["N.," Letter from Washoe, Sacramento Union, April 9, 1860]

 

LETTER FROM WASHOE.

__________

The Mines as they Are — Misrepresentations — Snow Storm — An Ex-Controller in Danger — Provisions.

            In the Union of March 29th, received here yesterday, you copy from the Territorial Enterprise, of March 24th, a half column article on mining, etc., in this vicinity, commencing with the following:

            "At Virginia City the different companies have been running tunnels upon the line of the main Comstock lead, and all of them in a fair way to be rewarded for their perseverance. The Gould Company have struck the vein of silver in their ground quite as rich as the Ophir or Mexican ore. The Dick Sides Company, the Billy Cullough Company, and the Coppress Company, have all struck the main lead. These are interspersed along a distance of one and a quarter miles southwest of the Ophir claims ; no two of them joining. All intermediate ground is of course valued very highly. The fact of the above named companies striking the lead at so many different points, leaves no room for the doubts which at times have been expressed for its continuance. The main Comstock lead is known to extend a distance of one and a half miles. Within that distance is contained an amount of wealth that is almost incalculable. Further on each side of the main lead is found a number of leads or spurs, which promise to be rich. Nearly all the ground on the main lead is valued at from $1,000 to $5,000 per foot."

            In their next issue, of the 31st, they pitch into the correspondent of a Marysville paper for having published a less flattering account of these mines, call him "durned fool," with other compliments of the same sort, and then reiterate in substance what they before said regarding these mines. Either the editors of that paper are very credulous and have been imposed upon by interested parties, or they have given ear to the wild stories that become more extravagant as they are repeated, without proper examination into their truth.

            Your correspondent is forced to one or the other of these conclusions, because the Enterprise has usually cautioned the public against extravagant rumors, and therefore should not be suspected of intentional misrepresentation. But the above extract contains so many glaring misstatements, and is in my opinion calculated to deceive and mislead so many of your readers, that I for one am unwilling such reports should go forth uncontradicted.

            It is untrue that the Gould or any other company "have struck the vein of silver as rich as the Ophir or Mexican ore ;" and if the Dick Sides, Billy Cullough and Coppress companies "have all struck the main lead," it is, as far as developed by them, a very insignificant one. And I venture to assert, without fear of contradiction that can be sustained by proof, that no company, up to this day, outside of the two hundred feet or thereabouts opened by the Spanish and Ophir companies, has struck the main lead there developed and known as the "Comstock Lead." It is true, at Gold Hill, a mile and a half south from here, they are taking out a large amount of gold, and the vein is running into silver, promising to become very rich in the latter metal. The Gould and other companies, above named, are between Gold Hill and the Ophir and Spanish companies, ranging therewith. They have opened the ground in dozens of places, some of which are lying idle, while some are being worked with energy, and are producing gold-bearing quartz, slightly intermixed with silver; but in not one case has sufficient been extracted to pay the expense, so far, of working, or has a vein been opened sufficient to prove future remuneration. I am aware that in making these statements, I may gain the ill-will of speculators, but they cannot disprove them.

            I believe that this is the richest mineral district yet discovered on the face of the earth, and that equally as rich silver mines will be opened as the Comstock ; but that that lead can be traced in a straight line for miles I do not believe; and if it is valued, as the Enterprise says at $1,000 to $5,000 per foot, it has been offered, during the past week, at from $50 to $600, and few or no buyers at that ; and no bona fide sale has yet been made outside of the Ophir, Spanish and Central, above these figures.

            The Enterprise says : "The main Comstock lead is known to run from here southwest, a mile and a half." If so, it is by the results from the various shafts, etc., above mentioned. Now, just the same kind of rock, bearing gold and silver, has been found on the Rogers and other leads, from five to twenty miles east ; at Steamboat Valley, fifteen miles west ; and about Silver City, five miles southeast of this point, as is found on the "Gould," "Sides," etc., companies and there is nearly as much reason to claim the Comstock as running in each of these directions. The time has come when work must be done, and the "main lead" opened, before large sums of money will be invested, and I am glad to see that the majority of supposed rich companies are working all the men they can, piercing the hills in search of the coveted treasure.

            While I write, a snow storm is raging that is likely to continue some time. And it is feared that the trails over the summit will be again closed. At this point the snow melts nearly as last as it falls, but the atmosphere is raw and uncomfortable.

            Large accessions are daily made to our population, and many are forced to wait till a late hour for the privilege of spreading their blankets, at a dollar a head, on the floor of the bar rooms and saloons which abound here, as in every new place toward which there is a rush. Neither the supply of buildings or provisions keep pace with the demand. Lumber or canvas cannot be had for the former; and flour has gone up to 40c. per pound, and everything else in proportion.

            Eight out of ten of those arriving are without capital, and cannot get employment, for the reason that only the richer companies employ men, and generally in running a tunnel or sinking a shaft where but few can work at a time. Those with capital are shy and offish, and few large sales are made.

            Many friends asked me to give them, by letter, my impressions and advice, but the difficulty of setting down anywhere quietly to do so, makes it almost impossible. I therefore, in this general way, advise all who are making a living in the genial atmosphere and comfortable surroundings of old and much loved Sacramento to stay there.  The great mass who come here now are bound to be disappointed. It will take years to develop the resources of this Territory, and it is the capitalists who must do it. Next Summer and Fall there will be better chances for poor men who want work and business then now. Three-fourths of those now here cannot earn their board for months to come.

            A small party of men reached here, on foot, this morning from Nevada, by the way of Eureka through the "Heness Pass." They report having camped in the snow, under the lee of some bushes, Friday night last. In the morning, the snow that fell during the night had entirely obliterated the trail. Those who came through determined to push on to "Peavine Springs Station," which they reached after dark by great exertion, leaving Col. Whitman, ex-Controller of State, and his son at the camp in the snow ; the latter being too feeble or unwilling to make the attempt to reach Peavine. The party say they left them with a good fire, but little provisions, and that Stout, their guide, an experienced mountaineer, promised, if they did not come in during the following day, he would go out for them. As soon as this information was given, four or five of Whitman's friends left here, well-mounted and equipped, in search of them, fearing, in consequence of the continuation of the storm, they may have wandered from the trail. We have strong hopes of their success, and that Whitman will soon be with us. At this time, ten o'clock, p. m., the storm still rages violently.

N.

            VIRGINIA CITY, April 2d.