[The Washoe Silver Mines, San Francisco Herald, April 2, 1860]

 

The Washoe Silver Mines.

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[OUR CARSON CITY CORRESPONDENCE.]

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CARSON CITY, U. T., March 25, 1860.

            I have traveled through the silver mines in this locality, and sought information from those who preceded me, and must express the opinion which obtains at this place as to the value of the mines. Unless we are all grossly deceived they will prove rich. It is doubtful, if our expectations are realized, whether a district of equal extent to Carson Valley can be found on the globe of equal richness in mineral deposits.

REPORTED WEALTH OF THE COUNTRY.

            Gold and silver are known to exist as far as Honey Lake, on the North Walker River, and Mono Lake, on the South and Black Rock, about 150 miles east of this place. Whether the whole intermediate region is auriferous is yet to be found out. A new and vast field is here open for men of skill, energy, enterprise and muscle. Unfortunately little can be done without machinery; for although gold has been found to considerable extent, yet the great scarcity of water renders surface mining impracticable, except for two or three months in the early spring, and then only to a limited extent; thus many will be doomed to disappointment.

SILVER LEADS.

            Silver leads appear to be the great object of the mass now here. The silver is found in veins varying from one to four inches, existing in the form of concentrated sulphurets --the veins extending within the rock from one to eight feet in width. The inclination of the veins is nearly vertical, and in several places are traced on the surface.

NEW DISCOVERIES.

            Much excitement exists in consequence of new discoveries constantly being made. Much that is done here, however, is in the way of speculation--the money coming from California. Leads are located and companies formed where there is no more indications of silver than on Russian Hill. Claims have been located on the ridges upwards of twenty miles above Virginia City, which is the centre of the silver mining district, although mines have been found as far up the Carson river as Genoa. I have seen what has been described to me as "remarkable specimens" of galena, (of this mineral I am unacquainted), which came from the north of Virginia City, from the Galena district. This district is also supposed to be rich in silver. The most reputable mines of this district are the "Steamboat" and "Phenix."

THE PRODUCTIVE CLAIMS.

            The Flowery district lies to the east of Virginia City, and appears to have the best reputation for silver leads of any district; the Desert Mine, the Rogers and Mammoth, on which is the Lady Bryan Company, on the same lead is the Marco Polo Company. There is also the Morning Star lead, and the Cedar Company, also Rock Island and others. The Gold Hill district lies south of Virginia City. The Gold Hill lead, the Sucker and the Emigrant have a name for being good--the latter is rich in gold. South of Gold Hill lies the Devil's Gate, and next to the Flowery district appear to be the best in the territory. The Comstock lead lies in the Virginia district; upon this lead, the Ophir, the Central and Mexican Co.'s are extracting ore of great richness.

THE PROSPECT -- FAILURE AND SUCCESS.

            On the 1st of April parties holding claims are compelled to commence to work them, and it will be determined ere long whether they will prove of equal richness with those already opened, or whether in fact some may not prove even richer than anything yet found. Should this latter be the case, the results will be marvellous, and an excitement produced such as never has been witnessed; should they fail, great disappointment and gloom will result--bright hopes will wither away and leave nought but the sad experiences that have so often been the results in California.

TOPOGRAPHY OF THE COUNTRY.

            This is a region of various geological characteristics, a land of strange contrasts and apparent contradictions--of barrenness and fertility--beauty and desolation. Warm and boiling springs are everywhere met with, indicating the proximity of igneous agents.

HOW IT WILL BE CHANGED.

            From a wilderness ere long cabins will be built up at every spring, and over trails hitherto only trod by the Indian and the trapper, multitudes of busy adventurers will break the silence with the sound of the destroying axe and the pick.

GENOA.

            Genoa is the first town reached after crossing the mountains, and is situated about 20 miles from the entrance to Carson Valley, Carson City is in Eagle Valley about 14 miles from Genoa, nearly north; Virginia City is farther north from Carson City, about 17 miles.

FOR THE BENEFIT OF SPECULATORS.

            The ridges in every locality indicating leads are staked for miles; also in localities perfectly worthless. The veins, with the exception of a few, are yet undeveloped, and much that is said of them must be taken with a great degree of allowance. The value of most of them is all conjecture, and the man in San Francisco who would buy an interest in this Territory, without either by himself or a reliable agent first examining the ground, and above all things else examining the record, is a gambler at desperate chances. That a person of ordinary shrewdness can make money with a capital to start is beyond dispute; without it he might as well be in purgatory undergoing purification for his sins.

THE WEATHER.

            The weather has been very unpleasant, and snow has fell since my arrival, making my wanderings one of difficulties; as there is not much fun in "roughing it" when the ground is covered with snow. Everything here is dollars: meals, such as they are $1; straw beds and blankets on the floor, $1; a shave, four bits; bread, four bits per loaf, etc., etc,—requiring, except with those of money, the strongest economy; that is if there is any strength in economy.

ADVICE TO ADVENTURERS.

            Any person intending to make this trip for pleasure, should not start until, say, the middle of May or June first, then the former will be a delightful one. As you get among the magnificent trees in the snows, you will then find, on the mountains deep ravines, roaring torrents, towering cliffs, and beautiful streams leaping down rocky canons and lost in the distant valleys; the scene will be found inspiring and grand. The view from the summit, embracing Lake Bigler and the intervening valley, with the lesser hills below you, is truly sublime. Nature will, no doubt assume her supremacy and for a time you will be lost in the grand and gorgeous picture portrayed to you, and, perchance, should your mind revert to the chaotic mass forming an existence in San Francisco, no peak in the far distance will be tall enough for you to pitch your tent on, to get out of and away from the specimens of humanity your thoughts will revert to in said San Francisco. Amen.

FAMILIAR NAMES.

            In Virginia City can be seen the modest sign "Frank M. Pixley -- Law Office." Many San Francisco notables are also there, Harvey S. Brown, Dr. Hathaway -- the Bernal Heights not being tall enough for the former, he is trying the mountains. Brown and Hathaway are late arrivals.