The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1867-01-26

geologists contend that these mountains
were formed suddenly; others, that il was
gradual and slow; some believe that the
lowest mountains are much older than
the lofty ranges. even in the same vicin-
ity some, that the thicker was the
crust at the time they were formed, the
higher the mountains. One fact is es-
tablished, that in the majority of the
largest mountain ranges, the mass of the
rock is granite while the sedimentary
rocks along the sides look as though
they had been displaced and thrown
from their natural position by the burst
ing up of the granite, which is asserted
to be the main core of the earth.
1t is asserted by some that the crew.
ces, seams and cracks were filled at the
time they were formed; by others, that
they have been filled since while 9TH
ers, pretending to be more wise, contend
that the formation, or filling up, is still
going ON. One plainly demonstrated
fact, which we all admit, is that all the
largest mountain ranges on this conti-
nent follow the same general meridian.
Should take it for granted that gran
ite shows no signs of stratifcation or or
ganic life; and that gold, silver and
one particular formation and quartz :;
and that this must resemble the ores
found in some of the older mining coun-
tries, perhaps L should feel inclined to
abandon Montana as a worthless mining,
country. But fourteen years experience
in mines, from Chile to the Russian Pos
sessions, has convinced me that gold,
silver, copper and lead are to be found
in all kinds of rock and in all formations,
such as granite, pOrphyry, trap, shales,
lime and sandstone. When, however,
veins and leads are found TO exist in
granite, they are more likely to be cap
ped" over at a certain depth than in any
other formation. The formation of Sum
NIT district / find to be gneiss running
into limestone, without much, if any,
signs of qualification still, rich fbres
and tissues are to be found running
irregularly in all directions. These tis-
sues, or "feeders." as they are some
times called, frequently lead the miner
to very large and rich pockets, which
will no doubt prove to be the case with
Summit district. In examining Browns,
Williams Barton's and Idaho gulches
lower down, find a well stratified for
nation, principally granite, with we'll
defined leads; the out-croppings run
ming very regular, and prospecting from
thirty to three hundred dollars per ton
| in free gold. Considerable work has
been done on some of these leads,
which l shall mention hereafter. They
improve very much in richness and size
as they have been developed, and there
are certainly large fortunes in them for
their owners.
next pass on through Granite, Cali
fornia. Bivens and Wisconsin gulches,
to Mill and Indian creeks, forming a belt
some forty miles in length and twelve in
width. Formation, principally granite,
sand and limestone, well stratifed,
showing heavy out-croppings running
| regular, and prospecting rich in silver,
gold and lead, with some copper. Many
of the leads are very large, especially
those containing silver, a large number
prospecting upwards of 5000 per ton
The gold lodges are equally rich, and all
improve as they are opened. Some of
them are sunk upon to the depth of sew
enty-five and one hundred feet; +; many
only staked. The facilities for working
the mines in this district cannot be sur
passed. There is an abundance of water
power, wood and grass, all within two
or three miles. In fact, nature has
placed every facility almost within a
stones throw of these mines, that man
could ask or desire. / now leave these
districts, only regretting that am not
an owner, on some of these rich leads,
but don't own "ary feet"
Here we cross the mountains to reach
the Hot Spring district, which is locally
divided into the upper" and :" lower"
districts, and includes Meadow and Will
low creeks, and Norwegian gulch. All
through this district the ground is COW
cred with rich " float" the out groupings
are heavier and better defined than in
the other localities have visited. The
formation is principally granite and lime
stone. The quartz contains principally
| free gold in one or two cases, silver and
copper. If had one-thousandth part of
the gold extracted, that lies in the float
rock" of this district, / should bid fare
well to Montana. A number of the leads
have been sunk upon to depth of thirty
to one hundred and forty feet, improving
by depth, and showing free gold from the
out-crop to the bottom of the shaft.
Rock from some sixty to seventy leads
has been crushed in arastras and mills,
and yielded from $40 as high as $237
per ton, without selection. The work
and timbering of some of these mines is
highly creditable. In prospecting rock
| from many leads in this and the other
districts, find it to contain free gold
with no base metals to contend with,
and the most simple gold quartz mill will
save all the gold. Should notmore than
one location in twenty prove TO be upon
true lead, which is a very heavy dis
count to make from the formation, indi-
cations, etc, Madison county can alone
supply with rich paying quartz for cen
turies to come, more mills than are now
running if Colorado, Nevada or Califor-
MIA. All that is needed is capital, good
mills and machinery to make these leads
highly remunerative.
To many the following questions may
arise Why is such a large percentage
of unnr lncniinrs o n-rild COT p nnd ,..hu