Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1911-04-28

America is reported on quartz
property in the Kerby district, owned
by Assayer L. G. Higgins, formerly
q resident of Grants Pass. 1t is de-
clared by conservative men that
s2,000,000 or more in free gold is
actually in sight.
The discovery was made month
ago, but has been kept under cover.
The property lies 20 miles north
west of Kerby on the summit be-
tween Rancheri Creek, which runs
westerly, and Baby Foot, running
easterly. The ledge consists Of a
porphyry dixie of an average width
of 800 feet, and lies between SER
pentine and slate. The metal was
found at the contact of the dixie and
the serpentine. The rich zone of the
dixie Is so feet wide, and 1t is de-
clared to be true that II will pan
$50 to 800 to the pan. A crosscut
tunnel has cut the dixie and 1t is
stated that two millions of dollars
in free gold is exposed in the work
ings and on the surface. The rich zone
Is oxidized, and the yellow metal is
thick in the rusty ore. A large
amount has been piled on the dump.
The property has been under lease
for some time, the cross-cut tunnel
being run by the lessees. When they
entered the rich zone they had so
much gold in sight that they tele-
graphed to Mr.. Higgins. who was
then in hospital In Portland, to
come and help them take care of the
wealth. They were startled by the
great strike and considered it wise
to inform the owner of the property
at once.
Mr.. Higgins has been living near
the scene for about two years, de-
veloping another quartz property, on
which he has a small mill. Recent
ly he was compelled to go to Port
land for treatment for an affected
ear. When he received the tele-
gram calling him to the mine, he
departed at once and Is now on the
ground. The big strike Is just two
miles from his other property, which
Is on the headwaters of the Chetco.
1t is said that the lessees have only
about one month of operation before
their lease expires, but even with this
short time ahead their discovery has
made them rich.
Several persons in Grants Pass
learned of the find last week and
have gone TO the scene It Is saic
that a foot of snow yet covers that
region, but the warm days now on
will rapidly clear It away. That a
stampede to the new discovery an |
surrounding territory will result Is a
prediction of The Courier's informant.
A. e. Voorhies, publisher Of the
Rogue River Courier, and F. ID. Tow
el returned Thursday from a trip
20 the Higgins mine, the scene of the
new gold strike, 20 miles northwest
OF Kerby, in the Chetco or Red
Mountain district, and report that
Higgins has much gold.
The two gentlemen left Grants
Pass Monday morning by auto to
Kerby, from Kerby by horseback to
Anderson's ranch on the Illinois
river at the fish hatchery. At An
derson's they met Mr.. Higgins, and
accompanied him four miles to the
mine, making an ascent Of 1000 feet
In the four miles Considerable
snow yet remains In that region but
in patches and not disturbing fac.
tor 10 travellers. The party remained
overnight at the mine. They have
no provision for lodging strangers
but Mr. Higgins and the lessons OF
the mine, G. M. Gage and q. 8. Ross
gave up their bed and slept on a
mattress spread on the floor. insist
ing that the visitors should occupy
the couch. In the morning the dig
gings were inspected and the return
trip made in time TO reach Anderson't
for dinner. From Anderson's they
went 10 Selma, where they spent the
night. On Wednesday morning they
we're met by one OF the machines oI
the Mclean Auto company. which
left Grants Pass az 610 a. m. FOL
Selma and the party arrived al
Grants Pass at $50 a. m, being on'
Of the quickest round trips over thII
"a miles OF difficult road on record
The stay OF Messrs. voorhies ant
Tower nj the mine was OF too brie