[J. B. Winters, Letter from the Colorado Mines, Alta California, December 19, 1863]

 

LETTER FROM THE COLORADO MINES.

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[From the Resident Correspondent of the Alta California.]

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El Dorado Cañon, Nov. 21, 1863.

            Editors Alta: Since writing my last, of the date of Oct. 16th, I have been constantly visiting numerous claims in the District, and daily become the more convinced of its vast richness in silver and gold, the former mineral predominating. The lodes are all well defined, cropping out boldly, visible from a great distance, and can be distinctly traced for hundreds of yards, running in an easterly and westerly direction, dipping to the north. The croppings of the majority of the ledges is a mixture of spar and quartz; the spar is in formation of cubes and crystals and tinted with particles of sulphurets of silver, and in sinking upon these lodes, the color changes gradually from a light blue to a black sulphuret of silver, often mixed with particles of native silver, resembling in appearance some of the best minerals that you may have seen from Washoe, and equal to the best specimens of sulphurets that is exhibited daily. There has been quantities of mineral, in small lots, taken from here to San Francisco by different parties interested in this District, and I am certain that all persons who may have seen the class of mineral produced here, if competent judges, cannot but pronounce the mines of great value. I am certain, that were capitalists, or men of moderate means even, to come here, or send honest and competent agents to make thorough examinations of the vast mineral wealth abounding in the District, that it would have a tendency to put a stop to their investing capital in the mines of Mexico, where there is no protection for life or property, and save the imposed tax of about fifteen per cent, on their actual proceeds, extracted at great expense from the bottomless pit of some old mine or dismonte worked out ages past by the Spaniards. Many of our American people like to be humbugged, and anything foreign suits them better than home productions. But, gentlemen, many of you that are investing in mining operations are not practically conversant with the classes of minerals that prove a mine to be of the greatest permanence and value. I have seen the celebrated mines of Sierra de Pasco in Peru, also the mines of Chanarcillo east of Copiapo in Chile, our Comstock lode and others in Washoe; and from all these different sections, the mines producing the black sulphurets, or oxides of silver, the same as the lodes in this district are producing, have invariably proved to be of permanence, and immense yields in silver have invariably been the result. This district will soon prove to the world its immense value, for seeing is believing.

How these Mines ware Discovered.

            These mines were first discovered over two years since, by a party who had been prospecting for gold and silver in the Potosi District, to the north; and while there, they were informed by some Pi-Ute Indians, that they would convey them to where they could fill their sacks with oro. As it was gold and silver they were after, they accompanied the Indians here. After being shown by their worthy guides where their fortunes lay they at once saw the Indians were no good judges of the precious metals, as their gold turned out to be only large blotches of bronze mixed in the bed-rock, which is now named the Copper Butte. A few days after, they went down the cañon to examine the river, and to their surprise saw a small stern- wheel steamer coming up. They patiently awaited the arrival of the welcome visitor to their land of promise. The captain, and some of the officers from Fort Yuma, who were on board, had arrived at the conclusion, previous to their landing at the mouth of the cañon, that the party on shore were a rather hostile and rough-looking crowd. The captain pronounced them to be Mojaves the officers thinking they were too ragged for Mojaves, that they certainly must be Pi-Utes: but on the steamer nearing, they were hailed from the shore in plain English, and the steamer at once made a landing. The prospectors, after going through the usual preliminaries of taking a drink, etc., were furnished with some provisions, of which they were much in need, and the steamer proceeded on her mission of exploration. The prospectors left under a double-quick for up the cañon, with full stomachs, and a pack of provisions on each of their backs, highly pleased with the success of that day's work. Their provisions enabled them to remain here and prospect They put up an arastra, and by this process were enabled to make considerable cash, which they took to San Bernardino and Los Angeles, and purchased new outfits, provisions, etc; and after having several assays made of their mineral, they came to the conclusion, that it was better to sink shafts and run tunnels on their claims. Hence came the discovery of this rich mining district.

El Dorado Cañon.

is situated about 330 miles nearly due east from Los Angeles, and can be reached in six or seven days from that city with a mule. Loaded teams occupy from18 to 20 days making the trip out.  The price of hauling freight is 12 cents per pound; and the road is good, with an abundance of good water on the route, and a moderate supply of grass. The greatest distance between watering places on the route is 33 miles, which is between Soda Lake and Marl Springs; the other distances averaging from 12 to 20 miles.  There are several stations on the road where provisions can be procured. Arriving at the cañon, the road descends gradually ten miles to the Colorado river. Six mules attached to any large wagon are capable of hauling to the river as much mineral as the wagon would be able to hold. There are several springs of excellent drinking water in the cañon, and apparently free from all arsenic substances. The climate is beautiful and healthy, and the mines can be worked every day in the year. There is no snow to drive us out in the winter, nor oppressive heat in mid summer; and, remarkable to say, that up to this present date, out of the whole population there has not been a death to record, nor a severe case of sickness contracted in the district The mill proprietors have just completed a fine mill. It is situated on the bank of the river. The majority of the Companies will not have more than four to five miles to haul their mineral, and will soon be receiving rich rewards for their months of toil and perseverance.

J. B.WINTERS.