The Placer herald., 1870-04-16
Cur Mines.


After copying some mining items which
appeared in the last issue of the Huald the
Grass Valley Union contains the foIowin 9,
We may remark that the Union writer is
familiar with the old and Systematically
worked mines at Grass Valley, hence the
betrayal of little repugnance to calling
our prospect holes mines; ye, they promise
TO be mines. One thing, they have not
teen impoverished much by extensive or
systematic working:
In addition to the above from the HER-
AID, we state that we bad the pleasure Of
v.siJiog some Of the mines near Auburn
last Saturday afternoon, in company with
an eXpetltuced miuer Of this county. We
found in the vicinity OF Ophir, small town
on Auburn Ravlne, great activity IN pros
pec,ing 10 one place We disc vered nj
ner from Grass Valley, who was working It
ledge owned 10y Cryer, Il ,bnson Il Co. We
saw several pieces Of rock which contained
gold, though generally the quartz had what
we would call a very huogty look. Mr.
Robinson, however assured US that he was
looking for gold and not especially for
quartz. We are told that several Grass Va.
evans are uear Ophr, engaged il prospect
iug. OF late th lI.tie town has revived
Il was at one time, ard not long siuce, one
Of hose decayig foothiIl towns about which
ve read SO much. S dwellings, then were
teuautless and silence reigned almost SUI
preme. This gradual crumbliug aud rotung
away was in despite of the fact that the 1T
tie town Of Ophn is situated in fruit couu
try, and that fine orchards and vineyards are
all around. These fruits could not keep the
town. But Aladdia rubbed his lamp one
morning there and the St Patrick ledge and
the Good Friday gave out much gold. The
houses at Ophr were repcopled, new houses
were built and al air Of prosperity pervadte
the place. What vines aud tees could not
do ia ten years gold tllecieA in day.
The Good Friday nine is North East
from Ophir and is situated where the slate
and granite iormallous join. We cali the
Good Friday "A mine, out Of respect to the
$35, 600 worth Of gold which has been taken
out OF a hole about forty lee. deep, The
mauuer OF working aud the hole itself would
not be called mue in Grass Valley. The
water is pumped out of the sbatt by water
wheel and the hosting is done by means OF
a windass run by man power. The damp
is up tbe bill from the landing place of the
tub which looked awkward to the miner
friend who was with us. As soon as a tub
OF quartz is dumped rigid examination OF
il by all hands is Immediately made. The
wiudlass man aud the whole force, together
with visitors who may happen to be present
light on the newly dumped quartz like a
duck on pile of dough" We saw several
pieces of very rich quartz which showed an
abundance of free gold. The sulphurels did
not look well. The Good Friday may be a
mire 10 time but lis facilities for working
must be vastly increased
A few huudred feet North Of the Good
Friday is Green's mine This mine lie work
ed Systematically, the hosting and pumping
beng done by water power. The ledge
stands nearly erpeudicularly, aud the shaft
is down upon it eighty,one feet. The aver
age thickness of the ledge about twenty in
ches. There are two shafts at The niue, aud
the ventilation is excellent. The yield Of
Green d Cos mine is not kaown to outsid>
ers, but We are assured that it has been reg
usr aud large The quartz beside showing
free gold carries an abundance Of su pburels
Of the most beauti'ul description, gaIeua
aboundiug There is very IiiIle water, as
yet, to be pumped out and there is an abun-
dance OF cheap power available to work the
mine to the depth of three hundred feet,
10 view Of the rich results obtained 10y
scra ching on the groupings of the ledgts 10
the vicinity of Auburn, it is singular that no
mines have been worked to any depth. One
reason may be that tho appearance of the
quartz is against it; but presence of god in
great quantities and SO frequent should off
set appearances,