Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-11-26

A great class of the miners of this State
devote their attention in a great measure,
and some exclusively, to prospecting. The
very important discoveries that have been
made within the last few years have been
great incentives to the prospector. As much
as these industrious and daring persons have
benefited the country at large, but few have
enriched themselves. There are some, how
ever, who have made themselves independent
and some very wealthy. Through the GEN.
trail portion of this State, from east to west,
is probably the pleasantest and most promis-
ing of success, Of all countries on the Pacific
coast, unless, perhaps, California. The eli
mate OF this section is agreeable, not being
through Idaho, Montana and Colorado, nor
excessively hot and dry, as Arizona and the
southern portion Of California or Nevada.
Another great desideratum is the peaceful
ness of the Indians, while in nearly all other
sections discoveries and settlements are
made at the expense of much blood and suf-
fering of the prospector. Through this section
runs the line OF overland communication,
traversed by the daily mail, and connected
BY telegraph with all parts OF the United
States. The prospector, here, is always in
speaking distance of the rest Of mankind,
and whatever he may find is speedily brought
into notice, which is an advantage that this
section possesses over all others.
1t now appears that the entire set Of
mountain ranges from the Rocky Mountains
to the Pacific coast are metaliferous, extend
ing throughout their course as far as explored
from the Russian Possessions to Patagonia.
This is great field for prospecting. Some
of it has been explored and occupied, and
has poured forth its treasures for centuries.
The most noted Of these localities, il they
can be called such, are Peru, Mexico and
California. It has been thought that such
countries could be found again, but there are
none such, combining climate, fertility Of
soil, accessibility and great wealth. One or
two Of these qualities may belong to some
section, but all to none. The main point,
however, is mineral wealth, and many hard
ships will be endured to find that. As the
American has now entered the field we may
rest assured that it will be explored from its
frozen north, through the heat and sands Of
Arizona and the tropics to the frozen regions
Of the South. The business of prospecting
will become one Of regular occupation and
profession, conducted by those learned in the
sciences Of Geology, Mineralogy and Metal
lurgy. .....
Our prospectors have generally been men
liar with ores in general. The first sought
was the native gold in California, and this
led naturally to quartz mining, but still the
study of minerals was neglected. During the
many years that mining had been carried on
in California up to 1860, no other metal had
been mined but gold, although the country
was full Of many other valuable minerals.
At last, however, copper was found in Gala
veras and Del Norte and silver in Washoe,
but these discoveries were made by accident.
1t is now known that great many valuable
minerals exist throughout the ranges Of this
coast. Prospectors should learn the nature,
appearance and value of these numerous ores
so that whenever they come across them they
may take advantage Of their discovery. The
principal metal sought for through this sec
ton is silver, and it is ali that is noticed, ex-
cepting gold, although copper and lead are
found in abundance. Lodes of these metals
will soon be Of great value, and in fact are
now, and discoveries should so regard them.
In the neighborhood of Virginia several fine
veins of coal have been found. There is no
reason why coal should not be found in this
vicinity as well. In California bismuth,
anthony, zinc and tin are found. These
are all valuable metals and are found in
large quantities when found at all. There
are also great many varieties Of clays that
pay very well for mining. In fact the list of
valuable minerals that are found on this
coast, embrace almost every variety known
to metallurgy, and it is worth the trouble
and expense for the prospector to obtain a
thorough knowledge Of them before starting
on his expedition.-ReeSe Rirer RereiRe.