Mariposa Democrat., 1858-01-07
From our rran.l,ory Correspondent,

BDIToRs DEMocRAT-AlIured by the charm
ing weather Of the past week, visited the
new quartz mill of the "Alpine company
Leaving Indian Guch to the right and cross
ing Bear creek at Smiths ranch, was pleased
to behold amid this dreary wilderness Of hills
an extensive farm in very high degree o
cultivation. After crossing the point of the
Bear creek range of mountains is excellent
meadow land thicky studded with fine OAK
timber. The grass, to which the early spring
rains had impaired new life, looked parched
from the unusual heat of the MONDAY sun
while the trees wore the appearance of having
been shorn of every leaf by some heavy win
try blast. The Cathay settlement-where
expected to find pleasant prospects and com.
Portable village-appeared deserted and but
solitary dog came forth, whose greeting was
a mournful howl. The country though leve
in this valley, by no means bears promising
aspect-the soil being of red mineral char.
acter and, seemingly, more adapted to mining
than farming operations. But few quartz lodes
greet the eye after leaving Bear creek, until
approaching Mariposa creek towards the east.
The quartz mill Of the Alpine company, own
ed by Messrs. Wentworth, Smith and others
is situated on the west bank of Mariposa
creek, three quarters of mile above stony
fort; place rendered famous from its having
been the scene of one of the most desperate
hand-to-hand encounters between company
of Ceestials and band of Mexican robbers
that ever occurred in California. The mill
was erected by Mr.. Wills, mill.wright, and it
appears to be most substantially placed in its
present rocky site The wheel is forty feet in
diameter, overshot, and is driven by water OBJ
taincd from Mariposa creek. There are two
batteries Of five stamps each. Every stamp
weighs over one thousand pounds, with fall
of eighteen inches. They use the shower-bath
rifles and blankets for saving the gold. There
are two arastras ready to be put in operation,
but as there is only water sufficient to run five
stamps, they are not in use. The mill is not
only very complete but exceedingly compact ;
scarcely jar is felt at the falling of the stamps
II will no doubt crush from twelve to fourteen
tons Of the rock within twenty-four hours, and
without hattery, the structure reflects great
credit upon the architect The Alpine lode of
quartz from which rock is obtained to be
crushed at this mill, has its course from north
Oh tn tsrax ,w1 ,..a
slate-the quartz being strongly impregnated
with lead and iron sulphates. The substance
or grain of the rock hasa vitreous appearance,
and is extremely friabe. In some specimens
of the aurifcrous surface quartz, the gold had
bright cast Of silver and an apparent light
ness in weight. The lode seems to have been
degranged in its course and to have been dis
placed in its dip. From two to three feet may
be taken as its average width, with an average
dip or declination of about twenty five degrees.
What valuation can be placed on this lode can
only be arrived at after il has been tested per
ton through the mill
The mill commenced running last Wednes-
day, and soon you may expect to hear Of most
favorable results. The whole country through
which passed indicated the absence Of any
thing in the shape Of springs or moisture
The trees were deserted by the birds and there
was melancholy stiffness peryading the whole
route of the journey that was exceedingly an
noying. ! returned home disgusted with
everything like sunshine, and shall get up a
bigger disgust if it does not rain soon.
Ell 0so.