San Andreas independent., 1858-05-29
LETTER FROM ANGELS.
Correspondence Of the Independent

Correspondence of the Independent.
ANGELS, May 9th, 1853.
Nr. Editor The first thing noticed by a
quartz miner from any other section of the
State, on visiting this camp is the vast width
of matter worked by most of the mills now in
operation. Nearly all the claims except Win
ter's and the Crystal, are excavated from thirty
to fifty feet wide, and to greater or less depth
according to circumstances; and have more
the appearance of granite or slate quarries,
than quartz mines. Now, it is notorious fact,
that the two claims above mentioned-which
ciples-pay the best of any in the camp, and
it is not unreasonable to suppose that most of
the other claims would pay equally as we'll,
were they worked to an equal depth and in
the same manner that is, to extract nothing
from the mine for crushing, except rein rock.
AS they are now worked, vast amount of
matter is necessarily crushed which is entirely
worthless. This forcibly reminds me of a
Yankee farmer who fed his hogs mixture
of meal and saw-dust. After an experience
of four years, he had learned the important
fact, that the greater proportion of meal he
used in the mixture, the better. The same
rule will hold good in quartz mining-the
greater proportion Of rcin rock you crush, the bet
ter.
But there are other reasons why the Crystal
claim is paying the best ofany in the camp
They have a SDlendid mill and ona of tho hoCt
engineers in the State to superintend it.
Franklin says, " a small leak will sink large
ship" and no where is this proverb" more
applicable than in quartz mining. Many
quartz company have been ruined by neglect
ing to employ competent man to superintend
their works. 1t requires great SKILL and most
constant and persevering watchfulness to save
reasonable share of the gold.
Mr.. Mailman is one of the most successful
quartz miners in the camp; his perseverance
and industry are truly commendable and only
equaled by his good fortune. About two years
ago, with only about six hundred dollars capi-
tai to start on, he commenced erecting small
water mill, with which he has been able to
cancer his ueOlS, ana is now engaged IN erect
ing large steam mill on his claim, which will
run twelve stamps.
There is one advantage in working a mine
by open cut, and that is the cheap manner
in which the rock can be quarried, and taken
to the mill. For example: DR.. Hill who is now
running his mill twelve hours out of the twen-
ty-four, employs only two miners, and two
other men to break up the rock and take it to |
the mill on a car. 1t is supposed they crush |
about twelve tons per day. The additional |
expense of crushing the rock is principally the
amount paid for water to run the mill 1872 |
per day.; as it requires only one man to attend
it. So you will readily perceive, that yield
of So per ton will more than cover all the ex-
penses.
Steady perseverance, with proper economy
and good management in quartz mining, as in
every other legitimate business, will almost
always ensure success. But my advice to all
new beginners, is this: "Look before YOU
leap;' or, in other words, first ascertain wheth-
er the gold is in the rock before you expend |
much time or money upon it. VERIrAs.