the Mountain Lion mine ranked next to the Republic as one of the great mines of the Eureka district and consists of six claims, of which three are given above, the others being the Mountain Lion Fraction, Navahoe and Zeta. In 1881, the mining operations were practically confined to Yokima, Peshastin district, and Spokane counties and to the Snake River in Columbia, Garfield and Whitman counties. In Stevens County are the Mount Chopaco mines, often known as the "Smilkameen." The mining operations were confined to eight counties including the above. The Lone Pine and Last Chance were among the first recorded locations in the Mercur district, being staked on February 28 and 29, 1896. The Pearl claim was located on March 5, the Surprise on July 18. The largest producers of silver in 1898 were in Stevens County. The first discovery in the Embry camp occurred in 1883, about two miles east of Chewelah, the most noted mine being the Eagle, which consists of six claims. Other important mines in this locality are the Alice, Copper King, Jay Gould and Golden Crown. These mines produce gold, silver, lead and copper. The north half of the Colville Indian reservation was open to mineral entries in February, 1897, and since then much development work has been done. North of Colville is the Old Dominion mine. Near Marcus is the Old Gold Hill property, which was successfully worked in 1898. Other noted mines near Northport are the Clara and Lakeview on Red Top Mountain.1 In 1892, three small hydraulicing operations were underway in Kittitas County, the best claims being the Black, Bigny and Delig. During 1895, there was a decrease in gold production in the state. In 1899, the mines of the Republic district were actively developed, but owing to the closing down of the Republic mine the output was still low. During 1902, practically all of the Republic mines were operating, while in 1904 both the gold and silver production had increased. The Sherman District some ten miles northwest of the Republic was again attracting attention in 1904. The mining industry of Washington needs capital to develop the different districts which are widely scattered; further, the season is short and therefore restricts operations to a shorter period of yearly activity than is enjoyed by the districts further south.2 1 Mines and Minerals, Vol. 18, p. 313. ' Mineral Industry for 1892 to 1905. Wisconsin. The Keweenawan system of rocks that are silverbearing in Michigan, near Ontonagon, also occurs in Wisconsin, and according to R. D. Irving traces of silver have been found along the Montreal River. When silver was first reported from this locality is unknown. Regarding the occurrence of silver in this locality the state geologist of Wisconsin says: "The unfavorable experience of the operations in Michigan, however, leaves little ground for expecting rich deposits in that horizon, though nothing is known to forbid it." He further says: "While silver has very frequently been unauthoritatively reported from various parts of the state, and undoubtedly occurs not infrequently in minute quantities, nothing is known that gives substantial grounds for expecting any valuable discoveries. Experience and observation give an adverse probability.' According to the same authority although gold might be expected to occur in the crystalline rocks of northern Wisconsin, yet in one instance only was it and silver found in quartz associated with pyrite and arsenopyrite, in northern Clark County." Gold has been found in ledges of diabase in Douglas County. The Chippawa mine further up the range gives a yield of from $2 to $11 per ton in gold. The discovery of gold in the iron ores of the Emmet mine in 1879 created quite an excitement, which was, however, rather short lived.3 In 1902, gold was found in glacial drift at St. Croix Falls, at the head of St. Croix River. Very little gold has been obtained although worked from time to time.1 Wyoming. With the main range of the Rocky Mountains extending across the territory from southeast to northwest, together with the Big Horn, Wind River and Medicine Bow mountains and Black Hills lying partly within the state, Wyoming would seem to be an ideal country for prospecting. However, the powerful and warlike Indian tribes inhabiting the regions where the prospectors would naturally go in search of mineral deposits were an effectual set-back to all such work. Following the subjection of the Indians 1 Geology of Wisconsin, Vol. 1, p. 661, 1873-1879; Ibid., Vol. 2, p. 27; Ibid., Vol. 3, pp. 201, 206, 358 and 669; and Ibid., Vol. 4, pp. 382–383. ? Trans. Wisconsin, Academy Sci. Arts and Letters, Vol. 1, and Geol. of Wis., Vol. 1, pp. 310 and 661, 1873-1879. the country became a great grazing range, and for a time the prevalent opinion was that the territory was preeminently a stock country. Lack of railroad facilities also retarded the growth of the mining industry. Ex-Governor J. W. Hoyt, formerly state geologist of Wisconsin, says in his last message: "I know of no region in the United States in which gold appears so widely distributed as in Wyoming, and I cannot doubt that eventually numerous mines of much value will be worked, thus placing this great territory, so rich in other resources, among the most important of the gold sections. We have many mines that already yield handsome returns whenever the requisite combination of energy and skill with sufficient capital can be brought about." 1 Probably the first discovery of gold was made in Wyoming, in 1867, in which year the placers of the Sweetwater River were located. That such discovery had not been made prior to this date is rather surprising, as the territory had been traversed ever since the discovery of gold in California by parties of prospectors, and by Mormons on their way to Utah the Laramie trail being one of the principal highways.2 It appears that silver mines were discovered in the Seminole Mountains as early as 1869 by three prospectors who were subsequently killed by Indians. Although the discoveries then made were not located, gold-bearing veins were found instead. "Gold has been found in nearly every gulch in this district, and some have proved almost as rich as the famous Dutch Flat diggings in California, though of far less extent, the ravines being narrow. But their large yield is the best evidence of the number of rich lodes in this district." 3 The Bald Mountain district began its existence as a placer camp, following which a large deposit of gold-bearing conglomerate was located and developed. In October, 1898, the discovery of the Rudefeha or HaggertyFerris mine was made near Battle Lake in the Grand Encampment district. The mines of both the Grand Encampment and the Saritoga districts yield copper, lead, silver and gold. During this year numerous discoveries of minor importance were made; further, 1 1 Rept. Director of Mint, 1883, pp. 594-595. 2 King's Handbook of the United States, pp. 906 and 907, also Special Report Census Bureau, Mines and Quarries, 1902, pp. 346, 347. Rept. Director of Mint, 1883, pp. 371-375. there was an attempt made at working some dry placers by steam shovel. Conditions remained about the same up to 1902, although the Carissa had forged to the front as the largest producer. There was also considerable activity in the Sweetwater district, which in 1902 led in the production of gold and silver. At this time there was marked advance noticeable in all mining operations, and the mining industry seemed to be on a better footing than ever before.1 CHRONOLOGY OF GOLD AND SILVER MINING IN THE The following brief statements regarding the discovery of mines and mineral properties and the events which have been influential in the development of mining districts and the mining industry as a whole, are given in order to epitomize the history of precious metal mining, and summarize the more detailed account previously given. 1513. A cacique of gold was reported to Ponce de Leon while lying off the coast of Florida. 1516. Diego Miruelo reported that he had obtained gold from the natives of the Atlantic and Gulf States. 1519. Pineda while sailing along the coast of Florida and Texas is reported to have observed gold in the rivers, and its use as ornaments by the natives. 1521. The mines of Mexico were actively worked by the Spaniards during 1521-1810. 1527. The first definite information regarding the occurrence of gold was made by Pamphilo de Narvaez who landed at Tampa Bay Florida. 1538. The Spaniards while exploring the valley of the Rio Grande discovered a Tegu Pueblo village and mines worked by the natives, whom they forced to work for their own benefit. In 1680 the ' Mineral Industry for 1892 to 1905. Indians revolted and drove out the Spaniards. The village was recaptured in 1692. 1539. Conorado discovered the dry placers of northern Sonora, Mexico. De Sota explored the Southern states for gold and silver, and probably did some mining. 1564. Lemoyne, historian for Landonnière, describes a method of washing gold sands, employed by the Indians, in hollow reeds. He also reported gold as being found in the Appalachian Mountains. 1579. Sir Francis Drake touched the coast of California, and reported gold as occurring in abundance. 1610. After the conquest of Mexico by the Spaniards they made some twenty expeditions in the country, which is now Arizona, New Mexico and California, in search for gold, but with no definite results. 1650. A grant to work silver-lead mines at Middletown, Connecticut, was given to Governor John Winthrop. Governor Winthrop of Connecticut became interested in the silver-lead deposits of Haddam and Middletown, but no active mining was done. 1660. A charter was granted to the London and Plymouth Companies of Virginia by King James, giving them the right to explore and settle the North American continent, provided that one-fifth of the gold and silver and one-fifteenth of the copper discovered should go to the crown. The discovery of gold on the Chickahoming River, Virginia, by an expedition under Captain John Smith, occurred subsequent to 1660, exact date not available, and considerable excitement followed, this was probably the first gold excitement recorded in the States. 1680. The monks of the order of St. Francis discovered and worked the silver mines of El Paso, Texas. These mines were closed and hidden |