The Nevada journal., 1855-11-02


MENr.-The people in the Southern mines are
wild with excitement caused by the discovery
of an exceedingly rich deposit in Table Noun
tain near Sonora. Recent events which hav,
transpired render it proba bic that the popula
tion in that quarter are rather excitable =
Perhaps the accounts Of the fabulous richne.
Of the new discovery ought to be taken with
some allowance.
For long time there has been much specula
tion relative to the interior of what is called
Table Mountain, in this neighborhood. Tha
it contained gold was unquestionable, yet the
most sanguine were little prepared to realize
that vastness of its mineral resources which
recent developments have placed beyond con
troversy. Within the last few weeks Table
Mountain has been the universal theme of con
versati on claims have been taken up, bought
and sold at enormous rates. jumped, and passed
into litigation. In fact, Table Mountain
seems to be in every body's mouth. and its un-
counted treasures every body's hope. The ex-
citement in reference to it gathers impetus as
new truths and new discoveries and brought to
light--truths which settle the disputed prob
lem,that it is the richest region in California
Table Mountain makes its first appearance
in Calaveras county. traver sing which it eros.
ses the Stahislaus river near Abby's Ferry,
about seven miles from Sonora. Nearing Colum
bia, Springfield, and Shaw's Flat, it passes
Sonora, leaving jamestown and Montezuma to
the east, and pursuing a southwest, serpeutine
course, in bold and well.deined liue, from
three hundred to one thousand feet wide at the
summit, it again strikes the Stanislaus at
Burns Ferry. On the other side of the river
it extends into Amador county, spur on this
side the stream reaching as far down as Dents
Ferry. Spurs also project from the main
mountain at several other places. Originally,
only portion ia this neighborhood was called
Table Mountain, from its peculiar formation
and resemblance to table. But the general
characteristics of the mountain are much the
same-its abrupt basaltic walls rising up from
one hundred to seven hundred feet in height.
The surface, or shell, is generally covered with
scorie, evidently the result OF volcanic action
Among the theories that prevail in regard
to the formation of this mountain, we might
mention the reasonable hypothesis, that its
base was at some remote period the bed of
river, the stream emptyiDg into vast sheet o.
water below, now occupied by the plains that
by some disturbance OF the elements, or fash
cf the earth's lightning, an upheaval at the
confluence, the waters of the river were thrown
back towards their source, forming a sort oil
lake, upon the bed of which now rests this
singular mountain. In the course of time this
lake became filled with sedimentary deposit,
and subsequently, volcanic eruption must
have taken place at its source which sent forth
a stream Of lava, gradually filling up its chan
mel, and through the process of cooling, as it
rolled on in its liquid state, must have formed
the mountain as we now see it. with its perpeu.
dicular, smouldering and backened walls
These conclusions are arrived at from the fact
that many feet beneath the surface of the
mountain is now found the bed of an ancient
river, with its water-worn boulders, broken
quartz, gravel sand and clay, among which is
profusely distributed the rich aurferous de-
post. We have also seen taken from this
mountain, at depth of lis feet beneath its
surface, large pieces Of oak cedar and pine
trees, some in their natural state, others par
TALLY petr6ed. What is deemed the bed of
this ancient stresm, at the point where it enters
the mountain, near Shaw's Flat, is about one
hundred feet wide The river gravel, or "pay-
dirt" as it is professionally termed, varies 10
depth from six inches to six feet One hun
dred feet square OF this dirt, which has been
lately worked, was found to contain one hun
dred thousand dollars, The gold is Of the
richest and purest description, selling here at
eighteen dollars and quarter per ounce, and
yielding at the mint nineteen dollars.
The presumption is that the same lead ex.
tends throughout the entire length and breadth
OF the mountain, which increases as it approach.
es the plain. Numerous tunnels and shafts
are now being driven into it in search of its
hidden treasures. Several parties near James
town, and on Mormon Greek side Of the
mountain have been perseveringly engaged in
tunnelling operations with considerable and in
some instances complete success. In February
last, or about that time, o shaft was sunk in
Caldwcll's garden on Shaws Flat. a mile and
u half from Sonora, which led to further er.
plorations and much additional prosnect;no
ne claim OF Mr.. Caldwell proved exceedinolv
rich, SO that every foot of ground in the yicin;.
ty was at once staaed off and claimed and
there is now one continuous line of shafts eY,
tending for nearly miie, which are heinr
thoroughly worked, all proving rich and nro.
ductive beyond precedent in this region.
oucn natterlng prospects incident to these
new developments, has recently given rise to a
most important law suit--cerfain nar,;es no.
sisting IN their right to work the mounis;n
from Its sides, by tunnelling into it. LAYING
their claims at three hundred feet to the n,on
extending entirely across the mountain. wh;ls
others claim on the surface of the ,nnnn.a;n a;,e
one hundred feet square to the man. and ont ~
these conflicting claims good deal of excite.
meat and litigation are yet in allowance
Whatever the termination of thaso oorta.,
uons may De, they cannot effect the yalne of
TINS immense resource, destined to have an inn.
portant and salutary influence on the nrosner;-
y OF Sonora. From the present Weld # ;s !.
low estimate to say that the mountain from.
this city to Burns Ferry-twenty.fye m;Iss
contains at least one hundred nil;ons ''os -
gold dust. ''0"' u