[Letter from Nevada Territory, Sacramento Union, October 22, 1864]

 

LETTER FROM NEVADA TERRITORY.

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[CORRESPONDENCE OF THE UNION.]  

Ione, Nye County (N. T.), October 17th.

The Mines of Nye County.

            From what was said in my last letter, it will be seen that I set a pretty high estimate on the mines in this section of the country. That this estimate may not seem to be based on insufficient data or speculation alone, I will present a few facts in its support. It is a fact then, as any one coming here can readily ascertain, that we have a multitude of argentiferous lodes that will pay from one to three hundred dollars per ton, by mill process — averaging at least one hundred and fifty dollars in the aggregate. I speak now within bounds, because we know from repeated trials that much of this ore will yield from six to eleven hundred dollars per ton. These lodes often pay from the top, are easily opened and can be continuously worked at small cost, there being but little refuse matter to be removed, while the expense of timbering is comparatively small. They have all the features and condition of permanency, their ores increasing in volume and improving in quality as they are descended upon. There is water all through these mines sufficient for steam mills and such abundance of wood that there can be no lack for either fuel or timbering purposes for many years to come. At present, responsible parties will contract to deliver any amount of wood at the rate of three dollars per cord, there being great quantities of dead timber, from which an expert ax-man will put up three or four cords per day, while a large team will haul to a mill twice that amount. The nut pine, our principal timber, grows so large hereabouts that we manufacture from it a fair article of lumber. Owing to the narrowness of our ledges and the steepness of their pitch the body of this tree answers well for timbering up the mines, while its limbs afford a great deal of excellent fuel. As a secondary aid towards securing an economical and successful development of our mines, we have a favorable climate, a great extent of tolerable grazing lands, and in this section a good many spots suitable for tillage. With a view to supplying this region with a better kind of lumber than can be made from the piñon a project has been formed for floating logs down the East Walker into and across the lake, on the east side of which, at a point about seventy -five miles from this place, a saw mill is to be erected for working them up. Near the sources of that stream is a large body of the finest pine timber found east of the Sierra, any quantity of which at high stages of water could be run down into the lake, and thus, at small cost, be brought more than half way on its journey towards Ione. Among other advantages pertaining to these mines and that should strongly commend them to the favor of capitalists, is their freedom from litigation and controversy. Parties buying interests here will have little to fear from lawsuits growing out of adverse claims, being pretty sure to enjoy the undisputed possession of whatever they purchase.

            After having said so much in favor of our mines and the facilities afforded for working them, it is only fair that

The Difficulties and Drawbacks

Against which we have to contend should also be noticed. The first of these is the expense of transporting machinery and other goods from San Francisco and other points of supply, amounting on an average to not less than $200 a ton. The mere act of journeying across a hundred miles of desert must, until we get a railroad, be always tedious and expensive. While the scrubby pine answers well enough for some purposes, a really good article of lumber, such as will be required when mills come to be put up, will have to be brought from a distance, involving, of course, a heavy outlay ; and in stating that there is wood and water enough for steam mills, with plenty of grass and many arable spots, the remark must not be construed as applying to all parts of the country. In the Toiyabe, Shoshone, and what is known as the west range of mountains, there is a sufficiency of these but in the districts outside, such as the Hot Spring, San Antonio and several others, there is such dearth of them as will render the working of the mines difficult if not wholly impossible. It is, moreover, a question to what extent this country to the south and east of San Antonio, embracing more than three-fourths of Nye county, is really metalliferous. Several prospecting parties have visited it, crossing it indifferent directions, and penetrating in one or two instants to its extreme southern border, but with no very marked success, the only valuable mines discovered being in the Red Mountain District something over 100 miles south of this place. Here, however, some exceedingly rich gold-bearing ledges were found, though but little or no work has been done upon them owing to their remote location and the hostile disposition of the Indians. With this exception, then, the vast region lying between us and the desolate plains of Amargosa is, so far as explored, a worthless desert — barren of mineral wealth as it is known to be of grass and water, and most likely of every other useful product. In estimating the extent of mines in this county, we can speak only of an inconsiderable portion of the territory embraced within its limits ; and even here, while we have a multitude of extremely rich leads, there are probably a still greater number that are good for nothing ; suggesting how much of caution should still be employed by such as purpose having anything to do with this most slippery and uncertain species of property. With care and judgment, however, there is no doubt but money could be invested here at this time to great advantage.

Times Improving —Prospect of a Mill.

            What between some sales of ground effected to outsiders and the small sums made by the limited modes of working ores in vogue here, times are somewhat easier than they were during the Summer, and everybody derives comfort from the reflection that if they do not hereafter improve they cannot well be any worse. If men are willing to work, they can now always make small wages at least, which, with free rents and other reduced expenses, enables them to live and even save something besides. So far as there is any hiring done, four dollars per day is paid for labor; though just now there are very few working for wages. Several parties have visited this section during the past six months to examine the mines and ascertain what inducements there might be for putting up mills. They have all expressed themselves as satisfied with the opening and talked of bringing in mills, but as yet none have made their appearance, nor can we learn that any positive steps have been taken for getting in one this Fall. The agent of some parties in Sacramento who lately visited Ione assures us that they will ship a mill for this place immediately, and that it will be running inside of sixty days. An Eastern company have also given us similar assurances, and we now begin to think we shall really be cheered with the noisy music of a steam mill before Winter sets in. We do not expect or desire a large establishment at first. A five stamp battery would do to start in with, and this I believe is to be the size of the proposed pioneer mill. Nothing would do us so much good at this time as an efficient quartz mill even of this limited capacity, since, besides affording every company an opportunity to test their ores, it would cheer up our desponding miners and stimulate them to renewed exertion in the belief that they bad not been wholly deserted and forgotten. With the landing of the first steam mill here a new era will have dawned on Ione and the whole of Nye county; wherefore this event is anxiously and hopefully looked forward to by all.

Matters Political.

            If any one supposes because we are away at this outpost of civilization, cut off from our fellow countrymen by deserts and mountains, that therefore we are not alive to the great questions of the day and ready to act our part in coming events, then I may as well correct that mistake, for it would be difficult to find a people more wholly given up to politics ; if, to be sure, a discussion of the mighty issues now pending and an earnest solicitude for the future of our country can be so called. The Union party of this county at the late election by suffering its strength to be divided through the machinations of its foes sustained, as through the same causes was the case elsewhere, a partial defeat. The Democrats succeeded in electing three of the least important officials in the county. As we have expurgated our ranks of this mischievous element, the Union ticket will prevail here at the coming election by about fifty majority, supposing the entire vote cast to be three hundred. Of this I think there can be no doubt, as measures have been taken to insure a fair vote and to guard against the opening of polls in precincts where there are no voters at all. Nye does not aspire to be the banner county of the new State, but, she will certainly redeem her reputation from the odium that was cast upon her at the late contest through the election of two or three obscure and conniving Copperheads.