Daily Capital Journal

Will Demonstrate the High Grade Character of Eastern Oregon's Base Ores.

The Sumpter smelter was blown in on Thursday last, and the Reporter says of it:

"Backed up against the snow-capped hills surrounding the canyon through which Powder river takes its way yesterday were noticed great volumes of smoke tinged with a golden hue.

" 'Look at the smelter smoke,' said those who had not been advised of the event, with exclamatory accents which sounded good to all ears.

"Blown in at last," said others. "I hope it means as much in the future for Sumpter as the construction work did."

General Manager Mueller, who is out at Quartzburg, had requested that nothing be said with reference to the firing of the furnace, in order that an unmanageable crowd would not appear and interfere with the workmen.

For several weeks Superintendent Carr B. Neel has been busy with his force of men getting ready for the event which yesterday marked an epoch in the mineral life of Oregon. That he did his work well was manifested by the smoothness with which every detail was worked out and by the absence of all friction at every point.

There were no more delays than are to be found in old established institutions of the kind almost every day.

The coke had been placed and fired early. The shift went on at about 7 o'clock and worked as though a world of experience stood behind their labors. Soon the molten stuff was seen sizzling all along the battery of furnaces.

Those who had accepted personal invitations were anxious to acquire souvenirs of the first matte made, and when it had been made cool Mr. Neel had quite a quantity broken up and by the early part of the afternoon a large number of pieces had found their way up town and into cabinet collections.

The matte is as pretty as any to be seen anywhere, indicating that plant, operations, material and men are of the best quality and character.

It's the first smelter for precious metals in Oregon. It cost in the neighborhood of $175,000. It is managed and owned by men who have confidence in the ore values of this mineral belt. —Baker City Democrat.