Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1863-10-12
HUMBOLDT.

The following interesting remarks con-
cerning the agricultural and mineral resour-
ces of the Humboldt region, we take from the
Atlas Humboldt correspondence:
Horace Greely, in an account of his over
land Journey from New York to California,
describes the Humboldt as the mcanest river
of its length on earth. Rising in the noun
tains, hardly one hundred and sixty miles
from Salt Lake, it is at first pure stream
or rather streams, for there are two main
branches-but is soon corrupted by its alkaline
surroundings, and its water, for the lower
half of its course, is detestablc. Though
three hundred and fifty miles in length, it is
never more than decent mill stream. Its
narrow bottoms or intervales, produce grass,
so coarse in structure and so alkaline by
impregnation, as to be almost unit for use.
The high parched plains, covered with sage
brush and grease-wood, and shining, glaring,
aSh-colored earth, are, with truth, repre-
sented as barren in the extreme. After
further description of the inconvenlences
encountered in his hurried trip through the
country, the philosopher predicts there can
never be any considerable settlement here
While his observations concerning the
parched plains are correct, never was mortal
man more mistaken in other respects. The
neighboring mountains afford excellent pas
turage, and excellent water for stock during
the summer season. The intervals along the
river side have been found by actual expert
ment, capable of producing most kinds of
grain and vegetables.
Already there are several towns and settle
ments established at different points along
the river. Farms have been taken up,
fenced, and put under cultivation, and their
occupants prospering and hopeful, notwith-
standing gad-fies, mosquito-gnats, ETC., are
as numerous as ever. The waters of the
river will soon be put in use in furnishing
motive power for numerous quartz mills pro-
iected, some of which are now being built.
A great change has indeed taken place in this
country since the visit of Horace Greely in
1859.
Having in former letters spoken of the
modes of reaching here, and of the adapta-
bility ofthe country for agricultural purposes,
propose to change the subject for a more
extended account of the mines.
The Humboldt mines were first discovered
in the spring of 1860, during the Indian
troubles, by Louis Barboo, an employee of
the Overland Mail Company. Upon his ex-
hibiting specimens in Virginia City, it was
so well thought of that despite the hostilities
of the Indians then existing against the
whites, small party at once started on
prospecting trip. Having satisfied them
selves of the existence of silver ore in paying
quantities, they returned to Washoe and soon
after prepared for winter expedition. A
company of about thirty persons organized
for mutual protection and returned and pros
pected these mountains. From that time to
the present thousands have visited the coun-
try, and all unbiased persons bear testimony
to its rich mines. New discoveries are of
daily occurrence ever since; quartz-bearing
lodges having been opened by means of shafts
and tunnels. Towns have sprung into exist
ence as if by magic, whose inhabitants are
full of life, energy and hope, determined and
certain to prosper, by reason of the great
wealth which lies at their very doors, await
ing the honorable hand of industry. Farms
have been opened and put under cultivation /;
houses, stores and mills have been built ;
schools have been organized, newspapers
published, manufacturing establishments
erected; and, in fact, the country already
possesses all the elements Of prosperous
and happy people.