Volcano weekly ledger., 1855-12-15
Tunnel Mining.

glad to observe that operations suifcleht 10
develope the existence of golden treasures in
the basins or hearts of the mountains that
surround us, are being actively and energet-
ically prosecuted. When it is considered
every foot of earth in the main basin is au-
riferous, and that gold in plenty is found in
every little ravine and gulch, but little doubt
remains as to the character of the bowels of
the hills, so to speak. Indeed, wherever
shafts have been sunk to a proper depth in
any of the hills around us, gravel formations
have been found, always containing gold, and
not unfrequently yielding prospects that
would appear fabulous in print In few
weeks, or months at most, it will have been
demonstrated that tunnel mining may be as
successfully prosecuted at Volcano as at any
other point in the State, not even excepting
the far famed and no doubt justly celebrated
Table Mountain of Tuolumne Persons re-
siding here are entirely satisfied as to the au-
riferous character of the hills, but people at
a distance may require some further proof
than has yet been presented for their consid-
GRAFTON.
On Wednesday last we visited the tunnels
at and near the head of Soldiers Guch-not
more than a quarter Of a mile from the place
where our Office is situated present be-
low some account of them, in the order in
which they were visited:
KEoKuK TUNNEL.-This tunnel was com
menced about two years ago, and after drift
ing 100 feet the owners found they were too
high A new tunnel was then commenced
lower down the hill which has been drifted
$50 feet. A stream of water from the up
per tunnel is used to turn a wheel that drives
small wind or fanning-mil supplying the
lower tunnel with fresh air, forced through
hose. The stream of air, passing to the rear
of the tunnel, is particularly advantageous in
driving out the powder smoke created when
the operators are engaged in blasting. The
water issuing from the two tunnels is con-
Quoted to Soldiers Gulch, and there sold,
yielding revenue of some $50 per week, or
about sufficient to provide the tunnel com
pany with ENTHUSIASTICALLY good ope-
ration, we should say This tunnel is the
handsomest one we have ever been in; it is
perfectly straight the entire distance, and of
regular width and height. 1t is owned by
Messrs Hills and Mr.. Decker-four persons
in ALL A part Of the time they have had
two hands to assist them. They arc just
breaking through into the basin, as Indicated
by the appearance of gravel at the extreme
end Of the tunnel; and from the well know
rich character of the hill, it having been
thoroughly proSpected by means of shafts,
they are confident that the good time COM
ing is at hand. Look out for a rich strike,
within two or three weeks, in the Keokuk" !"
May the brightest anticipatons of its owners
be fully realized.
LIVE OAK TUNNEL.-This tunnel was com
menced on the 9th of August last, and has
been pushed forward with remarkable activity
and success. The tunnel is already in a dis
tance of 80 feet, and the work has been
nearly all accomplished by two men-Mr
King, who, by-the-way, is minister of the
Baptist persuasion, and ID. d. at that
preaching good sermon morning and even
ing in Volcano regularly every Sabbath, dOing
all the drifting Thus it will be seen that
the reverend gentlemen not only graces the
pulpit, but wiclds the miners pick with as
sturdy an arm as any other man in these or
any other diggings. The cabin Ga very neat
one) in which he domicils is appropriately fur
nished with unique chairs of primitive man
ufacture-the rounds and backs being of
Shittim-wood (Manzanita). Can any of our
contemporaries furnish similar example of
the blending of religious teaching with the
development of mineral or temporal resources?
The kid-glovcd, aristocratic ministry of the
Atlantic States, who would shrug their shoul-
ders at the idea of soiling their hands, would
be astonished perhaps shocked and disgusted,
should they hear of the manual operations of
this California preacher but we can inform
them that the Rev. DIR. King " hoes his row"
as well in the pulpit as in the tunnel, and it
would make very little difference to him on
which field he met them in controversy. If
in the tunnel, any of them would fall at about
IL IL. = Il IL :. 1 Il ;. IL