The republic., 1851-08-12
The Copper Mines of the ella.

III Mr.. Theodore L. Morse, the Geologist of the uni
ted State, Boundary Commission, gives the follow
ing description of the celebrated copper mines in
the Apach. country, near the head waters of the
Gila
These MINIS, situated near 1859 longitude west
and 320 40 lastude north in the western extremity
Aof the Sierra De Mogovon, from the most authentic
resources, are aid TO have been long known to the
Apache lndans but were first worked by the Span
lards about the commencement OF the present CEN
tury, with various success, till 1928, when they fell
into the hands OF Mons. Coursier, and man
II aged by Mcknigk, who was also partner; but
" were at last abandoned about 1897, account OF
the hostility OF the ladians who cut off the provi-
sion trains md killedsome of the herders. At one
time many as fivehundred men engaged
in the mines which are said to have yielded abun-
dainty, and made the Drtune of the proprietors.
The ground, in small extent, is riddled over with
shafts and huge excavations.
y The is q red oxide of copper, with native cop
per disseminated through it, occurring in nests
and seams through deconposed fedspathic por-
phyry, which rock or gangue is from it's softness,
easily worked with the pick, and needs no blast
ing, thus essentially reducing the cost of mining.
From the purity and easy reduction of the ore, the
expense of producing the metal by the smelling
operation small and easily effected, in a very
rude furnace, the cinders of which contain great
deal of reduced copper. At the time the mine was
worked, the State of chihuahua coming a
great deal OF copper currency for which they paid
a high price, and for which purpose the copper
suited, and supplied the mint. An erroneous i'm
preston exists that the gold, said to be contained
in the copper paid for its transportation to the city
of Mexico which, however, is not the case, as the
gold is not separated from the copper in that city.
4 On examination of some copper found about the
furnace, WINS unable to detect trace of gold
The mines arc very much fallen In, and some of
the works, said to be the richest deposits, en-
tircy inaccessible. But, at the English price of
copper ore, many thousands Of dollars worth are
lying in heaps about the premises, and the old
sags aud scnria would richly repay the labor OF
reworking. think, however, at the high price OF
provisions and labor, the mines, rich they seem
to be, would hot yield much profit. When somc
Of the fertile valleys in the ncghborhood arc cult
iyatcd, labor and provisions will be cheaper
Within half mile of the presdio arc several
large hills of magnetic iron similar to the Pilot
Knob and Snow Mountain Of Missouri. This orc
could be. at small cost, converted into bar-iron,
heated in q Catlin forge, the hills abouuding in
timber fit for fuel.
About four miles southwest OF the mine of cop
per formerly were worked some gold mines, which
are said to haveeselded well, but which were never
extensively worked, on account of the Indians.
some Of the old shafts have been recently opened
by some Americans, who are said TO be making an
ounce per diem. The gold occurs in scales and
plates, in quartz vein which very much resembles
the auriferous quartz of@Georgia. Parallel with
the gold vein is a vein of sulphuret OF lead, (gale-
na,) which, on reducing TO lead found TO contain
sixteen ounces TO the cwt, which is considered a
rich
when the command under DrePel l.lcuteii'''
Colonel Craig arrived here, in January last there
were then standing the ruins of about sixty adobe
houses, including triangular presidio, hanked
with round towers. This has been repaired by
Colonel Craig a barrack for his men, and the
best Of the remaining houses have been repaired for
the officers and men of the United States Mexican
boundary Commission, who have established here
their headquarters the material Of the dap-
idstcd houses having been used for rebuilding the
better. The place now bears quito an active ap.
pesrance; trains arc arriving and departing fre
quently and the hum Of voices is now heard wherc
few mon ths ago none but the Apache roamed Should
permanent post be established here, and protection
thus afforded TO the miner and agricuturist, thi,
region of country will attract many from the States
of Sonora and Chihuahua, as well as Americans
Never falling springs found among the hills
which are ttickiy timbered with scrub-oak, wal
out cedar, and lofty pines, tit for fuel and build