["Sage Brush," Letter from White Pine, Alta California, March 10, 1869]

 

LETTER FROM WHITE PINE.

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[FROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE ALTA.]

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TREASURE CITY, March 4, 1869.

            Editors Alta: They say "fortune favors the brave," and for the venturesome ones who came as pioneers to winter in the mountains the reward has been given in shape of fine weather, good health and a degree of success rarely met in mining enterprises. The general good health of the entire district is a surprise to all, as, with the exposure here, and prevalence of small-pox all over the country, we feared there might be a great deal of sickness. The present population have the benefit of a rise in real estate, which, in extent of Territory and advance in price for three months past, is, I think, unequalled by anything on record. This, with the mining ground secured, gives to the owners a very handsome return for their courage and perseverance. The weather is, and has been for two weeks past, delightful, reminding Eastern men of "maple sugar" weather at home; bright warm days, with cool, still nights.

            A little commotion was made in town this morning by the appearance of a man on Main street showing evident marks of small-pox. No one could tell where he came from, except that from store to store he had been ordered to "move on," and handled quite as roughly as was "Poor Tom." At last he took a seat in the middle of the street, and a collection was quickly made up to send him off for treatment. No man need suffer in a mining camp for want of food, clothing or medical assistance— the helping hand is ever ready.

            Treasure City now starts up with a vigor that will soon place her competitors in the shade. Lumber dealers will take no more contracts at any price, until those on hand are filled. Rates for rough green stuff, $275 per thousand feet. No Carson lumber on hand. The price must advance from these high figures, as houses are in demand far beyond the supply. What must it be a month or two hence? Five hundred dollars may now be considered cheap for building lots back on the newly opened streets on a pile of rock, side of the mountain, or down in the gulch.

            Main street is a little more quiet to-day; hundreds have started for new diggings, something discovered but yesterday on or in the "Base Range," directly west of the town. The facts I know nothing of, except that rich ores were brought in by a party of prospectors, and some two hundred men were climbing the mountains shortly after, claiming town sites, mill sites and a new district. The situation of this new discovery is rather awkward, being considerably more elevated than Treasure Hill. If it amounts to anything we will take it in and care for it

            The business of mining in now fairly started. Shovels and all the implements needed are secured as fast as brought in. There in more scarcity of tools just now than at any time during the season, and prices have advanced from twenty to fifty per cent. Provisions, however, are lower. Meats are cheaper, competition has regulated the price; and I see one of the importers has a sign out "Flour reduced to $16 for a few days ownly." Freight is taken from your city to Argenta, and must be on the Express fast freight list to get through to Elko. We must pay on all merchandise from 16 to 18 cents "slow freight," which would seem to be understood a contract to deliver any time during the season, or "fast freight" at 25 cents.

            We need a good hardware establishment. By the present mode of supplying the market with tools we cannot calculate with any certainty on having orders filled here. In the dry goods and provision line there is on hand a good stock.

            The changes are rapid, and improvements are now to be seen in the style of building. At any price asked the lumber shipped from Carson and the Truckee is taken, and good, large, rather stylish- looking houses are put up. Already the city extends up to the Hidden Treasure mine, and I notice the superintendent has his men employed a portion of the time in tearing down the jumpers' fences and tents as they crowd on his ground.

            Some marked improvements in mines where work is being pushed may be noticed. The facts should be known, not for the purpose of creating ore excitement, but in proof of what has been given as the opinion of careful observers, in regard to the prospects of the district. I will mention only one mine — the "Copper Glance," owned by Dr. E. X. Millard. On the surface, and for ten or fifteen feet down, large bodies of ore, assaying from $200 to $600 per ton, were found, and are still to be seen. The centre of the claim was the spot selected for sinking a shaft, and at about fifteen feet it ran through the ore and into limestone.  At forty feet (on Monday last) the shaft was all in ore of a high grade, entirely free from base metal, and showing a far better character of quartz than was found near the surface. These are facts worthy of notice. Your readers may note this mine down — and examine it, as it is one of the few claims that are worked energetically and with capital. The "Copper Glance" may be found about one eighth of a mile easterly from the "Eberhardt." On the eastern slope of Treasure Hill some quite important discoveries have been made, and preparations are in progress for steady work. The winter season shut off this ground, as the snow lies deep on that side of the hill. I think the situation may be regarded as encouraging. Good social order prevails; probably no mining camp ever attracted a class of men such as we have here, or so large a body of them — men of good judgment, good character and abundant means. For the poor man, it is certainly the best mining ground in the country; if he will work for wages, he may lay up four dollars per day, or by careful work prospecting, he may, as many have done, make a large strike. Any steady man can have work all the time, and prompt pay for it.

SAGE BRUSH.