The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1866-10-27
TUNNEL MINING.

A new era in mining is likely to succeed in
the immediate vicinity of this city. and in
other portions of the Basin We allude to
tunnel mining, which has just been partially
attempted in this section, with every indica-
ton of first rate success. The very rich dig.
gings, found on the bill slopes about this
city, aud particularly on East Hill, would
seem to warrant the conclusion that the gold
deposits are not confined merely to the shall
low surface in which alone they have hereto-
fore been looked for and obtained, but that
beneath the concrete foundation, hitherto
considered to be the bedrock, there are as
rich deposits of the precious metal as any
found above.
Acting upon this very reasonable theory,
some enterprising citizens organized COM
pany for the purpose of tunueling East Hill,
and in September last operations were COM
menced upon the projected work. A point
in the north face of the hill, little above
the bed of Bea. Run, was made the starting
place, and after constant labor by alternate
hands in pairs, day and night, the tunnel was
bored to the distance of $50 feet, up to
Thursday of last week.
On Saturday morning, on the invitation of
Mr.. w. W. Habersham, the Secretary and al
so one of the members of the Company, We
accompanied that gentleman, and two or
tb.oo5 otLor, -, a errvov nc Tho tnnnaI II
pierces the hill in a southerly course, and it
is estimated that the terminus is about 200
feet beneath the surface of the hill slope
The character of the earth through the tun-
mel, until within few feet of the termina-
ton, is quite similar hroughout-alternate
lines and strata of coarse sand, blue clay and
gravel. Just at the end is deep stratum Of
blueish, compact gravel, with occasional
quartz debris mixed in it, which dips at
moderate angle towards the base of the hill.
1t is this which experienced miners deem to
be very excellent and certain indication of
rich pay below. The Company have con-
cluded to penetrate further-perhaps 100
t6el-luCU tH0 nil, auu CuOus IA eHO luutS"-
tons continue favorably, to sink shaft from
that point, in order to search for the hidden
treasures that may be deeply buried.
The promising indications developed in the
East Hill Tunnel have melted other of our
citizens to similar enterprises, and already al
half dozen or more other tunnelng compa-
mics have been formed, who propose to bore
into East Hill from various points on che
westward and southwark fronts. The men
who have joined in these enterprises are not
empty of purse or given to wild speculations;
they are among our wealthiest and most in
huential citizens, whose sound judgment and
ripe experience are not often at fault.
Should success attend these new projects,
East Hill will be honey-combed with tunnels
in another year, and incalculable wealth will
be taken from its depths. And, we may also
believe, so will the hills elsewhere in the Ba-
sin, about Centerville, Placerville and Pho
neer City, be pierced with countless tunnels
and shafts, and each and all yield forth their
bounteous stores of treasure, which the thou
sands of toiling, deserving miners, will labor
to obtain.
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