, 1859-04-06
Theory Of the New Gold Fields.

Mr. John L. Buell., writing from Montana, to
the Missouri Democrat, advances the following
theory as to the extept Of the newly discovered
gold fields, and the probable quantity Of the
precious metal which they contain:
here, who have madc gold mining almost life
pursuit, theory which have heard advanced
by the above named Mr. Thomas, who has been
in gold mines in erery part OF the earth. It Is q
well and widely known fact, that gold was dis
covered Us early as the year 1S47, in the Ratone
Mountains; men here can testify that i has been
found On the Arkansas River. near Bent's fort,
that it has been found on Black Squirrel Greek,
ION the divide between the Arkansas and South
Platte J On the head Of Cherry Greek, On the
platte for distance often or fifteen miles above
the mouth Of Cherry Greek; on Clear Greek,
stream eix miles northwest from the mouth Of
Cherry Greek; on tile St. Vrains, or what is Dow
called Boulder Greek, for q distance Of twenty
ire miles in the mountains, still in northwest
direction, and finally in the Wind River Noun
tains. Ii II not true that gold, rs is the case
with other metals, runs IN velnss Is It not up
parent then that one Of these veins trarerses thf
country through the points aboyc nnmcd in
northwesterly direction. By some, the width of
this rein is laid at from s to 10 miles. BY others
from 10 to Is miles; certain it is TINT II you
draw line from the northeast to the southwest
ut right angles, 10 the supposed course Of this
rein, through any Of the points where gold has
been found, you cannot lind the color at any
point On that line, excepting inlength distance
Of Is miles This do not kao.o 10 be fact, but
have If from what consider the bestintorMed
men in the county, SO far rs relates to the lay
Of the gold; aud so tar ns my own knowledge,
and experience goes fully concur With them
in the applicability Of this theory to the gold in
this region.
Let me now speak Of the quantity and quality
ofthe gold in the respective portions ofthe coun-
try where it has been found.
Admitting the supposition that it runs in
rirer, it would follow that where that rein tra.
verses praiFie country, the gold would be
equally disseminated over its suTtnce, and con-
sequently the diggings would pay in one place
rs well as another with equal water privileges
On the other hand where this vein trarerses
mountainous country, nature does much to MD
the miner in its collection, for the greater part
fthc gold will wash from the mountain sides to
the rayines below, and hence digglngs thnt paid
at all in the prairie would be much richer in the
mountains.
OF the diggings on the head of Cherry Greek,
1know nothing, only that as we came down one
Of our purity found good prospect Of fine gold:
As for the Platte, my opinion is that few aud
very few Of the river claims will pay soon as
they now work them. When capital shall hare
been brought 10 bear in the way Of carrying Wa
ter, either from the west brunch of Cherry
Greek or the Platte, on to the Divide opposite
these diggings, then, md not til! then, will they
pay. Admitting that the river claims did pay:
which is far from being the case, the number Of
them would not afford u taste to the emigration
that will undoubtedly pour in when spring
opens. The gold on the Platte is MI scale or
tlont gold, and on Deer Greek, it IL the same;
shoueh in these last named digsings it il found
from the ground down to the bed rock, and will,
Of course. pay better in s1uicing. Enclosed you
will find piece Of lump or shot gold. This is
the character Of the metal found on Boulder
Greek, forty miles northwest from this place. i
is first struck at the mouth Of the eanon md
found for distance of twenty miles northwest
esly in the mountains, this being as far as they
have p7ospected. This is the only shot gold
that has been found in this country, and the dig
gings are considered by a company from Ne.
braska City, who hare prospccted them, ns far
superior to anything jet discovered.