The Nevada journal., 1853-06-24
Grass Valley Correspondence.

GRASS VALLEY, June 21st, 1853.
Quartz is becoming quiet, steady,
and lucrative business. While at one
time it was made the Escape goat" of
shaping, scheming, swindling and the
unprincipled basis of forming joint-stock
companies, all of which looked very we'll
on paper calculated to fill the pockets
of miscreants, but to impoverish those of
honest men, and to impair confidence in
most lucrative field for the judicious
investment of capital, it is now firmly
established on an indubitable footing of
property, and in time to come, will in
stance itself as fountain of wealth un-
equalled by any yet known in the Ell
Dorados of old history.
This reflection has been no less firmly
fixed upon my mind by recent visit
and survey of the mining interests of the
"Helvetia and Lafayette Gold Mining
Co." which was formed in July Of 1852.
This company have a mill with an ex-
cellent Engine, working that kind of
machinery for crushing Quartz and saw
ing the gold, which is most approved in
the present condition of the art. The
Mill has eighteen stampers, each weigh
ing 800 pounds, and is supplied with its
quartz, from claims which the company
own, on Gold, Massachusetts and La
fayette Hills. The company has expen-
ded some $4,000 since August last in
such operations as are necessary to open
mines in the way of sinking shafts and
running tunnels besides what had been
previously laid out. There are two tun-
nels in Lafayette Hill, one two and the
other four hundred feet in length
These tunnels have developed vast ledg-
es of rock, and the working Of great
number of tons, has proved it to be
Quartz of q most encouraging average
yield.
This hill was taken up originally by
Frenchmen, who realized handsome
sum from it in short while. Ninety
five thousand dollars was taken out be-
fore the present company came in its
possession, and all the operations on the
hill up to this time, have but gone to
prove the inexhaustable amount Of
wealth that is yet rea5ured within it's
limits
Between the 2Sd of August and 10th
Of November, the mill of the Helvetia
and Lafayette G. M. Co. has yielded
SIG, ,O53 and have done q good business
since, taking into consideration the very
unfavorable season for this species of
mining, the winter rains having COM
menced unusually late, and thus owing
to very imperfect condition of The mines
rendering the quarrying and carting of
rock for long while very difficult and
expensive, in consequence of the COM
plete saturation of .he earth with water
This mill ran all winter. The President
and Superintendent is a large stock
holder he is man of good judgment,
and has managed the business with in
demitable industry and perseverance.
The prospects of this company are ex-
ceedingly fattering, and it is to be hoped
that its continued success may elucidate
the value and lucrativeness of this most
important and misappreciated depart
ment of industry
The beautiful and unique mill Of John
A. Collins is in rapid process of erection
on the east side of Wolf Creek, next
above the Empire mill. 1t will be spo-
ken of hereafter. 1t won the medal at
the fair Of the mechanics institute in
New York city, and the public are anx-
ious to witness its success.
The social sentiment here is in per-
feet uror. The carpenters are running
the woods to adorn the new church-the
ladies are IN a hustle fixing for the Fair
on the 4th July-the Masons are ma
king every preparation for the Dinner
and Ball of their distinguished anniver-
sary, and citizen patriots, Odd-Fellews,
Masons, women and children are all an
ticipating an honorable and gratifying
display, on that happy and glorious day,
that spread unutteraOle dismay, through
the ranks of despotic sway. Let US re-
member the birthday Of Liberty, and
study as becomes us, the way in which
we may keep it secure.
The Theatrical troupe Of Messrs Tut
bill & Anderson are performing with
great eclat.
Last night was "Bill Barrys Benefit"
and the house was crammed jammed
and overwhelmed with 'laugh and be
fat" He is o comedian of rare talent
and deserves such tes stimony of public
appreciation. Mrs. Walters Benefit
comes on Monday next, when the peo-
pie of Grass Valley will show their es-
timation of talent and worth by giving
her full. house. Yours, Just the same
PIKE.