Volume 12 (1866) (428 pages)

The Mining and Scie send even a light elrze from an electrical battery through the wires, and the powder will be iguited and the tube burst into fragmeuts. Now instend of powder take powdered rosin or sPaling-wax, md the result is the same as belore thouwh ottended with a apparent combastion of the rosin or wax; bot a renurkablo fact connveted with tais experiment is, thut, instead of an explosive or inflammable snbstaiuce we substitute one whielt is neither, such as dry earth, clay, sand or powdered gluss, nnd the explosion sents equally violunt. Let ua extend the experiment by plucing upon @ table, from one side to the other, seyeral avetions ol wire or uny good eonductor unt bringing the ends with n quarter of un inch vf each other; now cover the spaces und he adjacent ends of the conducter with dif. ferent carths having differont deyrees of compaemness ; covering some with weiglits, and in every respect sarying their conditions ag muet as pussitde ; now send a strong charge of eleetrictly through the Hine formed of condneting aud non-renducting substances, and the latter will be blown up, scatterud, cracked, and the weights raised for an instant oaly to full buek to thetr origins positim, no two being affected alike but all of them earthquakes in winiature, aud these without calling to our aid the powers of explosives or pent-up steam or guses, except such as amy be the result of an instantaneous auction of the vleeiric Haid upon the substances it encounters im ils passinge; and theso substances ued not 1s we huve shown, be either explosive or inflamiuble. Now mining experience in Culifornia has shown us thut metallic veins are not always continvous 3 but iv many pluces broken or disjointed, und this feature duubtless pertains to all the greut inctallic ore-yeins of the eurth, and intervening, between the ends of these disrupted veins ure substances that compared to the veins themselves are non-conductors. Thus breaks or chasms in the reeulor yeins are doubtless sometimes of great extent, and the passage ol the electric cmrent through them causes the infinite vuriety of upheavals, rullings and rockings of the earth adjacent to aud utove them. This doubtless is the real reason why one place of only limited extent, seems more viotently agitated thin anuther near by, though apparently in the direet route of the electric current. In one purt the fluid traverses a neatly perfect vonductor, and here the disturbaney is but slight ; but let it be compelled to leap the chasm that was made through and deep below the conducting vein, when the Golden Gate chasm was formed and we heur the rnmblings of the earthquake and San Francisco feels the shock, and so of other places situated on or near any of these dislocations. We intended to huve shown what connection volcanoes have with enrthqnakes; but we have already greatly exceeded the limit usually allowed to writers, who are able only to iuterest the lew. Litr.ek Cnoitnrex.—PBless the little children! Who dves not love to hear their sweet voices riug merrily and sweetly out under the clear and open sky? If there is ve-erved Jor human fife a joy more exalted than any other, it is that of witnessing aul mingling ia the innocent enjoyineats of children. So.nebody has said, © beware of that man who does not love children.” The noblest ininds that the world has ever witnessed, have been delighted with the frolics and amusements of chillren. ‘the great Duke ot Wellington is often referred to ag an example in this respeet. It is recoided that when the veteran Blucher once looked upon a large collection of children, assembled at St. Paul’s, in Loudon, despite of his attempted forbearmice, the big teardrops trickled down the cheeks of the hardy warrior until he was completely unmanned. ‘he great Burke, whose mighty mind swayed senators at his will, was accustomed, in his hours of leisure, to take an active part in the amusements of children: lying down upon the carpet, rolling over and tumbling about with them like a very child himself. Children are human flowers! When cares crush the spirit and lahor wearies the body how refreshing the smiling looks, the bounding step and the joyous laugh of the little ones as they come rushing forth to meet you on your return from your field of labor, your countinghouse or your office! Care and weariness are alike forgotteu, while joy beams forth at the sight of these beautiful human flowers. Misfortunes, disappointments and treachery would sour the sympathies of the soul ; while mildew would gather thick upon the lace of man's existence were it not for these beuutifal, infantile human flowers springing up everywhere in all the pathways of human lile! A cHitn thus defines gossip: “It is when nobody don't know nothing, and somebody goes and tells of it.” Tere were enlisted during the war 186,057 colored troops. From Our Regular Correspondent. Eprronrs Press : ‘thongl my observations in this eounty huve not been so extensivo or so thorvngh us I stionld have been glad to make them; still in my Ttmsty trip . huve eoflected some faets which t think will probably be of interest to the readers of the ress. The gold quurtz mines of this county, with tho exception of those in tho Volcano and Pine Grovo districts, noticed last week, ure situated priteipally on the “Carson lead,” otherwiso known as tho great “ Mother vein” of the Stute, which consists of a principal ledge, Hanked by n series ol subordinate, paraltel ledges. running throwgh the country inn vortheasterly nnd southwesterly direction and occupying the line of contact between the ordinary slate Jormation of the country on tho western, or foot-wall side, aud a narrow belt of © greenstone,” apparently velcunic, which forms the eastern or hauging wall. ‘the subordinate veins are wholly in the slate, or greenstone, as they huppen to lic to the eustward or westwurd of the principul lead, The nuin Carson ledge varies in width from three to thirty feet, nnd in dip, (to the eastward, in oll cuses), from thirty-five to fifty degrves from the perpendicular. The principal feature of this vein is the large size und steady eharacter of the ehinmeys of paying ore, which, however, is generally of low grade—six to eight dollars per ton being eonsidered a fair yield. ‘I'he large size of the vein, und uniform eharacter of tho quartz, makes its extraction and working very casy and economi enl. ‘The subordinate veins yary more-in the character aud richness of their ores, and are generally smuller, though in one case, that of the Keystone claim at Amador City, a ledge lying to the westwurd of the principal vein, is twenty feet in thickucss. I will notice by name some of the principal miues on this range, beginning with THE SEATON MINE, Better known as the “' Drytown lead,” situated on the" Mother vein,” one and a half miles east of Drytown, this being the most northerly of the mines on this range that I visited. This mine is noted for having in the short period of tweity months from its first opening, paid over $100,000 in dividends; hesides paying for the erection of a 40-stamp mill, and all its own expenses. Itis owned by the Scaton Mining Company, one-hulf of the stock of which is held by Mr. Henning, the Superiatendent, and most of the remuinder by promiueut San Franci-co capitalists, a small portion heing still held by the heirsof the lute Hon, Geo, W. Seaton, the original proprietor of the mine. ‘The width of the ledge, as lar as opened, varies from nino to twenty feet—the paying portion being represented as averaging eight feet. The average yield of the quartz crushed during the past year, Mr. Henning assures ine, is over $20 per ton ; that average heing much increased by a small layer of decomposed quurtz of almost fabulous richness, which is found directly under the hanging wall of the vein, near the surtace. ‘he mino is opened by a tunnel for a distance of 400 feet along the vein, and at a depth of 183 feet from the surface at its nortbern extremity, at which point it is connected with the surface by a shaft. ‘The mill of forty stamps, is run in winter by water-power, and in suinner by steam ; the power being furnished in the present season by a 4(-foot overshot wheel, and in summer by an 80-horse engine of fine substantial workmanship. Adjoining the claim of the Seaton Company 1s that of THE LOYAL MILL COMPANY, Consisting of 1,200 feet of the “ Carson ledge.” ‘This company commenced work in September last on an exteasive outcrop of mingled quartz aud slate of varying richness, and over 100 feet ia width, A stratum two feet thick, lying next to tbe east, ur hanging wall, proved to be very rich, paying $75 to $100 per tou. On following this dowua considerahle distance, it entirely disappeared, and the miners came npon 2 horizontal surface of hard grecnstone, like that forming the hanging wall of the vein. As the dip of this stratum was to the westward, instead of the east, as it usually is ia this vein, the superintendent, Mr. Janes, came to the conclusion thut the upper part of the vein had slidden down the hill on the surface of the greestoue, and that the remainder of the vein would be found in its original position farther to the eastward. For the purpose of testing this theory, and prospecting tbe mine, be took possession of an old abandoned tunnel, which had been driven inzo the hill oa the western side, for a distance of over three hundred feet, but which had been given up hy the original projectors, on the slate in which it had being run changing into a hard greenstono. ‘YIns tunnel he tits pushed on to n distance of 850 feet. It willeut tho judge ut a depth of 200 feet. ‘They will probably have to drive this tunnel n distance of twelve feet further bulure striking the ledge, if it should be iw the most natural and probable position at this depth. A shaft is bem sunk tor the purpose of connecting the end of the tunnel with the surface. 1 fas reached n depth of eighty feet. Yhe company have a very fine 20-stuinp stenm mill, whieh, however, is now idle for want of quartz to supply it. Next southwest of the Loyul, is TNE WAZARD CLAIM, Owned by Messrs. Itoehurt, Sugden, nnd others, of Amador. ‘fhe vein is here only froin tour to five fuet in thickness, as fnr as explored, which, however, is not to any great extent. ‘he proprietors huve un 8-stump water will, Mr. Sugden, who has chorge of the mine and mill, ussures me that the avernge yield of the quartz is Irom $10 to $12 per ton. TE DUNKER TILL COMPANY Are working n claim lying nbout a mile from tho Ifuzard, on tho same vein, which is hare about three feet wide, It has been explored to n depth of 300 feet, nnd the rock tuken out varies, uccording to the estimate of the superintendent, Mr. Palmer, frum $26 to $50 por ton, averaging froin $10 ton $12. ‘The mill is nhout half a mile from the mine, and eonsists of eight stamps, and sixteen of Knox's amalgamators, driven by water-power in winter aud steam in suinmer. Mr. Palmer says the pans give excellent sutisfaction. The next claim npon which active operations are earried on is THE SPRING WILL, Sitnated at Amador City, and owned by Messrs. Hooper & Sons. ‘This mine has been opened to a depth of 200 feet, nnd for a distance of 1,300 feet along the ledge, disclosing a finc well defined ledge of quartz, fifteen feet in thickness. I did not learn what proportion of this was considered “ pay rnck,” but was told by Mr. Hooper that the crushings had yielded from $8 to #12 per ton. ‘his mine has been worked for along series of years, and is well und thoroughly opened. Both ore and water are hoisted in buckets by steam-power; not a single pump being iu use ina gold mine in Amador county. ‘The mill consists of thirtyone stamps and four of Knox's pans, for working sulphurets, ‘the whole being driven by water-power in winter and steam in summer— the former being obtained from an overshot wheel of thirty-seven feet diameter, and the latter from a 60-horse power vertical engine of the walking-beam pattern. : Adjoining the Spring Hill on the south, is the claim of the KEYSTONE CONSOLIDATED MINING COMPANY, Mr. John a Faull, superintendent. The property consists of the Keystone and Geneva ledges, and tho Keystone mill, the Geneva heing an extension of the Spring Hill. Tbe Keystone is a parullel ledge lying to the westward of the Carson lead, ut a distance of about 100 feet, and being, therefore, entirely in a slate formation. ‘he greatest depth to which it has been opened is 584 feet, the present working shaft heing only 206 feet. The ore and water are now boisted by horses, but it is intended soon to substitute steam,an engine having been used on the deepest shalt helore it was closed for repairs, ‘I'be vein varies in tbickuess from three to twenty feet, baving an average of at least twelve feet. Mr. Faull estimates the average yield at $17 per ton np to this time. ‘The company have a 20-stamp steam mill, to which they are adding five of Prater’s Concentrators. ‘bese are being erected by Mr. Morgan Hungerford, of San Francisco, who was in Amador at the time of iny visit. The mine and mill were lormerly the property of Mr. A. H. Rose, at present State Senator from Amador county, Irom whom they were purchased by the present owners, who, 1 thiok, have made an excellent investment. ‘The mines now recognized as the most valuable of any on this range, are situated at tbe village of Sutter, two miles southwest of Amador, and four miles from this place. ‘The principal of them is THE RURERA, Or Hayward mine, owned by Messrs. Hayward & Chamberlain, famous as the deepest gold mine inthe world, and tbe deepest mine of any character in Calitornia, if not in the United States, being worked to a depti of over 960 teet. ‘I'his mine is situated on the main Carson lode, and is the richest location ever made upon it. ‘The cwners have two mills with an ageregate of fitty-six stamps, and usually clean up at the eud of atwo week’s run about $20,000. The ore is transported from the hoistiug works to the principal mill, on a railroad made of light ‘I’ rails, laid op cross-ties, after the manuer of aa ordiuary railroad. It is by fay the most substantial and durable mining railroad in the State. A late discovery in Sutter isknowa as THE RAILROAD MINE, Owned by Messrs. Belding, owns and others of Sutter. The ledge is ina slate und has been opened to a depth of 201 and by drifts Interally a distaneo of 18 disclosing a vein of stratified quartz of an aver uge width of eighteen inches, showing muc tree guld, and which appeurs to improve as { goes down. ‘Tho last crushing puid fifteen dollurs per ton. At the time of my visit they wero employed hoisting water by horse power, as the mine hod beeu flooded by the late rains. Tho Lineoln nnd Mahoney are among the oldest and best pnyiug mines in the State. Sutter is regarded, and I think jnstly so, too, as the great center ot quurtz in Amudor county, and the long experienco and euretul ohseryution of those engaged in the business, has given them the reputation of an autharity among their neighbors on alt questions connected with quartz mining. One gentlem pn, the superintendent of one of the oldest mines in the place, assured me, very seriously, thut he thought that, considering his leony nnd varied experience, there was nothing left for him to leurn in regurd to “practical mining,” though there might be something in regnrd to © prospecting” that he did not know. JI took the liberty of inviting this gentlemnn to become a enntributor to the Press, which invitution he very graciously accepted, and the readers of tle Puess may hope at no distant day to huve laid before them an array of lacts in regard to the practical working of quartz, which will he of incaleulnble value to the mining interests of the State. Between Sutter nnd Jncksnn are several mines on the same range, the principal of which is TE ONRIDA, At present owned by Messrs, Morgan, Dickerson & Co.,and supcrintended bya Mr. Pringle. This mine has been worked since 1851, Two shalts have been snnk to the respective depths of 350 and 400 feet, and steam hoisting works erected on both. Both are now, however, closed for repuirs, and a new shaft has heen sunk, some distanco to the northward, to a depth of 110 feet, from which rock is hoisted at present by borse power. In the nld shafts ‘the vein was from six to fourteen feet thick, bnt in the new sbaft a drift hus been run for a distance of thirty feet from the shalt, in the direction of the foot wall, without striking it, The mill is driven hy steam, and consisted at the time of its purchase, of twenty stamps, to which the present proprietors have added as many more, and an Jixcelsior Grinder and Amalgamator, for working the sulphurets which are believed tu be very rich. It was expected to start the works in a few days after the date of my visit. ‘Tbe principal mine at Jackson is THE CONEY, Owned by Mr. Leonnrd Coney, of Jackson, and Biglow Bros., of San Fruncisco. It has heen opened to a depth of about seventy-five feet, though the lowest working level is only about sixty. The vein is frem four to twentyseven feet in thickness, and the rock thus far has averaged eight dollars per ton, It is believed to be upon the same vein as the principal mines of Sutter and Amador, The proprietors have erected a substantial steam mill of eigbt stamps, with two of Prater’s concentrators, and the same number of Knox’s pans. Both machines give good satisfaction. Adjoiniag the Coney, on the northeast, is THE BLUE JACKET CLAIM, Consisting of 800 fect of the same ledge, owned by Messrs. Little, Dunning & Burwell. It has been prospected by means of an open cut, and is found to be over twenty-two feet wide, the ent being of that width, in quartzall the way, and no signs of the walls yet. The quartz is somewhat decomposed, and is readily taken out. It has yielded thus fur an average of five dollars to the ton, by a barbarous method of crushing, adopted in the only custom mill in the place. ‘This is 5 THE KEARSING MILL, Of four stamps and a grinder, driven by water power. ‘the whole machinery is very imperfect, but as itis the only custom mill in towa, it has all the work it can do. West of the Coney and Blue Jacket, and on a parallel ledge, isthe famous, HINCKLEY CLAIBf, Owned by Mr. T. Hinckley, of Jackson, This ledge has only been opened to a depth nf seventy feet, but it has yielded over $13,000, of which 10,000 has been clear profit, the quartz paying on an average’ forty-five dollars per ton. Ata distance of 127 feet from the main shaft anotber hole has been sunk, from which very rich quartz has heen taken, proving that the chimney extends tbat distance, if not further. ; Besides these, several minor claims are being prospected in this vicinity, all of which show more or less gold, so that we may soon expect tosee this place take rank among the most important quartz mining towns in the State. Jackson, Amador Co., Feb. 1, 1866.

The Mining and Scie send even a light elrze from an electrical battery through the wires, and the powder will be iguited and the tube burst into fragmeuts. Now instend of powder take powdered rosin or sPaling-wax, md the result is the same as belore thouwh ottended with a apparent combastion of the rosin or wax; bot a renurkablo fact connveted with tais experiment is, thut, instead of an explosive or inflammable snbstaiuce we substitute one whielt is neither, such as dry earth, clay, sand or powdered gluss, nnd the explosion sents equally violunt. Let ua extend the experiment by plucing upon @ table, from one side to the other, seyeral avetions ol wire or uny good eonductor unt bringing the ends with n quarter of un inch vf each other; now cover the spaces und he adjacent ends of the conducter with dif. ferent carths having differont deyrees of compaemness ; covering some with weiglits, and in every respect sarying their conditions ag muet as pussitde ; now send a strong charge of eleetrictly through the Hine formed of condneting aud non-renducting substances, and the latter will be blown up, scatterud, cracked, and the weights raised for an instant oaly to full buek to thetr origins positim, no two being affected alike but all of them earthquakes in winiature, aud these without calling to our aid the powers of explosives or pent-up steam or guses, except such as amy be the result of an instantaneous auction of the vleeiric Haid upon the substances it encounters im ils passinge; and theso substances ued not 1s we huve shown, be either explosive or inflamiuble. Now mining experience in Culifornia has shown us thut metallic veins are not always continvous 3 but iv many pluces broken or disjointed, und this feature duubtless pertains to all the greut inctallic ore-yeins of the eurth, and intervening, between the ends of these disrupted veins ure substances that compared to the veins themselves are non-conductors. Thus breaks or chasms in the reeulor yeins are doubtless sometimes of great extent, and the passage ol the electric cmrent through them causes the infinite vuriety of upheavals, rullings and rockings of the earth adjacent to aud utove them. This doubtless is the real reason why one place of only limited extent, seems more viotently agitated thin anuther near by, though apparently in the direet route of the electric current. In one purt the fluid traverses a neatly perfect vonductor, and here the disturbaney is but slight ; but let it be compelled to leap the chasm that was made through and deep below the conducting vein, when the Golden Gate chasm was formed and we heur the rnmblings of the earthquake and San Francisco feels the shock, and so of other places situated on or near any of these dislocations. We intended to huve shown what connection volcanoes have with enrthqnakes; but we have already greatly exceeded the limit usually allowed to writers, who are able only to iuterest the lew. Litr.ek Cnoitnrex.—PBless the little children! Who dves not love to hear their sweet voices riug merrily and sweetly out under the clear and open sky? If there is ve-erved Jor human fife a joy more exalted than any other, it is that of witnessing aul mingling ia the innocent enjoyineats of children. So.nebody has said, © beware of that man who does not love children.” The noblest ininds that the world has ever witnessed, have been delighted with the frolics and amusements of chillren. ‘the great Duke ot Wellington is often referred to ag an example in this respeet. It is recoided that when the veteran Blucher once looked upon a large collection of children, assembled at St. Paul’s, in Loudon, despite of his attempted forbearmice, the big teardrops trickled down the cheeks of the hardy warrior until he was completely unmanned. ‘he great Burke, whose mighty mind swayed senators at his will, was accustomed, in his hours of leisure, to take an active part in the amusements of children: lying down upon the carpet, rolling over and tumbling about with them like a very child himself. Children are human flowers! When cares crush the spirit and lahor wearies the body how refreshing the smiling looks, the bounding step and the joyous laugh of the little ones as they come rushing forth to meet you on your return from your field of labor, your countinghouse or your office! Care and weariness are alike forgotteu, while joy beams forth at the sight of these beautiful human flowers. Misfortunes, disappointments and treachery would sour the sympathies of the soul ; while mildew would gather thick upon the lace of man's existence were it not for these beuutifal, infantile human flowers springing up everywhere in all the pathways of human lile! A cHitn thus defines gossip: “It is when nobody don't know nothing, and somebody goes and tells of it.” Tere were enlisted during the war 186,057 colored troops. From Our Regular Correspondent. Eprronrs Press : ‘thongl my observations in this eounty huve not been so extensivo or so thorvngh us I stionld have been glad to make them; still in my Ttmsty trip . huve eoflected some faets which t think will probably be of interest to the readers of the ress. The gold quurtz mines of this county, with tho exception of those in tho Volcano and Pine Grovo districts, noticed last week, ure situated priteipally on the “Carson lead,” otherwiso known as tho great “ Mother vein” of the Stute, which consists of a principal ledge, Hanked by n series ol subordinate, paraltel ledges. running throwgh the country inn vortheasterly nnd southwesterly direction and occupying the line of contact between the ordinary slate Jormation of the country on tho western, or foot-wall side, aud a narrow belt of © greenstone,” apparently velcunic, which forms the eastern or hauging wall. ‘the subordinate veins are wholly in the slate, or greenstone, as they huppen to lic to the eustward or westwurd of the principul lead, The nuin Carson ledge varies in width from three to thirty feet, nnd in dip, (to the eastward, in oll cuses), from thirty-five to fifty degrves from the perpendicular. The principal feature of this vein is the large size und steady eharacter of the ehinmeys of paying ore, which, however, is generally of low grade—six to eight dollars per ton being eonsidered a fair yield. ‘I'he large size of the vein, und uniform eharacter of tho quartz, makes its extraction and working very casy and economi enl. ‘The subordinate veins yary more-in the character aud richness of their ores, and are generally smuller, though in one case, that of the Keystone claim at Amador City, a ledge lying to the westwurd of the principal vein, is twenty feet in thickucss. I will notice by name some of the principal miues on this range, beginning with THE SEATON MINE, Better known as the “' Drytown lead,” situated on the" Mother vein,” one and a half miles east of Drytown, this being the most northerly of the mines on this range that I visited. This mine is noted for having in the short period of tweity months from its first opening, paid over $100,000 in dividends; hesides paying for the erection of a 40-stamp mill, and all its own expenses. Itis owned by the Scaton Mining Company, one-hulf of the stock of which is held by Mr. Henning, the Superiatendent, and most of the remuinder by promiueut San Franci-co capitalists, a small portion heing still held by the heirsof the lute Hon, Geo, W. Seaton, the original proprietor of the mine. ‘The width of the ledge, as lar as opened, varies from nino to twenty feet—the paying portion being represented as averaging eight feet. The average yield of the quartz crushed during the past year, Mr. Henning assures ine, is over $20 per ton ; that average heing much increased by a small layer of decomposed quurtz of almost fabulous richness, which is found directly under the hanging wall of the vein, near the surtace. ‘he mino is opened by a tunnel for a distance of 400 feet along the vein, and at a depth of 183 feet from the surface at its nortbern extremity, at which point it is connected with the surface by a shaft. ‘The mill of forty stamps, is run in winter by water-power, and in suinner by steam ; the power being furnished in the present season by a 4(-foot overshot wheel, and in summer by an 80-horse engine of fine substantial workmanship. Adjoining the claim of the Seaton Company 1s that of THE LOYAL MILL COMPANY, Consisting of 1,200 feet of the “ Carson ledge.” ‘This company commenced work in September last on an exteasive outcrop of mingled quartz aud slate of varying richness, and over 100 feet ia width, A stratum two feet thick, lying next to tbe east, ur hanging wall, proved to be very rich, paying $75 to $100 per tou. On following this dowua considerahle distance, it entirely disappeared, and the miners came npon 2 horizontal surface of hard grecnstone, like that forming the hanging wall of the vein. As the dip of this stratum was to the westward, instead of the east, as it usually is ia this vein, the superintendent, Mr. Janes, came to the conclusion thut the upper part of the vein had slidden down the hill on the surface of the greestoue, and that the remainder of the vein would be found in its original position farther to the eastward. For the purpose of testing this theory, and prospecting tbe mine, be took possession of an old abandoned tunnel, which had been driven inzo the hill oa the western side, for a distance of over three hundred feet, but which had been given up hy the original projectors, on the slate in which it had being run changing into a hard greenstono. ‘YIns tunnel he tits pushed on to n distance of 850 feet. It willeut tho judge ut a depth of 200 feet. ‘They will probably have to drive this tunnel n distance of twelve feet further bulure striking the ledge, if it should be iw the most natural and probable position at this depth. A shaft is bem sunk tor the purpose of connecting the end of the tunnel with the

surface. 1 fas reached n depth of eighty feet. Yhe company have a very fine 20-stuinp stenm mill, whieh, however, is now idle for want of quartz to supply it. Next southwest of the Loyul, is TNE WAZARD CLAIM, Owned by Messrs. Itoehurt, Sugden, nnd others, of Amador. ‘fhe vein is here only froin tour to five fuet in thickness, as fnr as explored, which, however, is not to any great extent. ‘he proprietors huve un 8-stump water will, Mr. Sugden, who has chorge of the mine and mill, ussures me that the avernge yield of the quartz is Irom $10 to $12 per ton. TE DUNKER TILL COMPANY Are working n claim lying nbout a mile from tho Ifuzard, on tho same vein, which is hare about three feet wide, It has been explored to n depth of 300 feet, nnd the rock tuken out varies, uccording to the estimate of the superintendent, Mr. Palmer, frum $26 to $50 por ton, averaging froin $10 ton $12. ‘The mill is nhout half a mile from the mine, and eonsists of eight stamps, and sixteen of Knox's amalgamators, driven by water-power in winter aud steam in suinmer. Mr. Palmer says the pans give excellent sutisfaction. The next claim npon which active operations are earried on is THE SPRING WILL, Sitnated at Amador City, and owned by Messrs. Hooper & Sons. ‘This mine has been opened to a depth of 200 feet, nnd for a distance of 1,300 feet along the ledge, disclosing a finc well defined ledge of quartz, fifteen feet in thickness. I did not learn what proportion of this was considered “ pay rnck,” but was told by Mr. Hooper that the crushings had yielded from $8 to #12 per ton. ‘his mine has been worked for along series of years, and is well und thoroughly opened. Both ore and water are hoisted in buckets by steam-power; not a single pump being iu use ina gold mine in Amador county. ‘The mill consists of thirtyone stamps and four of Knox's pans, for working sulphurets, ‘the whole being driven by water-power in winter and steam in summer— the former being obtained from an overshot wheel of thirty-seven feet diameter, and the latter from a 60-horse power vertical engine of the walking-beam pattern. : Adjoining the Spring Hill on the south, is the claim of the KEYSTONE CONSOLIDATED MINING COMPANY, Mr. John a Faull, superintendent. The property consists of the Keystone and Geneva ledges, and tho Keystone mill, the Geneva heing an extension of the Spring Hill. Tbe Keystone is a parullel ledge lying to the westward of the Carson lead, ut a distance of about 100 feet, and being, therefore, entirely in a slate formation. ‘he greatest depth to which it has been opened is 584 feet, the present working shaft heing only 206 feet. The ore and water are now boisted by horses, but it is intended soon to substitute steam,an engine having been used on the deepest shalt helore it was closed for repairs, ‘I'be vein varies in tbickuess from three to twenty feet, baving an average of at least twelve feet. Mr. Faull estimates the average yield at $17 per ton np to this time. ‘The company have a 20-stamp steam mill, to which they are adding five of Prater’s Concentrators. ‘bese are being erected by Mr. Morgan Hungerford, of San Francisco, who was in Amador at the time of iny visit. The mine and mill were lormerly the property of Mr. A. H. Rose, at present State Senator from Amador county, Irom whom they were purchased by the present owners, who, 1 thiok, have made an excellent investment. ‘The mines now recognized as the most valuable of any on this range, are situated at tbe village of Sutter, two miles southwest of Amador, and four miles from this place. ‘The principal of them is THE RURERA, Or Hayward mine, owned by Messrs. Hayward & Chamberlain, famous as the deepest gold mine inthe world, and tbe deepest mine of any character in Calitornia, if not in the United States, being worked to a depti of over 960 teet. ‘I'his mine is situated on the main Carson lode, and is the richest location ever made upon it. ‘The cwners have two mills with an ageregate of fitty-six stamps, and usually clean up at the eud of atwo week’s run about $20,000. The ore is transported from the hoistiug works to the principal mill, on a railroad made of light ‘I’ rails, laid op cross-ties, after the manuer of aa ordiuary railroad. It is by fay the most substantial and durable mining railroad in the State. A late discovery in Sutter isknowa as THE RAILROAD MINE, Owned by Messrs. Belding, owns and others of Sutter. The ledge is ina slate und has been opened to a depth of 201 and by drifts Interally a distaneo of 18 disclosing a vein of stratified quartz of an aver uge width of eighteen inches, showing muc tree guld, and which appeurs to improve as { goes down. ‘Tho last crushing puid fifteen dollurs per ton. At the time of my visit they wero employed hoisting water by horse power, as the mine hod beeu flooded by the late rains. Tho Lineoln nnd Mahoney are among the oldest and best pnyiug mines in the State. Sutter is regarded, and I think jnstly so, too, as the great center ot quurtz in Amudor county, and the long experienco and euretul ohseryution of those engaged in the business, has given them the reputation of an autharity among their neighbors on alt questions connected with quartz mining. One gentlem pn, the superintendent of one of the oldest mines in the place, assured me, very seriously, thut he thought that, considering his leony nnd varied experience, there was nothing left for him to leurn in regurd to “practical mining,” though there might be something in regnrd to © prospecting” that he did not know. JI took the liberty of inviting this gentlemnn to become a enntributor to the Press, which invitution he very graciously accepted, and the readers of tle Puess may hope at no distant day to huve laid before them an array of lacts in regard to the practical working of quartz, which will he of incaleulnble value to the mining interests of the State. Between Sutter nnd Jncksnn are several mines on the same range, the principal of which is TE ONRIDA, At present owned by Messrs, Morgan, Dickerson & Co.,and supcrintended bya Mr. Pringle. This mine has been worked since 1851, Two shalts have been snnk to the respective depths of 350 and 400 feet, and steam hoisting works erected on both. Both are now, however, closed for repuirs, and a new shaft has heen sunk, some distanco to the northward, to a depth of 110 feet, from which rock is hoisted at present by borse power. In the nld shafts ‘the vein was from six to fourteen feet thick, bnt in the new sbaft a drift hus been run for a distance of thirty feet from the shalt, in the direction of the foot wall, without striking it, The mill is driven hy steam, and consisted at the time of its purchase, of twenty stamps, to which the present proprietors have added as many more, and an Jixcelsior Grinder and Amalgamator, for working the sulphurets which are believed tu be very rich. It was expected to start the works in a few days after the date of my visit. ‘Tbe principal mine at Jackson is THE CONEY, Owned by Mr. Leonnrd Coney, of Jackson, and Biglow Bros., of San Fruncisco. It has heen opened to a depth of about seventy-five feet, though the lowest working level is only about sixty. The vein is frem four to twentyseven feet in thickness, and the rock thus far has averaged eight dollars per ton, It is believed to be upon the same vein as the principal mines of Sutter and Amador, The proprietors have erected a substantial steam mill of eigbt stamps, with two of Prater’s concentrators, and the same number of Knox’s pans. Both machines give good satisfaction. Adjoiniag the Coney, on the northeast, is THE BLUE JACKET CLAIM, Consisting of 800 fect of the same ledge, owned by Messrs. Little, Dunning & Burwell. It has been prospected by means of an open cut, and is found to be over twenty-two feet wide, the ent being of that width, in quartzall the way, and no signs of the walls yet. The quartz is somewhat decomposed, and is readily taken out. It has yielded thus fur an average of five dollars to the ton, by a barbarous method of crushing, adopted in the only custom mill in the place. ‘This is 5 THE KEARSING MILL, Of four stamps and a grinder, driven by water power. ‘the whole machinery is very imperfect, but as itis the only custom mill in towa, it has all the work it can do. West of the Coney and Blue Jacket, and on a parallel ledge, isthe famous, HINCKLEY CLAIBf, Owned by Mr. T. Hinckley, of Jackson, This ledge has only been opened to a depth nf seventy feet, but it has yielded over $13,000, of which 10,000 has been clear profit, the quartz paying on an average’ forty-five dollars per ton. Ata distance of 127 feet from the main shaft anotber hole has been sunk, from which very rich quartz has heen taken, proving that the chimney extends tbat distance, if not further. ; Besides these, several minor claims are being prospected in this vicinity, all of which show more or less gold, so that we may soon expect tosee this place take rank among the most important quartz mining towns in the State. Jackson, Amador Co., Feb. 1, 1866.