, 1860-08-11
FROM DENVER CiTK.
Letter from o. M. VInton OF Chicago.


ICoucs7cndeuet Ct The Press aad Tllbunc.1
DEsvEa CIR, Aug. J, i9o.
When last saw you, promised 10 write and
give some items respecting this country aud its
mining prospects. Denver City, without doubt
is The point from which al supplies must be pro-
cured for the mines. II is the Sacramento, while
Chicago and st. Louis must be tho San Fran
eiscoes. for all Of this gold region. Aud pre-
sumc you would ask what my opinion is AZ to
the extent aud probable success Of the mining
operations, snd the quasaz mills in particular.
will tell you candid1y. The gulch and Bur
face Jisgings ere in some cases very rich, bu.
not SO extensive as many would suppose from
the great number Of miners now 4. wtrk. But
believe it will turn out as it did in California.
Every day and every month will bring to light
new AID richcr diggings. The Southern gu!ch
and ravine diggings have, SO far, turned OFT to
be the richest, and come big strikes hare been
made, but how many we cannot tell befsrc the
close If fall, and the miners come to winter
quarters. I have had some experience, you
know, in California quartz mining, and flattered
myself that was tolerable good judge Of
quartz rock aud leads Tor leads).
have been up 10 the mines, and examined
al the principal leads that were then opened
and worked, as also the mills that were in op.
Grafton, nud I must confess that some of the
rock Fever snw cqualled for richness, although
l hare seen rock thu: to the FAXED eye would
seem to bH ten times more valuable, from tle
fact that the guild wns ooarse, hut the qua7tisy
less in proportion to the cord Of rock.
The gold.bearipg qunztz are more extensive
than have seen in California; and the fact is,
al. that portion called GregoEy's DiggiuEs, is
one nass Of gold.beaficg rock The vclus seem
tn run in every. direction, und cross often ut
right angles, which is something rever saw
before Agaiu, where they cross out Of the
ground find no wel!-dehned walls, and that is
often the case in California. But TO have T.
well defined and to-bc-deperded-on load, there
must be regular walls when worked out to 4
certain depth, which is not the case in al the
leads have examined, and fear that many
1naia leads, and in the end will fail or prove
worthless. Yuu will not be surprised If teli
you. notwithstanding the richness of tho rock,
1Lut quarlz.miIfs will be sold here betore next
sprin:; for less than the freight out lere. That
il fact; marx it. But you will ask how 1s H.,
cheap? The tact is, they don't ssve
il my opinion more than 81 per cent, as geu-
erai thing, and in sume cases not Is per cent. Of
the god owing TO the very tiue aud almost flour
state Of the mineral, aud imperfect machinery in
the una'ganiatin2 department, and little or no
experience 10 keeping the quicksilver in pure
state, as TINT IS one Of the most essential things
to save the gold.
The fact is they handle their mills; not with
that 1ice care, but with careless saw mill 4ind
OF a way. They think the more rock tIey TIL
through the more I'D they save ind the profits
they make. That is their great mistake. While
they wear cut their ms.tIe they don't yet nuy
more gold, which they will SOON fnd too
expensive to l-st long, and will crush less
rock With greater cure and make more clear
profit
There is another thing which has much to do
with the SUCCESS Of quartz mining, aud that is in
hsEirg good supply Of clean water. Jus:
think lor moment, the water LOW used in the
mills is abou: as thick as good lemon syrup, aud
When carried ulonS with such current Of mud
and water. Tley must liud way to have clear
water Or the mills will 20 up, to Il Certainty.
think that il our Chicago quartz miners had
more patience, combined With tnat indonlitab'e
enterprise. that they now show, it would be far
better for them, md add to their succers,
Mr.. J. 4. Hedges arrived here few days ago
and went to lhe mines. | think he will find u
tile field for his mechanical mind, and no doubt
will do n,uca to help them in improving their
mills.
l have driven my stakes down in this city for
the present, and commenced to build a hotel
after the fash1on Of this c9untrs. not exactly
the Astor House, but something that will du
just us well out here. shall open "Vinton'
3:1chapge" in about month, think. would
ike to see you drop intake half a dozen
stewed.
This place, as may be expected, is well Get up
with gamblers, &C., aid now and then We have
some shooting. Since the 4:h OF July no less
than nine men have been shot-eight dead, ard
one now dying, from tile effects Of shot last
evening.
We have Kind of Vigilance Committee, but
the most tr:a'ng excuse secn1s to justify the
most csld-blooded murder. But think We shall
som be able to put stop to tie shooting.
This climate is decidedly Leauti!ul; equal to
parts Of California; Azl this year will prove
that vegetables can be raised here equal to The
best in Chicago market. 1t will le i blessing
to this country aud contribute to the success oi
the mining operations more than nyllipg eIse
The high price Of provisions is grsat draw.
back to this country, but that day will soon be
over. Yours truly,
@. 81 Y1SToS