The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1931-06-19
GRANITE FIND MAY
PROVE BONANZA
LAKE COUNTY FEELS ELATED
OVER THE ADVENT OF THE
ARROWHEAD GRANITE COM
PANY AND THE FIND OF SWED-
ISH PEARL GRANITE.
(Two Harbors Chronicle.)

| Lake cOunJyS newest bonanza, The
rich find of Swedish pearl black
granite in the Superior Nationa.
Forest Reserve, which it is possible may
lprofit the county TO the extent Of
around S4O0 a day for maybe 200 days
la year when in full operation, is being
rushed into production as fast as the
Arrowhead Granite Company can get
machinery to the property by rail ano
truck
Some machinery has already gone in
by way of Ely over the wooden bridges
that span the Birch and South Ka-
tons above the three-ton limit OF
weight allowed on those bridges but
the Arrowhead company accepted the
responsibility, so anxious was it to get
to work. The bridges stood up under
the loads with no sign of weakening
In few days great DIESEL engine
will be moved by truck and trailer
through Two Harbors from Duluth to
the scene of operations. It will weigh
about six tons and give the bridges on
the Ely-Finland road such test as
they have seldom had before. The
company assumes the responsibility
however, for the possible landing OF
their load and trucks in the rivers and
damage to the bridges.
The engine will be used to provide
compressed air for drilling in prepare
ton for dynamiting, to handle a crane
and steam shovel and possibly to pro-
vide power for saving the granite into
blocks
While it has been impossible to as
certain what minimum production the
Department Of Agriculture set in the
five-year permit it issued the company
to develop the property, Forester Bar
ker Of Duluth, said other granite COM
panies frequently take out 100 cubic
yards of granite a day following con-
siderable periods of preparation. 1t is
said that this rate of production might
be attained on possibly 200 days a
year.
The royalty which the government
will receive is 81 per cubic foot. With
81 cubic feet in a cubic yard and a
production of 100 cubic yards a day
the daily royalty would reach s2700
Lake, ST. Louis and Cook counties
would receive IS percent of this sum-
divided in proportion to the acreage OF
the Reserve located in their borders
Lake county, having the most acreage
would receive AZ percent, Cook 80 per-
cent and st. Louis, Is percent. That
at least, was the apportionment two
years ago. Since that date much more
land in Cook county has been included
in the Reserve and also considerable
in Lake, which would alter the figures
somewhat. This data was obtained
from County Auditor Nelson's office
and is believed to be approximately
correct.
OF the 35 percent, there would be %
percent payable from the U. S. govern
ment to the counties in cash Ten
percent would be withheld until it
could be expended to advantage in
building roads in the Reserve It is
advanced that if the 25 percent will
mean to the Lake county treasury any
thing like what the foregoing calcu-
lationS indicate, the 10 percent should
eventually build a network of good
roads through the Reserve, provide
some of the most beautiful drives for
tourists and sightseers and also greatly
simplify the problem of utilizing the
yet undeveloped resources of the Re
serve which are suspected of being
vast
County Engineer Hanson made the
discovery in blasting for the construc-
ton of the Ely-Ffnland road, although
he did not know it at the time. Mr..
Anderson of Hibbing head of the Ar
rowhead Granite Company and a
granite authority, whose company has
for several years operated a granite
quarry at Cook, st. Louis county, seems
to have been the first to see the granite
who recognized its great value
The granite deposit runs for miles
through the Reserve northeast to
southwest" said County Engineer
Hanson. Estimated in terms OF
quarry production the deposit is un-
limited but just how much of the de-
post will prove to be the fine grade OF
granite that parts of the deposit al
ready uncovered are, remains a ques-
ton. In some sections there is a
milky wave runs through the granite
which makes it in such places of little
or no value.
Mr.. Anderson of Hibbing, head OF
the company and competent Judge
of granite deposits feels confident that
he has vast treasure. He is sparing
no expense in hurrying the most
modern and expensive equipment to
the scene and it seems to me doubtful
if he would do this unless ne were as
sured in advance of big returns
AT the start the granite will be
shipped in rough blocks 70 manu-
featuring centers for finishing. It will
be blasted approximately according tc
specifications, the quarryrnen knowing
how to drill and place their charges SC
that the granite viii come out practi-
, cally in proper form.
Should the deposit turn out as
hoped the company plans to install a
!, finishing plant at the quarry. This
would mean large investment from
. which Lake county would receive taxes
. in addition to its share of the royalty
, on the production
If it all turns out well it will be q
great boon to Lake county and If. il
) does not the county viii only be in the
same position it is in now"