Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1916-03-16

The conclusion l arrived at regard
ing other than mine tonnage, was, that
tnere was almost enough of agricultur
al ana timber commodities in sight to
Iehuer constructor Fose.ole, provided
the hne was honestly capitalized, but
that the region was at the low point of
productlveness, due to its remoteness.
Part OF the tonnage was of a character
that would transport itself to a com
petltor In the event of disagreements,
cattle and sheep, for instance but hoy
raising, and with it more grain, would
balance this condition. The conclusion
was firmly rooted, however, that under
the stimulus of transportation the
growth of agricultural and timber com
modities would be very great, that the
mild climate and productive soil of the
territory would be an attraction to set
tiers, and the revenue from said ton
mage would in time pay profit on an
honest investment. If there could be
added to this the clinching argument
OF a steady tonnage of mine products,
the presentation to capital could be
made without hesitancy.
The Salmon river cuts deeply down
through the Columbia river lavas into
old sedimentary states, limestones and
quartzites of Triassic age. These have
been intruded by diorite and other
igneous rocks, which cut both the
strike and dip of the sedimentaries.
Along the line of intrusion the rocks
have been fissured and fractured for
distances up to 300 feet in width, re-
sulting in a stringer lode condition,
mineralized by pyrite carrying gold,
silver and copper. / found several oc-
currences of this nature.
In one, / studied and sampled
strike about two and one-half miles
for the whole distance About 100
feet of the work underground showed
it to be 300 feet wide with the face
still in the fractured area. With IS
months of vigorous development with
machine drills, there could be produced
enough tonnage to yield not less than
two hundred and fifty tons daily of
iron pyrite concentrate, carrying a
gold value enought to transport it any
where within reason for treatment.
The ground and economic conditions
are suited to million ton mining opera
tions. 1t is in massive bedded lime
stone steeply tilted, with the dixie
forming the footwall, from which the
fractured area carrying values can be
easily broken in large scale stopping.
In other localities I found aurifer-
Gus porphyry dikes which warrant in
vestigation. UP Rapid river from Pol
lock there is one gold property steadily
producing, with 2 large number Of
prospects around untouched. The Seven
Devils side of Salmon river is well
known for copper, while around White
Bird are number of occurrences of
limestone intruded by igneous dikes
with copper showings, also | noted lead
and zinc there.
The Salmon river falls about IL feet
to the mile and is a rapid, powerful
stream. It's eddies alone could take
care of $4,000 tons daily tailings and
be hardly noticeable. Other power
full streams serve the territory, and
there is timber enough to satisfy min
ing necessities. With cheap power tim
ber and failing disposition, the region
is we'll suited to large scale mining.
There is still a chance for the placer
miner along the streams.
But the region needs decent wagon
road to enable it to be visited with
some degree of comfort. The present
track is a disgrace to the state.
1t does not require statesmen to
see that north and south Idaho are
two parts of a family almost out of
sympathy with each other. The trade
and interests of the north serve the
cities and towns of neighboring states
This with the large market involved
for agricultural products strengthens
the cause of the north and south rail
way, and political differences between
parties should be forgotten and all
work together to the common end. We
are on the threshold of new era in
mining development, due to indepen-
dent smelling facilities and both ends
of the state should be connected.-Wal-
lace Press Times.