The Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1869-1872, 1869-11-06
Kern District.

Kern District is situated in the northeast
portion of White Pine county, and rs the
crow flies is about eighty miles northeast of
Hamilton, fOrty-tive east of Egan Canyon,
ninety-fiye south Of TORno, on the Central
Pacific railroad, and fifteen southeast of An
telopc station, on the old overland road. The
district is easy of approach from every dircc-
ton. The overland road gives communica-
ton easteTly with Sah Lake and the product
i've valleys Of Northern and Central Utah, and
westerly with the districts of Eastern Ne
vada Sortherly and southerly, open valleys
extend from Toano. on the TailrOnd, to the
Colorado river, and all the southern portions
of the State The general features of the
country are made up of n succession Of noun
tain ranges, separated by narrow valleys, all
having general direction north and south,
with occasional low passes connecting the val
leys by natural roadways. Cross ranges and
spurs often break the regularity of the prin-
cipal valleys and divide them into isolated
basins.
The geological structure Of Kern District is
very simple and is easily traced out. The
central portion Is composed of granite, form
ing the highest peaks and ridges, rilc flnnks
and foothills of which are of calcareuus
schist and silicious limestone. The granite
composing the heart OF the district is assured
in direction northeast and southwest. The
general dip or undcrlc Of the assures. or lines
Of strHtihcntiOn, IL to- the southeast, at angles
varying from furty-hve degrees, on the south
east side Of the district, To the vertical line as
the northwest side of the district il reached
The majority Of the mctnl-hcnring lodcs are in
the granite formation, and are cOnformablo to
the general line Of tissurc, or stmtiii"HtiOn
The cnlcarcOus schist and limestone fOrma-
tions. thanking the granite. nrc also metal
bearing, for distance of 500 to 900 feet
from the line of contact. The bedding, or
line of strAtiicatiOn OF the limestone, is con.
formable to the irregular outline of the gran
ite. The dip in all cases is ccnfOrmable Ia the
irregular fanks and outline of the granite
center, being generally steep near the line of
contact and hattening out towards the sur
rounding country. The ores found in the
lime formation are not So well defined rs those
found in the granite. The deposits nre first
in vertical assures, containing ores in the sill
Gifted walls. sometimes on both sides, but
generally on one side, the lode or ore channel
in such cases being well defined on one side,
md blending irregularly with the country
rock on the other. In n network Of inter
lacing veins and irregular deposits, confined
to particular hnc of bedding, or heavy
stratum, differing from the lime beds below
and above It, these mctal-bcaripg beds vary
In thickness from ~ to 100 feet or more. thus
forming what Is termed "stock work." or,
~ generally designate il, An "orc-channol,' -
or zone of country rock, containing ore in
small interlacing veins, irregular lunches,
fined lines Of separation from the enclosing
country rock. The mctal-bearing limestone
OF the district il probably "silurinn." The
metamorphism has been so complete thnt the
fossils are nearly all oblitcratcd. except now
and then a few cornlincs, similar 10 those
found in Treasure llill and in Eureka and
Diamond districts. Outside Of the silurian
limestone, and everything it, arc seen heavy
beds OF Dcyonian limestone Of the carbonifc.
Ious period, containing numerous fossils, for
instance, such as tho "Prohuctus." and scvc.
rAl varieties Of the Spirifcr family-Crinoids
or Encrinctes, etc. Some Of the beds uf this
fossiliferous limestone that have been little
crystalized, give of fctid odor when struck
with the hammer, and hence is called "stink
stone" Hornstonc, or flint nodulcs. and ir
regular masses of silicntcd limo are character
ls''c features Of tho upper bcds of tho Dovo
nian limestone.
The district is divided into thrco grand di
visions by high granite ridges, enclosing thrc,
valleys Glencoe valley, on the north aut
northwest, Grass Valley on tho south. nnt
Pleasant Valley on the northeast on,
opening out in tho direction named, from {
common conirC.
Wood, water, and grass, nrc abundant, nm,
All That can bo desired. There IL probably II,
distriot in the eastern part of Nevada that ha
bcltcr local advantages The mines nrc mn
mcrous, there being about 900 claims locate,
IN the district. As general rule the von
are small, ranging from one to six feet /,
thicknoss; but those in granite aro generals
Well defined, truc fssuro lodcs. The ouolit;
pi The ore Is good; and tho only question 4
no considered, is, the amount Of good millin
orc that can bo easily obtained and rclio
upon 10 sustain good milling enterprise. Il
y yp'nion, company putting up mil
"nS u ~ DC able to control several Of tho mines
u rru, .nen, careful management and ntellgcn
o|tion OF the work ought 10 insure sue