The Colville Examiner

Indications point quite favorably to the rebuilding of the Northport smelting plant that has been idle for a number of years. The contracts between the mine owners of the Coeur d'Alenes and the Federal refining interests will expire in a few days, and the mine owners, during their long season of prosperity under favorable arrangements for the treatment of their ores have grown strong enough to care for their own interests independently. They also have extended their holdings to rich producers in British Columbia. The Northport smelter, owned by A. J. McMillan of London, holds the key to the situation for a short haul from both districts. The Great Northern railway can furnish the fuel, and is anxious for the tonnage of both the coal and the lead mines, and it may be little surprise if the Northport smelter is blown in within 90 days. It is hoped by all the people of Stevens county that Northport shall again come into its own.