Volume 08 (1864) (474 pages)

Ghe Mining and Scientifie Dress, Summary of Mining dews. Eu Dorano.—A qnontity of pieked qunrtz was recently crushed Irom the Blue Bank Lead on Webber creek, which paid at the rate of $25,500 to the tun, The company have 100 tons of rock, of extraordinary richness v' the manth of their tunnel. Persons desirous of examining tbe rock will have io oceasion to use mngnitying glasses, Piacer.—The Folsom Yelgranhk says that two new ledges hnye recently leen discovered in the neighborhood of Roek Springs, which nssay nearly $200 in gold and silver. ‘The discoverers are two old miners named Clifford and James. Nevana.—'he editorial correspondence of the drish News furuishes the following interesting faets with regard to the two leading gold mines in Cnlifornin, which are located in Grass Valley: ‘The Allison Ranch gold mino is on the left bnnk of Wolf ereck, nbout three miles south ol the town. The present proprictors were the original discoverers, in 1855, viz: Mesars.’Colbert, Daniels, Falay, Stanton, nid the brothers Donalhne. A few months after they discovered the miuo they offered to sell for $1,000, bat could not get n purehuser. Shortly after, they crushed 18 tons, and it yiclded $6,000; and again 60 tons produced $23,000. ‘They then erected their mill and machinery. Since then it has yiclded nenrly two millious of dollars, and yet it gives no sigas of exhunstation. It is managed with economy nud skill under the auperinteudeuce of Phillip Galloway, sq. ‘This nine has now in its employ over 200 men inits varions departments. Aronnd the null is quito n small town, with boarding bouses, hotels ete. ‘Yhe shafts to this mine are now nearly 500 feet deep. The Rocky Bar or Massachusetts Ifill mine is the most extensive in the vicinity of Grass Valley. At present it employs nearly 300 men. It was lying idle tor two years in consequence of the elaim adjoiming it, the Mount Lope, being in litigation, ns one of the inain shafts of the Mount Jiope Compauy was necessary to be used by the Massachusetts Company lor the effective working of their mine. Within two or three months past, this hindrance was removed, and tho mine is now worked, yielding a rich reward to the labor and_skill applied to it. Messrs. Watt, Connolly and O'Keefe are proprietors of this mine. New machinery and ill gearing to the amonnt of $40,000 has been added to tbe mill of this company. The last mentioned mine will compare favorably in richness with the Allison Ranch, and either may be looked upon as equal in richuess to any ground of equal extent in Washoe, Sienra.—The Mountain Messenger says that the Mountaineer company, at Howland Flat, took out last week $2,500, lor 26 hour's washing, and have from $t2,000 to $15,000 of the same kind of dirt in their dump shed. Hibernia claim is paying well, and have at the lowest figure $30,000 worth of dirt out and realy for washing. .A correspondent of the saine paper, writing from the Middle Fork of tho Yuba, says more work ts being done in that section than was anticipated. Several companies have opened claims in the river banks, and found very gvod pay where the ground was supposed to be worthless. ‘The claim of Reipe & Co. is paying: hall’ an ounce a day to the hand; that of the Land Pirate about the same. The Sierra Democrat says that the Young America Mining Company have reeently completed a tunnel which opens up a bed of auriferons gravel hitherto untouclied, and which appearnnces strongly indicate is extensive, underlying the ridge between Sawmill Flat nnd Wet Ravine. Should this prove to be the case, this discovcry 13 among the inost important made in the county for years past. The Young America boys have great faith in the permanency and extent of the diggings, und are putting their claims in shape for prosccuting work ou a big scale. Suasta.—The Cow:ier says that a new ledge of gold-bearing quartz has been discovered on Clear creck, nbout three miles froin Whiskytown, which is pronounced decidedly rich. The exact whereabonis of the Iedge has not yet been revealed, as the discoverers leel sife in its hidden locality, and nre not yet ready to “locato.” The Excelsior Company are progressing rapidly with their tunnel. ‘The first snow storm of the season commenced at this place ou the 29th. Truawa-—The Red Bluff Independent says that the Pittsburg copper mines are creating quite a stir ju that towu. The rock of the Killinger Company i nssays S117 per ton. Other eoimpanies nre not far lwhind. ‘They are nearly all busy at work, and good things nre expeeted in the Spring. There nre good prospects of machinery soon heing put up in that district, Quite a number ol eitizens of Sacramento and San Francisco are interested. Siskrvou.—The miners in this county are diseovering new leads, ‘The Yreka Journal of January 27th siys thnt new leads of silver and gold-bearing roek have lately heen discovered in different portions of this county, which apparently promise great richness. Last week, the Lucre lead, on Empire creek, asniall tributary of the Klamath, below the mouth of Hinnbug erovk, was disevvered, and bids fair to excel in richness tho richest in Washoe. 1f miners would prospect and work California mines as perseveringly as they do Washoe, we should svon be able to prove conclusively that the silver inines of Culifornia nre well worthy the aitention of capitalists. Tire Coast Rancr.—aA gentleman who has reeently been prospecting in tho Coast Range, in Mendocino and Lake eounties, informs the Folsom Telegraph that it is n region of wonderful mineral ricliness, it seeming to hii one vast hed of mincial composed of cinnabar, eopper, silver and gold. ‘Tho erizzly however, now holds undisputed sway there, twenty baving been sccu in asingle day. Other vnrieties of game are also abundant, supposed to have been driven thither from scttled portious of the Stnte. Tunark.—The reports of important discoveries in the vicinity of Visalia, are attracting considerable attention, Tbe Delta of January 28tb, says that the citizeus of that placo have been mucb exeited for the past three weeks over the reported discovery of gold, silyer and copper leads in the foothills and spurs of the Sierra east of the town. ‘“ Quite a number of claims have been taken up, and probably 150 men are at present on the ground, either hunting leads or digging into those already discovered. Many specimens of gold and silver ore have heen shown us, which are very rich, especially the latter. Ofcopper ore we are no judge, but others assure us that the indications are very good. The silver leads range from thicce to thirty fect in thickness. A large load of the gold and silver rock has been hrought into town which assays very rich, especially the latter, which assnys $200 to the ton.” We expect soon to be placed iu possession of the facts in relation to these reported discoveries, by a gentleman fully com. petent to judge of their merits. Los Ancetrs.-—Eneouraging reports of mining diseoverics are continually coming in from Los Angeles. ‘What promises to be an important copper discovery has been mado within twelve miles of the city. Tuotumye.—-The Courier states that a ledge of gold beariug quartz was receutly discovered near Colmubia, which showed much gold in the ecroppings. Jt was estimated that sixty or seventy thousand dollars was iu sight, upon the surface. It was accidently discovered by a party who were hunting for cattle. Isrortant Mrxinec Discovery.-James Say, the discoverer of the now famous Desert District, near Virginia City, is said to have discovered, some three weeks since, a still richer district, a few miles to the northeast of the Desert. The Virginia Unio says that My. S. gives it as his opinion that it is richer than even Gold Ifill or Virgiuia City. The specimens which he brings in are exceedingly rich, in tho form of black sulphurets. he district has been christened Sebastopol. It is located twelve iniles cast of ‘Truckee river, and seven from Hot Spriugs. Poworr.—Over 7,000 kegs of blas‘ing powder arrived in this port on Wednesday, but the price is still held up to $10 per keg. This arrival, in eonnection with several large invoices uow on the way, ought to relieve all striugeney iu the powder market. We would suggest to our Stockton correspondent that he should put his “ specs” on, and look a little closer to the paragraph he criticises. We printed “6.20” and not “620.” There is a wide difftreuee between the two amounts, AN EXTRAORDINARY WINTER. ‘The small amount of rain that, has fallen thas fir the present season. is without a parnilel since the ndveut of the gold-digzers on this coast, and eonstitutes a matter of serions npprehension nniong farmers and much discouragement among placer miners. Considerable speeulation was indulged in during the eally part of the season ns to the probable character of the winter, nud we believo the general impression was that we were to have a mild one. Old settlers nssertcd that a dry fall was always followed by a mild winter. ‘he disinelination of the water-lowl to move south ns lreely as usnal, was also given as an infallible sign to the sameeffeet. ‘I'he resnlt thus far has fully proved the correetness of these predictions. The placer miners and farmers, everywhere, aro making doleful complnints on account of the drouth, and with reason, for the operations of the miners in many localities aro greatly impeded, while cattle are dying by thousands, especially in the extreme southeru portions of the State. The Los Angeles Star, as late ag Jannary 23d, says that it is truly melancholy to notice the great number of cattle that have died lately on different ranches thronghout that couutry. Jt is admitted that, on some, one-half of the stock have perished from hunger, and there is great apprehension that, many more will yet be lost if a favorable raiu should not shortly come. In passing over the plains, many of the cattle appear like skeletons, and seem unable to move far from the springs and water courses, from which they reeeive nearly all that prolongs life. Farther up in the Tulare Valley the suffering among the cattle has not beeu so severe, although much loss has been eutailed. Within the past five weeks enough rain has fallen to secure the safety of eattle for another year. Reports from Livermoro and Sau Joaquin Valleys are to the same effect. In tbe San José Valley, according to the Patriot of January 27th, farming prospects are excecdingly gloomy. ‘The extraordinary droutb continues. But two falls of rain of nny accomnt have occurred during the season—one in November, and one about the last. of December, since which time dry, cloudless weather has been expericneed. The present has been pronouneed the dryest season for many years. Yhe Patriot predicts that there will yet be much suffering in that region unless ihe rains come svon and copiously. The central and nortbern portions of the State have been more favored with the aqueons clement, but still in quantities quite jusufficient for the actual uced of the eonntry. The extraordiuary mildness and beauty of the wiuter, in this city, is the remark and wonder of all. he Sacramento river, we believe, was never before at so low a stage, at this season of the year, since steam navigatiou was first attempted upon its waters. The mildness of the wiuter has exterdo] into and over the Sierra aud quite to the foot of the Rocky Mouutaius. ‘The reports from Washoe are to the effect that so beautiful aud mild a winter has never before been witnessed there by oven that ubiquitous biped, the “oldest inhabitant.” In that region, a mild and dry wiuter isa blessing, as it nflords increased facilities for carrying on the class of mining which constitutes almost the only employment there. A lively spring and smmmer in Washoe is predicted in consequence. ‘The same ecompsrative degree of mildness appears to exist throughout lismeraldu, Iumboldt and Reese Miver. Irom the Plains, to the east of the Rocky Mountains, we hear quite a different story, to the effect that so early and severe a wiutcr has never belore been known. The same reports reach us from the Atlantie seaboard. Tho unusual detention of the overland mails in the vicinity of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, aud the blocking up of railways, in one iustance for ten days, fully attests the truth of . these reports.

Ghe Mining and Scientifie Dress, Summary of Mining dews. Eu Dorano.—A qnontity of pieked qunrtz was recently crushed Irom the Blue Bank Lead on Webber creek, which paid at the rate of $25,500 to the tun, The company have 100 tons of rock, of extraordinary richness v' the manth of their tunnel. Persons desirous of examining tbe rock will have io oceasion to use mngnitying glasses, Piacer.—The Folsom Yelgranhk says that two new ledges hnye recently leen discovered in the neighborhood of Roek Springs, which nssay nearly $200 in gold and silver. ‘The discoverers are two old miners named Clifford and James. Nevana.—'he editorial correspondence of the drish News furuishes the following interesting faets with regard to the two leading gold mines in Cnlifornin, which are located in Grass Valley: ‘The Allison Ranch gold mino is on the left bnnk of Wolf ereck, nbout three miles south ol the town. The present proprictors were the original discoverers, in 1855, viz: Mesars.’Colbert, Daniels, Falay, Stanton, nid the brothers Donalhne. A few months after they discovered the miuo they offered to sell for $1,000, bat could not get n purehuser. Shortly after, they crushed 18 tons, and it yiclded $6,000; and again 60 tons produced $23,000. ‘They then erected their mill and machinery. Since then it has yiclded nenrly two millious of dollars, and yet it gives no sigas of exhunstation. It is managed with economy nud skill under the auperinteudeuce of Phillip Galloway, sq. ‘This nine has now in its employ over 200 men inits varions departments. Aronnd the null is quito n small town, with boarding bouses, hotels ete. ‘Yhe shafts to this mine are now nearly 500 feet deep. The Rocky Bar or Massachusetts Ifill mine is the most extensive in the vicinity of Grass Valley. At present it employs nearly 300 men. It was lying idle tor two years in consequence of the elaim adjoiming it, the Mount Lope, being in litigation, ns one of the inain shafts of the Mount Jiope Compauy was necessary to be used by the Massachusetts Company lor the effective working of their mine. Within two or three months past, this hindrance was removed, and tho mine is now worked, yielding a rich reward to the labor and_skill applied to it. Messrs. Watt, Connolly and O'Keefe are proprietors of this mine. New machinery and ill gearing to the amonnt of $40,000 has been added to tbe mill of this company. The last mentioned mine will compare favorably in richness with the Allison Ranch, and either may be looked upon as equal in richuess to any ground of equal extent in Washoe, Sienra.—The Mountain Messenger says that the Mountaineer company, at Howland Flat, took out last week $2,500, lor 26 hour's washing, and have from $t2,000 to $15,000 of the same kind of dirt in their dump shed. Hibernia claim is paying well, and have at the lowest figure $30,000 worth of dirt out and realy for washing. .A correspondent of the saine paper, writing from the Middle Fork of tho Yuba, says more work ts being done in that section than was anticipated. Several companies have opened claims in the river banks, and found very gvod pay where the ground was supposed to be worthless. ‘The claim of Reipe & Co. is paying: hall’ an ounce a day to the hand; that of the Land Pirate about the same. The Sierra Democrat says that the Young America Mining Company have reeently completed a tunnel which opens up a bed of auriferons gravel hitherto untouclied, and which appearnnces strongly indicate is extensive, underlying the ridge between Sawmill Flat nnd Wet Ravine. Should this prove to be the case, this discovcry 13 among the inost important made in the county for years past. The Young America boys have great faith in the permanency and extent of the diggings, und are putting their claims in shape for prosccuting work ou a big scale. Suasta.—The Cow:ier says that a new ledge of gold-bearing quartz has been discovered on Clear creck, nbout three miles froin Whiskytown, which is pronounced decidedly rich. The exact whereabonis of the Iedge has not yet been revealed, as the discoverers leel sife in its hidden locality, and nre not yet ready to “locato.” The Excelsior Company are progressing rapidly with their tunnel. ‘The first snow storm of the season commenced at this place ou the 29th. Truawa-—The Red Bluff Independent says that the Pittsburg copper mines are creating quite a stir ju that towu. The rock of the Killinger Company i nssays S117 per ton. Other eoimpanies nre not far lwhind. ‘They are nearly all busy at work, and good things nre expeeted in the Spring. There nre good prospects of machinery soon heing put up in that district, Quite a number ol eitizens of Sacramento and San Francisco are interested. Siskrvou.—The miners in this county are diseovering new leads, ‘The Yreka Journal of January 27th siys thnt new leads of silver and gold-bearing roek have lately heen discovered in different portions of this county, which apparently promise great richness. Last week, the Lucre lead, on Empire creek, asniall tributary of the Klamath, below the mouth of Hinnbug erovk, was disevvered, and bids fair to excel in richness tho richest in Washoe. 1f miners would prospect and work California mines as perseveringly as they do Washoe, we should svon be able to prove conclusively that the silver inines of Culifornia nre well worthy the aitention of capitalists. Tire Coast Rancr.—aA gentleman who has reeently been prospecting in tho Coast Range, in Mendocino and Lake eounties, informs the Folsom Telegraph that it is n region of wonderful mineral ricliness, it seeming to hii one vast hed of mincial composed of cinnabar, eopper, silver and gold. ‘Tho erizzly however, now holds undisputed sway there, twenty baving been sccu in asingle day. Other vnrieties of game are also abundant, supposed to have been driven thither from scttled portious of the Stnte. Tunark.—The reports of important discoveries in the vicinity of Visalia, are attracting considerable attention, Tbe Delta of January 28tb, says that the citizeus of that placo have been mucb exeited for the past three weeks over the reported discovery of gold, silyer and copper leads in the foothills and spurs of the Sierra east of the town. ‘“ Quite a number of claims have been taken up, and probably 150 men are at present on the ground, either hunting leads or

digging into those already discovered. Many specimens of gold and silver ore have heen shown us, which are very rich, especially the latter. Ofcopper ore we are no judge, but others assure us that the indications are very good. The silver leads range from thicce to thirty fect in thickness. A large load of the gold and silver rock has been hrought into town which assays very rich, especially the latter, which assnys $200 to the ton.” We expect soon to be placed iu possession of the facts in relation to these reported discoveries, by a gentleman fully com. petent to judge of their merits. Los Ancetrs.-—Eneouraging reports of mining diseoverics are continually coming in from Los Angeles. ‘What promises to be an important copper discovery has been mado within twelve miles of the city. Tuotumye.—-The Courier states that a ledge of gold beariug quartz was receutly discovered near Colmubia, which showed much gold in the ecroppings. Jt was estimated that sixty or seventy thousand dollars was iu sight, upon the surface. It was accidently discovered by a party who were hunting for cattle. Isrortant Mrxinec Discovery.-James Say, the discoverer of the now famous Desert District, near Virginia City, is said to have discovered, some three weeks since, a still richer district, a few miles to the northeast of the Desert. The Virginia Unio says that My. S. gives it as his opinion that it is richer than even Gold Ifill or Virgiuia City. The specimens which he brings in are exceedingly rich, in tho form of black sulphurets. he district has been christened Sebastopol. It is located twelve iniles cast of ‘Truckee river, and seven from Hot Spriugs. Poworr.—Over 7,000 kegs of blas‘ing powder arrived in this port on Wednesday, but the price is still held up to $10 per keg. This arrival, in eonnection with several large invoices uow on the way, ought to relieve all striugeney iu the powder market. We would suggest to our Stockton correspondent that he should put his “ specs” on, and look a little closer to the paragraph he criticises. We printed “6.20” and not “620.” There is a wide difftreuee between the two amounts, AN EXTRAORDINARY WINTER. ‘The small amount of rain that, has fallen thas fir the present season. is without a parnilel since the ndveut of the gold-digzers on this coast, and eonstitutes a matter of serions npprehension nniong farmers and much discouragement among placer miners. Considerable speeulation was indulged in during the eally part of the season ns to the probable character of the winter, nud we believo the general impression was that we were to have a mild one. Old settlers nssertcd that a dry fall was always followed by a mild winter. ‘he disinelination of the water-lowl to move south ns lreely as usnal, was also given as an infallible sign to the sameeffeet. ‘I'he resnlt thus far has fully proved the correetness of these predictions. The placer miners and farmers, everywhere, aro making doleful complnints on account of the drouth, and with reason, for the operations of the miners in many localities aro greatly impeded, while cattle are dying by thousands, especially in the extreme southeru portions of the State. The Los Angeles Star, as late ag Jannary 23d, says that it is truly melancholy to notice the great number of cattle that have died lately on different ranches thronghout that couutry. Jt is admitted that, on some, one-half of the stock have perished from hunger, and there is great apprehension that, many more will yet be lost if a favorable raiu should not shortly come. In passing over the plains, many of the cattle appear like skeletons, and seem unable to move far from the springs and water courses, from which they reeeive nearly all that prolongs life. Farther up in the Tulare Valley the suffering among the cattle has not beeu so severe, although much loss has been eutailed. Within the past five weeks enough rain has fallen to secure the safety of eattle for another year. Reports from Livermoro and Sau Joaquin Valleys are to the same effect. In tbe San José Valley, according to the Patriot of January 27th, farming prospects are excecdingly gloomy. ‘The extraordinary droutb continues. But two falls of rain of nny accomnt have occurred during the season—one in November, and one about the last. of December, since which time dry, cloudless weather has been expericneed. The present has been pronouneed the dryest season for many years. Yhe Patriot predicts that there will yet be much suffering in that region unless ihe rains come svon and copiously. The central and nortbern portions of the State have been more favored with the aqueons clement, but still in quantities quite jusufficient for the actual uced of the eonntry. The extraordiuary mildness and beauty of the wiuter, in this city, is the remark and wonder of all. he Sacramento river, we believe, was never before at so low a stage, at this season of the year, since steam navigatiou was first attempted upon its waters. The mildness of the wiuter has exterdo] into and over the Sierra aud quite to the foot of the Rocky Mouutaius. ‘The reports from Washoe are to the effect that so beautiful aud mild a winter has never before been witnessed there by oven that ubiquitous biped, the “oldest inhabitant.” In that region, a mild and dry wiuter isa blessing, as it nflords increased facilities for carrying on the class of mining which constitutes almost the only employment there. A lively spring and smmmer in Washoe is predicted in consequence. ‘The same ecompsrative degree of mildness appears to exist throughout lismeraldu, Iumboldt and Reese Miver. Irom the Plains, to the east of the Rocky Mountains, we hear quite a different story, to the effect that so early and severe a wiutcr has never belore been known. The same reports reach us from the Atlantie seaboard. Tho unusual detention of the overland mails in the vicinity of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, aud the blocking up of railways, in one iustance for ten days, fully attests the truth of . these reports.