Volume 28 (1874) (430 pages)

138 MINING “AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS. [February 28, 1874. Trinity County Mines. We collate the following items from the oolumus of the Trinity Journal : “Red Hill.” This mining locslity, just below Junction City, on the opposite side of the river, bas long been kuown as one of tbe richest sections of Trinity county; and hss always yielded largely for the amount of work done. For several years past, however, Red Hill has suffered with the rest of the county from a scsrcity of water. We are told that the preseut sesson the mines located there are better rigged tban ever befere, and that water is plenty. During all of last winter, the miners on Red Hill did not get a whole day’s run at any one time, wheress they are running continually the present season. With the new mining apparatus, they are also in oondition to do more thsn double the work, under the ssme circumstances, and at less expense than in previous years, When we consider that the claims there have always been very profitable, we may reasonably expect thst the yield this season will be enormous. x “Woodbury’s Operations.” The miuing investments aud ditching projects of Mr. Isaao Woodbnry, on Hay Fork, form the largest undertaking ever entered upon by a siugle individual in the mining history of Trinity county. In the near future, as soon as a sufficient ststement of particulars can be obtained, we intend to furnish our readers with a full acoonnt of this entcrprise. Charles Whitlook, who works for Mr. Woodbury, wae in town this week. From him we learn that both Little Giants are at work there, and that two claims are being worked; one in Bridge gulch, the other in the fist below, where Jake Vodgee formerly woiked. A deep channel has been found in the baok part of the flat, and the prospects are that the enterprise will be orowned with success. Mr. Woodbury has undertaken a great work, aud certainly deserves a handsome reward. To be a Model Claim. Atkins & Lowden have taken possession of the Frey mine, on Grass Valley creek, under an arrangement lately entered into with the Frey Brothers. The new proprietors are now engaged in fitting this claim up witb all the latest and best known machinery and rigging for hydraulic mining, jucluding iron-pipe, nnder-ourrents, patent nozzles, etc. This claim has heretofore been known as a payiug one, notwithstanding it had been worked under disadvantages and groundsluiced in tbe simplest manner. There is every opportunity here for hydraulic mining as carried on in the miues of Nevada, Placer and other more advanced gravel-mining oounties— plenty of ohance for hydraulic pressure and ample dumping ground, witha bank that can he eaeily out and washed, and which prospects tich from the surface to the bed-rock. Capt. Geo. H. Atkins tells us that itis the intention of the new proprietors to make this a model hydraulic mine. He has had great experienoe in this class of mining, is thoronghly practical, and above all meane bnsiness. The irou for the hydranlic pipe will be on the ground this week and the work of fitting np will be pushed with the utmost speed to completion. When thoroughly rigged this will, as Capt. Atkins saye, be a model mine, and one which onr miners, who are not yet thoroughly acquainted with the new methods, will do well to visit and examine, It willbe the mining center of attraction when in running order, New Mining Section. Last Fall, we copied au item from the Lake connty Bee regarding a party of prospectors who had come from that county and discovered good mines some place in the mountaius near the line between Trinity and Mendocino counties. We now learn that therehas heen come thirty men engaged in mining on the South Fork, in this county, near where the Hettenshaw trail crosses that etream, and that they had found good prospocte. Rich miniug ground was know to exist in that region in early days, bnt the fear of Indian troubles nntil reoently kept minersfrom going there. Now that the Indians are no longer troubleeome and prospecting can be done without danger from tbat source, it is probable that that portion of Trinity will be tested, and it is likely to prove as rich as any of the older eettled mining camps. The Sonth Fork is a large etream, and can be relied on fora full supply of water the entire year. It ie probable that further discoveries will be made in that seotion during the coming snmmer, Weaver Basin. We plead guilty to the charge of not having aid as much’ attention to the minee here at ome, in Weaver Basin, as their extent and richnees merit. Short days, in which to doa large amouut of work, have not giving us time enough to go about among our miners ae much as we would like to. We promise, however, to take a day or two, and that before long, in which to visit the principal claims inthe Basin, and write them np, so that all who wish to know what is being done here may be furnished with the desired information. The wellknown spirit of acoommodation existing among our minere will undonbtedly place usin possession of a number of interesting facts regarding the claime here, anda oolumn or two on the] mines in Weaver Basin, we are certain, will not fail to interest the general reader. An Important Investment. Messrs. D. W. George and O. M. Loveridge returued from San Francisco ou Monday last, where they had been to make preliminary arrangemente for an extensivs mining investment in thiscounty. They brought the coin with them, and the purchase of the property they dssire has been concluded. On Thursday they paid to John Arn the haudsomesum of $13, 260 for his Rush Creek water-right and other property—having previonsly paid him $1,000; making a total for this property of $14,260. These arties then sold the rancbes houses, etc., to Pra Paulseu for the sum of $4,500, they having no use for any but the mining property and water. = Arrangements have also been made by Loveridge & George for the purchase of the Dr. Ware property, everything being satisfactorily agreed, the papers made out and intended to be signed to-day, (Friday.) Itis the intention of the purchasers to commence operations 1mmediately. The West Weaver water will be taken on Oregon Gulch Mountain, without any necessary delay, and in time to do some work before the present season ends. We were informed of the concluding arrangements of this enterprise too late for an extended article this week, bnt will endeavor to gather additional information as to the future intentions of the projectors and give them to our readere at as sarly a day as possible. Nozzles. Trotter & Smiley, at Douglass City, have been experimenting to some extent with the different sized nozzlee on their Giant. They have an 18-inch pipe, with 115 feet pressure. Bunning through a 5-inch nozzle the reservoir is emptied in 2 hours; 6-inch nozzle, in 1 hour and 20 minntes; 7-inch, in 33 minutes; and 8inch, in less thau 20 minutes. Sargeni’s Mineral Land Bills. As there has been considersble commeut on the vsrious mining bills now pending in Congress we have endeavored to keep track of them all and publish them in full. We have given Ward’s obnoxious bill in full in a former issue. The Senate, on the 6th inst., took up and passed the bill introduced hy Mr. Sargent on the firet day of the eeseion, aud reported from the Mining Committee, with amendments, a few weeke ago as follows: A Bill, supplemental to the act entitled ‘‘An act to promote the development of the mining resources of the United States,” approved May 10, 1872. Be itenacted, etc., That, where applicatious for patente for mining claims have been filed in the proper district land office, and legal notice thereof given, without the appearance of au adveree claimant, and in whioh cases no fuorther proceedinge have been had for the purpose of perfecting title, euch applicant shall make final proof and payment on said olaims within one year from the date of the passage of this act; and, in case of like applications for pateuts hereafter filed, the applicants shall, in the absence of an adverse claim during the notice, make said final proof and payment within one year from the date of filing snch application, in default of which the proceedings for patente ao had by such applicants ahall be oonsidered void and without effect. Section 2. That all affidavits required to ba made under this act, the aotto which this is eupplemental, or the act to which said act is amendatory, may be verified before auy officer authorized to administer oathe, and all teetimony and proofe may be taken beforeany suoh officer, and, when duly certified by, the officer taking the same, ehall have the eame force and effect as if taken before the Regieter and Receiver of the district land office; provided, that when snch affidavits or proofs are taken at any place other than within the land distriot, it sball be by the clerk of any oourt of record in the United Statea. The other bill introduced by Mr. Sargent. has heen materially modified, and the original bill was to get it out of the way, indefinitely postponed on Mr. Sargent’a motion. The following is tbe full text of the Bill as Amended. A bill relating to placer mining iands in the State of California: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled, That public lande in the State of California, other than those containing veins or lodee of qnartz or other rook in place, bearing gold, silver, oinnahar, lead, tin, copper, or other valuable mineral, or landa containing coal, shall not be excluded aa mineral from preémption or homestead entrylunless it shall be shown that bona fide mining claim exist thereon, or that the land is necessary for outlet or other mining easemente; and the price of both agricultural and placer mineral lands, ontside of the limits of railroad grants, shall be one dollar and twenty-five cente per acre: Provided, That notbing herein oontained shall be conetrned'to change any presnmption now existing, either by law or Department regnlatione, that lands within railroad-grants are mineral in character. Seo. 2. Tbat where two or more aettlere have improvements on the same legal subdivision, whether agricultural or placer mining, or both, it ehall be lawful for such eettlers to make joint entry of tbeir lande at the local land oflice, or for either of aaid settlers to enter into a contract with his co-settlere to convey to them their portion of said land after a patent is issued to him, and, after making auch contract, to filean application for such land, and prove up and pay for snch land, in the same manner and tothe same effect asis provided hy law for agricultural settlers upon the same legal subdivision: Provided, That proof of occupation and improvement under mining rulss of the portion of ssid land claimed as a mining olaim may be made in said proceding by the applicant as now provided by law; and notice of said application, where a patent of a mining olaim is sought, shsll be given and have the same effect as is now provided in cases of application for mining claims. Sec. 3. Tbat in oases where placer miniug claime are dnly located under mining laws, it shall be lawful for the parties applying for a patent for the same to make tbeir applicstion to purchase lands to the extent of the smallest legal subdivisions oontaining the ssid claims when such application does not conflict with the rights of other parties, and patent shall issue aceordingly: Provided, Tbat nothing herein contained shall authorize any person or company to locate more thsn one hundred and sixty acres as a mining claim. Szc. 4. That all affidsvits and proofsrequired by lsw to be made before the local landofficers in miniug or pre-emption cases, may be taken before any officer anthorized to administer osths, and, when filed with the Register aud the Receiver, shall have the same effect as if taken before those officers. Effect shall be given to this Act by regulations to be prescribed by the’ Commissioner of the General Lsnd Office: Provided, That where such affidavit or proofe are taken at any place other than within the land district, it shall be by the Clerk of auy Court of Record in the United States. The special correspondent of the Bulletin at Wsshington, who always writes sensible letters, in spesking of the House Committee on Miues, says thatthe committee eeemsto think that the mining lawe need some general revision (though most of its members know no more of mining thsn they do of astronomy) and itis hard to bring any single practical queetion before them to a vote upon its individus] merits. Snch is the gossip that floate through the closed doors of the committes room, aud it undoubtedly has a large bssis of truth. This opinion is generally couourred in by the miners of the Pacific coast, and there is probably more truth than poetry in it. Tae New AuMADEN Mine.—A correspondent of the Alta writing from San José gives the following as the product of the Almaden mine for 1873: January, 1,325 flasks; Febrnary, 1,232 flasks; March, 875 flasks; April, 1,000 flasks; May, 1,100 flasks; June, 910 flasks; July, 800 flaske; Auguet, 735 flasks; September, 615 flaske ; October, 700 flasks; November, 750 flasks; December, 1,000 flasks. Total, 11,042 flasks. Percentage yield, 4.87. This stateinent differe considerably from those previously published. In writing something on the eubject several weeke since, we took occasion to call at the office of the Almadeu mine to aek the yield for the year. They stated that they had given the correot figures to the Commercial Herald and that that paper had that week published them correctly. The yield for the year was given in the Herald at 12,000 flacks and the statement given above only placee it at 11,042 flasks. Ae thie is in detail it appeare to be more correct, though it eeems strange that the people at the office of the mine in this city should make a mistake of 1,000 flasks in a total yield of only 11,000 or 12,000 flasks, The thine makee even a worse chowing for the year than appeared at first. The smallest amount ever before prodnced in one year since 1850 was 14,000 flasks, which occurred in 1870. Mme Accrpent.—About two o’clock ou the afternoon of the 17th inst., at the 1,200-foot level of the} Beloher mine, three men were badly injured by the explosion of a blast. It happened as follows: It is the nsual practice in the mine to drill a half dozen holes ata time, in which cartridgee of Giant powder are inserted without tamping; they are then exploded hy means of wires from an electrical battery. The morning shift touched off a blaet before they were relieved, hnt did not notice that oue of the cartridges had not been exploded. The 11 o’clock chift, thinking that the drill hole had not been finiehed, started to sink it deeper, when the cartridge exploded. Frank Allen was badly hurnt, cnt and puuctured all over the front portion of his body with emall fragments of rock; Harry Lindeey bad his uose broken, eyes closed up and chest bruised; Jerry McCarty was cut with a piece of rock in the pit of his stomach. No one is blamed for the occurrence. Tue Sourmeen Mrnes.—Private letters from the southern coset mines tell a sad state of exciting affaire. The minee in Lower California and Holeome Valley are panning ont very poorly, and hundreds who expected to realize handsome fortunee have been doomed to dieappointment, and are now in very destitute circumstances. Wages are very low, not averaging more than $1 per day, and work is scarce at that. Rain is very prevalent at this season, and conseqnently adde to the distresa. All parties desiroue to emigrate for miniug pureuits, are cautioned againet seeking gold in] Lower California, at least until better proepects are offered.—Hvening Post. Tue Kimhall Mannfacturing Co., which has made suoh an enviable reputation in the manufacture of carriages, has taken up the bnsiness of furniture manufacture also. They will make all the furniture for Sharon’s new hotel-some 800 sets-allof which will bemade of onr native and coast woods. The company will probably employ some 300 hands this season. Klamath County Mines. A correspondent of the Call, writing from Jacksonville, Oregon, says: Owing to my anxiety to have my letter from Sawyer’s Bar mailed in time, I was compelled to omit many importsnt items which were furnished me through the kindness of W. A. Fsrish, Superintendeut of the Black Bear Quartz Miniug Company, as well as the very interesting prooess of separsting the gold from the sulphurets. Itis a new plan which originsted at Grass Valley, and is eslled the chlorine system. The works are in charge of Mr. James Goold. The Forks of the Sslmon is another place of interest, where a Mr. Bennet is engaged in bringing waster on the large bars, which are numeroue in that locality, and proved to be rioh; the enterprise will cost $25,000. Another, which will cost as much, if not more, is occupying tbs attention of Mr. McBrown, at Orlesns Bsr, so that the miners on Salmon river, as well as the Klamath, look forward to lively times this Spring. The Klamath river is a considersble stream, running from Klamath lake, in the Modoo country, tothe eea. It is fed by the Salmon and Scott rivers, with many others, all rich in gold. I have followed its course about 200 milee, and found mining csmps wherever it is possible to work—some on the side of ths mountain, others on the edge of the river, working as best they could with a wing dam, but failing to get at the bottom of the river, where all persous who are acquainted with the river believe there are immense riches, Iu order to properly uuderstand the Difficulty of Working The mines slong the river, it is neoeseary to bear in mind thst the hills rise almost perpendicularly from the river, sometimes to the hight of a mountaiu; and eo steep as to make travel aloug the trail very dangeioue. The leading enterprise is ‘The Happy Camp”’ olsim, owned by San Francisco capitaliets. Then there is the ‘‘Bunker Hill,’ whioh was organized by Samuel Ambrose, and the ‘‘Muck-a-Muck,’’ both belouglng to the Northern Hydraulio Compauy, composed principally of Ssn Francisco men. Twenty-five thoueand dollars have been expeuded on the ‘‘Bunker Hill,” which is now fairly opened, and working in the ohannel with eplendid pay. Tbe claime are all held by patent from the United States under the new law, and are froma 150 to 200 acres ‘tin extent.” Another claim, owned by Peirce Bros., San Francisoo, is paying well. The hydraulio pipe nsed hy all the claims is eleveninch, known as the ‘Little Giant,’’ and is working night aud day. The most extraordin. ary kind of miuing that I have witnessed since the days I mined myeelf, is on what they call the Klamath quartz claims, two of the riohest being on Indian creek—one thirteen miles and the other four miles north of thie place. The former is owned by Jamee Camp & Oo., aud coueists of forty-four sores; is immensely rich, having on a late occasion, in one clean-up obtained a Full Peck of Gold. This is called Classic Hill claim, and is compoeed of bed-rock and quartz so decomposed ae to be worked by hydraulic pipe on a face 70 feet high. Shafts have been eunk in different parts of the survey with eqnally satiefactry results. Another claim, owned by the same compony, bnt known as the Petterson claim, has been working several years aud continues rich. There is no doubt bot that the decomposed quartz is what the gold is in, and particlee are carried away containing gold sufficient to build a first-class crnshing mill, Many other claims iu this locality are spoken of as being rich, but they are gravel and worked to advantage by the great water power used. Quartz mining seeme not to he understood in this particular locality, as the most primitive meaue are adopted for obtaining the gold; but it is hoped that the sncceesfnl investment of capital in this place will be the meane of attracting eome of our miuing capitalists to the advautages of developing the ledgee ehowing such rich prospecte in our northern mountains. The town of Happy Camp has been named ‘ Henly,’’ and contains a first-clase hotel, kept by M. Cudihy; also many etores. Scott’s Bar Is situated on Scott’s river, afew miles above Klamath. The town itself ienndermined and standing entirely on timber. Many of the houses look as if a ‘‘shake’’ would be dangerons. Neverthelees the people are happy and contented, and nearly all have families. The echool hoasts of sixty-five children, whose behavior and advancement would compare favorably with those in other part of the State. Quartz mining is in the same primitive state as in Happy Camp, but the rock ie harder, although yet equally as rich, one proprietor having averaged for the last few years $4,000 per year clear—out of one hunch of quartz 500 pounds weight, obtaining $8,000—with no other way of working than gronnd-sluioing by a pipe, and, where quartz would show gold, to pound it ont with hammers. I have myself, without tronble, picked up specimens tbat have been waehed into the river. There are many other places whose prospects are bright, and where water is only required to develop them; and, to jndge by the amount of snow at present covering the monntains, the chances are in favor of the miners obtaining all they need. A New Map of the Oomstock Lode is being made by T. D. Parkinson, of Virginia City,

138 MINING “AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS. [February 28, 1874. Trinity County Mines. We collate the following items from the oolumus of the Trinity Journal : “Red Hill.” This mining locslity, just below Junction City, on the opposite side of the river, bas long been kuown as one of tbe richest sections of Trinity county; and hss always yielded largely for the amount of work done. For several years past, however, Red Hill has suffered with the rest of the county from a scsrcity of water. We are told that the preseut sesson the mines located there are better rigged tban ever befere, and that water is plenty. During all of last winter, the miners on Red Hill did not get a whole day’s run at any one time, wheress they are running continually the present season. With the new mining apparatus, they are also in oondition to do more thsn double the work, under the ssme circumstances, and at less expense than in previous years, When we consider that the claims there have always been very profitable, we may reasonably expect thst the yield this season will be enormous. x “Woodbury’s Operations.” The miuing investments aud ditching projects of Mr. Isaao Woodbnry, on Hay Fork, form the largest undertaking ever entered upon by a siugle individual in the mining history of Trinity county. In the near future, as soon as a sufficient ststement of particulars can be obtained, we intend to furnish our readers with a full acoonnt of this entcrprise. Charles Whitlook, who works for Mr. Woodbury, wae in town this week. From him we learn that both Little Giants are at work there, and that two claims are being worked; one in Bridge gulch, the other in the fist below, where Jake Vodgee formerly woiked. A deep channel has been found in the baok part of the flat, and the prospects are that the enterprise will be orowned with success. Mr. Woodbury has undertaken a great work, aud certainly deserves a handsome reward. To be a Model Claim. Atkins & Lowden have taken possession of the Frey mine, on Grass Valley creek, under an arrangement lately entered into with the Frey Brothers. The new proprietors are now engaged in fitting this claim up witb all the latest and best known machinery and rigging for hydraulic mining, jucluding iron-pipe, nnder-ourrents, patent nozzles, etc. This claim has heretofore been known as a payiug one, notwithstanding it had been worked under disadvantages and groundsluiced in tbe simplest manner. There is every opportunity here for hydraulic mining as carried on in the miues of Nevada, Placer and other more advanced gravel-mining oounties— plenty of ohance for hydraulic pressure and ample dumping ground, witha bank that can he eaeily out and washed, and which prospects tich from the surface to the bed-rock. Capt. Geo. H. Atkins tells us that itis the intention of the new proprietors to make this a model hydraulic mine. He has had great experienoe in this class of mining, is thoronghly practical, and above all meane bnsiness. The irou for the hydranlic pipe will be on the ground this week and the work of fitting np will be pushed with the utmost speed to completion. When thoroughly rigged this will, as Capt. Atkins saye, be a model mine, and one which onr miners, who are not yet thoroughly acquainted with the new methods, will do well to visit and examine, It willbe the mining center of attraction when in running order, New Mining Section. Last Fall, we copied au item from the Lake connty Bee regarding a party of prospectors who had come from that county and discovered good mines some place in the mountaius near the line between Trinity and Mendocino counties. We now learn that therehas heen come thirty men engaged in mining on the South Fork, in this county, near where the Hettenshaw trail crosses that etream, and that they had found good prospocte. Rich miniug ground was know to exist in that region in early days, bnt the fear of Indian troubles nntil reoently kept minersfrom going there. Now that the Indians are no longer troubleeome and prospecting can be done without danger from tbat source, it is probable that that portion of Trinity will be tested, and it is likely to prove as rich as any of the older eettled mining camps. The Sonth Fork is a large etream, and can be relied on fora full supply of water the entire year. It ie probable that further discoveries will be made in that seotion during the coming snmmer, Weaver Basin. We plead guilty to the charge of not having aid as much’ attention to the minee here at ome, in Weaver Basin, as their extent and richnees merit. Short days, in which to doa large amouut of work, have not giving us time enough to go about among our miners ae much as we would like to. We promise, however, to take a day or two, and that before long, in which to visit the principal claims inthe Basin, and write them np, so that all who wish to know what is being done here may be furnished with the desired information. The wellknown spirit of acoommodation existing among our minere will undonbtedly place usin possession of a number of interesting facts regarding the claime here, anda oolumn or two on the] mines in Weaver Basin, we are certain, will not fail to interest the general reader. An Important Investment. Messrs. D. W. George and O. M. Loveridge returued from San Francisco ou Monday last, where they had been to make preliminary arrangemente for an extensivs mining investment in thiscounty. They brought the coin with them, and the purchase of the property they dssire has been concluded. On Thursday they paid to John Arn the haudsomesum of $13, 260 for his Rush Creek water-right and other property—having previonsly paid him $1,000; making a total for this property of $14,260. These arties then sold the rancbes houses, etc., to Pra Paulseu for the sum of $4,500, they having no use for any but the mining property and water. = Arrangements have also been made by Loveridge & George for the purchase of the Dr. Ware property, everything being satisfactorily agreed, the papers made out and intended to be signed to-day, (Friday.) Itis the intention of the purchasers to commence operations 1mmediately. The West Weaver water will be taken on Oregon Gulch Mountain, without any necessary delay, and in time to do some work before the present season ends. We were informed of the concluding arrangements of this enterprise too late for an extended article this week, bnt will endeavor to gather additional information as to the future intentions of the projectors and give them to our readere at as sarly a day as possible. Nozzles. Trotter & Smiley, at Douglass City, have been experimenting to some extent with the different sized nozzlee on their Giant. They have an 18-inch pipe, with 115 feet pressure. Bunning through a 5-inch nozzle the reservoir is emptied in 2 hours; 6-inch nozzle, in 1 hour and 20 minntes; 7-inch, in 33 minutes; and 8inch, in less thau 20 minutes. Sargeni’s Mineral Land Bills. As there has been considersble commeut on the vsrious mining bills now pending in Congress we have endeavored to keep track of them all and publish them in full. We have given Ward’s obnoxious bill in full in a former issue. The Senate, on the 6th inst., took up and passed the bill introduced hy Mr. Sargent on the firet day of the eeseion, aud reported from the Mining Committee, with amendments, a few weeke ago as follows: A Bill, supplemental to the act entitled ‘‘An act to promote the development of the mining resources of the United States,” approved May 10, 1872. Be itenacted, etc., That, where applicatious for patente for mining claims have been filed in the proper district land office, and legal notice thereof given, without the appearance of au adveree claimant, and in whioh cases no fuorther proceedinge have been had for the purpose of perfecting title, euch applicant shall make final proof and payment on said olaims within one year from the date of the passage of this act; and, in case of like applications for pateuts hereafter filed, the applicants shall, in the absence of an adverse claim during the notice, make said final proof and payment within one year from the date of filing snch application, in default of which the proceedings for patente ao had by such applicants ahall be oonsidered void and without effect. Section 2. That all affidavits required to ba made under this act, the aotto which this is eupplemental, or the act to which said act is amendatory, may be verified before auy officer authorized to administer oathe, and all teetimony and proofe may be taken beforeany suoh officer, and, when duly certified by, the officer taking the same, ehall have the eame force and effect as if taken before the Regieter and Receiver of the district land office; provided, that when snch affidavits or proofs are taken at any place other than within the land distriot, it sball be by the clerk of any oourt of record in the United Statea. The other bill introduced by Mr. Sargent. has heen materially modified, and the original bill was to get it out of the way, indefinitely postponed on Mr. Sargent’a motion. The following is tbe full text of the Bill as Amended. A bill relating to placer mining iands in the State of California: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled, That public lande in the State of California, other than those containing veins or lodee of qnartz or other rook in place, bearing gold, silver, oinnahar, lead, tin, copper, or other valuable mineral, or landa containing coal, shall not be excluded aa mineral from preémption or homestead entrylunless it shall be shown that bona fide mining claim exist thereon, or that the land is necessary for outlet or other mining easemente; and the price of both agricultural and placer mineral lands, ontside of the limits of railroad grants, shall be one dollar and twenty-five cente per acre: Provided, That notbing herein oontained shall be conetrned'to change any presnmption now existing, either by law or Department regnlatione, that lands within railroad-grants are mineral in character. Seo. 2. Tbat where two or more aettlere have improvements on the same legal subdivision, whether agricultural or placer mining, or both, it ehall be lawful for such eettlers to make joint entry of tbeir lande at the local land oflice, or for either of aaid settlers to enter into a contract with his co-settlere to convey to them their portion of said land after a patent is issued to him, and, after making auch contract, to filean application for such land, and prove up and pay for snch land, in the same manner and tothe same effect asis provided hy law for agricultural settlers upon the same legal subdivision: Provided, That proof of

occupation and improvement under mining rulss of the portion of ssid land claimed as a mining olaim may be made in said proceding by the applicant as now provided by law; and notice of said application, where a patent of a mining olaim is sought, shsll be given and have the same effect as is now provided in cases of application for mining claims. Sec. 3. Tbat in oases where placer miniug claime are dnly located under mining laws, it shall be lawful for the parties applying for a patent for the same to make tbeir applicstion to purchase lands to the extent of the smallest legal subdivisions oontaining the ssid claims when such application does not conflict with the rights of other parties, and patent shall issue aceordingly: Provided, Tbat nothing herein contained shall authorize any person or company to locate more thsn one hundred and sixty acres as a mining claim. Szc. 4. That all affidsvits and proofsrequired by lsw to be made before the local landofficers in miniug or pre-emption cases, may be taken before any officer anthorized to administer osths, and, when filed with the Register aud the Receiver, shall have the same effect as if taken before those officers. Effect shall be given to this Act by regulations to be prescribed by the’ Commissioner of the General Lsnd Office: Provided, That where such affidavit or proofe are taken at any place other than within the land district, it shall be by the Clerk of auy Court of Record in the United States. The special correspondent of the Bulletin at Wsshington, who always writes sensible letters, in spesking of the House Committee on Miues, says thatthe committee eeemsto think that the mining lawe need some general revision (though most of its members know no more of mining thsn they do of astronomy) and itis hard to bring any single practical queetion before them to a vote upon its individus] merits. Snch is the gossip that floate through the closed doors of the committes room, aud it undoubtedly has a large bssis of truth. This opinion is generally couourred in by the miners of the Pacific coast, and there is probably more truth than poetry in it. Tae New AuMADEN Mine.—A correspondent of the Alta writing from San José gives the following as the product of the Almaden mine for 1873: January, 1,325 flasks; Febrnary, 1,232 flasks; March, 875 flasks; April, 1,000 flasks; May, 1,100 flasks; June, 910 flasks; July, 800 flaske; Auguet, 735 flasks; September, 615 flaske ; October, 700 flasks; November, 750 flasks; December, 1,000 flasks. Total, 11,042 flasks. Percentage yield, 4.87. This stateinent differe considerably from those previously published. In writing something on the eubject several weeke since, we took occasion to call at the office of the Almadeu mine to aek the yield for the year. They stated that they had given the correot figures to the Commercial Herald and that that paper had that week published them correctly. The yield for the year was given in the Herald at 12,000 flacks and the statement given above only placee it at 11,042 flasks. Ae thie is in detail it appeare to be more correct, though it eeems strange that the people at the office of the mine in this city should make a mistake of 1,000 flasks in a total yield of only 11,000 or 12,000 flasks, The thine makee even a worse chowing for the year than appeared at first. The smallest amount ever before prodnced in one year since 1850 was 14,000 flasks, which occurred in 1870. Mme Accrpent.—About two o’clock ou the afternoon of the 17th inst., at the 1,200-foot level of the} Beloher mine, three men were badly injured by the explosion of a blast. It happened as follows: It is the nsual practice in the mine to drill a half dozen holes ata time, in which cartridgee of Giant powder are inserted without tamping; they are then exploded hy means of wires from an electrical battery. The morning shift touched off a blaet before they were relieved, hnt did not notice that oue of the cartridges had not been exploded. The 11 o’clock chift, thinking that the drill hole had not been finiehed, started to sink it deeper, when the cartridge exploded. Frank Allen was badly hurnt, cnt and puuctured all over the front portion of his body with emall fragments of rock; Harry Lindeey bad his uose broken, eyes closed up and chest bruised; Jerry McCarty was cut with a piece of rock in the pit of his stomach. No one is blamed for the occurrence. Tue Sourmeen Mrnes.—Private letters from the southern coset mines tell a sad state of exciting affaire. The minee in Lower California and Holeome Valley are panning ont very poorly, and hundreds who expected to realize handsome fortunee have been doomed to dieappointment, and are now in very destitute circumstances. Wages are very low, not averaging more than $1 per day, and work is scarce at that. Rain is very prevalent at this season, and conseqnently adde to the distresa. All parties desiroue to emigrate for miniug pureuits, are cautioned againet seeking gold in] Lower California, at least until better proepects are offered.—Hvening Post. Tue Kimhall Mannfacturing Co., which has made suoh an enviable reputation in the manufacture of carriages, has taken up the bnsiness of furniture manufacture also. They will make all the furniture for Sharon’s new hotel-some 800 sets-allof which will bemade of onr native and coast woods. The company will probably employ some 300 hands this season. Klamath County Mines. A correspondent of the Call, writing from Jacksonville, Oregon, says: Owing to my anxiety to have my letter from Sawyer’s Bar mailed in time, I was compelled to omit many importsnt items which were furnished me through the kindness of W. A. Fsrish, Superintendeut of the Black Bear Quartz Miniug Company, as well as the very interesting prooess of separsting the gold from the sulphurets. Itis a new plan which originsted at Grass Valley, and is eslled the chlorine system. The works are in charge of Mr. James Goold. The Forks of the Sslmon is another place of interest, where a Mr. Bennet is engaged in bringing waster on the large bars, which are numeroue in that locality, and proved to be rioh; the enterprise will cost $25,000. Another, which will cost as much, if not more, is occupying tbs attention of Mr. McBrown, at Orlesns Bsr, so that the miners on Salmon river, as well as the Klamath, look forward to lively times this Spring. The Klamath river is a considersble stream, running from Klamath lake, in the Modoo country, tothe eea. It is fed by the Salmon and Scott rivers, with many others, all rich in gold. I have followed its course about 200 milee, and found mining csmps wherever it is possible to work—some on the side of ths mountain, others on the edge of the river, working as best they could with a wing dam, but failing to get at the bottom of the river, where all persous who are acquainted with the river believe there are immense riches, Iu order to properly uuderstand the Difficulty of Working The mines slong the river, it is neoeseary to bear in mind thst the hills rise almost perpendicularly from the river, sometimes to the hight of a mountaiu; and eo steep as to make travel aloug the trail very dangeioue. The leading enterprise is ‘The Happy Camp”’ olsim, owned by San Francisco capitaliets. Then there is the ‘‘Bunker Hill,’ whioh was organized by Samuel Ambrose, and the ‘‘Muck-a-Muck,’’ both belouglng to the Northern Hydraulio Compauy, composed principally of Ssn Francisco men. Twenty-five thoueand dollars have been expeuded on the ‘‘Bunker Hill,” which is now fairly opened, and working in the ohannel with eplendid pay. Tbe claime are all held by patent from the United States under the new law, and are froma 150 to 200 acres ‘tin extent.” Another claim, owned by Peirce Bros., San Francisoo, is paying well. The hydraulio pipe nsed hy all the claims is eleveninch, known as the ‘Little Giant,’’ and is working night aud day. The most extraordin. ary kind of miuing that I have witnessed since the days I mined myeelf, is on what they call the Klamath quartz claims, two of the riohest being on Indian creek—one thirteen miles and the other four miles north of thie place. The former is owned by Jamee Camp & Oo., aud coueists of forty-four sores; is immensely rich, having on a late occasion, in one clean-up obtained a Full Peck of Gold. This is called Classic Hill claim, and is compoeed of bed-rock and quartz so decomposed ae to be worked by hydraulic pipe on a face 70 feet high. Shafts have been eunk in different parts of the survey with eqnally satiefactry results. Another claim, owned by the same compony, bnt known as the Petterson claim, has been working several years aud continues rich. There is no doubt bot that the decomposed quartz is what the gold is in, and particlee are carried away containing gold sufficient to build a first-class crnshing mill, Many other claims iu this locality are spoken of as being rich, but they are gravel and worked to advantage by the great water power used. Quartz mining seeme not to he understood in this particular locality, as the most primitive meaue are adopted for obtaining the gold; but it is hoped that the sncceesfnl investment of capital in this place will be the meane of attracting eome of our miuing capitalists to the advautages of developing the ledgee ehowing such rich prospecte in our northern mountains. The town of Happy Camp has been named ‘ Henly,’’ and contains a first-clase hotel, kept by M. Cudihy; also many etores. Scott’s Bar Is situated on Scott’s river, afew miles above Klamath. The town itself ienndermined and standing entirely on timber. Many of the houses look as if a ‘‘shake’’ would be dangerons. Neverthelees the people are happy and contented, and nearly all have families. The echool hoasts of sixty-five children, whose behavior and advancement would compare favorably with those in other part of the State. Quartz mining is in the same primitive state as in Happy Camp, but the rock ie harder, although yet equally as rich, one proprietor having averaged for the last few years $4,000 per year clear—out of one hunch of quartz 500 pounds weight, obtaining $8,000—with no other way of working than gronnd-sluioing by a pipe, and, where quartz would show gold, to pound it ont with hammers. I have myself, without tronble, picked up specimens tbat have been waehed into the river. There are many other places whose prospects are bright, and where water is only required to develop them; and, to jndge by the amount of snow at present covering the monntains, the chances are in favor of the miners obtaining all they need. A New Map of the Oomstock Lode is being made by T. D. Parkinson, of Virginia City,