The hydraulic press., 1860-09-01
Birchville Correspondence.

BIRcHvIILLE, Aug. %, 1860.
MEssRs. EDITORS The casual observer,
passing through many of our mining towns, sees
but little of the resources from whence they de-
rive their support; the cosy little cottages are
noted, dotted here and there with their well-cul-
tivated gardens The mechanic may be heard at
his work, but the great mass, during working
hours are invisible to the passer-by. 1t is here
as elsewhere.
Let us look over the hills for few moments
and see what is going on here at present. First,
we come to the claims of DeMoulin & Pack, who
have been working them with an industrious per-
severance for the past six years. They are now
washing the surface, and running a short tunnel
to reach the rich bottom lying underneath. If
they have not as yet enriched themselves, they
have added no inconsiderable sum to the circu-
lating medium of the world. Next we find
Messrs. Everett, Quinn and Lahey busy at work
wearing away the top gravel with their usual
good returns. Having lately added Cummings
Improved Undercurrent to their facilities for
saving fine gold, a marked improvement is con-
fidently expected. Adjoining these are the
claims of Fogarty, Powell and Cadwallader, and
the Winham Brothers the former have already
taken from the top gravel over $50 900, and it is
by no means exhausted. The claims of the latter
cover an immense piece of fine mining ground,
and will soon be in working order again.
Underlying all the aforementioned claims, to
the depth of from forty to sixty feet, the rich
gravel yet remains, and whenever prospected,
from fltteen to twenty feet has been found to av-
erage ten cents to the pan.. To work this rich
deposit to an advantage, two tunnels are now
being driven day and night through the hard
granite rock which surrounds the rim. When
completed you will hear of enormous dividends
from these "Safety Fund Banks
l.,
"Roeky Diggings," now owned by Pat Fogarty
and Den Maher. These claims were among the
first worked in carly days and paid well. Though
not as extensive as some others, they still main
tain their reputation of being among the most
profitable. In short time, O'Meara & Co., will
have their tunnel completed to work the rich
claims adjoining.
Below all these claims is the extensive "Tail
Flume " of N. Cadwallader extending down to
the river, near where number of Celestials
may be found prying about amongst the big
rocks. 0lr. Cadwallader has upon several oc-
casions found his sluices had been tampered
with. He made the discovery of one of these
midnight prospectors lying in the bottom of his
sluices two or three years ago. He may be for
tunate enough to find another some fine morn
ing.
Near the lower end of the hill are two extern
sive water-wheels for working incline tunnels on
the ground of Messrs. Bell & Whitby and M.
Cassin. Rich gravel has been struck on the bed
rock, but as this is mostly new enterprise in
this section, more be said about them here
after.
On Buckeye Hill, below the celebrated claims
of Evans & Null, Geo. Stevens & Co. have COM
menced washing through their tunnel, having
at last completed it at heavy expense. An
opening is hardly yet perceptible, but they
are confident, from present prospects, of its pay
ing well. Opposite here, under a beautiful
grove of trees, may be found Mr.. I. G. Whitby,
living almost in the primitive style of early Cal
ifornians, busily engaged in building himself
fine residence. Numerous other enterprises
would occupy too much ofyour space at present. mt
Ak