The Snow That Stole the Gold: Snohomish County’s Mining Boom Hits a Wall

Arthur Hank, well-known mining man, arrived in the city today from Snohomish and is registered at the Hotel. He speaks enthusiastically of the mines in and around Snohomish County, and the outlook is very bright.

"That is a part of the country," said Mr. Hank, "which has not been developed, and the richness of its mineral soil is practically unknown. Only recently has work been done to any extent. The large amount of snow which fell last winter has slowed melting and has interfered greatly with the development work."

"Another reason for little development work is owing to the fact that many people have been devoting their attention largely to the country in the neighborhood of British Columbia and Alaska. It is true that the ground is rich there, but the time will soon come when the public will look toward Snohomish and Kitsap counties as one of the most important mining centers in the United States."

While at Snohomish I visited the majority of the principal mines of that section and found that good work was being done on nearly all of them. In this district the Monte Cristo, near Index, is developing twenty-five to forty ounces. The Iron Mountain, owned by Hanton, Merchant & Fellow, is also showing up well, and a tunnel has recently been driven in to the extent of 1,000 ft.

The Hold Fast claim, near Monte Cristo, has recently been sold to a Pennsylvania syndicate for $35,000. The Cloud mine near there is also producing good ore, and assays $11.50 in gold. The nearest claim adjoining that is yielding rich ore intermixed with silver.

The Silverton mine, 12 miles south of Monte Cristo, is another mine in which good work is being done. The Bonanza Queen is a mine up to good advantage. These claims are located in what is known as the Copper Range. The latter has recently been purchased by a Boston firm.

On the Sultan Basin there are 15 claims which contain a large body of high-grade ore, and this assays $10 per ton. The property is owned by a syndicate composed of Seattle and Boston parties.

Near Index, the Sunset mine, owned by John R. McElhany & Co., is showing up to good advantage. The drifts have been extended a considerable distance and nearly the whole of the ore body is exposed. The ore improves in value as the depth increases. On Money Creek, the Apex claim, owned by J. P. Stevens and Mr. Mason, of Seattle, ore is being taken out to the value of $150 per ton.

In King County the 16 Tunnel is showing up good. A large body of ore has recently been uncovered, the values of which run the way from $18 to $24 per ton. The property is located on the Snoqualmie Creek, near Index.

The Cleopatra, on the Miller River, is also showing high-grade ore, valued at $100 per ton. This property is owned by the Silver Rock company, composed of Seattle and eastern men. There is good work being done in the Monte Carlo mine, located on Silver Creek. The mine is owned by Mr. Schneider, of Snohomish. A tunnel 500 ft. in length has recently been excavated.

Mr. Hank will go to Dawson about June 1, to look after some claims which he has located on Quartz Creek, near Eldorado.