The Rush for the Okanagan Mines
A party of Spokane residents returns from an 800-mile expedition to the newly opened mineral fields, predicting a massive influx of prospectors.
About three weeks ago a party of gentlemen from this city, feeling convinced that there were rich mineral fields in the section of land recently taken from the Moses Reservation, decided upon exploring that region. The party consisted of Wm. Kaiser, R. R. Hargrove, H. A. Bateman, A. S. J. Phelps, Mr. Linden, and Mr. Mansfield. They returned last Wednesday morning, after traveling upward of 800 miles, perfectly satisfied with the journey. A number of fine specimens of quartz were brought home, which shows indications of gold, silver, and lead. The gentlemen are of the opinion that the country will fill up rapidly with miners and the territory will contain upward of 10,000 people within a year. One white man known as Okanagan Smith, who has made his home in those wilds for over twenty years, has some rich claims for which he has been offered $60,000. The Okanagan Mines are located on the Melcomine river, about 15 miles from its mouth where it enters the Okanagan river. The distance from Spokane Falls is 225 miles. At present there are three mines partially developed. One mine called the Smith mine has a shaft twenty feet deep and shows a well-defined true fissure ledge and averages eight feet in thickness.
“The gentlemen are of the opinion that the country will fill up rapidly with miners and the territory will contain upward of 10,000 people within a year.”
This story reflects the 'boom' mentality that defined Spokane's early growth, where the promise of mineral wealth drove exploration and infrastructure development. It also touches on the dispossession of Indigenous land, as the mines were located on territory recently taken from the Moses Reservation.
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