The weekly Arizonian., 1859-04-28
Fer the Arizonian.
The old Babicanora Silver Mine of Sonora

Among the most important mining enter prses of Sonora, the re opening of the old Bab- icanora silver mine by French company de- serves more than a passing notice for the extra ordinary and more than French perseverance displayed by the owners thereof
 Some six years ago company was formed in Sonora, for the purpose of mining, and the attractive reports concerning the old abandon ed mineral of Babicanora determined them to begin operations in that locality The aban- donment of Babicanora was caused in conse- ouence of the inefficient machinery used in old times by the Spaniards, for the purpose of freeing the mine from water According to reports, Gas usual the mine was extremely rich, but the vein-rock very soft, requiring great expense to preventit from tumbllng in,, Notwithstanding this, operations went on, until large streams of water invaded the prem ises When this took place is not precisely known, but ever since that period no attempt had beem made at removing it. As is usual with old mines that have ceased to be worked, its fame of richness increased, as the true state of affairs began to get clouded up with age, until tradition told us that pure silver was cut off with axes, from the gangue rock.
 It is not probable that the French gentlemen ever believed as much as this, but there is no doubt of their unlimited confidence in final success. They began operations rather poor for mining company doing the principal work themselves Their difficulties, their endu- rance and suffering for want of means and provisions, can only be appreciated by those that were participants in the work. For six years they have worried and drudged along, hoping continually for the last three to cut the vein by tunnel which they were drifting be- low the supposed level of the ancient workings In this period they have lost various members of their party by the Apaches, who have also from time to time stole their animals When their means gave out, some worked in other places to earn food for those who labored on the tunnel of the cherished mine; and some even went to California for that purpose
 After time the French commercial firm, Canau Brothers, of Hermosillo, nobly came forward with advances in cash and goods to the amount of over 5000, requiring no other security than the prospects of the mine, nol interest in shares whatsoever This capital IS to be repaid with interest out ofthe first pro ceeds But for this generosity the company must have failed, ultimately, for want of means also for want of knowledge in mining by the owners When the enterprise was first started it was supposed (based on actual survey of the dip of the vein and old reports of the depth o the mine when abanlonel) that the vein coult
 be reached at most in two years if not sooner This was to be accomplished by run"isg ; tunnel a few hundred yards in the mountain 5 and thus drain :he old works by level. Thi
 tunnel was commenced of immense proportions
 allowing a wagon to enter it, partly becauS large quantities of ore was looked for, partly to draining and supplying air to the hands durin; f the time that no communication existed wit , the vein.
 Year after year passed away, also the dis
 tancc to where the vein was supposed to eXis ' still they worked on. Once, indeed, som
 hundred wards in. something like a vein c