Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1861-03-14
New Mineral Discoveries in California.


A recent number of the San Francisco Alta
California furnishes accounts of new and extra
ordinarily rich veins Of gold and silver ore that
have lately been brought to light on the East
ern slope of the Sierra Nevada range. Mines
that bid fair TO equal if not snrpass anything
known in the history Of California, are now be-
ing opened up in Mariposa and Tnlare counties,
In the southeastern section OF the state IN
the Coso district, in tho eastern portion oil Iu-
larc county, the gold and silver ores have assay
ed at the rate of $500 to $4,000 per ton, from
pieces Clipped off from the weather worn out
groupings, with sledge hammers, crow-bars' &C.
But as if this were not enough to excite the Gu
pidity OF lucre loving humanity, a startling dis
coyery of gold and silver bearing antimonia ore
has recently been made, specimens OF which
have been assaycd at San Francisco and yielded
the astonishing amount Of more than sixteen
thousand dollars 10 Ae lon! This extraordinary
. lead is in the hands Of parties who, natural
" enough, do not court publicity in regard TO
the locality Of their splendid prize
Besides these dazzling discoveries, the Mono
Lake district, which is 2cated at the Junction
Of Calaycras, Mariposa and Fresno counties is
known to be prolific field for mining opera
lions, both in silver and gold while it has been
demonstrated that tn. ,a.t mountains o. quartz
which comprise the greater portion of Mariposa
county, known for their prolific gold yield are
even richer in silver rich vein Of silver has
been traced across the northeastern section Of
Martposa county, on bo:o sides Of the mountain
range, which leads to the belief that it Is the
initiative ola vast bed Of silver ore on the west
side Of The Sierra. In Caiayeras county numer-
Gus discoveries Of extraordinary richness have
been made as far east as the Mohaye and Color
ado rivers, which promise to be Of vast import
ance.
The silver lead in Nariposa county has
somewhat romantic history, as told by the Alta
" This silver lead, iS stated was discovered
in 1856, but the discOyrer vas unaware Of It's
nature unit last winter 10 his wanderings
about Maripcsa, where be mined he at differ
cnt times prospected carefully marking the
rock he returned with 10 1856, whilst hunt
ing, he discovered what he thought to be q lead
mine lie pocketed tle prospect, but thought
it Of no value in comparison with gold. 10
1858 he went East, a9 remained with his rcll-
iycs, taking with him bis collection Of minerals
and gold specimens. Last February he saw a
specimen Of Washoo ore at ". T Coleman 4
Co. in Wall street, AMI remarking the rosem-
blance to his lead specien, procured a piece to
oo,nparo with his avid Nh "-s "~n 4s';-G.a
that they were identical in nature that he bad
essayed and his lead specimen" proved to be
rich silver ore Keeping his own counsel he
returned to California last spring, and has spent
the intervening time in retracing his footsteps
over the chemical and chaparral hills Of Mari
posa, and his investigations have resulted in bis
discovery as above named. :"
Mining and scientific parties are now engaged
in exploring these new mineral regions, and the
stream of adventures is already setting cast
across the Sierra, and next spring that whole re.
gion will be filed up with eager treasure hunt
els.
From these new discoveries California derives
additional resources aud importance. Fresh
slreaTs of navigation will pour into the State,
and a new and increased impetus viii be impart-
ed to its industrial and commercial activity
while commerce will be stimulated by the increas
ed production of the precious metals