The hydraulic press., 1859-05-14
THE MINES.


, cumstances of special note. On San Juan
Hill number of companies are washing, but
none have cleaned up since our last issue
The cleaning up process is accompanied by
so much expense and trouble that miners
now like to defer it for a longer period.
The diggings at Buckeye Hill and French
Corral are reported to be yielding very
largely. AT the former locality one set of
claims has yielded over $4,000 from four
runs, and the dirt all picked and shoveled at
that.
QUARrz.-Several parties are searching in
this vicinity for auriferous quartz, and we
have been informed that, in one instance at
least, favorable prospects have been obtained
by crushing some of the rock in hand
mortar. Good looking veins of quartz crop
out in every direction around San Juan, and
we really hope it may be thoroughly tested.
The discovery of paying quartz in consider
able quantities would add immensely to the
prosperity and permanance of the town, and
there is no sufficient reason why it should
not be made
The Columbia Hill "strike" does not seem
to be very well observed 1t is stated that
several miners at Kennebec and Chimney
Hills are washing, or going to wash. There
is some talk of bringing in new ditch from
the South Yuba, from point about fifteen
miles distant twill be of the capacity of
1900 inches. We understand that prelimi.
nary survey has already been made, and
that the ditch can be completed to Columbia
Hill by next January.
A correspondent writes as follows:
In reading your mining items of the last
issue, I find one from II B. purporting to be
from Humbug. As regards their mining
operations at this time, have nothing to
say. With his predictions and their verif-
bations, have nothing to do. No doubt he
is very much of seer, and perhaps can in
form us why the place called Humbug, once
so famous on this Ridge, is now settled down
III 81 uoi uialI d State aS 10 scarcely receive
passing notice. He tells US that water bills
are punctually paid. He must of course
have access to the Company's books to afford
us such information, and no doubt is actua-
ted by the Company's interests in saying
what he does. My object however in wri-
ting at the present time, is to notice his re-
marks in regard to Columbia HILL He SAYS
that the miners of Humbug Canon never, by
arord or deed, encouraged the miuers of this
vicinity to strike for a reduction of water
rates. / do not know what portion of the
district Humbug Canon embraces, but this
do know, (having recently waited on the
Committee who went up there expressly to
learn their sentiments) that every company
except one with whom they conversed, was
favorable to strike. They did not, of course
wait upon companies in which ditch men
were interested. They must run number
of companies further stated that out of every
three hundred dollars taken out, the water
company got two hundred and fifty, and that
they still owed them back water bills.
have no desire to enter into a controversy
with II. B. or any other person; but if what
lie says in regard to Columbia Hill has ref
erence to the mining country lying between
Arnold's and Humbug, it is substantially
incorrect. Be the matter as it may, we in
tend to have water at fifteen cents per inch,
or not at all | think we can boast of as
good diggings as they have got, and when
we work them we intend to pocket some of
the proceeds as well as the water company
By the time this appears, we shall have taken
survey from this place to the South Yuba,
and if found practicable, have no doubt
we shall have water sufficient of our own by
January next. This no doubt may be sneered
at by some such as II. B.; but let them laugh
who win. Yours, BLooMER.