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CM . . . .
Volume V Number 9 . . . . January 1, 1999
excerpt: Barber Benny Hollinger and his chum Alec Gillies came to the Porcupine on the strength of rumours of Wilson's discovery backed by a grubstake of $145. The group at the Dome advised the newcomers to try ground four miles further west since all available claims had been taken around the Dome discovery. They wound up near Pearl Lake and the discovery of Reuben D'Aigle's abandoned drill steel and anvil spurred them to be careful search around the area. The two men were out of sight of each other when suddenly Benny let out a roar of excitement. When his partner hustled over to the spot, he found that the moss Hollinger had pulled away had covered quartz with gold like candle drippings, splattered along the vein for 60 feet. The two happy prospectors staked their quota of ground and even had time to stake a claim for a friend before heading south to record the properties. Their deal for the claims was made later in Haileybury. Noah and Henry Timmins and their partners, backed by their Larose Mine in the Cobalt silver camp, purchased the Hollinger claims and others for a total of 560 acres at a record for the time of $1 million.The above description of two prospectors making the discovery which led to a Porcupine area gold mine is an example of the vivid writing by Barnes as he tells the story of five huge mining areas in Northern Ontario. He brings history to life by telling of the adventure and daring of the early prospectors as they opened up the North to industry and prosperity. Five mining areas are described - Red Lake, Hemlo, Sudbury, Timmins and Kirkland Lake. Barnes also has a chapter on a modern marvel - the Sudbury neutrino laboratory which is 6,800 feet deep in the almost century-old Creighton mine. This ultra-modern technological installation is used by scientists from three countries for research on fusion and may, in the future, be used by other groups for research into energy and environmental problems. The book is illustrated with a large number of black and white photos. Michael Barnes has written nearly forty books about the North, and this volume about the great mines of Northern Ontario will only add to his reputation for excellent writing and in-depth research. Barnes was honoured with the Order of Canada in 1995 for his contribution to northern literature. Barnes has produced a very interesting, educational and readable book. Included is a selected bibliography and a glossary of mining terms. This book would be an excellent addition to library collections needing such specialized materials. A valuable resource for historical study and an enjoyable reading experience. Highly recommended. Luella Sumner is the Head Librarian at the Red Rock Public Library, Red Rock, Ontario.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - JANAURY 1, 1999.
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