The Placer herald., 1857-06-27
Iron Ore in Placer Comfy.

Iron Ore in Placer County.
The oft-repeated remark, that every days
experience but adds to the further develop
ment Of the immense resources of California,
and brings to light new sources of wealth,
which invite the attention of capital and
labor, is supported by accumuating evidence.
California received its Importance from the
rich gold fields within its borders, and the
eager search for the precious metal has en-
gagged the attention Of the miner and pros
pector to the exclusion of other minerals
that might have remunerated labor. But
latterly capital and labor has become con-
vinced that gold was not the only product
Of our soil worthy Of development, but that
it contains other substances of value, that
promise ample recompense to judicious in
vestments.
Extensive quarries Of lime stone are found
in various portions of the State, and suffi-
cient lime is now manufactured to meet the
demands of trade Coal veins have been
discovered at different points, and companies
are engaged in working and prospecting them.
Saline springs of value have caused large
and profitable outlay in the manufacture of
salt. Silver and copper is found, and may
yet be worked to profit. Our quicksilver
mines are the richest in the world. Marble
veins, embracing every known variety, tra-
verse all portions of the mineral district
Plumbago exists in large quantities. Around
the shores Of Clear Lake, and in the upper
portion of the Sacramento Valley, Borax to
an inexhaustible amount can be obtained.
Our capacity for carrying on an immense
lumber trade is sufficiently attested by the
vastness of our primeval forests; and our
fisheries are another resource of incalculabe
value. To this list we can add, as being
found in the county of Placer, an extensive
lead of iron ore. That discoveries of this
mineral will be made in other portions of
the State, we have no doubt, which will 90
still farther to make up the sum Of wealth
of this favored region.
The lead of iron ore alluded to is located
on the lands of S. w. Lowell, Esq, about
five miles from Auburn. 1t crops out of the
ground on hillside in the shape of large
boulders. The ore, in smaller particles, is
found over the adjacent ground to the ex-
tent Of forty acres. A test of the ore has
been made which shows extraordinary rich
ness yielding about eighty-three per cent.
This was taken from the out-croppings with
out selection. The appearance Of that which
shows upon the surface Of the ground indi
Gates an equal degree of richness. 1t is not
believed, however, that that would be the
average yield of the whole deposit; but it is
thought it will compare favorabIy with
the best ores in Pennsylvania.
We visited, in company with Mr.. Lowell,
the other day, this lead, and was surprised
to find the evidence to such an extent, Of a
mineral that we had supposed was only to
be obtained in very small quantities in Cali
fornia.
Several tons have been shipped this week
to the iron works of Geo. Gordon, of San
Francisco where a thorough test of its value
will be made.
We understand the tests of the ore al
ready made are sufficiently encouraging to
warrant the belief that it will pay to work,
and that furnace will be erected upon the
ground next winter. From the convenient
location of the ore it can be put down at the
furnace at small cost, and wood for the man
ufacture of charcoal is found in abundance
in the immediate vicinity.
Should this enterprise meet with the sue
cess anticipated, California pig metal can be
offered at price in San Francisco that will
rule that of eastern manufacture out of the
market. The prospect for the manufacture
Of iron in California, an article that enters
SO generally into the demands of trade, is
certainly encouraging, and it is not without
hope that we look forward when within the
boundaries Of our State will be manufactured
such articles as the necessities of our popula-
tion demand.
EE- A Gold Hill correspondent of the
Sacramento Union, who signs himself "Brod-
erick American" (and he might have added
Black Republican Know Nothing) takes
the opportunity of giving us the benefit of a
notice, surmising that we may have an ambi
ton to represent the Democracy Of Placer
in the State convention, in order to make a
tilt against Mr.. Brodericks letter. (Saga
cious "AmericanrO And in the event OF
such temerity, "AmeIcan" supposes that
| David would rise in his nlaca and snuash thl