Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1905-11-03
MERLIN IS PR0SPERING
HAS A BUILDING BOOM
Trade Center for a La rye, Rich
Section-Bright Future Pre-
dicted for the Town.

Merlin, Oct 3l-Msrlin is enjoying
a period of prosperity greater than
has been her lot in the past and the
Oldest residents are confident that
she is Just beginning the accomplish
ment of her destiny, great as the full
ness of time may decree it to be.
New houses are being built, new
business establishments opening NJ
and industrial enterprises projected
that will make the town a commercial
center for the rich mineral districts of
the surrounding hills.
Vast results are expected from the
sale of the gold Standard group of
nine claims lying four miles west of
Merlin, This property was owned by
II. E. Booth, who sold it three
months ago to Messrs. Meter of
Toledo, o.. and Haviland of Spok-
ane, Today Mr.. Booth received a
telegram from Mr., Meter stating
that their mining engineer had
started from the east and would ar.
rive Saturday. His coming means
that active development work will
commence on the big l6 foot ledge at
once and it is anticipated that a
large force of men will he employed.
The ore is chaloopyrite, a sulphide of
copper. carrying good values of gold
and averaging $4l to the ton in a
series of critical tests. The vein is
a contact, with the hanging walls of
porphyry and the footwall of diorite.
Another result expected from the
opening up of the Gold Standard
group.is the establishment Of a smelter
at Merlin to reduce the output and
high hopes are entertained that his
enterprise will be under way in a
short time.
No factor is more potential for the
continued development and prosperity
of Josephine county than that the
trade of her mining camps is being
centralized in the communities con =
tiguous to each. Commerce Is then
kept at home in an increasing yearly
proportion aud business establish.
ments are receiving the benefit to
which both local interests and their
enterprise entities them This inter.
dependence of production and trade
is Of first importance and must be
fully recognized If progress is to be
achieved
A striking concrete example Of this
truth is given by the Merlin Mer-
camille Company Of Merlin. Estab-
lished August 9TH last, with Mr.. L.
Olanton as manager, and carrying a
large line Of general merchandise.
thriving trade has been built up.
Large orders have just been filled for
companies operating in the Silver
creek and Galice mining districts
This money. which formerly went to
Portland merchants for needed sup.
plies, is now being spent at home and
Is thereby adding its full share to the
advancement Of the county's interests.
W. A Massie, who operates the
ferry across the Rogue river and car
ries the mail 10 the Galice district
is building large new hotel in
Merlin. The structural part OF the
building is now up, bat further work
has been temporarily delayed to await
the arrival Of the finishing lumber
When completed the hotel will be the
largest north Of Grants Pass in the
county and will be furnished with all
modern Improvements and conyen.
isnces.
The main county bridge over Jump.
off.Joe creek, one mile from here. is
being replanked and otherwise made
a stronger and better structure than
formerly.
Another new business building re-
Gently pot up is that OF 4. Jones,
who has opened large general stock
Of hardware and is doing a good busi
ness.
@. NJ. Smith formerly Of Grant.
Pass has opened up a barber shop In
a new structure and is about TO add
several improvements Of importance
to his line Of business.
william VI Richards and Prof. j
p. Mcconnell, both Of whom are en-.
gagged in the general merchandise
trade, report increasing business and
are having their full share of all that
comes.