begun, It |
is too soon to form an intelligent |
opinion of the kinds and extent of |
the minerals on thoaf forest reserve. |
Down in the region OF the agricultu-
raj lands more definite information
has been obtained of the various |
deposits through the mining com |
panies having concessions on the res
ervation for several years. They are |
operating gilsonite and elaterite |
mines, and have located numerous
claims which are shown on the |
government maps. A copper claim |
of Gf0 acres, and assaying SS5 to |
the ton in copper silver and lead, has |
been located near the eastern bound
airy of the reservation a few miles |
from Grand river and as to 100 |
miles from the finds on the forest |
reserve. This vein is fourteen feet |
in thickness and unknown in extent |
Near the southern boundary of the |
reservation and outside of it is the |
Pariette gilsonite mine, or many |
mines, that have been workel for
several years; and east of the Green |
river; ON the old Uncompahgre res
ervation. are vast deposits belonging |
to the St. Louis gilsonite company |
the produce being shipped over the |
uintah railway to the mains line of |
the Rio Grande, thence TO eastern
markets.
In the vicinity of Cotton. Utah.
are large deposits of mineral wax
known as elaterite. and at Vernal |
is sand asphaltum. with which the |
there and at FIT. Duchesne |
are laid. In many Localities a good
article of b'tumenous coal has been
discovered, and a mine on the reser-
yation has furnished coal for the
agency and the army post for years.
During the present week a vein OF
y
town site; not on the plated portion.
but little east in the cliffs set aside
for reservoir purposes.
There is evidently enough in sight
in the Uintah basin. enough already
assured. to attract mining people
when the mineral lands shall be open
ed to the public. And the fact that
these various deposits are in close
proximity to and even under the agri-
lands has induced many peo-
pie TO file on homesteads. hoping that
under the surface something good
would be found after patent for the
land had been issued.
Utah can challenge comparison
with any of the other states in the
Union in mineral resources. and now
this new empire. until so recently
closed to the public can be counted on
for adding immensely to the states
output Respectfully.
WILLIAM IL. SMITH.