[J. S. L., Our Letter from the Colorado River Mines, Alta California, May 10, 1864]

 

OUR LETTER FROM THE COLORADO RIVER MINES.

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[From the Resident Correspondent of the Alta California.]

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El Dorado Cañon, Arizona, April 18, 1864.

            Editors Alta: Since my arrival in the Cañon everything has been progressing rapidly in the way of prospecting. I have been to see the Teehatticup lode, on which they are now engaged in sinking an air shaft, and getting out ore for crushing as soon as the owners of the mill can get the proper machinery for saving silver. The Queen City is lying idle at present, as all the interested parties have left here. The Superintendent is expected in soon, with a fresh supply of provisions and ammunition.

            It is needless for me to say anything of the richness of these ledges ; suffice it to say that either of them is rich enough to insure the owners a fortune You may think that we miners never get excited out here, but such is the fact. For the last few days there has been quite a rush down to the Independence mines, to see the rich ore they are now getting out.

It is certainty the richest in this district, and I think the richest average ore I have ever seen ; they have two sets of hands engaged, and can work as many more, as soon as they see a prospect of having it crushed.

            The Company own three parallel leads, situated within two and a half miles of the mill ; they have completed a good wagon road, and are now hauling. The mill, in its present state, can only save the gold in the ore, but they save the tailings until they get the pans for the mill, which will be in about two weeks. They have just completed a shaft of fifty-three feet on the Indian Queen, which is about ten feet wide; the ore is of the same character as that in the Queen City and Techitticup. I think that a little more prospecting on this lead will make it one of the best in this district. They are also at work on the Tornado, Patagonia, Queen Elizabeth, and several other leads. All that is needed is a few good mills to make this district one of the most profitable on this Coast, and parties having money to invest will find this a safe and profitable investment.

            As the teamster is waiting, I must close by promising to write again as soon as anything new turns up.

J. S. L.