Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1868-01-25
CALAVERAS CHRONICLE.
;ATURDAl, JANUARY 25, 1868.

MINING.-While the continued severity OF
the storm has greatly retarded operations in
quartz, gravel mining has been prosecuted
with vigor during the entire Winter. Inc
operations of this character being princi-
pally confined to hill diggings. claims which
have to be worked through the medium OF
tunnel, shaft or hydraulic, the inclemency OF
the weather has not prevented their oeine
steadily worked. From the following intel
ligence in regard to some of the Principai
claims in this vicinity, which we gleaned
from the owners. it will be seen that sra7ei
mining is by no means obsolete:
Paul & Co., after running tunnel nearly
nine hundred feet in length, through sohu
bedrock, costing three years continuous
labor. are now reaping rich reward. upon
striking through into gravel their tuhhei
was found to be about thirteen feet TOO hisii'
ncccsstating the running of an mcllhe' up
which the gravel is hauled with mules. Inc
water which collects in the mine is removed
by means of syphon. A drift some TWO
hundred feet in length has been run directly
on the lead, developing an immense Dody OF
exceedingly rich gravel. The company has
been to an enormous expense in opening the
claim. and exhibited a perseverance and en-
ergv in the prosecution of the work that
merit the reward it is receiving.
At the Coffee Mill'' claim, situated in the
same locality, they are taking out pay dirt.
A thousand car loads of auriferous gravel are
already spread in the "drying yard" This
mine is worked through an incline tunnel of
great length, up which the gravel is hauled
hv steam engine. Two tunnels have been
run in the claim; the first one being too
low. The company have overcome almost
insurmountable obstacles in the development
of their mine, one of the most extensive in
the county.
Mcssrs. Prindle & Bowman have been
compelled to partially suspend operations in
consequences of the frequent breakases of the
ditch which supplies their mill with water.
They also evidently miscalculated the posi-
ton of the lead in selecting the side for their
shaft. They have fine mill erected on this
claim, with all the appliances for working ii
thoroughly and rapidly. As carly as prac-
ticable in the Spring a new shaft will be
sunk, and with the experience they have
gained in regard to The devious course of the
vein, but little difficulty will be found in
striking it. The mine will eventually prove
paying one.
Mr.. Shaw, proprietor of the "old Guy
claim is knocking things "endwise." I'm
der the powerful influence of a hydraulic
pressure of two hundred and fifty feet fall,
Stockton ridge is melting away like grass
before the mower. Subsequent events lave
proved that Mr.. Shaw is no "guy" if he did
purchase the Guy claim.
Albright & Ahnert, Allen s Co., Bracket
& Co., Diacre SsCo., Heminshoffen & Co.,
and others are also extracting the precious
metal in quantities highly gratifying to those
gentlemen.
In quartz we have no new discoveries to
chronicle. Staples s. Co., notwithstanding
the bad weather, have persevered in the
erection OF their mill. and will be ready to
commence operations on Monday next.
Should that day be pleasant one, we shall
accept the kind invitation extended to US by
air. Staples to visit the mine, and lay before
oar readers a description of the mines and
mills in Rich Gulch. Norton & Co.. whose
claim is located on the same lead, are pro-
crossing rapidly with the development Of
their claim. Alexander. Seavcrs s, Co., ir
the same vicinity. are crushing rock with the
most satisfactory results. Next week We
hope to be able to give more definite de-
scription of the mines in that direction.