The hydraulic press., 1860-05-05
wASHOE CORRESPONDEN CE.
VIRGINIA CIrY, NEVADA TERRITORY, I
Aprl 18th 1S6(

wAsHOE CORRESPONDENT CE.
VIRGINIA CIrY, NEVADA TERRrroRr,
April 2Sth, 1860.
Editor PRESS: As the silver mines in this Territory
seem to attract considerable attention " present. few
acts and practical observations gathered while pros
pectng over q considerable extent of country both
north and south from Virginia. might not come amss
to many who design coming here.
The chhge Of weather during the last two or tn rec
weeks from cold drifting snow storms to more temp.
arate one has induced prospecting Tartes c go into
the mountains in every direction find new leads or
endeasor TO trace the original. Nearly every ledge
resembling qdartz within circuit of sixty miles from
hefe, hasa "Notce" 1ponf of some one AZ ~ort The
ods opcrandi of locating claims is entirely orig
inal, but seems at present to answer the purpose
party Of three four start out from this place to
prospects at distance of five six miles favorable
looking ledge is found; district is formed named
laws made and one of the party is elected Recorder
charging fifty cents or dollar for each claim of
or three hundred feet, in future located. notice
generally holds good for ten days, and far
parties have reached. One man Is sufficient to hold
ledge for all tho real or imaginary claimants and
generally some ono is found within the specified time
to do but it s safe calculation that nine of
will pay for this trouble Claims of from four
six thousand feet are not uncommon; and have
many as half dozen notices in the hand-wri
ting, with string Of names attached, and differing
from each other but little, different redxes, (or
supposed ones) All prefxed with names Of different
companies, with SOME person at work to represent
them. In this rhanner person may hold mahy
claims he pleases by lotatoB, To say nothing of
purchases. large portion of the people ofCalifornia
and elsewhere have their names thus used, without
their knowing that they a slip of paper suspen-
ded from sage bush, under pile of in this
desolate looking region, to represent supposed
"Ophir."
Very little il anything of value has yet been
found outside the immediate vicinity of the original
locations far as learn, although rich ''indca
tioDs talked of by interested parties in all the
districts both moi tn and SOUTH Here it is well known
that the rock is rich with silver and god but the silver
from the "Ophir" and Mexican claims packed
the mountains upon mules the receipts from
three one horse arasras at Gold H will be sufficient
to feed the ten or fifteen thousand crowding into
the Territory Other >iams not in a condition at
present to realize anything from their ore and will
be for some time to come it will not all pay for
transportation. Bat people must eat, even at the
present price Of dollar per meal. Silver is not
washed from the surface like god and were it so
there is no water to do it with. person can ask
himself the queston-how is this large Surplus popu
lation to sustain itself for the next six menths or
year, without drawing its from elsewhere
with scarcely anything in the way of remuneration,
from the mines in return, Any the least familiar
with fancy stock transactions elsewhere, knows that
the reports of sales at fabulous prices made by
interested parties to enhance its value so it is with
most Of the present sales Of mining claims over efe
Speculate and realize as soon as possible" Is the
maxim.
Endless litigation, and perhaps bioodsiird, viii be
the result many of the rich Claims as different
companies claim the same lead by spur from the
orgina and already is there barrcade erected upon
Of thsm filled with armed men, defying all parties
to dispossess them.
Large parties have left here for Walkers river and
Mono, and the number is on the increase Most all
kinds OF business are lively of course and will continue
so as long as the excitement lasts Labor is not in
much demand.
Considerable quantities of iron, lead and shlphurets
of other minerals are found in many of the different
lodes intermixed with silver; but a large amount Of
labor will be necessary before thorough test can be
made to ascertain for certainty whether enough Of
Hetais can De ODta1neQ TO their
being worked, as hard granite, slate, sandstone, and
other species of bedrock surround the quartz that
will require time, patience and great expense pene
trate. For smelling purposes roads will have to be
constrr cted to bring wood from the Eierra Nevada
mountains; while at this season Of the year, miles
intervene before small springs of water in most
strongly impregnated with akali, be found, and
most of them will become thoroughly dry within the
next month. The inducements for persons coming
here to prospect not altogether encouraging yet
plenty are held cut to bny prospect to certain
extent in leads already located, where the holders
suppose they have good Indications from the 'crop.
pings" But as hundreds aciu come to see for them
selves, they find plenty of claims to relocate
probably find new oneS-and become satisfied that all
the quartz Nevada Territory does not contain paying
quantities Of either gold or silver.
f0tirs, &c,
ALFRED A. HODGE