Volume 12 (1866) (428 pages)

dot She Blining and Seentific Breas. Goummnientions. In tats Derantwent we Invite the FREx Discussion of all proper subjects—correspondents alone being responsible for the ideas and theories they advance. [Written for the Minlug and Scleutific Press.] The Qlear Creek Mines, Kern Oounty, BY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. “ Still raining 1”, * Will summer never come ?” is the question np thé lips of every one TI meetThe “oldest inhabitant” has never seen the like, and the Digger Indian hangs his head and says nothing, for even in the memory of his ancestors snch a seasou has not been ‘known. Three days ago the hay and grain harvest was in full blast, crops were excellent, and all were in fine spirits. ‘'o-day the heavens. are pverspread with clouds, the rain sifts steadily down upon the valleys, and the mountains are covered with snow. But I sat down to tefl you ahout my trip to Clear Creek, not to indulge in gloomy reflections concerning the weather, and as the mines are the main topic of interest with the readers of the Press, I shat] make it a point to give as full a description of those I saw, as time and space will allow. Leaving this place at an early honr the 9th inst., I arrived, after a ride of thirty-six miles at Deer Creek, where I spent the night with a farmer, and in the morning, rode out to White River, a distance of fourteen miles, where, however, I only stopped long enough to take dinner and hait my horse, as I depended on exptoring the mines on my return. I made the acquaintance, however, at this time of Mr. L. Mitchell. the merchant of the ptace, and Mr. Egan, Superintendent of the White River mining company, from whoin I obtained considerable information which will he embodied, however, in my notice of the White River mines from notes taken on my return trip. » A further trip of three boura, over a steep, hot beautifully:giversified country, brought me to Linn’s Valley, twelve miles further on the Clear Creek road. ‘his is one of those beautifut efevated valleys, found in so many parts af the Sierra Nevada, where the climate is delightfully cool in summer, without being so culd in winter us to cause inconvenience and discomfort to the inbabitants, and where a rich soil and abundant water furnish all the requisite natural advantages for a prosperous agricultural community. : Sixteen miles trom Linn’s Valley, up a rather steep grade, brought us to the summit of the western range of the Sierra Nevada, and I saw for the first time in my life the farfamed Kern River Vattey, regarded hy prospectors of ten years ago, as the true El Dorado, the richness of whose placers was the theme of conversation In every miner's camp from Los Angeles to Yreka. The river winds along through green meadow lands, which seem like . an emerald gem, set in strange and beautiful contrast to the hare granite hills surrounding it op every side, and seeming to form an impassable barrier hetween this oasis-tike valley, and the outside world. ‘he glare of the mid‘day sun on the surrounding hitls, only seemed to highten the effect of the cool qniet beauty of the lovely valley and its sparkling river. The summit on which we stood, was covered witb quite a thick growth of pine timber, and a short distance below we came upon a sawmill which was being Htted up for the purpose of putting it into marketahle shape. ‘hig is the Suminit Mill, now leased by Judge Wayland, who is putting it in thorough repair for its summer’s work. Here we received a true mountain welcome, and shared the woodman’s dinner, with appetites sharpened by onr mountain ride, and with spirits refreshed, I resumed my journey, while my companion, being of the same political faith as the Judge, and also hadly in want of office, remaiued behind to discuss the chances of election, and the state of . the country. ‘Twelve miles down a steep, irregular grade, and I was on the bank of Kern river, just below the little. village of Keraville. One niile above the village is the establishment of the i CALDWELL AND KERN RIVER CONS. M, CO., Under the management of Mr. G. H. Staples. The property consists of the Big Blue mill, of twelve stamps and capable of croshing twenty tons of ore daily, together with three or four ledges located in the granite hilla, west of the . tiver. The only one now being worked is the Sherman, which is opened by two inclines, to a depth of 250 feet, showing a vein of quartz, from oue to Ubree feet in width, running ina northeast and southwest direction, ana dipping westward (into the hill) atan augle of from Hiizen to twenty degrees. The rock pays from fteen to twenty dollars per ton in free gold, after which the sulphurets are concentrated po blankets and worked by a chemic.l process, which is said to save allthe gold; the inventor declaring that he often beats the fire assay. One thousand feet east of the Sherman, is the Big Blue lead, lying in a north and south direction, and over sixty feet wide. The quartz from this lead is ofa bluish cast, and assays from $50 to $200 per ton, but trom some cause unknown hag never paid in the mill over five or six doltars. 1t has been forthe present ahandoned, and its owners have sold their mill to the C. & K. R. Co., as above stated. I spent the vight at a hotel in Kernville, and in the morning, a ride of sixteen miles brought me to HAVILAH, The county seat of the new county of Kern, and the general business center for all the mining region south of Kern River, and beof quartz, paying over $100 per ton. Besides the Relief, this company own locations on the Fame, French Friend, Democrat and Josephine ledges, which prospect well. Most of these veins are quite near the mill,and the expense for transporting quartz is very light. ~ THE UNION MILL, Located half a mile above the town of Havilah, and owned by C. I’. Meader and J. H. Pieper, is probably the best mill now ruaning in the . district. It consists of two hatferies of five » stamps each, and 2 prospecting hattery of two light stamps, with two of Hunter's concentrators, driven hy a 25-horse power steam epgine. It is employed partly as a custom mill, and partly in crushing the quartz from the Jeony Lind vein, which belongs to the same parties. This mine is situated on the south side of Jenny Lind cafion, three-fourths of a mite west of the mill, with which it is coniS tween that stream and Owens River Valley. It ig situated in a deep narrow vafley or cation, on the east branch of Clear Creek, a tributary of Kern river, coming in from the south side. It contaius some 500 or 600 inhahitauts in the town proper, with prohahly as inany more in the mines in the immediate neighborhood. There are half a dozen stores, three hotels, and innumerable saloons, ete., all apparently doing . a good business. he hotels all have —-though the bnitdings are unfinished—an inviting and thriving appearance, hut as I was perfectly content with the first one I tried, I bad no occasion for trying the accommodations of the Temainder. I was, while there, the guest of Mons. L. Watier nf the Golden Gate Hotel, for whom I can truly say. that he makes his guests at home, and does everything in a style that shows that be “knows bow to keep a hotel.” The mines of Clear Creek proper, arc nearly all comprised in a strip of country ahout one mile wide and from three to four mites in length, on the eastern slooe of the ridge, lying west of Havilah, and are all within three miles of the town. ‘he ridge is of granite formation, steep, dry, and covered with a sparse growth of scrub oaks, chapparal and meschal, or Spanish hayoncts. In some of the gulches sufficient water is found to supply a boiler and battery, but this is very rare, and most of those owning mines on the ridze are compelied to build their mills along the stream that passes through the town, and haul their rock or pack it on burros often a distance of three miles. Within the limits named from 500 to 800 veins have heen located and recorded, but the number on which actual work is now going on does not prohably exceed a dozen. Most of the veins are small and irregufar, hut the rock from nearly all is quite rich, and as the granite in which they are located is generally much decomposed, they can he worked, with proper care and economy, with considerable profit until the water level is reached. Some of them have been followed to a depth of over 100 feet without any blasting. On arriving at the water level and its accoiupanying bard rock, it is probable that most of these smafl mines will] have to be abandoned on account of the great expense of working. The most extensive enterprise iu the district is that of theNEW YORK AND CLEAR CREEK MININO CO., Represented here by Mr. J. C. Birdseye, and Mr. E. Bigler, 2 son of ex-Governor Bigler of Pennsylvania, This corporation owns twentyfive different veins, upon four of which I believe they are now at work. They have a fine 10stamp inill which wilt be iu operation iu a few days. Itis to be driven by 2 40-horse power engine,and to contain all the best approved appliances for saving gold, including one of Prater’s and one of Hunter’s concentrators. They have also completed an exceltent road to their principal mine, the Rochford, two aud a half miles distant, and elevated above the mill about 1,500 or 2,000 feet. ‘Ibis mine is opened about 140 feet deep, and for about 140 feet along the vein, revealing a lode, ruoning ina northeast and southwest direction, and dipping to the southeast, slightly. In width it varies from a few iuches to five feet, averaging, probably twenty inches. Mr. Bigler sets down the avernge yield of gold at sixty-five dollars per ton. Besides the Rochford, which is the best -developed of any, may be mentioned the French Friend and Cape Horn, both large fine looking ledges, also the property of this company. OF nearly, if not guize equal importance with the above, is the enterprise of COL. A. A. RAND & CO., Who own fourteen different veins. Their mill is situated a mile and a half northwest of Havilah, and consists now of one 5-stamp Bryan hattery, which, however, is about to be replaced by a well built 10-stamp mill, driven by a 20horse power engine. ‘I‘he principal mine befongiug to this company is the Relicf, which has been opened 195 feet deep, and 120 feet atong the vein. The lode will probably average three feet thick, though its size is quite irregular. Col. R. estimates the average yield of this vein at twenty-eight dollars per ton.) A small vein on the same property, the name of which I have forgotten, furnished fifty tons nected hy a good road, over which the quartz may he drawn to the mill at a maximum cost of seventy-five cents per ton. <A tunnel has . been run into the hill on the ledge a@ distance . of 125 feet, developing a chimney foity feet . long and from one to five feet in thickness, . containing some very rich quartz. The average pays about twenty dollars to the ton, while some gocs as high as seventy-five dollars. A clay “gouge” or casing cxtends the whole length of the tunnel, and there are indications in ube back end of the tunnel tbat another chimney will soon be struck. The McKidney tnine and mill have probably produced more gold than any other enterprise in Clear Creek district, but owing to a difference of opinion among the proprietors, the es. tablishment is now closed,and I was nnable to get an opportunity to exainine it. . ‘The above are the most important enter-. prises that have yet been undertaken in this . district ; but in addition to these may he mentioned the General Grant mill, of ten stamps, three miles east of the town on the opposite . ridge, built to work a small vein located ncar, . but idle just at the time of my visit for want of quartz. he Robinson mill, located between the Union mill and Havilah, of five stamps, is not yet in running order. The Thomas mill, of eight stamps, just at the lower end of town, which is kept ranning on rock from a series of ledges claimed by a Mr. Davis, and which are said to pay well. ‘The Howe & Otis mill, of five stamps, is located about a mile.above Col. Rand's cn the ridge, and is kept busy part of the time on rock from a series of smull leads owned by Messrs. Howe & Otis, which pay from $15 to $20 per ton. Messrs Marsh & Kennedy have a small water mill three miles below town on the creek, which is kept running constantly. 1 failed to visit this mill and make the acquaintance of its owners during my stay at Hate a fact which I have since very deeply regretted. MT. SINAI DISTRICT Is located in a depression on the summit of the second range of the Sierra Nevada, known as Tichnor’s Basin, and on the headwaters of Kelso’s Creek, from which it is often known as Kelso Canon district. Claraville, the capital of this district, is about fourteen miles east of Havilah. The formation of the district is granite, the face of the country gently undulating, and good timber and water is abundant. I rode over from Havilah on the 15th, accompanied by Mr. Coleman, of the latter place, ; and we were joined in the evening by Messrs. : Burke, Bigler and Amsbury, of Havilah, and Sanborn, of Keyeville, making altogether about ag merry a party as one usually finds. The whole party were very hospitably received and entertained by the miners of the new district, and in the morning, being furnished with reliable guides, we sallied out for a gallop over the hills to look at the leads, from which we returned to take dinner with Messrs. Kaufman and Chapman, of the Chapman mining company, at two o’ctock in the afternoon. ‘The principal vein in this district is the Antelope, which has been traced over a mile in a northeast and southwest direction. It is owned hy ahout a dozen different parties, who have sunk shafts at different points on the vein, some of them as much as thirty feet deep. The vein appears to be about three feet wide, dipping slightly to the eastward, and is said to prospect well wherever opened. Parallel with the Antelope, and a short distance west of it, is the General Grant, the principn! location on which is owued by the Chapman mining company. On this vein the deepest shaft iu the district has been sunk by Messrs. Phillips & Henry, who are down eighty-five feet, showicg a fine vein three or fuur feet wide, which is decomposed for a depth of seventy feet, hut helow this rups into a solid blue rock of a character entirely new to me, but which, lam informed, prospects well, both in gold and silver. There are several other veins in the district, most of which are small, but many of them, among which are the Hamp. Williains, the Yreka, Statesman, and others, are very rich, Visalia, May 26, 1866. [To be Continued.] {Written for the Mining and Scientific Press.) From Placer Oounty, [By Our Traveling Correspondent.—Continued from P. 338.) Messrs. Epitors : J arrived in this “ ancient” -and goodly toivn, famous ip days past for its tich placer mines. It required no great skill to unlock those safes of Nature, and millions of treasure were easily extracted. It is dif. ferent now. A bird’seyé view discovers to me well defined gold bearing quartz ledges, crossing and reerossing mountain and cafon 4 peeriog boldly above the surface of the ground to tempt the cupidity of the “ Honest Miner.” And the miner is abroad. With pick and shovel in aolitary places he fights the stubborn— pevs of matter, ever assured from “ indications” that far beneath lies wealth equal to that o the Grass Valley mines, which witl be reveale when capital shall develop the claims. Favor able notices of the Newcastle and Ophir ingly have so often appeared in print, that I pass them hy for the present. I first visited the Taylor company, situated on the Central Pacific Railroad, one and a half miles from Auburn. It is owned hy Moses Taylor, Boggs & Woodin. It consists of 1,700 feet. The lode is three feet thick and is followed hy a shaft toa depth of fifty feet. Its direction is northwest and southeast. There are two parallel veins of one foot in thickness, The one on the south dips fast toward the principal vein, and the two are supposed to conacct or helong to the same lode. The rock assays from $20 to $160 per ton. This vein runs parallel to the Croesus. NORTH STAR DISTRICT. The Black ledge is located three miles north of. Auborn. Some very rich rock was tested hy hand mortar, when at least $1,000 was taken from 300° pounds of rock. They had Supka shaft to the depth of eighteen feet, This claim is owned by McGonagle and others. Adjoining the above is a veryrich surface claim of three acres, from which over $60,000 has heen taken in the past five years. Along and uear the Black Ledge there is over 100 acres of placer mining ground not yet worked out. One nugget from this ground was worth $400 and another $850. Others have been taken varying from $100 to $800. THE OREEN EMIORANT. This claim is located on Bald Hill ahont three and a half miles north of Auburu. It includes one large chimney and is very rich in gold specimens. The sulpburcts are nlso rich. The day I visited this claim ttey took out the value of $100 in beautiful specimens. The deepest shaft is'twenty-scven feet. ‘They have a drift from the bottom of a 29-foot shaft which runs sixty-five feet, cutting several veins, . one of which prospected very well, paying from ~ $75 to $80 per ton. They worked rock in an arastra which yielded upwards of $100. This vein is owned principally by McGonagte, Bell and Mitchell. THE WHITE AND OARDINER Is one mile north of Green Emigrant and probably a continuation of the same. It consists of 1,800 feet. The lode is fonr feet from wall to wall. The pay vein at the depth of an incline of 100 feet is about sixteen inches, with smaller veins coming in. Some of the rock yielded $115 per ton ; $40 is looked upon as 9 low average. The mine is owned by White, Gardiner and Gautier. THE WELLS LODE Ts not far from the White and Gardiner. It is of undouhted richness, gold heing visible in much of the rock. ‘The vein matter is four feet wide, and the whole amount is working ore. The owners claim for ita yield of $60 per ton, which opinion is concurred iu by all who have examined the rock. The ore is now being sent toa mill for crushing, and hefore the closing of this letter I shall probably learn the result. A shaft is being sunk, and energy and skill are combined in bringing forth the treasure so abundantly’ indicated. The lode was named for its discoverers, who, with Mr. Jordan, are the present owners. Cahill & Monahan ledge is the south extension of the Welts lode, and the rock similar to the above. GRAY EACLE AND KENTUCKY, Lies two miles northwest of the Wells, in Dead Man’s Canon. The lode is from six to fourteen inches wide, and the owners claim 2,400 feet. The direction of the ledge is northwest. It dips east forty-five degrees. ‘he company

dot She Blining and Seentific Breas. Goummnientions. In tats Derantwent we Invite the FREx Discussion of all proper subjects—correspondents alone being responsible for the ideas and theories they advance. [Written for the Minlug and Scleutific Press.] The Qlear Creek Mines, Kern Oounty, BY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. “ Still raining 1”, * Will summer never come ?” is the question np thé lips of every one TI meetThe “oldest inhabitant” has never seen the like, and the Digger Indian hangs his head and says nothing, for even in the memory of his ancestors snch a seasou has not been ‘known. Three days ago the hay and grain harvest was in full blast, crops were excellent, and all were in fine spirits. ‘'o-day the heavens. are pverspread with clouds, the rain sifts steadily down upon the valleys, and the mountains are covered with snow. But I sat down to tefl you ahout my trip to Clear Creek, not to indulge in gloomy reflections concerning the weather, and as the mines are the main topic of interest with the readers of the Press, I shat] make it a point to give as full a description of those I saw, as time and space will allow. Leaving this place at an early honr the 9th inst., I arrived, after a ride of thirty-six miles at Deer Creek, where I spent the night with a farmer, and in the morning, rode out to White River, a distance of fourteen miles, where, however, I only stopped long enough to take dinner and hait my horse, as I depended on exptoring the mines on my return. I made the acquaintance, however, at this time of Mr. L. Mitchell. the merchant of the ptace, and Mr. Egan, Superintendent of the White River mining company, from whoin I obtained considerable information which will he embodied, however, in my notice of the White River mines from notes taken on my return trip. » A further trip of three boura, over a steep, hot beautifully:giversified country, brought me to Linn’s Valley, twelve miles further on the Clear Creek road. ‘his is one of those beautifut efevated valleys, found in so many parts af the Sierra Nevada, where the climate is delightfully cool in summer, without being so culd in winter us to cause inconvenience and discomfort to the inbabitants, and where a rich soil and abundant water furnish all the requisite natural advantages for a prosperous agricultural community. : Sixteen miles trom Linn’s Valley, up a rather steep grade, brought us to the summit of the western range of the Sierra Nevada, and I saw for the first time in my life the farfamed Kern River Vattey, regarded hy prospectors of ten years ago, as the true El Dorado, the richness of whose placers was the theme of conversation In every miner's camp from Los Angeles to Yreka. The river winds along through green meadow lands, which seem like . an emerald gem, set in strange and beautiful contrast to the hare granite hills surrounding it op every side, and seeming to form an impassable barrier hetween this oasis-tike valley, and the outside world. ‘he glare of the mid‘day sun on the surrounding hitls, only seemed to highten the effect of the cool qniet beauty of the lovely valley and its sparkling river. The summit on which we stood, was covered witb quite a thick growth of pine timber, and a short distance below we came upon a sawmill which was being Htted up for the purpose of putting it into marketahle shape. ‘hig is the Suminit Mill, now leased by Judge Wayland, who is putting it in thorough repair for its summer’s work. Here we received a true mountain welcome, and shared the woodman’s dinner, with appetites sharpened by onr mountain ride, and with spirits refreshed, I resumed my journey, while my companion, being of the same political faith as the Judge, and also hadly in want of office, remaiued behind to discuss the chances of election, and the state of . the country. ‘Twelve miles down a steep, irregular grade, and I was on the bank of Kern river, just below the little. village of Keraville. One niile above the village is the establishment of the i CALDWELL AND KERN RIVER CONS. M, CO., Under the management of Mr. G. H. Staples. The property consists of the Big Blue mill, of twelve stamps and capable of croshing twenty tons of ore daily, together with three or four ledges located in the granite hilla, west of the . tiver. The only one now being worked is the Sherman, which is opened by two inclines, to a depth of 250 feet, showing a vein of quartz, from oue to Ubree feet in width, running ina northeast and southwest direction, ana dipping westward (into the hill) atan augle of from Hiizen to twenty degrees. The rock pays from fteen to twenty dollars per ton in free gold, after which the sulphurets are concentrated po blankets and worked by a chemic.l process, which is said to save allthe gold; the inventor declaring that he often beats the fire assay. One thousand feet east of the Sherman, is the Big Blue lead, lying in a north and south direction, and over sixty feet wide. The quartz from this lead is ofa bluish cast, and assays from $50 to $200 per ton, but trom some cause unknown hag never paid in the mill over five or six doltars. 1t has been forthe present ahandoned, and its owners have sold their mill to the C. & K. R. Co., as above stated. I spent the vight at a hotel in Kernville, and in the morning, a ride of sixteen miles brought me to HAVILAH, The county seat of the new county of Kern, and the general business center for all the mining region south of Kern River, and beof quartz, paying over $100 per ton. Besides the Relief, this company own locations on the Fame, French Friend, Democrat and Josephine ledges, which prospect well. Most of these veins are quite near the mill,and the expense for transporting quartz is very light. ~ THE UNION MILL, Located half a mile above the town of Havilah, and owned by C. I’. Meader and J. H. Pieper, is probably the best mill now ruaning in the . district. It consists of two hatferies of five » stamps each, and 2 prospecting hattery of two light stamps, with two of Hunter's concentrators, driven hy a 25-horse power steam epgine. It is employed partly as a custom mill, and partly in crushing the quartz from the Jeony Lind vein, which belongs to the same parties. This mine is situated on the south side of Jenny Lind cafion, three-fourths of a mite west of the mill, with which it is coniS tween that stream and Owens River Valley. It ig situated in a deep narrow vafley or cation, on the east branch of Clear Creek, a tributary of Kern river, coming in from the south side. It contaius some 500 or 600 inhahitauts in the town proper, with prohahly as inany more in the mines in the immediate neighborhood. There are half a dozen stores, three hotels, and innumerable saloons, ete., all apparently doing . a good business. he hotels all have —-though the bnitdings are unfinished—an inviting and thriving appearance, hut as I was perfectly content with the first one I tried, I bad no occasion for trying the accommodations of the Temainder. I was, while there, the guest of Mons. L. Watier nf the Golden Gate Hotel, for whom I can truly say. that he makes his guests at home, and does everything in a style that shows that be “knows bow to keep a hotel.” The mines of Clear Creek proper, arc nearly all comprised in a strip of country ahout one mile wide and from three to four mites in length, on the eastern slooe of the ridge, lying west of Havilah, and are all within three miles of the town. ‘he ridge is of granite formation, steep, dry, and covered with a sparse growth of scrub oaks, chapparal and meschal, or Spanish hayoncts. In some of the gulches sufficient water is found to supply a boiler and battery, but this is very rare, and most of those owning mines on the ridze are compelied to build their mills along the stream that passes through the town, and haul their rock or pack it on burros often a distance of three miles. Within the limits named from 500 to 800 veins have heen located and recorded, but the number on which actual work is now going on does not prohably exceed a dozen. Most of the veins are small and irregufar, hut the rock from nearly all is quite rich, and as the granite in which they are located is generally much decomposed, they can he worked, with proper care and economy, with considerable profit until the water level is reached. Some of them have been followed to a depth of over 100 feet without any blasting. On arriving at the water level and its accoiupanying bard rock, it is probable that most of these smafl mines will] have to be abandoned on account of the great expense of working. The most extensive enterprise iu the district is that of theNEW YORK AND CLEAR CREEK MININO CO., Represented here by Mr. J. C. Birdseye, and Mr. E. Bigler, 2 son of ex-Governor Bigler of Pennsylvania, This corporation owns twentyfive different veins, upon four of which I believe they are now at work. They have a fine 10stamp inill which wilt be iu operation iu a few days. Itis to be driven by 2 40-horse power engine,and to contain all the best approved appliances for saving gold, including one of Prater’s and one of Hunter’s concentrators. They have also completed an exceltent road to their principal mine, the Rochford, two aud a half miles distant, and elevated above the mill about 1,500 or 2,000 feet. ‘Ibis mine is opened about 140 feet deep, and for about 140 feet along the vein, revealing a lode, ruoning ina northeast and southwest direction, and dipping to the southeast, slightly. In width it varies from a few iuches to five feet, averaging, probably twenty inches. Mr. Bigler sets down the avernge yield of gold at sixty-five dollars per ton. Besides the Rochford, which is the best -developed of any, may be mentioned the French

Friend and Cape Horn, both large fine looking ledges, also the property of this company. OF nearly, if not guize equal importance with the above, is the enterprise of COL. A. A. RAND & CO., Who own fourteen different veins. Their mill is situated a mile and a half northwest of Havilah, and consists now of one 5-stamp Bryan hattery, which, however, is about to be replaced by a well built 10-stamp mill, driven by a 20horse power engine. ‘I‘he principal mine befongiug to this company is the Relicf, which has been opened 195 feet deep, and 120 feet atong the vein. The lode will probably average three feet thick, though its size is quite irregular. Col. R. estimates the average yield of this vein at twenty-eight dollars per ton.) A small vein on the same property, the name of which I have forgotten, furnished fifty tons nected hy a good road, over which the quartz may he drawn to the mill at a maximum cost of seventy-five cents per ton. <A tunnel has . been run into the hill on the ledge a@ distance . of 125 feet, developing a chimney foity feet . long and from one to five feet in thickness, . containing some very rich quartz. The average pays about twenty dollars to the ton, while some gocs as high as seventy-five dollars. A clay “gouge” or casing cxtends the whole length of the tunnel, and there are indications in ube back end of the tunnel tbat another chimney will soon be struck. The McKidney tnine and mill have probably produced more gold than any other enterprise in Clear Creek district, but owing to a difference of opinion among the proprietors, the es. tablishment is now closed,and I was nnable to get an opportunity to exainine it. . ‘The above are the most important enter-. prises that have yet been undertaken in this . district ; but in addition to these may he mentioned the General Grant mill, of ten stamps, three miles east of the town on the opposite . ridge, built to work a small vein located ncar, . but idle just at the time of my visit for want of quartz. he Robinson mill, located between the Union mill and Havilah, of five stamps, is not yet in running order. The Thomas mill, of eight stamps, just at the lower end of town, which is kept ranning on rock from a series of ledges claimed by a Mr. Davis, and which are said to pay well. ‘The Howe & Otis mill, of five stamps, is located about a mile.above Col. Rand's cn the ridge, and is kept busy part of the time on rock from a series of smull leads owned by Messrs. Howe & Otis, which pay from $15 to $20 per ton. Messrs Marsh & Kennedy have a small water mill three miles below town on the creek, which is kept running constantly. 1 failed to visit this mill and make the acquaintance of its owners during my stay at Hate a fact which I have since very deeply regretted. MT. SINAI DISTRICT Is located in a depression on the summit of the second range of the Sierra Nevada, known as Tichnor’s Basin, and on the headwaters of Kelso’s Creek, from which it is often known as Kelso Canon district. Claraville, the capital of this district, is about fourteen miles east of Havilah. The formation of the district is granite, the face of the country gently undulating, and good timber and water is abundant. I rode over from Havilah on the 15th, accompanied by Mr. Coleman, of the latter place, ; and we were joined in the evening by Messrs. : Burke, Bigler and Amsbury, of Havilah, and Sanborn, of Keyeville, making altogether about ag merry a party as one usually finds. The whole party were very hospitably received and entertained by the miners of the new district, and in the morning, being furnished with reliable guides, we sallied out for a gallop over the hills to look at the leads, from which we returned to take dinner with Messrs. Kaufman and Chapman, of the Chapman mining company, at two o’ctock in the afternoon. ‘The principal vein in this district is the Antelope, which has been traced over a mile in a northeast and southwest direction. It is owned hy ahout a dozen different parties, who have sunk shafts at different points on the vein, some of them as much as thirty feet deep. The vein appears to be about three feet wide, dipping slightly to the eastward, and is said to prospect well wherever opened. Parallel with the Antelope, and a short distance west of it, is the General Grant, the principn! location on which is owued by the Chapman mining company. On this vein the deepest shaft iu the district has been sunk by Messrs. Phillips & Henry, who are down eighty-five feet, showicg a fine vein three or fuur feet wide, which is decomposed for a depth of seventy feet, hut helow this rups into a solid blue rock of a character entirely new to me, but which, lam informed, prospects well, both in gold and silver. There are several other veins in the district, most of which are small, but many of them, among which are the Hamp. Williains, the Yreka, Statesman, and others, are very rich, Visalia, May 26, 1866. [To be Continued.] {Written for the Mining and Scientific Press.) From Placer Oounty, [By Our Traveling Correspondent.—Continued from P. 338.) Messrs. Epitors : J arrived in this “ ancient” -and goodly toivn, famous ip days past for its tich placer mines. It required no great skill to unlock those safes of Nature, and millions of treasure were easily extracted. It is dif. ferent now. A bird’seyé view discovers to me well defined gold bearing quartz ledges, crossing and reerossing mountain and cafon 4 peeriog boldly above the surface of the ground to tempt the cupidity of the “ Honest Miner.” And the miner is abroad. With pick and shovel in aolitary places he fights the stubborn— pevs of matter, ever assured from “ indications” that far beneath lies wealth equal to that o the Grass Valley mines, which witl be reveale when capital shall develop the claims. Favor able notices of the Newcastle and Ophir ingly have so often appeared in print, that I pass them hy for the present. I first visited the Taylor company, situated on the Central Pacific Railroad, one and a half miles from Auburn. It is owned hy Moses Taylor, Boggs & Woodin. It consists of 1,700 feet. The lode is three feet thick and is followed hy a shaft toa depth of fifty feet. Its direction is northwest and southeast. There are two parallel veins of one foot in thickness, The one on the south dips fast toward the principal vein, and the two are supposed to conacct or helong to the same lode. The rock assays from $20 to $160 per ton. This vein runs parallel to the Croesus. NORTH STAR DISTRICT. The Black ledge is located three miles north of. Auborn. Some very rich rock was tested hy hand mortar, when at least $1,000 was taken from 300° pounds of rock. They had Supka shaft to the depth of eighteen feet, This claim is owned by McGonagle and others. Adjoining the above is a veryrich surface claim of three acres, from which over $60,000 has heen taken in the past five years. Along and uear the Black Ledge there is over 100 acres of placer mining ground not yet worked out. One nugget from this ground was worth $400 and another $850. Others have been taken varying from $100 to $800. THE OREEN EMIORANT. This claim is located on Bald Hill ahont three and a half miles north of Auburu. It includes one large chimney and is very rich in gold specimens. The sulpburcts are nlso rich. The day I visited this claim ttey took out the value of $100 in beautiful specimens. The deepest shaft is'twenty-scven feet. ‘They have a drift from the bottom of a 29-foot shaft which runs sixty-five feet, cutting several veins, . one of which prospected very well, paying from ~ $75 to $80 per ton. They worked rock in an arastra which yielded upwards of $100. This vein is owned principally by McGonagte, Bell and Mitchell. THE WHITE AND OARDINER Is one mile north of Green Emigrant and probably a continuation of the same. It consists of 1,800 feet. The lode is fonr feet from wall to wall. The pay vein at the depth of an incline of 100 feet is about sixteen inches, with smaller veins coming in. Some of the rock yielded $115 per ton ; $40 is looked upon as 9 low average. The mine is owned by White, Gardiner and Gautier. THE WELLS LODE Ts not far from the White and Gardiner. It is of undouhted richness, gold heing visible in much of the rock. ‘The vein matter is four feet wide, and the whole amount is working ore. The owners claim for ita yield of $60 per ton, which opinion is concurred iu by all who have examined the rock. The ore is now being sent toa mill for crushing, and hefore the closing of this letter I shall probably learn the result. A shaft is being sunk, and energy and skill are combined in bringing forth the treasure so abundantly’ indicated. The lode was named for its discoverers, who, with Mr. Jordan, are the present owners. Cahill & Monahan ledge is the south extension of the Welts lode, and the rock similar to the above. GRAY EACLE AND KENTUCKY, Lies two miles northwest of the Wells, in Dead Man’s Canon. The lode is from six to fourteen inches wide, and the owners claim 2,400 feet. The direction of the ledge is northwest. It dips east forty-five degrees. ‘he company