Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-05-16
GREAT. ACTIVITY
IN CGPPERFIELD
New Territory on the Snake
River Will Be Trib-
utary to Here

w. o. Marks has just returned from
a trip into the mining belt that lies
on Snake river between here and
Huntington and has made some val
liable observations concerning the ac-
tivities of section that will become,
naturally, a part of the Lewiston ter
Titory when the new road is complet-
cd. 1t has great resources in mines
and the activities there at present
snow developments ON large scale.
Speaking of his trip, Mr.. Marks says:
THE new town of Copperfield is
blooming. The town is located on the
huntington Lewiston line of the o. r.
& N. about 10 miles up Snake river
from Lewiston, in the celebrated Seven
Devils copper mining country.
1T is at Copperfield that the OK
bow Electric company is driving three
tunnels, side by side 1000 feet
through the Ok Bow of Snake river.
Each tunnel is 10 feet wide and 22h
feet deep. Above these tunnels they
are constructing dam that will raise
the river to 80 feet. This will change
the course of Snake river, leaving al
most five miles of the river bed prac-
tically dry. This river bed is now all
located in placer claims.
Power for Electric Lines.
"The power house of the Oxbow COM
pany is across Pine creek from Cop
Ierfeld. Two thousand five hundred
horsepower will be generated. This
power will be used to run electric
lines into the Seven Devils mining and
timber country and on the Oregon side
lines will be extended up Pine creek to
the famous Cornucopia gold mines
and tap the enormous timber belts in
that section. This plant will also fur
nish electric power for lighting many
.cf the towns in the surrounding coun-
try.
Railroad by November.
"The railroad company is construct
Ing long tunnel at Copperfield, and
II is estimated that it will take about
is months to complete this piece of
work. The construction company ex-
poets the road to be completed to the
southern end of this tunnel by No
'sember The Ok Bow people are put
ting in temporary electric plant to
supply light and power for both the
railroad and their own tunnels. This
plant will cost about $4,000, and the
power will be generated from the wa
ters of Pine creek. They are also in
Sailing > large sawmill, and Pine
creek is now full of logs awaiting the
completion Of the mill.
Working Night and Day.
"The Utah Construction company
company. which has a railroad con-
tract for 81 miles Of road, including
the tunnel has built a fine wagon
road from the south end of the tunnel
over the Ok Bow and across Pine
creek. which they have bridged, to the
north end OF the tunnel, to transport
nachcinery and powder. Work is be-
Eng restricted by lack of men.
"The tunnels will be worked from
both ends by three shifts of eight
hours each. This will give employ
ment to about 240 men at 81 per day.
and 1t is estimated that the pay roll IN
Copperffeld will be over $4,000 per
month inside of so days.
Boom Townsite.
NThe town itself is beautifully sit
ated on the banks of Snake river at
the junction of Pine creek and gently
sloping shores give fine drainage. over
200 lots have been sold in the past
three weeks, and over half of this
number will be occupied by business
houses of all kinds. The town is
booming, and there are good openings
for many lines of business. The rail-
road people have leased ground with
in the city limits for a camp to ac-
500 men. this ground being
l-ased for two years. with the privi-
Iege Of extending the term.
1.-THE Huntington ewiston line Is
being rapidly pushed through from
and at the present time
here are over $500 engaged in the
y orIk.
Tributary to Lewiston.
"All this territory will be tributary
o Lewiston when the road is COM
;leted. and the people are looking to
lewiston as a supply point
Colonel James H. Graham, who
quilt Cripple Crek. Colo, Is secretary
n the copperfield Townsite company.
ind he says the copper mines of the
Seven Devils are the greatest In the
West"