Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-11-07


subsequent developments will no doubt give
to both the others prominent place in our
argentiierous belt Colorado and Arizona
contain gold-bearing ores of great value, but
mixed with such an amount of foreign sub
stances as to render their reduction mat
ter OF both expense and uncertainty Ne
Yada, then, stands pre-eminent in metallic
wealth, furnishing the richest ores and eX-
porting the greatest amount of bullion
ARGENTIFERoUs AREA OF NEVADA,
The silver bearing area of Nevada has been
computed at 54 500, 500 acres, diversified by
mountain, hill, and plain. a region but five
years since an unknown wilderness now
proves to be the most extensive mining dis
trict discovered. Five years ago almost a
sterile desert, it exports to-day bullion by the
ton. The mines of Mexico and Peru
Which supplied, through Spain, the whole
world with bullion for three centuries, and
furnished the splendors with which the
Montezumas of the former and the Incas of
the latter surrounded themselves, splendors
which seem fabulous even in the chronicles
of that almost exact historian, Prescott-are
surpassed, both in extent and yield, by those
of one State of the Union.
TOPOGRAPHY.
The Great Basin, bounded on the west by
the Sierra Nevada and on the east by the
Rocky Mountains, forms one vast field of
mineral deposition, and in the richest por-
tion of this belt, running from the northern
TO the southern end of the American CONT
nent, is situated Nevada. The surface of
the country is diversified by rugged noun
tains, timbered hills, and narrow canons,
with here and there arabic valleys, some of
which are of considerable extent, with run
ming streams. The rivers, with one excep-
tion, have the popularity of ending in shall
low lakes, in which they sink. The Hum
boldt, Carson, Walker, and Reese rivers are
the only streams of note.
POPULATION.
The rapidity with which this region has
been occupied since the discovery of silver.
indicates the opinion held of its wealth. The
western portion of Nevada, known as
"Washoe," was first settled, and contains a
population of about 10000, The Reese River
Region, as it is termed, was opened but three
years since, and is now the most sought-for
portion of the State.
Producing the richest ores of the world,
and destined to be the most profitable mineral
region known, it has developed from will
derness within the time mentioned to a pop
ulous community.
Austin, the principal city, is yet in its third
year, and contains population of six thou.
sand, lines of expresses and daily stages east
and west, postal and telegraph facilities plac-
ing it in instant communication with the
Pacific and Atlantic coasts, and an ably con.
Quoted daily newspaper. Churches schools
stores, mills, all are there-the whole the
offspring of the lyondrous mineral wealth o.
the region, which is Yast beyond computa-
ton
THE MINES OF REE9E RIVER
are wonderful, both in number and richness
of yield Over seven thousand veins were
recorded up to last spring-all showing traces
OF silver, and many paying largely from the
surface. No vein yet worked here has failet
to increase in size and richness
Among these the most prominent are the
Oregon, North Star, Morgan and Muncey,
Savage, Revenue, Silver Chamber Mercedes
Whitlach, Yankee Blade, and Midas, which
yield ores varying from So, 900 to 5000 pei
ton, the latter being fair average. Of tht
above, the Revenue mine has produced thu
richest ores in the world, assays having bee I
made in Nevada of various lots of ore
yielding from $4,000 to $1,000 per ton, while
a careful analysis lately made in Philadel
phia by competent chemist, resulted in {
yield of S10,0O90O to the ton of 1000 lbs
This was from a sample of chloride of silve
ore, taken from near the surface.
CHARACTER OF THE ORES.
Almost every variety OF ore known Il
minerologists is found in the Reese Rive
Region. Above the water level silver i
found in the forms of chloride, bromide
iodide, and selenide; while below, sulphu
/ enters into all the combinations, and the sill
yer is combined with sulphur, iron, ,antimony
arsenic, lead, copper, zinc, manganese, an
selenium. The chloride ores and their aC
compartments do not need roasting befor
working; with the sulphurets it is necessar
to expel the base metals. Native silver, O
pure silver is also found, pieces of five pound
weight having been taken from the Reyenu
Eine mentioned above.
THE PROFITS.
The most extensively worked mine OF N,
vada (the Gould and Curry has produce
within the last four years $4,000, 900; hi
spent 1000, 900 in improvements; and lit
accomplished the above upon ores rarely a
eraging over sixty dollars per ton II
"Midas" has cost, including purchase
mine, outlay for machinery and openin
$120, 900, and will not only pay for itsel
but return large dividends this year. II
Empire, " which has paid in dividends oy
81, 600 600, accomplished these results sole
from the mine itself, with little or no outlR
This mine has paid as high as $500 p
. share monthly.
The subject of silver mining in Nevada
well worthy the attention of the money
) men of our city, inasmuch, as while enric
ing themselves in more spe,9 ,9dy and certa
s manner than by any investment now off
ing, they will be comforting blessing up
} our country at large, by providin.S for t
I1avuppf of O1r iudabtadnoee aud the Fetu