The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1915-07-29
GREAT NITRATE BEDS
NEW IDAHO INDUSTRY
Elk GOVERNOR HAWLEY SAYS
SUCKER CREEK DEPOSITS
RICH AND EXTENSIVE.

Southwestern Idaho and southeast
ern Oregon are destined to become the
greatest nitrate producing country of
the world, and an industry will be
built up that will mean employment
for close to 1000 men, in the opinion
of former Governor Hawley, who has
just returned from an inspection of
the nitrate beds on Sucker creek. in
oregon, just across the Owyhee coun-
ty line.
lie said the nitrate beds extend
over an area of some 400 acres. and
the amount Of nitrate bearing rock is
fabulous to consider. ITO start com
putting the amount of it available
there you would have to take some
thing like 1000 tons as your basis
said the former governor, land even
then you would have several millions
or that unit TO deal with 1t is un-
beiievable the amount of mineral there
Is there"
Keeps Men at Work.
The property is owned by the Am
erlcan Nitrate company Of Chicago OF
which concern Harry Wilson is vice
president and general manager. The
company bought the locations some
time ago for $4,000 and paid down
one-tenth of that amount Since that
time a force of men, including a
chemist and surveyor, has been doing
experiment work in the field.
From their work thus far they have
estimated that the rock of the whole
Held Will average at least 4 per cent
nitrate" said former governor Hawley.
II that Is true, there is enough nitrate
there to supply the world for years.
Rig Up Small Plant.
The nitrate occurs in a formation
which is a sort Of an erupted rock. 1t
Is not exactly lava rock. The beds
seem to be the bottom of prehistoric
lake, and in some manner the erupted
rock has become impregnated with the
nitrate In some places the rock Is
rairly hard. At other points is found
almost pure nitrate, which can be
erumbled in the hands
"A small experimental plant has
been rugged up at the camp. There is
little mill run by gasoline engine.
The crushed rock is placed in large
tanks and water run on it, The water
teaches out from the tanks and when
1t comes out is a nitrate solution. The
solution Is allowed to cool, which then
causes the nitrates to condense in the
form of crystals.
Shows Judgment Good.
"A considerable amount of nitrates
have been extracted and sacked up at
the experimental camp Every exper-
iment made thus far has gone to show
that the men who put their money
into the property had good judgment,
and ] think 1t Is now a question of a
short time until the company will com
mence developments on an extensive
scale. | understand 1t has ADEQUATE
capital behind It,
"The development of the deposits
will entail, first, the building of
railroad from Homedale or some other
point. l learned, however, that one of
the surveys of the Boise Winnemucca
railroad runs up Sucker creek, within
a short distance Of the nitrate beds.
Means Work on Big Scale.
IF the beds are to be worked there
must be installed rock moving ana
crushing machinery on a large scale,
which will mean the employment of a
large force Of men to operate it. Then
there must be huge watts for teaching
The rock, and devices for condensing
The solution. The company has the
right to the waters of small stream
nearby, and could easily get water
with artesian wells If more were need
I'd, or could move the rock not far
away to where there would be plenty
If water.
Il have every reason to believe that
his industry will be developed and
hat it will be one Of the greatest
-hings that has been done for this