Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1866-01-03

TAT LIBRARY.
It affords mt much pleasure to say that
rapid progress has been made in the estab-
lishment Of q State Library. Our govern
mcnt has been organized only fourteen
months, and we now have $3.50 volumes-SSl
Of them are law, and 2,40S miscellaneous
works-all well selected. II care be observed
in future, this institution will continue com-
mandatory, and be exceedingly convenient
and useful.
MINES y MINING.
Some Of our most prominent mines In
Storey county have declined materially dur
ing the last few months. Several causes have
brought about this result. In the first place,
the prices set upon them were speculative.
Again, the seemingly endless litigation and
consequent costs thereof, the expensive man.
ner in which some Of them have been worked,
much money having been expended to little
advantage, and other causes, have had 4
tendency to impair confidence, and lead many
to withdraw their capital. | do not believe,
however, that those mines have or are likely
soon to fail in rich ores, but think they will
continue to yield largely in bullion, alfording
handsome dividends, for many years, il eco
nomically managed. Silver mining to us,
five years ago, was entirely new and it is
not to be wondered ut that we should make
serious mistakes, both. in mining and in the
construction Of works for the reduction Of
ores, and the economical management Of
everything connected Herewith; but, with
our experience, the future, in this respect,
should be comparatively safe. Mining is,
and long will be, our paramount interest. 1t
is well established fact that exceedingly
rich veins OF minerals exist in almost every
-. ~ Nh4 SKnNo, a-1 -nl,,,hl 1tonnpn-
ries are constantly being made. In many
new localities ores are found which will pay
$40 and upward per ton, but IRE not being
worked with much profit, owing to the lack
of capital to erect machinery for their vigor-
GUS development and reduction; but this OBJ
staclc is being rapidly overcome. Many
men, Of cxtcnsc means, during the last few
months, have been giving attention to the
new districts, and are preparing for the open
ing OF these mines, and the erection OF en-
tcnsiyc works, next summer. When the true
value OF our mines is more thoroughly known
abroad, which must be during the next year
or two, | have no hesitation in saying Thai
abundance of capital will seek investment
within our borders and where now We con-
tribute thousands to the metallic currency OF
the world, we will produce tens of thousands.
And when the great Pacific Railroad il com
plctcd across our State, many mines that are
now considered Of but little worth, will be
worked with much profit. II is not only in
the precious metals our State abOunds, for
copper, lead, iron, sulphur, alum, boraX, salt
and soda, are found in great abundance, but
at present are considered comparatively val
uclcSs; but with the facilities for transpOrta-
ton which We have good reason to hope for,
within i few years, many Of these baser
minerals will be a source Of great wealth.
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
In February last the Indians commenced
Il series Of deprcdatiOns in Humboldt county
burning houses, stealing stock, robbing,
numbering, etc. Some Of the leading citizens
believing there were but few Indians engaged,
wrote me for arms and ammunition, which
were immediately forwarded to Hon. T.. L.
Dunno, ut Star City, for distribution. But
they soon learned that the number amounted
to several hundred. and wrote me accord
ingly. | at once informed Gen. Mcdowell Of
the condition Of affairs, and he promptly
ordered the commander of this military dis
trict to send troops to their aid. which was
done. The number scnt-two companies
was soon found insufficient, and | again i'll
formed the General Of the situation, where
upon he ordered two companies from the dis
trict Of California, and one additional COM
pany from Nevada, to proceed as speedily AZ
possible TO the scene Of action. About this
time, two men-StcwaTt and Rabc-wcrc
murdered By the Indians at Walker Lake
and some stock was stolen on the Truckce
River, and but for the wise management OF
Col. McDermit, and the Judgment displayed
by Capt. Wallace, at Walker Lake, there
doubtless would have been bloody work; but
they procured some friendly Indians to ac-
company them, and at early dawn Of the nth
Of March, surrounded the camp conccaling
the murdercrs. The Indians seeing their
situation, gave them up, and they were con-
vcycd to Fort Churchill. The day Captain
Wallace started to Walker Lake, Captain
Wells was ordered to the vicinity Of Pyramid
Lake, with Il detachment Of cavalry, where
he encountered, about daylight OF the l4th,
some thirty odd Indians, including all
classes; he killed all save two, perhaps,
which made their escape. This caused agrcat
excitement among the PiutcS, and n general
war seemed inevitable. | wrote TO Col. Me-
Dermit, and he sent invitations to their prin-
cipal Chiefs and Captains, to meet ut the
Fort. On the 22d day Of March, accom-
panied BY Gen. J. l.. Van Bokkclcn, of the
late Provost Guard, ut Virginia, and a de-
tachment of his men, i went to the Fort,
where VIC found about one hundred Indians.
The next day we had ga talk" when they
became reconcilcd, and promised that no
more dcpredations should be committed.
Colonel McDermit then called together those
who aided to capture the murdcrcrs, at
Walker Lake, and after hearing the particu-
lars Of what they did, | thought it but just, as
well as good policy, to reward them, which
did by giving them money, and afterwards
-four, blankets, etc. To the credit Of the Pr
utes be it said, since then they have given US
no trouble, nor do | think they will, il prop
crly cared for. Indian troubles were feared
in Lander county, i'll March, and early in
April | sent the Lander Guard twenty stand
of arms and ammunition. On the 9TH day Of
May l received letters from Hon. w. w.
Hobart, General Welty, and other leading
gentlemen Of Austin, asking aid, and giving
information about stock having been stolen,
and other offenses committed by the Indians.
l caused fifty more stand Of arms, with am
munition, to be sent to General Welty. On
the 9th Of May, the Lander Guard asked OF
me to be ordered out, to go to humboldt l
declined for the SAM reason given to three
other military companies, tO-wit: a sufii-
cient number OF Government troops in the
State, to put down the Indians, without en-
barrassing our treasury. On the Both day Of
May l started from Fort Churchill, accom-
panied by Colonel McDcrmit and Il detach-
mcnt Of cavalry, for Lander, to ascertain the
condition Of Indian affairs there. Arrived
on the Cd Of June, and on the Sd saw about
ono hundred and fifty Of them, and had "a
talk :" but wishing to see more, ] appointed
the 9th to meet them again, when there were
two hundred and sixty-six present. told
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