The Placer herald., 1857-10-17

few yards from the mill, and the rock is put
down near the stampers by cars. At present
an air shaft is being sunk to the tunnel to
furnish the workmen with purer air. They
have rock that pays s2s per ton. But little
gold can he seen in it, as the particles are
very fine. While we were present, they were
crushing rock that had been thrown aside
by prospecting company, which yielded
eight dollars per ton, which amount they
said paid them handsome profit. This mill
also does custom work for prospecting COM
panies in the neighborhood. 1t crushes
twenty tons in twenty four hours, and the
gold saving process is by blankets and ar
rastres. The talings from the arrastres are
sold at the mill for SIG per ton, to party
in Sacramento.
The lateness of the day, prevented call
at the Placer Mill, situated on Shipley
Ravine, and distant several miles. This is
the fourth and last mill erected in this part
of :he county; has been in operation but a
shot time, is driven by steam, has eight
revolving stamps, and is said to be complete
in all its appointments. The gold is saved
by blankets and arrastres.
In the vicinity of these mills, number Of
individuals and companies are prospecting
quartz lodes to test their value, and the pros
poets are said to be fatteling. 1t is in con-
temptation to erect two more mills at Ophir
this winter; one of which will! be a San
Francisco company, who have prospected
and satisfied themselves that the investment
will be good one.
The above will serve to convey to our
readers an idea of the growth Of branch of
mining in district where two years ago no
one would have supposed these improve
ments would so soon have been made. These
mills have been erected and have succeeded
through the efforts Of few energetic men
who had faith to believe that there was
money to be made in working quartz, not
withstanding the doubtings of those who
took the disastrous failures of 81 as their
standpoint from which to condemn all such
undertakings.
With US it is a matter of pride that these
enterprises have been projected and carried
forward by our own citizens, without the aid
of any capital brought from distance. At
the same time it is satisfaction to know
that our aurifcrous fields are proving so pro-
fiable aud inviting that persons of means
are finding it to their advantage to come
among lis and engage in that which is daily
proving the most profitable and permanent
mining of the country
In this connection, we desire to call
the attention of the citizens Of Auburn to
the fact that the quartz lodes now being
worked at Ophir and vicinity with profit are
a continuation of the same system of veins
that are 10 be found in and around this place
in all directions. And it is saying but little
to our credit that our neghbors at Ophir, Ga
place much smaller and with much less capt
taD should have taken the lead in a business
that is now in every part of the State, prov
ing amply remunelative. Comparatively lit
tie quartz prospecting has ever been done
here, (and that 10y citizens Of limited means)
but that little has produced specimens rich
N the precious metal.
A necessity for something to stimulate the
business OF Inc place must be manifest to
every one who has Observed the gradual
giving out and desertion of the surface DIG
gngs of the district. Our miners have
been going singly and in pairs, until there
are scarcely any left But yet we have the
digging accessible, permanent, and rich,
in the extensive quarts veins that surround
us on every side. Shall those deposits re-
m ain rs thp la0ac,- of anothar oonnration or
are there men of enterprise and spirit enough
among US now to put their hands to the
work, and develop these resources so fruitful
Of wealth.
In q twelyemontl our hills and ravines
should be resounding with the busy hum Of
engines and crushers. The capital is here
to effect it, and we hope the men also. We
shall see,
MARYsvILLE RAILRoAD.-The "San Fran
NJ II