At Fort Norman, the Bear River joins the McKenzie River, and up the Bear lies Great Bear Lake, on whose shores prospectors found great quantities of Pitch Blend, from which Radium is obtained. A “rush” followed, claims were staked and worked and soon big companies took over. Hundreds of tons of machinery and supplies were brought “In” by steamer and were taken up the Bear River which is composed of a series of bad rapids and only navigable for about 2 months in the year. The product from these mines was taken “out” (to Civilization) by Aeroplane in tins – a tin full, which one could hold in one's hand, being worth $75,000.00 (15.000 [pounds]).
