Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1914-11-01
The Discoverer of Turquoise in
Arizona

There is every evidence that The
Turquoise deposits in Arizona We're
worked by prehistoric race-cen-
turtles before Columbus discovered
America. The Indians also worked
cut the rock for ornaments or charm
stones. The discovery of these de-
posits by a white man was left to
Uncle Jim Haas of Mineral Park
Mohave county, as will be learned
from the following communication by
him. He has quite a good deal to
express in his own way and whether
we agree with all he says or not,
am sure his letter will be perused
with considerable interest satisfdc-
ton by our readers.
Sometime since the American Min
ing Congress, which will hold it's an
ual convention in Phoenix, during the
first week of December, issued an
open letter to mining men, asking for
suggestions as to the most pressing
needs of the mining industry, and
possible remedy for same. Hun
dreds of answers have been received
many containing valuable sugges .
tions.
The following letter from one of
the old-time prospectors may prove
of interest to the present generation
as well as recalling pleasant men,
cries to the pioneer of early days
Mineral Park, Arizona.
American Mining Congress, Phoenix
Arizona,
GENTLEMEN-Som since,
received an open letter from your
organization, asking for suggestions
looking to the lettering of mining
conditions in this part Of the coun-
try.
Having spent So of my 70 years
in mining or prospecting in every
western state, l could write quite
little history, but shall confine my
remarks to few observations and
suggestions that may be of value
Surely our federal government
should take as much interest in the
miner as it does in the farmer. Were
it not for the prospector and miner
it is a question how many farms or
towns there would be in the west to-
day
The Act of May 10, 1872 gave the
prospector heart to brave danger i'll
a wild section where nobody lived
but indians and it should not be
butchered or tinkered with.
An act was passed at the first
session of the Arizona legislature
creating a mine inspector and three
deputies at salaries and travelling
expenses Of $4,000 a year, which is
of no earthly use to the mining in
terests, and should be repealed at
the next session. Years ago we had
no such things" and there wasn't
half the accidents there is today.
1t would be a Gods blessing to the
mining interests if the federal gov
eminent would put plants in every
mining district under the supervision
of men who understood the business
of saving the values in the ores and
giving the poor miner a square deal
when he takes his ores there. AS it
is now the claim owner is at the
mercy of smelters or mill men who
can work $500 ore at a profit; bur
he can ship $4,000 ore to a plant and
after paying the freight penalties GA
arsenic, aptimony, sulphur, zinc, co.,
per and lead he is in debt to the
plant. Where is the inducement to
develop?
A poor man may have worlds IF
$50 ore, but it is no good to him.
He can't eat it or drink it and there
is tons and tons of that character Of
ore in this basin lying idle. | have
lived here over 81 years. I have
taken $4,000 ore out of this same
ground, taken it to a five stamp mill
here and was robbed of over half the
values, and a third of the product
What inducement is there for poor
miner to develop a claim?
Unfortunately this section has been
cursed with claim owners wanting
fabulous prices for their claims and
experts who can stand off a mile
from a hill and roll a cigarette while
he has one in his mouth smoking,
and tell what is in the HILL then he