Volume 26 (1873) (431 pages)

18 MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS. [January 11, 1873. (GoRRESPONDENCE. Quartz and Gravel Mines in El Dorado County. [Written for the Przss.] After an almost unprecedented cold snap, causing a enepension of mining—where any coneiderable qnantity of water was required— hy the freezing up of cenals, ditcheeand streems of water, the weether has moderated and at this time—Dec. 25th,—we are having a fine warm rein, and the indicetions are that the etorm will continue for eeveral days. The cold dry fall has given tbe miuers a fine opportunity to prospect, both quartz and gravel miues. El Dorado county ie certainly taking a step forwerd in prospecting and working her quartz veins successfully. The SI. Lawrence Mine and Mill Situated in Kelsey Township, uorth side of the Sonth Fork of the American river, is a most excellent mine and mill, aud they are ruuning full time on from $20 to $40 rock. The main shaft is down about four hundred feet, aud the ledge hae been wideniug for the last two hundred feet, and ie now some six feétin width. Iam told that the grose receipte are about $1,200!: er each 24 houre. Col. D.E. Buel and Ike ateman are the reputed owners of five-eixths, and — McNevens the Snperintendent of the worke, one-sixth of this veluahle property. The Isabel Mine and Mill Situated northwest, and about half a mile from the St. Lawrence is claimed to be valuable; the vein beiug over four feet in width at a depth of 50 feet. Rock from this vein that has heen inilled, has paid $39 per ton. Tbe ledge has been traced two thousand feet. The Isahel is au incorporated company of which C. W. Brewster of this city is one of the principal owners. The Dolly Varden Mine Situated in the vicinity of thoee mentioned above, was discovered by McKinstry & Co., last eummer and Sold to Bennett & Co. of Sutter Creek, forafew thousand dollars, is now held at high figuree and probably conld be sold for ae many thoueands, as Bennett & Co. gave hnndreds tor it. There ie no doubt of its permanency, as it has been proepected to the depth of 130 feet. The Gopher Mine Is situated in Keleey Township not far from those spoken of, and ie owned by citizens of Coloma and Napa. It hae been sufficiently tested to warrant the Oelief that itis a valuable miue, hut lam informed that the manner of prospecting hae been to follow the vein on the eurface rather than drive a shaft into the ground, Rock that hae been taken from this vein and milled has yielded $30 per ton. No richer placer minee have beeu found in the Steta than those known ae Rich and Irish flats, in the immediate vicinity of the qnartz mines I have apoken of. From my own knowledge, immense quantities of gold were taken frum Rich and Irish flats, and Irieh Creek, in Kelsey Township during the years 1851-2-3-4-5, A San Francisco and New York Co. Own some three thousand feet, commencing near the South Fork of the American river and exteuding north towards the St. Lawrence, but nothiug hae been done of late hy this company on the vein. There are eeveral other locations of quartz leads in this vicinity which I may uotice hereafter, if subsequeut developmeuts warant me in eo doing. The Cedarberg Mine, In Greeuwood township, I am informed, continues to be a paying institution. I am also iuformed that Ex-Senator Hunter, Mr, Sempers and their associates have struck the old porphyry or decomposed quartz lead, from which enormoue quantitiee of gold were taken in 1851-’2 and ’3; and an occasional strike has been made since that time. This claim is west of tbe Cedarberg, in Spanish Dry-Diggings district. Many thousands are reported to have been taken out of thie claim hy its present owners, within the last few months. ‘There are a nuniber of yaluable quartz minee in Georgetown townehip — of their doings and piospecteI am not posted. Seuator McKusie hae a fine ledge at Volcanville, six miles from Georgetown, which prospecte remerkab!y well. He has about a thoueand tone of quartz at the dump, ready to mill; hut a scarcity of water, during the summer, hae prevented mill-work, Quartz in Mud Springs Township Ie receiving considerable attention, and busineee of all kind feele the iuflusuce of large and profitable mining operations there, Several large amounte of goid have heen taken from porphyry claims in that township during the paet summer and fall. Quartz and Olher Mines within a Radius of three milss of Ihe Court House in this City. Within one thousand feet of the main etreet of thie city, Shephard & Whitten have located and are now proepectiug a quartz ledge. It was diecovered in a ravine helow the County Hospital, und traced eonth over the bill in the rear of the Episcopal Church to Hangtown Creek. The locators sunk 4 shaft at the creek twenty-five feet deep, and have now commenced a tunnel, following the vein, which is over five feet in width, and carries gold more or less in all the rock, although the hanging or under eides of the ledge is the richeet. Not a pound of rock when pulverized and washed hut shows more or less gold. The claim is considered veluable. The Gross Mine, Which wes discovered lest summer on Poverty Point, ahont one and a half miles north of the Court House in this city, from present indications is aremarkahle rich mine. The vein ie some four feet in thicknees and is well defined, atunnel having heen driven in from oue of the gulchee that pnt down from the point, eeveral hundred feet, heing some three hundred feet below where the ledge crops out at the top of the hill. Ahoutfour tona of the rock was taken to the Oregon Hill mill, end crushed last week, which yielded one hundred and _fifteen dollars per ton. Groes has a hundred tons or more of rock which he intends to have crushed. The rock has to be packed to the top of the hill on mules, and then dumped into wagons and carted to the mill, two milee from the mine. I saw the gold which was taken from the’rock crushed at C. W. Brewsters. I have been told that $40,000 enrrenecy has been offered for this mine, by a New York Company. True & Son have a vein south of the Grose lead, which I am informed hes been bonded to some San Francisco gentlemen, for a pretty round sum. The Oregon Hill, Mine and Mill Bas passed into the hands of Blair, Brewster and Lemon. Active operations have heen resumed, and new developments thus far indicate a good mine. The Excelsior Mining Claim, Situated at Coon Holtow Hill, is probably one of the best hydranlic cleimein the State. It has paid lerge dividends for the past two years —although knowing the amount, Iam not at liberty to make it public—with only a limited eupply of water. Two thousand inchee of water could be used at much greater advantage proportionately, than two or three hundred. Ames & Co. Near the Excelsior claim have a hydraulic claim; they also have a ten-stamp water power mill, for crushing cement aud gravel taken from the eame claim. Their milt has yielded well since it was put in operation last fall. Dickeroff & Goodyear’s Gravel Mill Has now heen in operation some three years. Water for operating mill, and to use in batteries coste them 30 cente per hour, ten stampe of 450 ibe each; capacity of millis from 60 to 70 tons of grevel in 24 houre. The gross product of this mill had been from $500 to $1,800 per week since it commenced running, of ane am informed — more than one -half is clear profit, Blacklock & Co.’s claimjon Spanish Hill, has heen paying well; also the Hook & Ledder claim, adjoining Blacklock & Co’s. claim owned hy John and Jamee Blair. About one year ago a large quantity of powder wasexploded under the hill, shaking up the ground 160 feet in depth. They inform me that a like operation will be performed the coming spring. This claim has paid large dividende toits owners. Rohinscn & Co's. miil, at Prospect Flat—steam power—has heen in operation most of the time for the paet three yeare, crnshing gravel obtained uear the mill, some 100 feet beneath the surface. A new shaft was letely snnk and a lead of gravel struck which is estimated to be worth, at least, $40,000 to the owners. The Granite Claim, At Smith’s Flat, owned by a San Francisco Co., of which I. I. Holmes is managing agent, is known to be a valuable claim, and great profite are expected from it, when it is properly drained and in working condition. The Deep Channel Clain Adjoining the Granite, owned by Creighton & Co. is also a valuahle claim aud has for a number of years paid large dividends. Creighton & Co. have a water power mill, eight stamps, for crushing the gravel that doesnot yield readily to hydranlic washing. Jess & Co., Cruson & Co. and several others have claime on Smith’e Flat of which I have no time to make euitable mention. Hancock & Solter on Reservoir Hill have a valuable hydraulic mine, which is worked winters only. Ward Brothers have a remarka' hie rich streak of gravel at White Rock Cation; they have a small water power stamp mill— five stamps, The gravel yields from $20 to $40 to the car load. This claim has made fortunes for four or five brothera, two of whom have goneto their former homes in the Eastern States and eettled. A Bedrock Fiume in the Creek, or a Tunnel Through Ihe Hill. Last spring the City Conncil granted to Thomas Alderson—one of the owners of the South Fork Canal—a franchise of putting a bedrock flume in Hangtown creek throngh the city. Estimated cost of flume between $40,000 and $50,000. This workif completed wonld be @ profitable investment, providing there was sufficient room for dumpageat the outlet of the flume. When it is considered that ina few yeare—if our enpply of water is increased, which it must be within two years—that nine milee of hill, in come places three hundred feet high, is to be washed down and run through this fume—if it ie huilt—it will readily he discovered that there is not eufficient room in Hangtown creek below the city to deposit the: dehris thus sent through the flume from the working of the minee ahove. To ohviate the depositing of the enormous amount of earth and stone, to he washed down from the hills iuto the creek, and thus overflow the city, Robert Patten, Engineer Of the South Fork Cenel, has conceived the plan of an outlet into Weher creek, by means of a tunnel some 3,000 feet in length through Hangtown Ridge, commencing at or neer the Excelsior mining claim. Thie would give a dumpege of more than one hundred feet fall and all the bed of Weher creek for five miles ag a receptacle for all the debris from the hill and claim ahove; besides, the heavy reine of winter swell this creek frequently to the size of a river, which would annnally waeh away such deposits 2e would have accumuleted during tbe other seasons. Again, euch a tunnel would drein all the claims along thie ridge spoken of above—and some twenty not mentioned—but more particularly the Pecific quartz mine, Deckerotf and Goyan, Cedar, Proepect and Smith’s Flats, which wonld be of incalculable value tothe ownere. The eetimated cost of such a tunnel, all complete, ready for nee, ie $60,000. The yield of gold from claims that would uee this outlet, would not be less than a million of dollars per annum, might be two or three times that sum. <A plat has been drawn of the tunnel, the line of the preeent canal, which runs along the ridge, the claime that wonld be benefited by it, and eubmitted to the officers of the South Fork Canal Compauy. Several others have been made by persons iuterested in mining on this ridge, to procure the neceeeary funds to construct the tunnel, but none have been eccepted. BE. N. Srrovr. Placerville, Dec. 25, 1872. Tintic District, Utah. Eps. Press:—Owing to unforeseen circumetances I have been unable to fulfill my promise of a few weeks ago, until the preeent time. As mentioned in my previoue letter ‘‘Diamond City,” one of the mining camps of thie distriét, is well worthy of note, from the excellency of its mines, and will at no distant day, rank with any of ite sister citiee in Tintic. It would teke up too mnch space were I to enumerate the different leads separately, and therefore, will only give you a brief sketch of a few of the most prominent ones. The Undine is a fine, rich lead owned by the Jackson hrothere. No large amount of development hae yet taken place. A shaft has been eunk down eome 60 feet, following the ledge all the way, and a considerable amouutof firstclass pay ore taken from it. The lead ie well defined and the ore paid well from the surface. Another shaft is about heing sunk and from present indications, will prove very profitahle. The Joe Bowers, a claim owned by the Wendigo Company, of Lake Superior, ie looking well; three shafts have been eunk to a depth of 100 feet. Very little work has been done upon this mine the past fall, but they are now preparing to proceed vigorously with the work of ite development. Assays from the ledge show from $25 to $500 ore. From the Jefferson a coneiderable amouut of silver hearing quartz has been taken, and the prospects are flattering fora further increase. ‘This lead is at preeentidle. The ownera are, however, making preparatione for the resumption of work at an early date. They have a shaft down upon the ledge 100 feet. The Washington has a shaft 140 feet in depth with several drifts opened, and furniehing large quantities of milling ore which ie accumulating npon the dump aud ready for reduction as eoon ae the mill, now heing erected, is ready to start. The vein is about four feet in width, encased in granite walls. All of the ahove mentioned munee are in granite formation. The Morning Gloryis a promieing mine, renking second to none ‘in this district. It ie located abont three milee southerly from this place. The claim extende 3,000 feet in length, on a well defined vein of silver-bearing rock of free milling ore, It also carries eome little copper. The mine is thus far opened by two shafte, being respectively 78 and 120 feet deep. Two drifts have been run on the vein for from 15 to 20 feet each, and from which large qnantities of ore have heen extracted and forwarded to mills in Eest Caion for reduction. The ehafts are distant from each other about 300 feet. When commencing to sink, the vein was three feet in width, with two regular firm walls, proving iteelf to he a true fissure vein, At a depth of 25 feet the vein enlarged to such an extent that the ehaft wag aunk in nothing but one mass of ore, and its present depth, 110 feet, the width of the vein ie still unknown. The character of the ore is a yellow and brown chloride, intermixed with a dark decom}. poeed qnartz, which, for mill reduction ie very desirable, it being a free milling ore. The ore taken from this mine has been shipped a distance of 40 milee to East Cation for reduction, yielding from $80 to $185 per ton. A large quantity of second clase ore is now piled up upon the gronnd, waiting for reduction by one of our new local mills; this claes of ore will yield about $44 per ton, The heariug of this lode or vein ie north and south, dipping west abont 18 incheein 6 feet. The vein is imbedded in grenite formation. It is easy of accese, and a desirable property for its ownere. Work has been hut slowly prosecuted upon the mine, owing to the inability of its owners to procure the necessary improvements required to work such a mine snecessfull ‘ully. car. J. Silver City, Uteh, Dec. 1872, The Seattle Coal Mines. The coal deposits of Washington Territory are known to be very extensive, but for want of capital only those at Bellingham Bay have been mined to any great extent, but within the past three years the Seattle Coal Mines have been opened, and the production is rapidly increasing. The following extracts from a private letter written to us by a valued and reliable contributor at Seattle, Washington Territory, give some interesting information regarding the mines: “The Seattle Coal Company is a stock company organized under the laws of California; office at San Francisco. The mine is located seventeen miles from Seatile, and four miles is railroad (narrow gauge) ; balance of distance is by water over lakes Union and Washington. They are taking out an average of 80 tons per day; employ about 120 men, two steam tugs, two large barges, one steam engine, 40 horses and 160 two-ton cars. The coal is conveyed from the mine to vessels at the port withoutchange of cars. Last year they mined 15,000 tons, 10,000 of which was shipped to San Francisco. This year they have taken out 35,000 tons, and 25,000 tons shipped to San Francisco. Is now worth there $12.50 per ton. The expenses are as follows: $3.50 per ton to mine it and put it in ships at Seattle; $5 per ton for freight, leaviug a net profit of $4 per ton, or 80 per cent. Mr. Charles J. Shatwick is Superintendent, and resides here, the other owners of the stock live in San Francisco and New York, The demand for coal is said to be steadily increasing. The mines are very large, in fact the different mines on this Sound now known would supply the United States for fifty years. It isa second Pennsylvania for coal and iron, but it requires capital to work them. This company have not capital sufficient torun it as itshould be. If they owned their own ships they could save or make for themselves 40 per cent. more by proper ontlay then coal] could be placed in ships at $2 per ton.’ — Commercial Reporter, Oregon. The Champion Numismatist. It may not be generally known that Dr. Charles Spier of this place isthe oldest living and most euccees{n] numismatist in the world. He hae been engaged in the collection of coins for over fifty-seven years aud has now over 14,000 pieces, representing every epevies of coin ever produced in any year or under the dominion of auy sovereign or Government from the days of Semiramis and the Pharaohs down to the preeent time. His collection is worth hundreds of thoueands of dollars. Hehas over 10,000 of his piecea in the vaulte of the Bank of California, and 4,000 or over here. At the Bank of California his collection is pronounced the best and most valnabla in existence, not excepting those of Queen Victoria and the Sultan of Turkey, which are particulerly extensive and valnable. A few daye ago we examined the 4,000 of his piecee which he keeps here. They proved a moet interesting study. Coins of the acient Jewish Kingdom, of the various kings, coneule and emperora of Rome, Tyre, Sidon, Carthage, Nineveh, Babylou, Chine, Palmyra, Egypt, Japan, etc., with specimens of every year's coinage in all Christian lands from the time of Constantine till now, were exhibited in prodigal profusion, The Doctor has many coine which wonld sell for many thoueauds of dollare each. His collection has heen the work of a very extended lifetime. He has fraveled nearly ali over the world and ie constantly receiving new additione to his pieces from Europe and the East. He has gold and silver coius from the size of a very large teacup dowu to that of a pea. We wish we had the epace to particularly deecribe them, The Doctor, who ie in easy circumstances and greatly advanced in years, though still robust for one of his age, remaine in Visalia on account of the excellenciee of the climate. His collectiou ie very interesting to any oue appreciating the mementoes of antiquity.— Visalia Della. Urriizinc ABALoNA SHELLS.—Sixleen tone of ahalona shells have been ordered from this coast by two firms, one in Boeton and the other in Philadelphia. They are used for manufactnring into buttone and many kinds of fancy articles and bring good prices. The islands opposite to this connty are literally covered with the finest ehellefor this purpose fonnd in the world. Why are they not utilized? Ou the ehores of Anacapa or Santa Cruz, a few men could soon load a schooner.— Ventura Signal. ee

18 MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS. [January 11, 1873. (GoRRESPONDENCE. Quartz and Gravel Mines in El Dorado County. [Written for the Przss.] After an almost unprecedented cold snap, causing a enepension of mining—where any coneiderable qnantity of water was required— hy the freezing up of cenals, ditcheeand streems of water, the weether has moderated and at this time—Dec. 25th,—we are having a fine warm rein, and the indicetions are that the etorm will continue for eeveral days. The cold dry fall has given tbe miuers a fine opportunity to prospect, both quartz and gravel miues. El Dorado county ie certainly taking a step forwerd in prospecting and working her quartz veins successfully. The SI. Lawrence Mine and Mill Situated in Kelsey Township, uorth side of the Sonth Fork of the American river, is a most excellent mine and mill, aud they are ruuning full time on from $20 to $40 rock. The main shaft is down about four hundred feet, aud the ledge hae been wideniug for the last two hundred feet, and ie now some six feétin width. Iam told that the grose receipte are about $1,200!: er each 24 houre. Col. D.E. Buel and Ike ateman are the reputed owners of five-eixths, and — McNevens the Snperintendent of the worke, one-sixth of this veluahle property. The Isabel Mine and Mill Situated northwest, and about half a mile from the St. Lawrence is claimed to be valuable; the vein beiug over four feet in width at a depth of 50 feet. Rock from this vein that has heen inilled, has paid $39 per ton. Tbe ledge has been traced two thousand feet. The Isahel is au incorporated company of which C. W. Brewster of this city is one of the principal owners. The Dolly Varden Mine Situated in the vicinity of thoee mentioned above, was discovered by McKinstry & Co., last eummer and Sold to Bennett & Co. of Sutter Creek, forafew thousand dollars, is now held at high figuree and probably conld be sold for ae many thoueands, as Bennett & Co. gave hnndreds tor it. There ie no doubt of its permanency, as it has been proepected to the depth of 130 feet. The Gopher Mine Is situated in Keleey Township not far from those spoken of, and ie owned by citizens of Coloma and Napa. It hae been sufficiently tested to warrant the Oelief that itis a valuable miue, hut lam informed that the manner of prospecting hae been to follow the vein on the eurface rather than drive a shaft into the ground, Rock that hae been taken from this vein and milled has yielded $30 per ton. No richer placer minee have beeu found in the Steta than those known ae Rich and Irish flats, in the immediate vicinity of the qnartz mines I have apoken of. From my own knowledge, immense quantities of gold were taken frum Rich and Irish flats, and Irieh Creek, in Kelsey Township during the years 1851-2-3-4-5, A San Francisco and New York Co. Own some three thousand feet, commencing near the South Fork of the American river and exteuding north towards the St. Lawrence, but nothiug hae been done of late hy this company on the vein. There are eeveral other locations of quartz leads in this vicinity which I may uotice hereafter, if subsequeut developmeuts warant me in eo doing. The Cedarberg Mine, In Greeuwood township, I am informed, continues to be a paying institution. I am also iuformed that Ex-Senator Hunter, Mr, Sempers and their associates have struck the old porphyry or decomposed quartz lead, from which enormoue quantitiee of gold were taken in 1851-’2 and ’3; and an occasional strike has been made since that time. This claim is west of tbe Cedarberg, in Spanish Dry-Diggings district. Many thousands are reported to have been taken out of thie claim hy its present owners, within the last few months. ‘There are a nuniber of yaluable quartz minee in Georgetown townehip — of their doings and piospecteI am not posted. Seuator McKusie hae a fine ledge at Volcanville, six miles from Georgetown, which prospecte remerkab!y well. He has about a thoueand tone of quartz at the dump, ready to mill; hut a scarcity of water, during the summer, hae prevented mill-work, Quartz in Mud Springs Township Ie receiving considerable attention, and busineee of all kind feele the iuflusuce of large and profitable mining operations there, Several large amounte of goid have heen taken from porphyry claims in that township during the paet summer and fall. Quartz and Olher Mines within a Radius of three milss of Ihe Court House in this City. Within one thousand feet of the main etreet of thie city, Shephard & Whitten have located and are now proepectiug a quartz ledge. It was diecovered in a ravine helow the County Hospital, und traced eonth over the bill in the rear of the Episcopal Church to Hangtown Creek. The locators sunk 4 shaft at the creek twenty-five feet deep, and have now commenced a tunnel, following the vein, which is over five feet in width, and carries gold more or less in all the rock, although the hanging or under eides of the ledge is the richeet. Not a pound of rock when pulverized and washed hut shows more or less gold. The claim is considered veluable. The Gross Mine, Which wes discovered lest summer on Poverty Point, ahont one and a half miles north of the Court House in this city, from present indications is aremarkahle rich mine. The vein ie some four feet in thicknees and is well defined, atunnel having heen driven in from oue of the gulchee that pnt down from the point, eeveral hundred feet, heing some three hundred feet below where the ledge crops out at the top of the hill. Ahoutfour tona of the rock was taken to the Oregon Hill mill, end crushed last week, which yielded one hundred and _fifteen dollars per ton. Groes has a hundred tons or more of rock which he intends to have crushed. The rock has to be packed to the top of the hill on mules, and then dumped into wagons and carted to the mill, two milee from the mine. I saw the gold which was taken from the’rock crushed at C. W. Brewsters. I have been told that $40,000 enrrenecy has been offered for this mine, by a New York Company. True & Son have a vein south of the Grose lead, which I am informed hes been bonded to some San Francisco gentlemen, for a pretty round sum. The Oregon Hill, Mine and Mill Bas passed into the hands of Blair, Brewster and Lemon. Active operations have heen resumed, and new developments thus far indicate a good mine. The Excelsior Mining Claim, Situated at Coon Holtow Hill, is probably one of the best hydranlic cleimein the State. It has paid lerge dividends for the past two years —although knowing the amount, Iam not at liberty to make it public—with only a limited eupply of water. Two thousand inchee of water could be used at much greater advantage proportionately, than two or three hundred. Ames & Co. Near the Excelsior claim have a hydraulic claim; they also have a ten-stamp water power mill, for crushing cement aud gravel taken from the eame claim. Their milt has yielded well since it was put in operation last fall. Dickeroff & Goodyear’s Gravel Mill Has now heen in operation some three years. Water for operating mill, and to use in batteries coste them 30 cente per hour, ten stampe of 450 ibe each; capacity of millis from 60 to 70 tons of grevel in 24 houre. The gross product of this mill had been from $500 to $1,800 per week since it commenced running, of ane am informed — more than one -half is clear profit, Blacklock & Co.’s claimjon Spanish Hill, has heen paying well; also the Hook & Ledder claim, adjoining Blacklock & Co’s. claim owned hy John and Jamee Blair. About one year ago a large quantity of powder wasexploded under the hill, shaking up the ground 160 feet in depth. They inform me that a like operation will be performed the coming spring. This claim has paid large dividende toits owners. Rohinscn & Co's. miil, at Prospect Flat—steam power—has heen in operation most of the time for the paet three yeare, crnshing gravel obtained uear the mill, some 100 feet beneath the surface. A new shaft was letely snnk and a lead of gravel struck which is estimated to be worth, at least, $40,000 to the owners. The Granite Claim, At Smith’s Flat, owned by a San Francisco Co., of which I. I. Holmes is managing agent, is known to be a valuable claim, and great profite are expected from it, when it is properly drained and in working condition. The Deep Channel Clain Adjoining the Granite, owned by Creighton & Co. is also a valuahle claim aud has for a number of years paid large dividends. Creighton & Co. have a water power mill, eight stamps, for crushing the gravel that doesnot yield readily to hydranlic washing. Jess & Co., Cruson & Co. and several others have claime on Smith’e Flat of which I have no time to make euitable mention. Hancock & Solter on Reservoir Hill have a valuable hydraulic mine, which is worked winters only. Ward Brothers have a remarka' hie rich streak of gravel at White Rock Cation; they have a small water power stamp mill— five stamps, The gravel yields from $20 to $40 to the car load. This claim has made fortunes for four or five brothera, two of whom have goneto their former homes in the Eastern States and eettled. A Bedrock Fiume in the Creek, or a Tunnel Through Ihe Hill. Last spring the City Conncil granted to Thomas Alderson—one of the owners of the South Fork Canal—a franchise of putting a bedrock flume in Hangtown creek throngh the city. Estimated cost of flume between $40,000 and $50,000. This workif completed wonld be @ profitable investment, providing there was sufficient room for dumpageat the outlet of the flume. When it is considered that ina few yeare—if our enpply of water is increased,

which it must be within two years—that nine milee of hill, in come places three hundred feet high, is to be washed down and run through this fume—if it ie huilt—it will readily he discovered that there is not eufficient room in Hangtown creek below the city to deposit the: dehris thus sent through the flume from the working of the minee ahove. To ohviate the depositing of the enormous amount of earth and stone, to he washed down from the hills iuto the creek, and thus overflow the city, Robert Patten, Engineer Of the South Fork Cenel, has conceived the plan of an outlet into Weher creek, by means of a tunnel some 3,000 feet in length through Hangtown Ridge, commencing at or neer the Excelsior mining claim. Thie would give a dumpege of more than one hundred feet fall and all the bed of Weher creek for five miles ag a receptacle for all the debris from the hill and claim ahove; besides, the heavy reine of winter swell this creek frequently to the size of a river, which would annnally waeh away such deposits 2e would have accumuleted during tbe other seasons. Again, euch a tunnel would drein all the claims along thie ridge spoken of above—and some twenty not mentioned—but more particularly the Pecific quartz mine, Deckerotf and Goyan, Cedar, Proepect and Smith’s Flats, which wonld be of incalculable value tothe ownere. The eetimated cost of such a tunnel, all complete, ready for nee, ie $60,000. The yield of gold from claims that would uee this outlet, would not be less than a million of dollars per annum, might be two or three times that sum. <A plat has been drawn of the tunnel, the line of the preeent canal, which runs along the ridge, the claime that wonld be benefited by it, and eubmitted to the officers of the South Fork Canal Compauy. Several others have been made by persons iuterested in mining on this ridge, to procure the neceeeary funds to construct the tunnel, but none have been eccepted. BE. N. Srrovr. Placerville, Dec. 25, 1872. Tintic District, Utah. Eps. Press:—Owing to unforeseen circumetances I have been unable to fulfill my promise of a few weeks ago, until the preeent time. As mentioned in my previoue letter ‘‘Diamond City,” one of the mining camps of thie distriét, is well worthy of note, from the excellency of its mines, and will at no distant day, rank with any of ite sister citiee in Tintic. It would teke up too mnch space were I to enumerate the different leads separately, and therefore, will only give you a brief sketch of a few of the most prominent ones. The Undine is a fine, rich lead owned by the Jackson hrothere. No large amount of development hae yet taken place. A shaft has been eunk down eome 60 feet, following the ledge all the way, and a considerable amouutof firstclass pay ore taken from it. The lead ie well defined and the ore paid well from the surface. Another shaft is about heing sunk and from present indications, will prove very profitahle. The Joe Bowers, a claim owned by the Wendigo Company, of Lake Superior, ie looking well; three shafts have been eunk to a depth of 100 feet. Very little work has been done upon this mine the past fall, but they are now preparing to proceed vigorously with the work of ite development. Assays from the ledge show from $25 to $500 ore. From the Jefferson a coneiderable amouut of silver hearing quartz has been taken, and the prospects are flattering fora further increase. ‘This lead is at preeentidle. The ownera are, however, making preparatione for the resumption of work at an early date. They have a shaft down upon the ledge 100 feet. The Washington has a shaft 140 feet in depth with several drifts opened, and furniehing large quantities of milling ore which ie accumulating npon the dump aud ready for reduction as eoon ae the mill, now heing erected, is ready to start. The vein is about four feet in width, encased in granite walls. All of the ahove mentioned munee are in granite formation. The Morning Gloryis a promieing mine, renking second to none ‘in this district. It ie located abont three milee southerly from this place. The claim extende 3,000 feet in length, on a well defined vein of silver-bearing rock of free milling ore, It also carries eome little copper. The mine is thus far opened by two shafte, being respectively 78 and 120 feet deep. Two drifts have been run on the vein for from 15 to 20 feet each, and from which large qnantities of ore have heen extracted and forwarded to mills in Eest Caion for reduction. The ehafts are distant from each other about 300 feet. When commencing to sink, the vein was three feet in width, with two regular firm walls, proving iteelf to he a true fissure vein, At a depth of 25 feet the vein enlarged to such an extent that the ehaft wag aunk in nothing but one mass of ore, and its present depth, 110 feet, the width of the vein ie still unknown. The character of the ore is a yellow and brown chloride, intermixed with a dark decom}. poeed qnartz, which, for mill reduction ie very desirable, it being a free milling ore. The ore taken from this mine has been shipped a distance of 40 milee to East Cation for reduction, yielding from $80 to $185 per ton. A large quantity of second clase ore is now piled up upon the gronnd, waiting for reduction by one of our new local mills; this claes of ore will yield about $44 per ton, The heariug of this lode or vein ie north and south, dipping west abont 18 incheein 6 feet. The vein is imbedded in grenite formation. It is easy of accese, and a desirable property for its ownere. Work has been hut slowly prosecuted upon the mine, owing to the inability of its owners to procure the necessary improvements required to work such a mine snecessfull ‘ully. car. J. Silver City, Uteh, Dec. 1872, The Seattle Coal Mines. The coal deposits of Washington Territory are known to be very extensive, but for want of capital only those at Bellingham Bay have been mined to any great extent, but within the past three years the Seattle Coal Mines have been opened, and the production is rapidly increasing. The following extracts from a private letter written to us by a valued and reliable contributor at Seattle, Washington Territory, give some interesting information regarding the mines: “The Seattle Coal Company is a stock company organized under the laws of California; office at San Francisco. The mine is located seventeen miles from Seatile, and four miles is railroad (narrow gauge) ; balance of distance is by water over lakes Union and Washington. They are taking out an average of 80 tons per day; employ about 120 men, two steam tugs, two large barges, one steam engine, 40 horses and 160 two-ton cars. The coal is conveyed from the mine to vessels at the port withoutchange of cars. Last year they mined 15,000 tons, 10,000 of which was shipped to San Francisco. This year they have taken out 35,000 tons, and 25,000 tons shipped to San Francisco. Is now worth there $12.50 per ton. The expenses are as follows: $3.50 per ton to mine it and put it in ships at Seattle; $5 per ton for freight, leaviug a net profit of $4 per ton, or 80 per cent. Mr. Charles J. Shatwick is Superintendent, and resides here, the other owners of the stock live in San Francisco and New York, The demand for coal is said to be steadily increasing. The mines are very large, in fact the different mines on this Sound now known would supply the United States for fifty years. It isa second Pennsylvania for coal and iron, but it requires capital to work them. This company have not capital sufficient torun it as itshould be. If they owned their own ships they could save or make for themselves 40 per cent. more by proper ontlay then coal] could be placed in ships at $2 per ton.’ — Commercial Reporter, Oregon. The Champion Numismatist. It may not be generally known that Dr. Charles Spier of this place isthe oldest living and most euccees{n] numismatist in the world. He hae been engaged in the collection of coins for over fifty-seven years aud has now over 14,000 pieces, representing every epevies of coin ever produced in any year or under the dominion of auy sovereign or Government from the days of Semiramis and the Pharaohs down to the preeent time. His collection is worth hundreds of thoueands of dollars. Hehas over 10,000 of his piecea in the vaulte of the Bank of California, and 4,000 or over here. At the Bank of California his collection is pronounced the best and most valnabla in existence, not excepting those of Queen Victoria and the Sultan of Turkey, which are particulerly extensive and valnable. A few daye ago we examined the 4,000 of his piecee which he keeps here. They proved a moet interesting study. Coins of the acient Jewish Kingdom, of the various kings, coneule and emperora of Rome, Tyre, Sidon, Carthage, Nineveh, Babylou, Chine, Palmyra, Egypt, Japan, etc., with specimens of every year's coinage in all Christian lands from the time of Constantine till now, were exhibited in prodigal profusion, The Doctor has many coine which wonld sell for many thoueauds of dollare each. His collection has heen the work of a very extended lifetime. He has fraveled nearly ali over the world and ie constantly receiving new additione to his pieces from Europe and the East. He has gold and silver coius from the size of a very large teacup dowu to that of a pea. We wish we had the epace to particularly deecribe them, The Doctor, who ie in easy circumstances and greatly advanced in years, though still robust for one of his age, remaine in Visalia on account of the excellenciee of the climate. His collectiou ie very interesting to any oue appreciating the mementoes of antiquity.— Visalia Della. Urriizinc ABALoNA SHELLS.—Sixleen tone of ahalona shells have been ordered from this coast by two firms, one in Boeton and the other in Philadelphia. They are used for manufactnring into buttone and many kinds of fancy articles and bring good prices. The islands opposite to this connty are literally covered with the finest ehellefor this purpose fonnd in the world. Why are they not utilized? Ou the ehores of Anacapa or Santa Cruz, a few men could soon load a schooner.— Ventura Signal. ee