Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1863-12-01
The Como Country.

Springs Districts possess resources that will
in very short time fill them with dense
population. Como, from the many advan-
tages of position, will be the principal town of
the district. For beauty of location it sur
passes any mountain town in the Territory
1t is situated on nearly level plateau near
the summit Of the Palmyra range of noun
tains, and has unsurpassed advantages in the
abundance of its wood and good, pure water
The surrounding country is heavily timbered
with the nut-pine, which, we were informed,
is selling, delivered, at five dollars per cord
and the water is so near the surface as to af-
ford any amount required by sinking to a
very slight depth. The pioneers of the town
COMMENCED operations very sensibly, by hay
ing the ground surveyed and laid out with
regularity. The streets are eighty feet wide,
ensuring comparative safety from anything
like general confagration. The number of
buildings at present is comparatively small,
but the few that have been built, and those
now in process of construction, exhibit both
good taste and workmanship, and seem to in
dictate confidence in the permanence of the
town. The National Hotel of I. d. Cross,
Esq, would be an ornament to any town.
We enjoyed the hospitality of the establish
ment, and were accommodated with meals
and rooms not to be excelled in the Terri
tory. 1t is first class hoter in size, finish
and furniture, and is kept in No. style, and
will answer the demands of the large popula-
ton, both permanent and transient, that will
soon be hocking thitherward. During the
evening we formed many pleasant acquaint-
ances, and in the morning took a short stroll
about the place under the guidance of J. S.
Crosman, Esq. calling upon, among others,
"Martin, the Wizard" who has very pleas
ant saloon, the walls of which are decorated
with the paraphernalia of his diabolical art
We visited several shafts and tunnels, among
others, the Rocky Point, of which Mr.. Cros-
man is superintendent, the Real del Monte
and the Wagram. Most of the lodges in the
immediate vicinity of the town-and their
name is legion-are as yet undeveloped, but
their indications are such as to warrant the
highest confidence in their ultimate value.
A considerable amount of rock has already
been taken out Of several of the claims, which
will undoubtedly pay handsomely. The pio-
neer mill of the district is about finished, and
will soon make practical test of the matter
We visited this mill, which is the property of
the Palmyra Mill and Mining Company, and
is under the superintendent Of F. ]. Mette,
Esq. 1t is beautifully situated in ravine
which falls off eastward from the town, and is
surrounded by heavy forest of nut-pine, en-
surfing an abundant supply of vood at cheap
rate. Water is Immediately at hand in any
quantity. The mill was constructed by Mr..
Aikens, and reflects credit upon the builder.
Everything connected with it is of the best
quality, and Of the latest and most approved
style. 1t has ten stamps and six pans, as
we'll as small prospecting battery and ap-
paratus, calculated to work small parcels as
tests. A fire pump is also connected with
the engine as avery proper precaution against
fire. The mill will be ready to receive rock
a week from to-day. Quartz enough
will be taken out to keep it con-
stantly in operation. We understand that
its price will be twenty-five dollars per ton,
which at the price of wood ought to afford a
good margin of profit. There is fine level
fat of arabic land about the mill, which Mr..
Mette has had laid out in lots, reserving for
himself choice piece for garden and or
chard. Leaving this pleasant spot, we
mounted our horses and struck out towards
the Indian Springs District. From Como,
to the Whitman mine, about three miles an
excellent grade has been nearly completed.
We visited this mine, which is the most
noted of the district and found the hands
breaking rocks, and the Sabbath, at great
rate. The mouth of this mine is situated in
deep canon, going down which. is on the
(" taciEs descensns arerni'' principle, especial
ly when the trail is covered with ice, as we
foundit. The ledge, which is of a vast thick
ness, crops to great height above ground
and rises in huge cliff from the bottom of
the canon to the top of the mountain. From
the surface of this ledge the men are break
ing and hurting down masses of paying
rock. The better sort is selected, sacked,
and hauled to the Sacramento mill at john
town, for crushing. The balance is piled up
to await the erection of mill on the spot.
There is rock enough in that cliff, above the
ground, to last the biggest mill in the coun-
try longer than any human being now born
will live. There was no one present who
could give us any information as to the value
of the rock per ton. A tunnel has been run
into the hill and through the ledge, which re-
tains its width, but does not improve to any
extent in richness. This is most valuable
mine, and we regretted the absence of the
Superintendent, or ANY person who could
give us full information concerningit. Leav-
ing this mine we crossed several steep
canons, the climbing and descending Of which
reminded US of electioneering expeditions in
the mountains among the head waters of the
American. In one of these canons we fell in
with party of miners of the Lyon and Liz
zie claims, repairing tools at rude forge
These we accompanied to their house some
two miles beyond, and partook Of their hos