The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-02-07

cious metals, rolled and sureed into noun
tain waves ages since As we have meu-
toned in former letter, the accidental
discovery of these mines was the inn
mediate cause Of turning the tide in this
direction. 1t has been long well-known
fact that this territory would some day
become noted for her mineral products.
The exhanstcss mines in Mexico found
in the same ranges that pass through this
country to the Sc ra Nevadas and Rocky
Mountains in the north, rendered the
supposition morally certain. But for
Providential reasons, the same as that
which landed the Pilgrims upon the most
sterile and rugged shores of New England.
The northern country was the first to be
developed Every great change and
event in the history Of the world seems to
be most opportune, and ordered tor
wise purpose, and in the discovery Of the
Burro mines, and their manifest impor-
lance to the country, we recognize the
guiding hand of Omnipotence. These
mines will serve as powerful magnet to
draw capital from the east and foreign
countries, as well as to invite and force
a large immigration into the territory
just proceeding and paving the way for
the Southern Pacific railroad, which will
provo a powerful agency, and probably
settle forever the perpexing Indian ques-
ton. Already the influence Of establish
ing this camp is manifest in this respect.
No Indians have been seen for twelve
months within rs miles of the mines, and
the route from here to Santa Fe is now
considered as safe and easy as that Of any
new country A good class Of four.horse
coaches are running upon the road. and
the trip is made in six days, with such
arrangements as to give us tri-weekly
mail which arrives with pleasing regular
ty, owing to the excellent condition Of
the roads, the natural result of a dry,
mild climate. On account of the ease Of
making the trip via Denver and Santa
Fe, we have urged our friend Severance
to make the experiment of pleasant
ride Of 700 miles by stage,and come here
and visit the mines. But he urges
press Of business. as an excuse, slim
build, delicate constitution, &c, Or at
least, we judge these to be his excused,as
he does not come but his interests here
are multiplying 80 rapidly, and growing
in Importance so much, that the time is
not far distant when he will for season
bid adieu to marble quarries and dia.
mond drills, and pay this region visit
He owns one half of the Cooper mine,
several hundred feet in the Valley, all Of
the Silver Bank, Atlantic, Plymouth, and
Severance some in the Orient, Elias,
Kate, Alexander, Yosemite, New World.
Yokohama, Tycoon and Morgan. So
you will see that his possessions here, az
elsewhere, are large, but only equal to
his enterprise. The above mentioned
lodges, as we'll as all in the district, are
large, well defined, and crop out boldly
carrying mineral to the very top, and
promise more than we dare to mention.
All the mines lay to the south, and above
the town on more elevated ground, and
though all the lodges arc very regular
and uniform in their size and course, they
are most prominent on the crown Of the
SWELL over which they pass, The Gen.
Lee mine on the Burro Ledge, runs over
the top and caps the dome of conical
mountain 1000 feet above the surround.
ing hills In many places these lodges
present wall so regular, that it appears
to be the work of man, rather than the
result of great convulsion of Nature.
The Cooper, Harpending, Idaho, Capital
and several others are so situated, that
they can be tapped distance of 400 feet
from the surface with tunnel. This
fact implies the easy and natural facili.
ties for drainage; all the low says center
into little arroyo which passes down
through Ralston to the valley below In
this little ravine fine wells of water are
obtained by digging few feet from the
surface. By using the diamond drill
fine flowing wells may be obtained farther
up, rendering it an easy matter to oper.
ate mills in the immediate vicinity Of the
mines. Wood can be had here in abun.
dance for Sc per cord, while in Virginia
City, Nevada,it never cost less than $12,
and often as high as $40 per cord. The
recent government surveys locate this
camp just IA miles east of the 100 pa
rallel of longitude, latitude 32O, 49,,
So" so far south that snow seldom
appears except on the tops of the highest
mountains.
Just before writing our last letter
snow rested upon the highest peaks, and
the air became quite chilly, but since
then it has been as balmy as June in a
peach orchard. Before closing we must
mention the fact that Ralston boasts of o
well conducted lyceum, and the only in.
stitution of the kind in the territory.
Wishing everybody kind rememb.
rance, we remain, Yours Truly
E. w. p.
! DEMoREsT's YOUNG AMERICA, 81 80 q