Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1911-05-08

wealthy mining country of the Carl |
boo, which has produced upwards of
$5O,O0O,OOO in gold during the last
half-century, besides possessing coal
and other minerals, which only await
the transportation facilities which
the new railway will afford, to be-
come the source of enormous wealth.
Then, going from Fort George by
steamboat, north and west, up the
Stewart River to Stewart Lake, the
terminus of navigation at that point
is within 80 miles of the rich Omi-
neca mines. Between these two
points, there has always been found
minerals of every description, copper,
silver, lead, and other placer and
lode gold, and, most important of all,
an abundance of coal of the finest
quality. Indeed, as regards the lat
ter mineral, young as the settlement
of this country is, some development
of the coal deposits has already taxi
en- place, in order to supply the needs
of Fort George itself and the district
Immediately surrounding it.
Vast Timber Area.
Nor is there, in Central and North
ern British Columbia, that absence
of timber which has caused so much
trouble and expense to the settlers on
the prairies of Alberta, Saskatchewan
and Manitoba. On the contrary,
large tracts of timber have been To-
Gated at various points, and sawmills
are already in the course of construc-
tion to get out the material in readl-
ness for the heavy influx of settlers
which has already begun. At Fort
George itself, good sawmill plant
is even now in operation and is pre-
pared to ship both rough and dressed
lumber to all points which can be
reached by steamer.
A Poor Mans Paradise.
To sum up briefly the advantages
which the interior Of British Colum-
bia offers to the intending settler to-
day. 1t may be said, without fear of
contradiction, that no section Of the
North American continent presents
so many opportunities to the man of
small capital, desirOus Of building
a home in magnificent agricultural
country, or to the investor who pos
sesses the means to develop the re-
sources of the country, or to promote
the industries which bring such rich
returns in a new country. Railroad
construction and mine and forest ex-
ploitation assures to the farmer
large and ready demand for his pro-
duce, while transportation facilities,
whether for agricultural products,
the importation of machinery and
supplies, or the export Of ores and
timber, are such as no new section
of this Dominion has ever enjoyed at
the commencement of its develop
ment and settlement. Contemplating
the vast and varied resources OF this
section of British Columbia, the
graphic words Of the Poet Explorer
come irreslstably to the mind;
81 plotted sites Of future cities,
traced the easy grades between
'em,
Watched Embarrassed rapids vast
ing fifty thousand head an
hour;
Counted leagues Of water-frontage
through the axe-ripe woods
that screen 'em,
Saw the plant to feed people
up and waiting for the power
Ores youll find there; wood and pas
ture; water transit sure and
ready.
(That should keep the railway
rates down. coal and iron at
your doors
God took care to hide that country
till He judged His people
ready,
Then He chose me for His Whisper,
and I've found It, and it's
yours"
-Kipling.
IL. -.a.... ......l.. 49, 49,. na.... 4