Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1911-07-21
HONOR TO MAN WHO
DEVELOPS MINING
BY W. ]. Winner, for 80 years
successful placer mining operator In
Josephine County.

fASS ana HOLlHB tue pcIhaHcht uuiiu-
ings, substantial street work, cluster
lights, modern depot buildings and
the Immense stock Of goods In all
/ lines, naturally wonders what there
is back of 1t all to justify such EVIL
dences of permanency.
The visitor sees machinery of ev-
cry kind, also furniture, flour, feed
and potatoes en- route for the inter
ior, and he looks In vain to see what
the country is selling to create bal
ance of trade. There is some lumber,
some fruit, hops, livestock, and a few
smaller items, but he feels certain
that from anything visible on the sur
face the splendid growth of the coun-
try and the city OF Grants Pass is
not based entirely upon Its market
able produce.
The best opportunity for the
stranger or any one else to form a
correct idea as to the main source Of
our money is now an open exhibit for
the public in the Albert building, op,
Dosite the postoffice, on Sixth street,
viz: The mining exhibit under the
auspices Of the Mining Congress.
The mines of Josephine county
more than any other one resource,
have been responsible for the coun-
ty's prosperity and steady growth,
and the satisfied appearance of It's
metropolis.
Silently the miner digs away in
his claim and at. certain intervals he
steals away to town and sells his
dust" Delivery of his crop attracts
no attention, since very few know OF
1t. His output does not loom up like
a load Of hay, wood, hops or wool.
He does not have four horses to pull
Il to market. H has made no pub
lie noise trying to drive" a bargain
on low-freight rate with his neigh
Dor. He does not 60 up ana down
the streets venting his disgust at the
way commission men have unjustly
robbed him In the market centers,
both In price and condition Of ship
ment. That old miner, who 30 quiet
ly drops into town,lugs his gold to
the bank, drops II on the counter,
as II he was about worn out carry
Ing the mean stuff around, gives
sigh Of relief, and the cash market
seeking It, swallows 1t up. The rail-
road officials mop their brows be-
cause the gold output represents 20
many thousands of dollars OF busi-
ness with SO little freight on It, and
the scene is closed
The quiet miner now wends his
way back to his diggings and again
the search begins for the precious
metal" until such time as It becomes
necessary to carry II to the banker
or country dealer. who for many
good reasons, helps him to keep his
secret from the public. Placer gold,
In paying quantities, was scattered
all over the southern Oregon, and, as
result, the placer mines attracted
more attention In the past than the
quartz because easier and more cheap
ly handled as means OF getting
ready cash. The extent and richness
of the placers surely have proven the
existence of rich quartz deposits
deeper In the ground. II the dlsln-
tegration OF the outcrops OF the
ledges have yielded millions OF plac.
er gold, what about the main bodies
OF ore, as yet remaining untouchedi :
The farmer is enabled to trade his
produce for general merchandise, 30
long as the miners dig out the money
with which to buy the merchants
stocks. When the small rancher needs
cash to pay taxes or other debts he
or his boys or all OF them 20 and
mine or work In the mines and square
up accounts.
But for our mines good many
OF our citizens would have to deny
themselves many luxuries now com.
mon, and they would have 10 get one
half OF their profits from their own
economy Produce more OF the nee.
essltles Of life or go without them.
With proper development OF our
vast mineral resources. consisting OF
gold, copper, iron, tin, chrome, plat.
mum and other values too numerouu
to mention, here we may 20 on lndef.
lnitely In our extravaganza. In the
fall we may 30 TO the springs and In
the spring we may 20 the the falls
We may 80 TO all the picture show,
In automobiles and we may, and
doubtless will, 80 10 all OF the centeu.
malls.