The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1916-01-28
4 BELIEVER IN OKANOGAN,

DR.. Jacob May, of Bridgeport, Conn.
who has been the steam behind the
Mineral Hill mine, situated near Con-
conully, for over 20 years, spent Sun
day in Oroville visiting among friends
he has made during his various trips
to Okanogan since becoming interest
ed in the country. DR.. May has put a
comfortable fortune in the Mineral
Hill. So long as his private capital held
out he did a vast amount of work. and
cellent mineral was encountered in
the deep underground workings. But
OF late years his resources have be-
come limited, and explorations at the
mine have become almost entirely sus-
pended. With a vast sum of his own
money tied up in the mine, and the
public cautious about investing in
mining securities, DR.. May found it
impossible to raise funds for cOntin-
uing Investigations, and for some years
he has shouldered worries that would
have discouraged any man of less faith
and determination. Ii at last came to
such a pass that the mine had to be
sold at sheriff sale to meet Outstand-
ing obligations. The sale took place
Saturday, and in order to protect HIM
self Dr. May was compelled to bid in
the property, and Is now the sole
owner.
What DR.. Mays future intentions
are is not known, but it stands to reas-
on, considering his past record, that
he is not going to permit the property
to remain continuously idle if it Is
within the bounds of possibility to
arrange to resume operations. And IL
is not property that should be aban'
doned. Several hundreds of thousands
of dollars have been spent sinking and
driving tunnels on the group, and in
the process of this extensive eXplora-
ton some fourteen lodges have been
encountered, all of them carrying
strong values. 1t would be misfor-
tune to the country If the Mineral
Hill mine should remain shut down
indefinitely, for from every token
above and under ground this property
Is. the making OF anime a.. there is a
mine to be made in that district, and
there are going to be number or
them. So far back as dozen or more
years ago the writer had an oppor-
tunity to examine the Mineral Hill
workings, and it was not necessary
for man to be an expert to recognize
the evidence of the presence Of ore, and
ore in large quantities. The claims are
well situated for easy development,
and the fact that ore is present at a
depth of 1000 feet should convince any
one that it is in quantities sufficient
to produce for long period of time.
In the old days the problem of trans
portion was serious handicap to
the working of mines in the Concon-
ully district, but with railroad q
few miles away down the Okanogan
valley transportation is now more easy
of access The fact that Arlington mine
at the old Ruby camp, has been ship
ping ore for months, and the ship
ments must bring profit or they
would not be continued, shows that IT
the Mineral Hill mine is ever again
put in commission the same route for
is open.
DR.. May expects to remain on the
coast fer month or six weeks longer.
He will not spend all of his time at
the mine. as he contemplates making
trip to southern California for re-
creation and business combined, re-
turning to the Okanogan before going
back to his eastern home. Those who
have the pleasure of knowing the
sturdy, resourceful and always affa-
Bile gentleman would be delighted to
see him make the Mineral Hill mine
source of great profit, not only be-
cause he has earned a liberal return
upon his persistcncy and consistency
il holding on in the face of SO many
disappointments and against the urg-
ent advice of many Of his acquain-
tences and associates, but for the 10y
atty that he has always shown to the
Okanogan. not only by acts, but by
outspoken words of praise and de-
fense on all occasions when the min
ing possibilities of the country have
been called into question at home or
abroad. The Okanogan never had a
more staunch and earnest advocate
and supporter that DR.. Jacob May.