St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1861-04-25

Correspondence Of the ST. Charles City In,ellgencer
Pixies Peak Gold Mines.
DENVER, March, 1861 .

DENVER, March, 1861.
Ma. EDITOR From the month of April to
the latter part of November, 1850. nearly two
hundred quartz mills were carried into the
mountains and set up. These mills of every
variety of manufacture, varied in quality,
make, pattern and fixture, differing in power,
efficiency and worth were located and worked
by a still greater variety of men; not one in
ten of whom ever were in the mines or saw a
quartz mill in operation until they arrived with
these mills or few weeks in advance. Some
had not previously secured either quartz
claims or sites for their mills, and had, of
course no proper idea of either. All things
had to be learned unfavorable locations were
sometimes selected, and much time and mon
ey were consumed in rcmedying mistakes. In
addition to all this, the water in the latter
part of the season failed in many rock districts,
just about the time that large number OF
mills had been completed, and delays were in
many cases occasioned for want of sufficient
cash capital to put the mills into speedy and
efficient operation. ....... ...
The season was in good measure spent
in getting ready, in experimenting on the best
methods of separating and saving the gold, in
opening the way, and in making the necessa.
ry preliminary arrangements for future sue
cessful operations Dwelling houses had t.
be built. Mill houses had to be erected
Claims had to be found, opened and prospected
TO accomplish all this required time, and en-
ergy, and money and it must be obvious tina
under such a state of things, the results, as
whole, would be to some extent discouragins
and unsatisfactory. All the impedime9ts
have named can be easily and cheaply removed
and success is now sure. The question of un
certainty is settled. The quality and richnes
of the quartz in many districts have been def
initely established. The coming seasons op
erations will dispel all doubts, and have n
, hesitation in saying that such is the exten
and richness of the gold-bearing regions, an,
such the certainty of ultimate success, tha
gold mining will settle down into a permanen
lucrative business. 1 think there is no enter
prise or channel where capital can be investe
/. with surer prospects of large returns, provid
: ed it is managed 10y reliable and experience
, miners, than in the mining interest of tn
. Rocky Mountains.
If When we see that thousands spent the la,
IS season or the greater part Of it in making d
c coveries, prospecting and securing claims i
= locating and obtaining desirable mill sites
and that several companies spent larg
amounts in making preparations for the con
mencement of operations this season whe
we see routes surveyed and canals constructe
g to bring water for miles over mountain gorg
At into the mining districts to furnish the quar-
Of mills with constant and full supply Of clei
ly water, it gives assurance, if anything cal
In that those who have had the best opportuni
IN to form correct opinion, have full faith
en- the ultimate success Of the mines. And ia
ther, VIXEN We take into account, that und