Idaho Weekly Keystone

New Copper Discoveries—The Grand Prize—Prospects for a Good Fall.

The prospects at Houston are very favorable for a lively fall season. The 30-ton copper smelters have been forwarded from Blackfoot and will be up in readiness for operation as soon as possible. They are, we understand, sent in by the Pacific Iron Company, which company advances a working capital on the security of a portion of the profits from the yield of the big copper mine, which is to give the works refusal of 200 tons daily should the addition of greater reduction capacity become practicable after a trial run. This mine is known to be the largest copper mine in the country, having a definable width of 1300 feet. Much of the ore is easily extracted and of a high grade and good working character.

Two hundred tons ore lie on the dump of the Grand Prize mine, and many smaller mines have extracted proportionate amounts awaiting the advent of custom reduction works.

The discovery of another immense copper mine, by Bill Condron and others, about fifteen miles from Houston, is at present the consuming talk at that place, and it is thought the new find is a rich thing. The ore is of a higher grade than any other yet discovered.

In the town of Houston business is moderately good and town lots are selling at from $10 to $125, according to location. Hotel and stable accommodations are first-class, and visitors to the camp are generally pleased to find good fare.

The trial grain crops planted below Houston are ripening beautifully, showing the agricultural resources of Lost River by no means inferior. There is a territory of these rich lands about thirty miles square. Stock on the range do well.