The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1912-08-09
THE GOLDEN ZONE.

For some time q deal has been pend
Ing on the Golden Zone, mining prop
erty located ON the north slope of the
Chopaka range, in the Similkameen
valley. not far from the international
line, and from the best information
ODtainaDle transfer has taken place.
The property was owned by AL. Riste,
and the purchasers are said to be st.
Louis capitalists. That sale was
under consideration was known at this
office, but at the request of Mr.. Riste
NO mention was made of the prospec-
tive deal. As mention of the sale has
been made in other publications, it is
not felt that any confidence is abused
by referring to the transaction at this
time. Nothing is known as to the con-
sideratiOn involved, that is a matter
between the parties to the contract,
but rumOr has 1t that quite a large
sum changed hands in the transfer.
1t Is good enough news to know that
an old property that has every indi-
cation OF containing minerals of value
In large deposits has fallen into the
hands Of operators who have the
means and the disposition to carry on
development on a scale and extent that
will finally determine the true value
of the claims, and in the process of so
determining give employment to
considerable force of men. The inves-
tors did not 60 blindly into the deal
without first satisfying themselves
that the claims had real merit, and
that decision was not reached until
after weeks of the most careful and
thorough examination of the ground
and numerous tests of the ore by
mininO onA tioI A,,;c
of experience and practical knowledge
Every foot of the ground was gone
over. every sign OF mineral was crit
ically examined and the ores tested
frequently. 1t was q most exhaustive
investigation. and it was solely upon
the result OF that Investigation that the
deal was closed. At first the transfer
was to include Mr. Riste's fine ranch
property. but finally the ranch was
eliminated, and the purchase was con-
fined to the mining holdings and the
mill.
The Golden Zone is one of the oldest
mining holdings in a district where
considerable development work has
been carried on during the past twen-
ty years. 1t Is near neighbOr to both
the Ruby and the Mountain Sheep. Up
on the former vast amount of under
ground development has been done
since work first began and in the pro-
gress of that work much excellent ore
was encountered and great deal eX-
tracted. The Golden Zone was first
extensively exploited some fifteen
years ago by party of Pittsburg Pa,
investors. as fine a lot of men as ever
operated in the Okanogan country. All
of them, we believe and sincerely re-
gret to say, with possibly one excep-
ton, have gone to their last account.
Strong veins of ore were opened up,
and large concentrating plant in
stalled. An attempt was made at one
time to ship out concentrates. but this
required wagon haul of 80 or 80
miles to Brewster, where the sacks had
to be transferred to boats, and then
handled again when put on cars. The
transportation charges were so great
that it was impossible to ship even
concentrates and leave any margin of
profit to the mine Oprators, and no
further effort was made to get the out
put to a smelter. The Pittsburg peo-
pie became discouraged with the fail
ure of promised railroads to build, and
in the course of time the property re-
verted to Mr.. Riste, who was not in a
position to continue development.
The sale is fortunate one for Mr..
Riste, and also for the country. 1t is
felt by the old time miners we'll posted
ON the country and its mineral possi
bilities that the Golden Zone has the
leads that are the making of mine.
The tunnel that was the method of ex
ploration encountered excellent ledg-
es, and it is felt that when thorough
ly opened up the quality and quantity
of ore that will be exposed will make
the Zone steady producer. The new
owners have already inaugurated
work. There is much to be done over
hauling and getting in working order
the old mill, and cleaning out the tun-
nels and drifts that have been neg
lected for years before actual mining
can commence, but 1t Is understood
that the new owners aim to mine right.
and If there is anything in the hills
within the boundaries of their claims
they propose to uncover it. This work
of development is not to be of spas
modic nature, but investigation will be
pushed steadily ahead until mine is
made, or it is demonstrated to the sat
isfaction of the new owners that min
eral does not exist in character and
quantity to make mine.