Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-03-16

AlIesed Great Discovery Of Precious
stones 10 the Rocky mOuntaIns- Genuine
OrRls By the Peck-Immense Prospect
i've Revenue from the Gems.
The correspondent of the Missouri Re
publican writes from Nevada on the 2sth ult.,
as follows;
A few days since forwarded to you an
account of a recent discovery of an import
ant article of export, in the southern portion
OF our Territory, viz: petrolin, OF coal oil.
Now, have to announce discovery more
precious than gold or silver, one destined to
prove richer than gold mine, consisting of
Q. gem Of great value, found in large quanti-
ties. 1t is nothing more nor less than opals,
the genuine article, and no mistake.
Yesterday, gentleman called at my Office
and reported that Mr.. Winslow Howard had
Just returned from a trip to the Snowy
Range with peck of beautiful opals and
insisted upon my going with him TO see the
the treasure, which did confident that Mr..
Howard was not mistaken, for he is q gentle
man of experience in such matters-was for
three years in the employ of Tiffany & Co,
New York City, several years travelling ia
New and Old Mexico one of our best assay-
lists, and possessed of high scientific attain
ments.
AT his Office in Central City, a fine lot of
beautiful opals were shown me- of varied
hues of beauty and brilliancy. Mr.. II. has
since sent me the accompanying note in
reference to this discovery ~
CENTRAL City, February %, 1861.
IS. F. TAPPAN, EsQ-Dear Friend: l in
close to you specimen of blush white opal.
/ the locality of which was discovered a few
F. days ago by Mr.. VIM. George and myself
not over twenty miles from this place. The
rock IN which it was found is Of an aurifer-
ous quartz.
I'VE have not had sufficient time TO prose-
cute our examinations so thoroughly as we
intend. 1t is hoped, however, that we shall
be successful in bringing to light opals hav-
ing rich play of colOrs, and q more intrinsic
value than the specimen inclosed, pieces the.
size of a large hickory-nut having already
been taken out.
~ have sent small specimens to Messrs.
Tiffany Co., the eminent jewellers of New
York City, for information in respect to their
value per carat. So you will perceive that
the catalogue OF precious stones is complete
as the productions of this section.
diamonds will without doubt be found
eventually, of great value, from indications
presented by the alluyial deposits and up-
heaved stratas. You will probably recollect
the small diamond which l found last Octo-
Der, from Gold Run, on the Blue River.
which IS sufficient evidence of their exist.
ence. let our section is but in its infancy,
and has already, like the process of crystaii-
zation, commenced throwing out from its
adamantine crest its sparkling gems and
metalliterous ores to the admiring gaze of an
industrious people. Yours truly,
"WINSL0W J. HOWARD"
When we consider the immense value at
tached to the opal in ancient and modern
times, and the beauty of the specimens now
in possession of Mr.. Howard, in Central City,
and of the probable beauty, brilliancy and
worth of those that still remain under ten feet
Of snow on the Snowy Range, of which those
already obtained are but the outcroppings,
we are forced to the conviction that the opal
mine OF Messrs. Howard & George will prove
a source of immense revenue to them, ex-
ceiling that of any of our gold mines.
These opals are easily cut with the point Of
knife, and will not cut glass; differing very
materially from chalcedony, the supposed
opals of the California gulch miners.
When we consider what has already been
discovered in these mountains during the
short time these gulches have been popu-
lated, the vast number Of gold ledes, guiehes.
&c, all kinds of precious stones, every va
riety of metals and minerals, not even ex-
cepting oil, we look upon our future in pro-
spective with admiration and awe; who can
tell what changes few years will make in
these mountains? and what vast stores of
wealth will be extorted from their bowels?