The Trinity journal., 1856-03-22
A F'lume from Lathrop's Saw-Mill.

We have received some suggestions from
a correspondent relation to fume from
Lathrop's Saw-mill down the Trinity, for the
purpose of working the bars along the riv-
er. The idea of extending the fume, (al-
ready built short distance below the mill, J
seems to us not only feasible but would prove
profitable investment for a company. The
cost Of the extension would be comparative
| ly light, while the range of very extensive
bar diggngs now lying unworked for want
of water, would be thrown open for the en-
ployment of a large number of miners.
Our correspondent says;
A water-race out Of Trinity river, from
what is best known as Lathrop's Saw-mll
dam, continued as far as the mouth of Dut-
tons Creek, distance of about miles,
would be second to no water property in
California. More than two-thirds of the
water used for mining in that distance is
raised by Wheels and for five or six months
obtain water from creeks are thrown idle.
| know Of no claim where they have a sluice-
head that pays less than $6 per day, and
there is abundance Of mining ground for
more than three times the amount of miners
at present engaged. There are upwards of
fifteen wheels in that distance, which cost
at least from eight to twelve hundred dol
lars each, and ten months is more than an
average Of the time wheel lasts. Could
the present prUprietors Of the Saw-mill be
/ bought out for reasonable amount, it would
be well to continue their race There are
two other places where the facilities for put
ting i'll dam are better than the seat Of
the present Saw-miIl dam, and still have the
water high enough to command all the bars
Three years ago people had an idea that be-
fore this time, all the bars worth working on
the river would be worked out Now they
find the more they work them the better they
pay, and likely to last for the next 2 or 5
years can say to the best Of my knowl-
edge, that the average wages made on bars
from Ferry Bar to Stner's Flat is from So
to 80 per day to the man, Very few big
strikes are made, but the pay is so regular
that Companies can tell within few dollars
of what gold is in their suice before clean
ing up"
1t will be seen from the above, that with
in the distance spoken Of there are fifteen
wheels, costing at the lowest estimate of our
correspondent $4,000 dollars every teG
months This one item is strong argu-
ment in favor of an extension of the nume
If the bars are rich enough to afford an out
lay OF that amount every ten months, Ger
tainly iume commanding the working not
only of the wheel diggings, but many others
! situated above the reach Of water raised by
wheels, would prove a profitable investment
for the projectors, and great benefit to the
| interests Of our mining community
We trust some Of our enterprising citi-
zens will give this matter little attention
We are certain an examination of the route
of the proposed hume will satisfy those who
feel inclined to further their own interests
and the interests of the community that the
investment is likely to prove profitable one
The columns of our paper shall be always
open to the discussion of matters of this
kind, Of such vital Importance to the inter
ests of our County, and we shall take pleas
urc in assisting all in our power, in the fur
therance of the development of our mining
resources