distance south from the mine. It is located near the summit of the mountain, and the ore body is found in the bold and precipitous croppings of silicious limestone which cap the summit of the range and rise above the general level to a height of over 200 feet, the mineral bearing veins and feeders occurring throughout.

At the time of my examination, I find developed a breast of galena ore about five feet thick, yielding twenty ounces silver and eighty per cent. lead to the ton, and to all appearances promising to be a mine of considerable extent and value. There is, to my mind, no doubt that the ore body continues in pockets and feeders

to a depth of about 500 feet, at which depth it encounters granite, then to cease entirely or continue in a true fissure vein.

A plan of working of this mine can be readily conceived by which every dollar's expenditure could bring a corresponding return, inasmuch as all drifting and cross-cutting could be carried on so as to run close to the ore bodies, and but little work of a prospective nature entirely would be necessary.

This mine strikes north and south and dips easterly into the mountain.

I am surprised at so little development of a mine which, at present appearances, promises so favorably.

THE SILVERTON.

Last, but not least, of this group of mines, is the Silverton. During the progress of the survey at this camp, this mine, which, on my arrival, was nothing more than a prospect, and so poorly

understood by the owners that the claim was located east and west instead of northerly and southerly, I called the attention of the owners, who happened to be doing some assessment work at the time of my examination, to the fact that the vein had a north and south strike and was dipping easterly, and should have been located accordingly. Acting on my advice, they cross-cut the vein at the proper place, with the result of opening up an immense ore body, the hanging wall of which is not reached at the time of this writing. It will be about fifty feet across, all in the best quality of iron ore, which has been shipped to Tacoma for fluxing purposes.

I pronounce it one of the best mines in this region. It appears to be in a slate and limestone contact, and will no doubt, as greater depth is reached, develop into silver ore, as otherwise the formation possesses the same characteristics as the Galena, of which it appears to be an extension.

If this mine, upon further developments, continues as it has commenced, $500,000 would be a small valuation, especially if silver is encountered, which, in my estimation, is almost beyond doubt.

I only regret that on account of departing to-morrow for another camp, I shall be unable to watch the progress of its development.

GENERAL REMARKS ON THE RANGE IN WHICH THIS GROUP OF MINES

OCCURS.

As shown on topographical map and geological section accompanying this report, there are numerous locations along this mountain range, extending north and south, located in the main ore body, and others lying adjacent to it. The whole mountain, in fact, appears to be heavily mineralized, and small ledges and feeders are encountered throughout, extending in the directions mentioned a distance of at least four or five miles.

From all signs it would appear that at about the level of 3,000 feet the mountain is underlaid with a granite formation, while the higher levels are of silicious limestone with occasional showing of slate, the entire southern portion being nearly all of this latter formation.

I have every reason to believe in a continuation of the ore bodies after the granite is encountered, and that they may develop into true fissure veins. The workings, however, are at present of too small an extent to determine this accurately. Most of the prospects show a very small amount of work done, but too limited to be of much value to the mine.

The great drawback and cause of this condition of the mining industry in this region is the lack of capital among mine owners, and what is still more surprising, the fact that up to date the country has produced no leading spirit, who, possessing a knowledge of mining and business push, would attract the attention of capitalists to this section, which presents great possibilities for improvement. and an opportunity for some one.

My proposition regarding the working of these mines would be

as follows: That this group of mines located, as it is, favorably for comparatively easy development, should be bonded by a company of men for a certain sum, and a tunnel to cost about $40,000 cut into the side of the mountain from a point marked "camp" on The tunnel to be maps herewith, and near the 3,000 foot level. about 1,500 to 2,000 feet in length, intended to cross-cut every vein. As ore bodies are being encountered, drifting could be resorted to along the ore veins and the tunnel could be used subsequently for stoping the ore. The tunnel being close to the granite underlay, a few shafts would determine whether the ore extends into the granite.

Forty thousand dollars judiciously expended thus might result in laying the foundation for an output of millions. The opportunity certainly exists.

The above proposition is illustrated in sketch on preceding page.

THE DEAD MEDICINE.

This mine is situated about three miles north of present camp, and this and the Silver Wave are the two leading mines in the north end of this district. The ore body of the first mentioned mine with its surface croppings (in conglomerate), about thirty feet wide, is a well defined and continuous ledge, striking north and south and dipping easterly, and yielding, as it does, fifty ounces silver and twenty per cent. lead, in average assays, is richer in silver than any others in this vicinity. In formation the foot wall is shell slate, the hanging wall porphyry with traces of zinc and white iron.

Present state of development of the Dead Medicine consists of an incline shaft seventy feet deep, all in ore, a tunnel forty feet deep and another incline fifteen feet deep, as illustrated, together with the following mine, on the following page.

THE SILVER WAVE

Is adjacent to the Dead Medicine and appears to be a continuation of this mine, as the developments to date show similar characteristics. Fossil wood appears in the slate.

Present state of development: Incline shaft 100 feet deep. In other respects this mine is exactly similar to the Dead Medicine; in fact, is a north extension.

THE MYRTLE

Is another adjoining location, which has not been developed to any great extent. Shows considerable iron croppings of ferruginous hematite; hanging wall of lime, foot wall porphyry. The iron showing at surface develops at a depth of twenty feet into a silver bearing ore, which appears often to be the case in this vicinity.

To the east and west of this group of mines, and at some distance from them, occur outcroppings of granite, bearing out the theory of a granite underlay of this region.

THE STAGHORN

Is a promising prospect, situated easterly of the Dead Medicine, and about one mile farther on. Formation contact vein in lime

and granite; yields galena ore, and slate contact yields galena ore; ore breast shows about one and one-half feet in thickness.

THE ALABAMA, DOCK AND SAN, AND THE J. I. C.,

Are chief among a group of mines located on the north fork of Clugston creek, about three miles southeast of this camp. silver and lead. Formation - limestone.

Yield

Developments indicate quite extensive ore bodies, some of which are six feet in thickness, all heavily mineralized throughout, the mineralization occurring in stringers, but no well defined ledges. Outcroppings are quite extensive, showing thirty feet across.