Daily national Democrat., 1860-03-01
naiIv WationaI Democrat.
MOUNTAIN CORRESPONDENCE.
1'lMR1rcrnn- Feh- 2h-

Mr. DIroR:-lt is becoming quite fashion
able in these parts to obtain notorety 10y
sending communications to the various papers
for print: and, Sir, approving of the plan as
do, with your permission, will occupy the
position of an occasional contributor to the
Democrat.
| regret exceedingly, Mr.. Editor, that l
did not commence writing for your paper at
al earlier date, SO that might be regarded
as one of the pioneer contributors from these
diggings
As to the origin of the name Tmbuctoo
there seems to be some dispute. One report
is that an early settler was chastisng his
Younger son for playing at Monte, when the
little fellow screamed out, Tim -bucks-too."
Hence the name Timbuctoo.
Another report is that the name was given
by one W. D. Morgan, who, while on q hunt
ing expedition, was asked where he lived,
and n little puzzled for a reply, finally an
swered, "Timbuctoo." OIaving just been
reading "Livingston's Travels in Africa "
Well, Sir, the banks at Timbuctoo, that Mt
some seasons of the year partially suspend
payment, have for few months past resumed
paym ent on presentation of the checks of the
hard working miner, which makes business
of all kinds assume more lively and inter-
esting aspect
Though many accounts of our miners ard
mining operations have been exaggerated
and grossly misrepresented, still we are pleas
ed to say, the miners prospects were never
more fattering than at the present time.
The greatest obstacle that the miner had
to contend against last winter, has now been
overcome, by the enterprise and energy of
few. | refer to what is called the New
Ravine Flume," owned by Bovyer and Meal
lis, which has been in working condition the
whole season. The object Of this fume is to
convey the tailings from the termination of
the fumes dropping into the ravine to the
river.
This nume was placed in the ravine more
from the necessity of such hume than the
direct profit Its entire cost to the present
time is nearly $4,000, including the amount
paid for the cold Ravine Flume" and the
debts. The proprietors have already taken
out enough dust to pay one half the entire
expense, and consequently it has proved to
the owners a profitable as we'll as necessary
investment.
This conveying the tailings from the ter
mination of the smaller fumes above, makes
the claims on this side of the hill moro valua-
ole. should have said that there are two
sets of claims as they might be termed. One
on either side of the hill The hill on the
Timbucoo side Is about $50 feet higher than
the town. On the opposite, or Roses Bar
side it is some 45O or 500 feet above the
river.
The claims on the Roses Bar side
have not many of them been opened (as
1t is termed) orput in complete working con-
dtion yet. They have been drifted to
greater or less degree.
They do not anticipate any difficulty in a
collection of tailings at the termination of
their fumes for some time to come, the fall
being so great.
Most of these companies in working order
have two or three fumes to run the first
through before dumping it in the river. In
this way the Rogers claim" and some 9th
ers, have taken out sufficient dust in the low
er fumes to pay the expense of running
Two claims, the "Ranch claim" and mich
igan claim possess superior advantages
over the remainder of the claims as the pro-
prietors own claims on both sides of the hill
The "Ranch claim" though not as yet open
cd bids fair TO be one of the most valuable
claims in the locality.
The Michigan claim" is opened on the
Timbuctoo side of the hin, and stands pre-
eminent among the claims. Though at a
heavy expense during the past year the COM
over twelve thousand dollars. They are now
running tunnel through the hill at an aver
age cost often dollars per foot so as to enable
them to have a longer fume from the claim,
and an opportunity of running the dirt thro'
enc or more additional fumes, belonging ex-
clusively TO the company
In this communication have endeavored
to give you general idea of our mining ope-
rations, hoping to particularize more in the
t1ture. Yours, DC,
INCoGNIro.