Litchfield enquirer., 1870-05-12
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,illa Il e emplloying a great nuumberL of lsborrs

mlAs emPloylnga great numper or AuOrs .ao ''aa A. GOLD l,nsn. M1sz. I efii 10 noia Through the kindness of Mr. Bradford, superintendent of the Crescent Mine, ! vis- tied it in every department, It is situated at the western extremity of the valley and the ''Iead" runs into the mountain beyond They run their engines day and night. We visited the mine first, and entered the mine by descending in the shaft some 260 feet deep. Here we found some 50 miners busy in blasting, ''timbering up" &c. The ''pay rock" seems some eight feet in width "spurs'' diverging and iutting out in sY- cry direction, covering acres of excavations already made, and apparently iuexhausta- ble. Wherever the rock is taken out, they have to '' timber it up," which is done by placing logs upright and shelving over with plank. Itis surprising the amount of lumber consumed, millions and millions of feet.
 The mine is traversed by railroads, the ore is pleced in cars, run to the shaft, drawn up by an engine of 40 horse power, placed on another track, and taken to the Stamp Mill. There it is dumped in kind of hopper of massive size when it is crush- ed into Jumps about the size of hens egg and passed along to the stamp room.
 This mill has 32 stamps, each weighing $50 lbs, and made of steel. They are plac- edperpendicularly in line, and raised by circular lever, aboat two feet, whence they drop upon the ore-which is placed in a long box-with such force as to grind it fine as flour. A stream of water forces it out into silver troughs, covered with quicksilver, that catch every particle of the gold dust, the ground rock passing out with the water into the river below. The noise is fearful and can be heard for 15 miles. The average yield of gold by the year is $l,5Oo per day. .... a-.sa,.
 The amalgam is collected from these sil- yer plates, retorted, the precious metal is formed into bullion, shipped to San Fran cisco, coined into money, and then.into cir culation-each and every one striving for his share. At the Indian valley mill wit messed the working of that recent, wonder ful invention, the water engine. It works to charm, needs no engineer, nothing but six inches of water, no danger of explo- sion, and the power of 40 horse steam en- zines. It must and will surpass steam wherever water can be used.
 s'DIae1Nas.
 l spent some time at Messrs. Loring < Lees claim. Their diggings are termed ground sluicing." The gold is in small particles and lies near the bed rock at an average depth of 30 feet. They loosen the dirt by shoYeling and picking, then turn on a large head of water which carries of the dirt and stones, some as heavy as 20 i fbs., through continuous line of boxes for some sixty feet. These boxes average some IS inches square, and on the bottom are nailed long strips of boards or rather slats, lengthwise, which allow the rocks and stones to pass through, while the gold set ties ia these creases, or "rlfdes" as they are called.
 l The miners provide themselves with rub- Der boots which have leggings that reach to the hips and are obliged to stand in wa- ter all day long. Their average pay of gold amounts to some $14 per day, for both are working on ground that has been worked twice before, but in times when men made their or 3 ounces per day and worked carelessy. There is no doubt but that there are quantities of placers that have been thus worked that would pay again. The mines like the raaches have been poorly worked, yet I cannot say I would advise any to try them. Gold is very nice to have. but he who gathers it from mother earth earns his money twice told. ."i 7~
 I consider the miner the most visionary inhabitant of this terrestri- al globe. I have met thousands of them, and all with the same tale,-'I have been here since such year, have always
 
 worked hard, made money, spent it pros- pecting, but am going to strike it rich, soon; splendid prospects, pays well, &c. Am as confident of finding so, and so as I live. I am bound to make my stakes this time." There seems to be an infatuation border ing on insanity about it. I have met men of every class, some with collegiate edu- cation. burying themselves here for the hope of gain. Their life is one of great danger and hardship-suffsring every pri- vation, exposed to the winter storms in rude huts, their beds of pine boughs, their meals always consisting of bread, bacon and beans; which they are delighted to share with the stranger. You cannot en- ter miners cabin, any time of the day, without being asked, have you been to dinner?" or, .' have you had any. grub?" I have been among them now, ,more or less, for about four months, and shall never forget the many kindnesses have receiv-
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