The Ketchikan mining news. [volume], March 01, 1907, Image 1

About The Ketchikan mining news. [volume] (Ketchikan, Alaska) 1907-1907

Image provided by: Alaska State Library Historical Collections

                
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VOL. I. KETCHIKAN, ALASKA, FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1007. NO. 0
(-• --:v
ANDREW CHILBERG, Pres. J. R. HECKMAN. Vice Pres.
MINERS & MERCHANTS BANK
Of Ketchikan, Alaska
Transacts a General Banking Business
The easiest way to establish your credit in a community is
to open an account with your home Bank.
Small accounts are welcome
M. A. Mitchell = Cashier
V--=£
Many Lives Saved
By buying Drugs
at the Neatest Drug Store in Alaska
The Revilla Drug Co.
©©©©©©©©©©©© ©©©©©©0©©©©©©€|
| New Goods Arriving |
© We wish to announce to the Ladies of ©
® Ketchikan that we have just received ®:
© a consignment of g|
® FLEECED FLANNELS, OUTING FLANNELS ®
8 HENLEY’S SHADOW PLAIDS, CHEVIOT g
© SKIRTING, HEAVY TWILL TOW- ©|
0 ELL1NG, TURKISH TOWELS ®
8 DRESS GOODS, Etc. g
0 by one of the last boats which we are 0
a offering at figures hitherto unknown in~ g
0 Ketchikan. That fact, however, makes 0
g it imperative that you come soon if you g
0 wish to get any of them. They’re going 0
g like Hot Cakes. g
® J. R. HECKMAN & CO. 1
The Department Store . §
Ketchikan - - Alaska |
0©@©@©0©@000@©@0©@0000§
____—- |
Rates; $1.00 to $3.00 Electric Lighted |
Room with Bath Steam heated
Hotel Stedman
European
Ketchikan
JOHN W. STEDMAN
Proprietor Alaska |
■ . - ■ — ■■ ---— — -- !
Electric Lighted , Rates: $1 to $2.50 ^
Steam Heated Per Day
The Hotel Revilla
J. F. Dubail, Manager
KETCHIKAN
Suites with Bath ALASKA
THE DIFFERENCE
1 aim -
Ketchikan District to the Fore
No Fear of the Octupus
While there is, and should he, no
antagonism, other than one of a
spirit of generous rivalry, between
tlie different mining sections of
Alaska, a plain statement of the truth
as affecting the merits of the Ketch
ikan district, particularly in relation
to the extent and value of its coppei
deposits in comparison with those of
tlie Copper River region, may not, he
considered wholly out of place at this
time. That this district has passed
the prospecting stage, and entered
upon an era of successful development
as well as profitable production, is
abundantly evidenced by the fact that
of more than two million dollars
worth of copper ore and matte shipp
ed from Alaska last year nearly if not
quite, two-thirds of the whole amount
stands to Us credit—a difference in
favor of its mines reasonably certain
to he largely increased the present
year.
1 t lias taken time to accomplish
tlie result stated. Perhaps no new
mining district was ever more ser
iously handicapped from the very
beginning in the way of exploration,
than was this. Following the pros
pector, came the yellow-legged ex
pert who, finding all and even more
than was claimed in the way of sur
face showings, either wholly condemn
ed or damned with faint praise all
that lie saw, not forsooth because
there was not enough hut because
ihero was too much to warrant belief
in the depth and durability of the
veins and deposits of which only the
outcrops could he seen. Following
the adverse, or discouraging, reports
of these wise experts, came unfor
tunate direction and management in
two or three efforts at development,
and an inconsiderate demand of the
price of developed mines for mere
prospects, all combined to discourage
capital and drive would he investors
away to other fields of mining enter
prise. All this time it was evident
to those who had given the conditions
careful ^tudy that hut one successful
effort at development would suffice
to counteract the unfavorable impress
ion that had spread abroad concerning
the great extent and value of the
mineral deposits of the district, and
that consummation came almost
dmulitaneously with developments at
the Nihlack, Mamie, Stevenstown,
and one or two other properties that
ire now profitable producers.
It could not well he otherwise,
taking into consideration the great
natural advantages of this immediate
section for the economical prosecution
af mining operations, that-one suc
cessful effort at development should
fie speedily followed by others, as
indeed it has been by a dozen or more
producing copper mines, with several
others about ready to take their
places in the list. That the produc
tion of these mines is likely to he
somewhat curtailed the present year
by lack of necessary transportation,
must not ha set down to any deficiency
in productive capacity on their part,
for it is reasonably certain that,
given the necessary transportation,
the mines of the district could and
would more than double in quantity
and value the output of li)0(>.
Tiie pre-eminent advantage of the
Ketchikan district in the way of
copper production will not he found
in a more than ordinarily high per
centage of values in its ores, hut rather
in the natural advantages which will
enable the mining and exploitation
of those ores at a mininum of cod.
These advantages coi sist of close
proximity to ocean navigation, afford
ing the cheapest of all forms of trans
portation and an abundance of water
and timber including never failing
power for the operation of machinery.
Indeed, these advantages are such as
to preclude all fears of competition
from almost any quarter, should the
market for the red metal ever fall
to a competitive stage, since it is
quite certain that when our mines
are fully equipped with all necessary
appliances for the'mining and reduc
tion of their ores, they will he able
to place their product in the market
at a price below the cost of produc
tion in any other district in the United
States, with posssihly one or two ex
ceptions.
As compared with copper produc
tion in any other part of Alaska,
the Ketchikan district has nothing
to fear. It is probably true that
the copper deposits of the Copper
River section carry ores of a higher
grade than those of this district, hut
they lie at a distance of from two
hundred to three hundred miles from
ocean navigation, and for their ex
ploitation will require the construc
tion of railroads at a cost of many
millions of dollars: and even with
them the cost of transportation alone,
as compared with that which obtains
in this section, will he so great as to
preclude successful competition,
should it ever come to that. This
does not apply of course, to the cop
per deposits situated on the small
islands in Prince William Sound
where, except us to water, timber
and climatic, conditions, the situation
is somewhat milar to that of this
district.
No, tlie octopus, should it as threat
ened fasten its tentacles on the Copper
River regior, cannot materially
affect the onward march of develop
ment and production in the Ketchikan
district, which- lias come to the front
to permanenently remain there.
V. Bland, mining engineer for the
Victory Mining Company, whost
property is at Seal bay, Gravina
island, and who has had charge o!
the work then during the past yeai
or more return ed from a trip to Kan
sas City, the heaqduarters of the
company on Tuesday last. His trip
to Kansas City was for the purpose oi
consulting with the powers that he ii
regard to the inauguration of a
systematic plan of operations looking
to the more perfect and profitable
development o. the mine. While it
was determined to proceed with the
work, and bid.- tsked and obtained foi
a three-drill c j .pressed plant, it was
not definitely o aided to adopt in full
the plan recommended by Mr. Bland,
if his plan is adopted, work will la
commenced ot: a working tunnel
which will be » tn from 1500 to 2000
feet into the m .untain and thus open
up the deposits to a depth of nearly
1000 feet below the surface outcrop.
In case of the purchase of the machin
ery, the work will he commenced at
an early day and prosecuted with all
possible vigor: otherwise, there will
probably he a iepetition of the ole
order of affairs, involving the expen
diture of money to little or no pur
pose.
Should'be Lc-,ked After.—It is up
to the city council to see to it that tin
health officer is given power to com
pel forthwith ho cleaning of front
and back door yards, together with
tlie streets in front of private resi
dences through >ut the town. Not a
few residents Intake a practice oi
throwing emp y tin cans, decayed
vegetables etc.” nto their front and
back yards or iu lieu of that into the
streets, where they ye not only
offt nsive to tl" sight of passers-by,
but if left undh'urbed will be apt to
breed disease, if not pestilence,
should a spell c dry weather inter
vene in the nee future. If there is
no ordinance ut er the provisions oi
which the lieali h officer, or chief oi
police, can cor ->1 the much to be de
sired cleaning up of private premises
in some portions of the town, one
more tiian ordinarily stringent in its
provisions should be passed without
unnecessary delay. This, as a sani
tary measure, if indeed it cares noth
ing for the cleanly appearance of the
town in the eyes of tlie many stran
gers who will visit us from this time
heneefor ward.
Failed To Secure Jury
San Francisco, March 1.—The Keuf
trial is at a standstill owing to the
fact that tho special venire secured
early in week was exhausted with
out completing the necessary jury.
Another venire has been issued re
turnable Tuesday, March, 5th when it
is expected the trial will begin in
earnest.
No Property Rights
San Francisco, March 1.—The
lower house of the California legis
lature now in session at Sacramento
yesterday passed the Alien Land Kill
which provides that no Japs or Chin
ese can hold property in California
longer than five years. This it is
expected will do more to curb the
Asiatics in this state, than any
measure heretofore attempted.
Will Pass Direct Primary Bill
Olympia, Wash. March 1.—At a
caucus attended by a majority of the
members of the senate last night it
was agreed to support the direct pri
mary bill when same comes up for
passage, Tuesday, March 5th. This
measure has already passed the lower
house and thus is practically suro to
become a law.
Wants Lunacy Commission
New York, March 1.-—It is announc
ed in court circles that Prosecutor
Jerome will probably apply for a
lunacy commission today, for the pur
pose of examining Thaw's mental
condition. This will he the last move
on the state’s part. Several of the
most prominent specialists have ex
pressed a desire to act in case such
a commission is created.
Will Sue Attempted Slayer
Seattle, March 1.—Jesse Hal) re
turned from California today and
announces that he will sue his father
in-law William Constantine for $100,
000 for personal damages. It will be
remembered that some six or eight
months ago Constantine shot Hall in
the latter’s oiHce alleging as his
reason that Hall was not treating his
wife, Constantine's daughter, prop
erly. Constantine was arrested but
never came to trial and was released
on bail. Since that time nothing
fruther has been done in the case
until the statement of Hall's today.
A BIG PLANT
Ketchikan Power Company’s Mill
Terse Tales of Town and
The Vicinity
The saw mill property of the Ketch
ikan Power Company, at the lower
eud of Main street, covers in the
neighborhood of five acres of tide
lands, and is, perhaps, the 'most im
portant industry of which Ketchikan
can boast. The mill lias a capacity
for cutting 23 M per day of ten.hours,
and gives employment to from lit) to 50
men, according to the season—the
minimum number being required dur
ing the winter months, and the max
imum during the summer and more
active season.
The mill is equipped with one liOt)
horse power boiler, two engines of
125 horse power each which operate
the mill machinery, one CO horse
power engine, which runs the dyn
amo which furnishes light for the
premises together with light and
power for the Prye-Bruhn concern and
lights for the residences of the mana
ger and one of the share holders, one
large circular saw and a re-saw, two
planers, and a complete plant of box
.'.taking machinery, for the manufac
ture of salmon packing cases. The
dry kiln lias a capacity of 3 M per
day, while the wharf facilities and
storage, or piling, yards are sufficient
to all present requirements. The
company also owns the tug Vigilant,
which is kept employed in towing
logs to tlie mill and in delivering
lumber to tho outlying camps and
settlements for which last purpose it
has its own barge and scows. The
company is erecting a building in
which it will shortly install a new lot)
horse power boiler, which will be
used as an auxiliary and to provide
against accident to the one now in
use. This new boiler is rendered
necessary on account of a contract
entered into by the company with the
Town Council to furnish salt water to
tlie town for fire protection. This
contract provides that tlie town shall
furnish the pump and tho water
mains to he laid through the princi
pal streets as far as Newtown, and
the company tlie steam for the
steady and uninterrupted operation of
tlie pump. The Blake pump, which
lias a capacity for raising 700 gallons
per minute, has been received, and
will he set up as soon as the house
and foundation can he made ready. It
will ho capable of throwing five
streams through inch or seven
streams thro gh Jjj inch nozzles over
the highest building in tlie business
part of tho town. The water will lie
pumped through 8-inch mains, and
tlie pump will be kept in steady
ojnation night and day, and conse
quently always ready for instant use
iu case of lire. This, with the other ap
pliances for battling with tlie destroy
ing element, ought to render tho
town wholly immune from anything in
tlie shape of a destructive conflagra
tion.
The industry thus briefly described
lias grown in a few short years, from
what could properly be considered
nothing more than a mere scrap
heap of old and practically useless
machinery, to its present magnitude
and importance, under the careful
management and supervision of Mr.
H. 7a. Burkhart, who began business
in Alaska with tlie nucleus of the
present mill at Dolomi, afterwards
associating himself with his pesent
partners, Messrs Summers and Daily,
and removing the plant to this place.
He lias well earned the success which
has resulted from his indomitable
enteprise and energy.
Entertain Their Friends.—Wednes
day night the local lodge of Arctic
Brotherhood held open house to their
friends at Redmen’s hall. After an
hour or so spent at dancing by the
younger, and in cards by tlie more se
date, ice cream and cake was served.
,T. ,1. Daily, under the head of “good
of the order” told of the organization
of the original camp of tlie Arctic
Brotherhood, ten years ago on board
the City of Seattle on which boat he
happened to' he a passenger north
bound at the time. It is tlie inten
tion of the lodge to hold socials of a
kindred nature with considerable fre
quency hereafter, the next one, a
smoker for members only, Wednes
day evening March fi.
Some Fish.—Tlie fishermen are
bringing in fresh halibut at a lively
rate just now. Hamilton & Co,
brought in 5,500 pounds yesterday,
which they sold to one of the cold
storage firms, and immediately depart
ed for tho fishing ground, for another
“catch.” Tlie Alma came in this
morning with 15000 pounds of halibut,
and others are expected in steady
and continuous order, as long as prices
continue renumerative as they now
appear to be.
Capt. Richard Stack, one of Lor
ing's staid and sober citizens, and
master of one of tlie boats of the
Alaska Packers Association fleet,
took in the city sights tlie fore part
of the week.
Supt,. A. G. Geiger of the Hadley
smelter was in town a day or two this
week,
Cash for Alaska s Exposition
Washington, March 1.—The senate
yesterday passed a hill appropriating
$7(10,000 for tlie Alaska-Yukon expo
sition at Seattle in lOOtt. This sum
is intended, to cover expenditures
for building and exhibits.
Nome Rioters Released
Seattle, Feb. 2$.— John Christen
sen and 10. Wai'derson were today re
leased from McNeil’s Island on writs
of appeal. The men were under
sentence to serve three years each
for exciting a rioting at Nome last
yea.r their lawyers having been
fighting for their relief ever since
their incarnation with above results.
Crew For Alaska Railroad
Seattle, March 1.—Superintendent
of Construction McClure with a con
struction crew of sixty men leaves on
the steamship Saratoga for Catella
today, fie takes with him a com
plete outfit and will push work on tin
new railroad to be built from Catella
into the interior.
_
Organize. Railroad Company
Seattle, March J.—The Catclla
Garbon Mountain Railroad lias just
been incorporated for one million
dollars. The principal stock holders
tiro John Schram, W. M. French, T.
S hippy and Clark Davis. It is the
intention of the company to construct
a railroad from Carbon Mountain to
Controller Bay near the mouth of the
Bering river.
Favors Government Aid
Washington, D. I'., March 1.—Sen
ator Nevvlands of the Alaska Road
Commission stated in committee
room last night that he advocated
government assistance to all bona fide
railroads in Alaska. He made the
contention that railroads beneiit the
country and as such should be assist
ed at least until they had secured a
firm footing. He cited the instance
of the railroad now building from
Cordova Bay to the Yukon which
would open up an immense amount of
tcCtcry B0W prwHrally unexplored,',
which if it comes up anywhere near
the expectations of those who have
been over the route will double
Alaska’s copper output
New Commissioner For Yukon
Vancouver, B. C., March 1.—It is
announced today that Hon. Ralph
Smith of Nanaimo lias been proffered
the commissionersliip of the Yukon
Territory to succeed Gov. Mclnnis,
who recently • resigned. Mr. Smith
lias not as yet accepted but it is taken
for granted that lie will do so as the
office is a good one. Gov. Mclnnis ii
will lie remembered resigned to take
up the leadership of the Liberal wing
of British Columbia politics but was
defeated in his trial for a seat in the
provincial pari intent.
Trials Postponed to April 1st
Boise, Idaho. March 1.—Owing
to the length of time consumed in
the Adams case, the trials of Moyer,
Haywood and Pettibone for complic
ity in the murder of Gov. Stunenl urg
will be postponed to the next sitting
of the grand jury which occurs in this
city April 1st. A tremendous amount
of evidence has been secured by the
state and the longest and most stub
bornly contested trial in the history
of the west will commence. The state
will spare no pains to secure con
viction and the Federated Mine
Workers are just as determined in
their efforts to prevent it.
Canal Bonds Illegal
Seattle, March L—The Supreme
court of the state of Washington
handed down a decision in the case
of the proposed half million bond
issue by King county to dig' the Lake
Washington canal declaring the issue
illegal. This decision will probably
enable the property holders along
Lakes Washington and Union to put
into effect their scheme of selling the
state water front property on these
lakes for the purpose of building the
canal.
Steamer Corona Ashore
San Francicso, March 1.—The
steamer Corona of the Pacilic Coast
Co. is hard and fast ashore on the
Hubmoldt Bar. She is in an extrem
ely dangerous position with high
waves breaking completely over her.
She has fifty passengers on board who
are in a state of panic. An effort
will be made to reacli the vessel this
morning to rescue the passengers as
the vessel cannot hold together long
with the. wind and the sea hammering
at her as they arfe.
H. E. Heckman, the merchant
nabob of Loving, was in town, Wed
nesday,
A COMPARISON
The Ketchikan Mining1 District-lts
Natural Advantages
Mine Notes
D. W. Ogle, who has 1 ee 1 operat
ing on Ilumi) Island, which lies a
short distance beyo'nd Point Higgins,
on tho steamer route between Ketch
ikan and Loring, is enthusiastic
over the show he has for the develop
ment of a valuable mining propertty.
Since May last he has been sinking
in an apparently large deposit of ore
carrying good values in copper and
gold—assays running all the way
from $10 to $150—and thinks he has
an immense property even if the
values average no more than those in
dicated by tho lowest assay. He
has about 500 tons of ore in tho |
“dump,” and has made arrangements
for the construction of a wharf 75x75
feet, to facilitate shipments, which
will be commenced immediately
ollowing its completion. In tho
meantime, Mr. Ogle goes to Seattle
to perfect the orgaization of a com
pany, which will take over the prop
erty, and at once enter upon the work
of its further development by running
an open cut into the deposit from the
beach immediately above high water
mark, from which the ore can he
trammed directly upon the wharf.
Nocations were made on this island
years ago, hut no attempt was ever
made at development until Mr. Ogle
took them up. It is sincerely to bo
hoped that ho may not be mistaken
in his estimate of the prospective •
value of the property. The sale of
the Sea Level property including the
50-stamp mill, The Mining News
learns, will shortly be followed by an
expert examination with a view to a
renewal of operations at an early day.
It is quite generally believed that
the Sea Level is a valuable property,
and one which, if properly bandied,
can be made to pay handsome returns.
Under the old regime, very little, if
any effort was made at development,
the operations being practically con
fined to the surface. When the shaft
is carried down to a depth of 500
feet, and a systematic effort made to
open up a mine, without profitable
results, it will be in order t.^condomn <
the property, nnu not before then.
The work preparatory to the com
mencement of active mining opera
tions at the Moonshine property,
Choloinondelev Sound, has been push
ed as far as pracaticable for the
present. The trail has been cut out,
and bridged wherever necessary, for
a distance of about one mile from the
bench to the foot of the mountain,
and when the frost is out of the
ground can be easily made ready for
the animals which are to bo usetl in
packing supplies up to the mine, the
buildings for warehouse purposes at
the beach and for the aconunodation
of the men to be employed has been
completed, the ground in the vicinity
cleared of timber, and in fact all
things made ready for the commence
ment of mining operations at an early
day. It is the purpose of the manage
ment to begin open tions by running a
tunnel about 2(0 feet into the mountain
to tap the deposit, which has
already been opened by shaft to a
depth of about 50 feet, in the mean
time putting in an aerial tramway for
carrying the ore from the mine to a
wharf to be erected on the beach.
During the time in which tho tunnel
is being driven, tho ore that may be
taken out w ill be packed to the 1 each
on pack animals, and will, it is be
lieved, be sufficient in quantity and
value to cover all costs of develop
ment. The ore is an unusually rich
galena, carrying over 80 per cent,
lead and n high per centage of silver
—being in fact, practically all min
eral. The lead is a strong one, most
advantageously located for economical
operation, and that it will proove a
veritable bonanza for the owners
there is every reason to believe.
The Alaska Industrial Company has
at last succeeded in making a ship
ment from its Jumbo mine. Tho
Mackenzie Bros, steamer Haldis
cleared from hero last Monday with
2500 tons for the Tyee smelter, Mr.
Sulzer, the company’s managert accom
puning it for the purpose of looking
after the sampling and making
arrangements for the shipment of
another cargo. Conservative mining
men who have seen the Jumbo ore,
pronounce the Haldis cargo the best
that has ever been sent out of the dis
trict, and estimate the net returns at
anywhere from $50,000 to $50,000.
The Mt. Andrew maintains a
steady output of 100 tons per day, and
has its bunkers full awaiting the
arrival of a ship for another cargo of
1500 tons. Mr. Freeburn, the man
ager, is making good his promise of
5000 tons a month, and will exceed
that rate of production if furnished
with sufficient tranpsortation. •
The Cymru mine made another
shipment of 800 tons the first of the
week. The ore goes to the Tyee
smelter at Ladysmith, Vancouver
Island. Heretofore, the Cymru has
made its shipments to the Copper
mount smelter which is oot at present
in operation.