Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1865-01-18
More Precious Metal Discovered.


MOTe fFefi0uS Nttdf DiSc0fere0.
From the Olympia Democrat, Washington Territory
November ID.
The people of Puget Sound are now in
the midst of the greatest excitement ever
before witnessed in this country, conse-
quent upon the recent discoveries of ex-
tensive and rich gold and silver bearing
quartz lodges, on the western slope of the
! Cascade range, not more than forty or
fifty miles distant from this place, and
within twenty or thirty miles of water nav
| igation on the Soand. The discovery was
made by Mr. George Carpenter, in COM
| pany with two other ''prospectors," on
their way across the Cascades from the
| western side, coming over the Natchcss
Pass. The party had, by accident, trav-
eled over the main road some two or three
miles to the south, when their atten ton
was attracted by an unusual show ofquartz
rock, exposed near the surface by the up
turning of the roots of large fallen trees.
Upon examination of the quartz, they dis
eovored plain indications of both gold and
silver, and, having secured q few spcci-
mems for the purpose of testing, they hur-
ried into Steilacoom and Immediately sent
the specimens to Victoria to be assayed.
The assay return being even better than
anticipated, Mr.. Carpenter Immediately
started in return to the place of discovery,
taking with him Hon. Samuel McCaw, of
Steilacoom, and one or two other friends,
but before reaching the ledge, however,
the news had spread, and some forty or
fifty persons met there almost simultane
ous'y Claims were Immediately taken
up and mining laws ena cted-copies Of
which we hope to receive soon for publi-
cation. About one thousand pounds Of
the quartz was brought into Steilacoom
last week by Messrs. McCaw and Hug
gins, and is now on the way to San Fran
cisco to be thoroughly tested. There is
no doubt of the existence of gold and sill
yer in this rock, as particles Of gold can
/ be dttinctiy seen with the naked eye in
many places The ledge lies northwest
/ and southeast and is said to be from sew
! enty- five to one hundred feet in width, and
| has already been traced a distance Of
three miles, ii an unbroken lead, and
no doubt can he traced much further in
| few days. 1t is probable that four hnn-
dred or five hundred claims have already
| been located and perhaps several thous-
and will be before spring Intense ex-
| citement has seized upon our people, and
almost every one who can leave home has
gone, or is about to so ont in a day or two
The distance is but short, and the rout
easily travelled rs q good wagon road
! leads from Steilacoom to within a dozen
miles of the mines already. Much strife
and speculation has commenced regarding
| town sites and trading points, and lirely
rice has begun between Steilacoom, Seat
tie, and Olympia, the citizens Of each
| claiming pecu At advantages over the
other With Il is, however, we have moth
ing to DO only rejoicing in the fact that
discovery has at last been made which
will una questionably benefit and build up
the whole country and every section and
town thereof The quartz is not found in
lodges rs in California, Nevada and other
places, but the whole mountain seems to
be composed of the same character of
rock as that in the disco cry claim The
discovery claim is on the highest point Of
the mountain, the summit of which is per
haps three hundred feet above the waters
i.,rN |, oh
About eight miles of the mountain has
been explored and claimed The quartz
from no other part, except the discovery
clam, has been tested Much depends
upon the assay returns from the half ton
of quartz sent last week to San Francisco.
Captain Hale, late Superintendent of In
dian affairs, returned from this mountain
on Wednesday last, and he says there is
no doubt about the richncss of the quartz,
The Captain is said to be good judge OF
the article, having had some experience
in Washoe stocks, and his judgment is
much relied on. Many parties have gone
out there, located claims, and returned to
await further developcment and favorable
weather to begin operation. The people
/ Of Steilacoom and Pierre county have
commenced the opening of a wagon road
direct to the mines Hon. s McCaw and
party are exploring new route TO avoid
/ the crossing Of Mud Mountain" that
terror to ali who have crossed the Match
ess Pass. \ town has been laid ont at the
I foot Of the mountain.
RECossrRUCrIoN IN TENAs.-A cores