The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1915-09-03
wOyDERFUL NATURAL PHENO-
MEN0N.

One Oh tlOoS liSe'"S Va A"'"iN "hiSh
4 geologist might account for but is
hovond the ken of the ordinary mortal
l. the EPSON salts lake, over the cliff
: the westward of Oroville, and
nrobably hardly over two miles as the
.row flies, but considerably further
allowing the line of so-called wag-
an road that leads to the spot. The
oOnnlation have heard of this salts
lake more or less, with variations, for
a number of years, yet hardly more
,ban one out of a hundred of the popu-
laton has any idea of its exact situa-
tiOn or appearance, the bulk of the
inhabitants taking the other fellow S
word for it, and thereafter dismissing
,he freak natural curiosity from their
minds. E. McCammon located the lake
upder the mineral act years ago, and
he must be given credit for both con-
Adeuce in its ultimate value and per-
tinacity in holding on until such time
as the contents of the lake could be
commercially utilized and made a
source of income. Several efforts have
been made in the past to get the salts
Oh the market, but they proved abor-
tive. Germany was supplying the east
ern handlers with 4hc ingredient at q
price that made the working of the
local deposit Improbable, especially
il the face of prohibitivC freight rates,
but the European war has changed
conditions in the markets of this coun-
try not only in the matter of EPSON
salts but of a great many other
things formerly imr 0rtcd. The over
water supply was cut off and the price
Of this medicinal substance has taken
an upward flight. At this physicologi-
| cal period, H. B. Brown, a gentleman
ripe in mining experience, hand in
glove with men of substance, appeared
% the scene. He had known of the To-
| cal salts supply for some years, and
tried to handle it, but the European
| handicap headed him eff. With the
changed conditions he saw his chance,
and he is not a man to pass up a
chance. He Interested hackers, came
10 0rOville and interviewed Mr.. Nc
Cannon, secured concessions from the
railroad as to freight rates and bond
ed the property Mr. Brown IS not a
man to sleep at the switch when the
prospects are ripe for carrying out
plans that promise remunerative re-
ward He went to work with a rush
Places were found in the east to slough
OIL salts in large quantities, temporary
buildings were put up at the lake,
training watts C large capaci.y were
sullt men employed, teams engaged
haul the sacked product to the
allroad, and the lake suddenly became
NE busiest spot in the country. AL
ready Mr.. Brown has shipped three
af loads of salts, consigned to New
lofs and Philadelphia houses. He has
PAGES to put out much more. He can
Apply the demand, whatever that de-
land may be. At the lake, in direct
'aalge OF the workings, is j. A. Rad
pd, considerable of chemist in
'ay and the two gentlemcn are doing
active part in puttirg the public
'se 10 one OF the many resources of
AdaOgan county which has been ly-
Asdormant since the settlement of the
aantry, while properly benefiting
aerefrom.
lae salts lake, as stated at the be-
shnns OF this screed, is only a short
'sAace from Orovillc. 1t is reached
VAe Of the most villainous excuses
W road that could be found any
'Ae'e' AT least such it is at this seas
wi 'ae year. 1t is straight up in the
~ 'dr up IN the air, rough as CORFU
s'sd iron and a smother of dust. 1t
s'asy enough to come down, even if
s"ls up is hardship on team, and
al 'ne loads are for the lower level
'oad answers every purpose re-
s4ed The lake is situated in a nat
va cup at the very summit of the
su'ain range that hedges in the
~-llxameen river to the north.
'4e oppression is surrounded by
~ a." pointed peaks, scantily covered
~a growth of scru5by timber. There
AO'ilng attractive1y pretty about
surroundings, yet the lake is a
A., curiosity to look upon, and for
.eason Is well worth visiting. The
~ .'' Is about 1000 feet long, extending
! ! aua west, with en average width
a0Out zoo feet. The surface, where
NJ '''urDed, is as white as snow.
,,s ~ 'ne salts have been removed
m. 'eilowish blotche8 of water form
w. PUCK marks. The salts are not re-
.''ed by treatment. The stuff is
h. au over the entire surface of the
h ... au Is ~ per cent pure just as it
nn.. 's.uered up. A thin, hard, white
,0rins over the water below, this
W0Ken throuuh ,,,;.h a,; LIo,,,