Metaline's Mines Are Ready to Roar—If the Railroad Arrives

Not much progress in the way of mining development has been made in the Metaline district during the past year. With no means of transportation, the handicap for many years of this district, no large undertakings have been attempted.

With the assurance of rail transportation through the extension of the Idaho Washington Northern Railroad, to be completed to Sullivan creek next year, all indications point to a revival of the camp and the beginning of development and shipment of ores. Many properties are in such shape that but small expenditure will put them on the shipping list. That the district has surface showings exceeding anything in the Northwest has long been conceded by mining men, but the futility of undertaking extensive development without means of transportation has kept back the camp.

There are a number of patented properties in the district, on which all work has been halted until the railroad gets there.

The Sterling Silver Lead Co. is one of the Metaline companies which has been steadily going ahead with the development of water rights, etc. On the Clark property, located near Dead Man's Eddy, just below Metaline Falls, the Larson Lead Co. has started work with a force of 20 men and will at once expend $15,000 in development. Already there has been expended on this property $34,000, and the results are such as to warrant the statement that a mill can be profitably operated. The Larson people are working the property under a lease, and expect to build the mill in the spring if the money they are now spending in development shows the results they expect.

At the recent meeting of the Silver Lead Co. stockholders the old officers of the company were re-elected for another year. A lien was recently filed on the property of the company for the sum of $2072.35. Officers of the company state that the money for the satisfaction of the lien will shortly be forthcoming and the affairs of the company placed in good shape.

The work of developing the water power of Sullivan creek for the Inland Portland Cement Co. is progressing steadily though handicapped by the difficulty of getting men.

Now that the steamer Metaline is handling freight and passengers through Box Canyon, the camp is enjoying the best service it ever had. The canyon is navigated without danger by Capt. Flanders and he is enjoying a profitable business.

The Oriole Mining Co., located in the Metaline district, has made arrangements to install a 3-drill compressor, pump and hoist. A large ore house has just been erected for the purpose of storing the ore until shipping begins. The company is not anxious to ship at the present time, on account of prospects of cheaper rates over the new railroad now under construction. From the amount of ore now in sight the mine will be a daily shipper. Experts who have examined the property during the last few weeks state that the Oriole will have no trouble shipping several cars of ore a day.

It is announced in Spokane that a movement is on foot to consolidate the Mammoth and Morning mining properties, located in the Metaline district. These companies have been closely associated in the past, and a joint tunnel has just been run on a line between the two properties. The same parties being stockholders in both properties, a meeting was held a short time ago and a committee was appointed to lay plans for a consolidation of the two companies. Both of these properties have made fine showings this season and a consolidation will mean the development of both on a large scale. The report of this committee is expected daily.