Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1873-06-26

PIocHE, LINCOLN Co NEv.
1910

DEAR. SIR Probably few lines from
this region would be interesting to the
readers Of the TRIBUNE Isend q brief
outline of the genaral features Of this
country
Pho che might with propriety be termed
the metropolis of Southwestern Nevada.
1t is the business center Of Ely mining
district, and is situated near the 3Sth
parallel and between the 18th and lI5
meridian. 1t is about $50 miles in a
southwestly direction from Salt Lake
City, and 200 miles southeast Of Palis-
AIDES and Teano, on the Central
Pacific Railroad Daily stages run on
both routes, and are doing thriving
business The Mormons are pushing
a railroad this way from Salt Lake, and
it is probable the Salt Lake route will
enjoy monopoly of the trade ere long.
This place is built on the side of rug
ged, desolate mountain, and is bounded
on the north by sage brush desert
There being no natural stream or spring
within seven miles, water is conveyed
that distance in pipes, and retailed at
the rate Of 8 and cts per gallon. Not
wtbstanding this; the poor facilities for
obtaining building material, and the
cost in lreishting goods here, Phoebe
has grown to be city of Importance,
and lots have run up to thousands in
valuation. The rich silver mines in and
around Phoebe are the source of her
prosperity. Stockholders and gentlemen
interested in these mines seem to have
great faith in their richness, and are
satisfied their mines will increase in
value as they develop in depth. But
many practical miners are confident that
the best of these mines are worked out
as there has been no true fissure vein
established yet, while in the deepest
mines the formation, which is quarzitc,
is changing These veins are in quartz
lite, and the ores are Chloride and SulS
phuret OF Silver, with more or less ga
lena and ryrites of Iron The mills for
the reduction OF these ores are situated
at Bullionville, distant 20 miles The
ore has heretofore leen hauled that dis
lance by team, but the Narrow Gauge
railroad is now in operation between this
place and Bullionville, which promises
to reduce the transportation of these ores
nearly one>half, thus accelerating mining
business.
The population of Phoebe is estimated
at 4 600, of which fully one>thrd have
no visible employment. Last fall the
population was nearly double that nun
Der, but several Of the best mines be-
came involved in lawsuits, numbers
were thrown out of employment, and
left for other parts This place has been
dull ever since, and will continue so un-
til the law has taken its course, and
these mines that are idle start to work
again.
The probability is that Nevada will
never be a good farming country. The
chief reasons are the scarcity of rain
and the poor facilities for obtaining water
tor the purpose of irrigation The great,
er portion of the State abounds in
broken mountain chains that are desti-
tute of vegetation, with the exception of
the hardy sage bush. Many Of the VAL
lcys consist of Alkali-bcds, with sand
fine, hard and grey--mixed with fossil.
lied fragments Of another age. Ages
must pass before natures wonlrous
changes make this portion fit for the use
Of man. But where the soil is deep and
can be irrigated, it is excellent farming
land, capable of producing splendid crops
OF vegetables, grain or grass The eli
mate is delightful; as an evidence of
this We have cherries and vegetables Of
different varieties already in market.
Oranges and peaches are successfully
raised lOo miles south from here, and
| are nearly ripe, while about the same dis
lance to the north snow storm is raging
his place has long been noted for the
great number of desperadoes and "hood :
lums concentrated here At present it
lacks but little in this respect, for no less
than SIX met their death by pistol balls
last month In this place and vicinity. ]
could give you the details but forbear
as doubtless your patience is exhausted
ere this. GEO NJ. SAMPSON.