The mineral exhibit of the State at the World’s Fair at St. Louis embraced specimens from every county and mining district.  Hundreds of mines contributed specimens of ore and they were all labeled and displayed to the best advantage possible in the Idaho booth.  The largest specimens were huge nuggets of lead ore weighing several tons each, almost pure lead, which occupied a central place in the exhibit and served to draw attention to the vast collection of other mineral specimens.  Boise, the seat of government, was represented by specimens of gold-bearing rhyolite from the granite slopes north of the city, as well as by samples of fire clay of high quality; found partly within the city limits.  From the Black Hornet and Curlew Creek districts came quartz specimens containing gold and silver.  From Bear Creek were cuttings from the dike formation of low-grade ores that may mean much to Boise if they be profitably handled.

There were specimens of lead ores from Halley and Wood Rivet district, where lead to the value of $20,000,000 has been taken out.  These ores run high in silver, and the revival of interest in the workings there is a matter of comment.  These specimens included some of the Minnie Moore deposits, the most famous mine in Idaho’s history, whose best ores show 70 per cent lead and 110 ounces of silver to the ton.  A few specimens of gold-bearing quartz from the Boise basin were shown, although these deposits are but partly developed, more interest attaching to the placer mining, which has produced a hundred million dollars’ worth of gold in the history of this region.  The Pearl district contributed good specimens of oxidized quartz and granite gangue, iron and arsenical pyrites with zinc blend, and a showing of galena and copper sulphides.  Monaxite, a heavy yellow sand, the ore of thorium, is found here, and is in considerable demand on account of the new discoveries in the radio activity of certain minerals.

From the vicinity of Pocatello were fine specimens of copper and lead ores having gold and silver veins, iron, and manganese oxide ores.  These came principally from the workings on Rabbit Creek, Pocatello Creek, and the Hovey group.  Coal specimens were shown from the vicinity of Blackfoot and Idaho Falls.  From Bear Lake County were ores carrying copper, gold, and silver.  Coal specimens were shown from the Goose Creek Mountains and the ranges in the southern part of Cassia County.  The mines all about Silver City, the county seat and mining center, were well represented.  The South Mountain district, south of Silver City, was represented by ores from some of the reopened mines which had been idle for many years.