The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1860-10-06

HxAp WArERs or TnK Arkansas,
California Gulch. Sept. 9th.


Cslifornia Gulch, Sept 9th.
Fxrxxp MArxARp:-With the last month
great discoveries have been made in the way
Of silver mines, or lodss. Some OF them are
fifteen miles long, occupying whole ranges
Of themselves. Somes Of these lodes are
supposed to be very rich; and, bysome that
have mined for silver, they are pionouneed
to be az valuable as the far-famed Washoe
or Peru silver mines. But, TO male an ae-
eurats estimate Of the true value Of them,
cannot now be done, as but few specimens
have been tested, aud these tests have re-
suited differently; SO that ID true Statements
can be given, but you can have the benen'
Of the tests as have them.
From an ounce Of the ore, SIX grains OF
silver and three of gold were taken.
Six grains of silver pc, ounce, Oh.
Thres &c s: yo,d I" 100.
Aggregate 9 H.
Value of silver per pound of ore IA
8. {. ,o,s :. 100
Aggregate silver and gold to lib ore 81 "a 1
Value of silver per ton S-oo
i" I" gold s. S:ioo
Z. and silver per ton 2,6Ss
This calculation is made in tro! weight
with the exception Of the number OF pounds
10 the ton. Other specimens OF the ore
have been test ID and resulted with the ore
being valued at $500 per ton. But even
at this estimate, more money can be made
out OF the silver lodes, than from the gold
gulchss and quartz lodes. But not much will
be done in the way of working them this
season. as no silver machinery is in the
country, and cannot be brought here before
spring.
Some old silver miners have bought
claim on the Donnelly lode for $1,000, and
paid 800, and are to pay the ba!ance IN
tho spring. This transaction has given
confidence in this branch of mining that was
lacking before. So much for the silver
mines.
Since the best miaers in the gold diggings
have got through working their claims, they
have gone prospecting for other gulches in
which they expect TO work anothrr season.
and their efforts have not been unrewarded.
Some very rich discoveries have been made
by them, in the same gulches that green
horns passed over without raising pick Or
sinking shovel. 1t has been the opinion
of some, that this gulch was the only one in
the mountains that would pay anything
worth while, but that idea has been explo-
ded within the last month: and now other
gu.chcs are paying as we'll as this, although
no; so great in e1tent.
Our boys have sold out to pretty good
advantage, and are setting "ssakes" for
another summers work. At what point, or
what kind of mining we will go at, time
only, will tell. Some Of US may try the
silver mines, and some the gold gulehes; it
depends entirely upon which they think will
pay the best.
On Monday, Dan ELwELL and |, will go
prospecting in small guch near the top Of
the snowy range, where ice freezes an inch
thick every night, and snow falls every
cloudy day, (rather an enticing spoO. Some
Of our boys will be in the Bluffs this winter;
but who, or how many, can't tell; but
they will not start from the mountains till
the snow drives them out, unless they get
along better than they have lately, prospect
ing. | think the largest number of the
Bluff boys you see home this winter. will be
here in the spring to take another turn at
fortunes wheel. | don't think the praires
! of Iowa were made to hold them, and they
think so too, since they have been moving
the cragged and snowy peaks of the Rocky
Mountains. But, they are coming home to
have good time, anyhow.
Yours, truly,
l.. NJ. d.