The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1910-07-14

on outside Goals give them an Rdvan-
tage; that is. their markets must be
local and probably small These lig-
mites and lower grade bituminous
Goals have a wide distribution In
Alaska. and some of them viii have
great value to local industries.
Peat is very widely distributed IN
Alaska, having been found In nearly
every part Of the territory. The eli
matte conditions, as well as those OF
plant life, in the central and north
ern part OF the territory, seem espe-
cially favorable for the accumulation
Of peat. Everywhere the soil is clothed
with a dense growth OF moss and
other small plants. and the frozen con.
dition OF the subsoil and the short
ness Of the summer season prevent
decay.
Alaska contains a large variety OF
mineral deposits. and these. especially
gold and coal, are widely distributed
The a%uriferous gravels are scattered
over a very large area. but much Of II
is unprospected. There are some
large auriferous lode mines in south.
eastern Alaska and promising lode
prospects in other parts Of the terri.
tory.
Copper mining has been done In two
widely separated coastal districts.
Very promising deposits OF copper ore
occur In two inland belts which are
undeveloped because they are not yet
~~ND-gFbIa hy r,n arH rapra- mo-
poets have been found elsewhere in
the territory.
Tin, marble. gypsum and petroleum
have been produced from Alasian de-
posits: iron and other minerals prob
ably have future commercial value.
Mining began about 1850 and pro.
crossed slowly for nearly two decades.
since which Advancement has been
very rapid. Much OF tho Pacific sea
board. with It's cheap transportation.
strong relief. abundant water power
and timber. and equablo climate, Is
most favorable 20 low costs Of mi
ming. These conditions have resulted
In the development OF one OF the
largest low grade gold mining enter,
prises In the world. as well "A some
others OF considerable magnitude.
They have also favored the success.
ful exploitation OF comparatively low
grade copper ores, ever at the low
market value OF the metal during the
past year.
Though placer mining has been
carried on In Alaska for nearly 80
years. II has been chiefly by tho crude
methods OF the pioneer hat more than
500, 600 900 worth OF gold has been
won from the auriferous grayels. The
modern epoch OF placer mining. with
labor saving machinery. has only Just
begun, and the field IN which such
methods arc used Is capable OF much
expansion. Though the future dis
covery Of bonanzas. such as have
made Alaska famous in the past. can.
not be predicted. Il Is certain tina.
the possibilities Of new hnds are IA
from being exhausted. and that Their,
are hundreds OF creeks known 20 b.
auriferous which may yield gold II
commercial quantities when mean
are found TO reduce the present cos
OF operation.
Tho inland copper districts avail
the railway transportation. which vii
not only lead 20 the development o
known deposits. but also stimulate
further search for ore bodies. sucl
Developments Of q lode mining indus
try viii give a larger permanent POT
ulation-at proseut Alaska's creates
+ need.
! A full Development OF the nininl
} industry IL possible only By the IN