The Trinity journal., 1856-09-13
Trinity County Mines.

We think no County in California presents so
great field for every species of enterprise, and
possesses SO much rich mineral lands as Trinity
County. For the benefit of all who desire to be-
come acquainted with the localities of our mines,
as well as to understand the facilities for working
them, we propose taking brief review.
From the head waters of the Trinity, which
takes its rise above Scott Mountain, we find rang
ing through section of country in South West
erly direction, via. Rdgeville, head of Canon
Creek East Fork of the North Fork, and from
thence to New River, varying in distance from
five to twenty-five miles from the main Trinity.
Gold is found Of coarse and fine quality and not
inferior to any in the Northern mines.
From this point down the main Trinity, gold
region opens which has been but very little pros
pected. Gold of an entire different appearance,
and varying much in qnalty, is found. Rhodium
is also found in many parts in such quantities as to
lessen the value of the gold dust On the Hay
Fork, and the lower portion of the main Trinity,
including New River, Rhodium of a coarse class is
frequently found in pieces weighing from 81 to So
DggDgs have been found on the very sum-
nit of Scott mountain, which is the dividing line
between Trinity and Sskiyou Counties 1t was
first prospected in '55, and but few men have
worked there since. Rich diggings have been
struck on Mule Creek, Digger Creek, North Fork
or, Stuart's Fork, Ridgeville, and Montgomery's
There is here large section of country which has
been prospected and worked to good advantage.
The facilities for getting water to work with in
these mines are not very good, but much better
than in many other portions of the County. The
gold is of the coarsest kind, and very pure.
At Chells's Mills, the water has been brought
for several miles where some very rich claims
have been worked up to the present time, the
prospect of which continues equally favorable.
AT Eastman's and Bolts diggings, the gulches
high in the mountains have been worked in the
rainy season, and many at the present time only
await the return of the coming winter to com
mence mining operations.
At Woods bridge many rich claims have been
worked, and thousands of dollars taken out. A
large water-race extends up the stream from the
mouth of Rush Creek to this place, constructed
at an expense of $40, 900, tells those who are in
search of labor that there is no apology for being
out Of business
The diggings about Grass Valley have been
worked for several years, and there is not a sin
gle Bar down to the mouth of Weaver Creek but
what has paid more or less according to the labor
which has been done.
At Rees' Mill, about three miles above the
mouth of Weaver Creek, an expensive dam has
been erected across the Trinity, which furnishes
water for both mining and milling purposes This
is the only permanent construction of the kind
on the river
Redding's Weeds and Turner's Bars have been
almost constantly worked since the discovery of
gold on them, and still continue to pay good wa
ges. We might mention numerous other Bars
which are equally good.
| A new Flume has been erected at Ewngs Bar,
which plainly tells us that such expenditure
would never have been made, unless sufficient
guarantee had been warranted by their claims.
Much money and time has been expended in
turning the river at Arkansas Dam.
Canon Creek, which takes its rise near the wat
ers of the South Fork of the Salmon, embraces
one of the richest portions of our County, and at
the present time only part of the stream is be-
ing worked-about ten miles from Pennsylvania
Bar, up the stream, including Canon City. A
Joint Stock Company was organized some time
since, for the purpose Of bringing water and lum
Der sufficient to furnish the whole Creek Small
er companies also furnishing water. The dig
gings on this stream have long been worked with
much success.
Still there remains an endless quantity OF miner
al grounds for future labor. During the past sum
mer, some rich claims have been worked above
the mouth of the East Fork. A single divide sep
arates Canon Creek from the East Fork of the
North Fork, where rich gulches have also been
worked, and many fortunes made. The North
Fork takes its rise near the Salmon mountains
From the mouth of this stream, down about fifteen
miles, may be said to be the richest portion of
Trinity river.
Big Flat has yielded WELL and still they have
only commenced working the mines in that quar-
ter. The stream has been worked by means of
Flumes and wing dams and we learn that the mi
ners at the present time are receiving rich re-
ward for their labors.
AT Big Bar, the gold is of q finer quality, and
we think that better average dggings were new
er found on Trinity.
AT Manzanita Flat, there are claims which have
been worked most of the time for the past two
years, and we think we can safely say have aver
aged not less than $40 per day to the man. New
deposits have been found on the bed rock at Cox's
and Whites Bars during the past season, which
have averaged an ounce a day to the man.
Our correspondents from Lower Trinity inform
us that Little Prairie is place of much impor-
tance. Besides the large number of white men
working at that point, there are many of the Ce-
lestials,' who are working the bed of the stream.
French Bar, which is among the largest on the
river, has been worked up to nearly the present
time with much success. Lately, Flume has
been erected of sufficient capacity to work the en-
tire Bar From this place to Canadian Bar, dis
tance of two miles, is an extent of country much