The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1875-11-17
MISCELLANY.
THE aREAT NEpADA FLUME.

A PEKILoUs RIDE THROUGH IT-ENoRMoUs
AMOUNT OF TIMBER USED IN THE MINES
THE COUNTRY THROUGH WHICH THE FLUME
rAssEs--FIFrEEN MILES IN THIRTy.F1vE
MINUTES IN FLUME BOAT.
From Correspondent Of the Tribune
VIRGINIA CRY, Nevada, August ODD
A 15-mie ride in a fume down the Sierra Ne
vada Mountains in IS minutes was not one of
the things contemplated in my visit to Vir-
ginia City, and it is entirely within reason to
say that even if should make this my per-
manent place of residence-which fortune for
bid-L,ehall never make the trip again. The
fiume cost, with its appurtenanccs, between
5000, 600 and $500, 000--if it had cost a mill
lion it would be the same in my estimation.
1t was built by company interested in the
mines here, principally the owners of the Con-
solidated Virginia, California, Hale & Nor
cross, Gould s. Curry Best & Bechcr and
Utah mines. The largest stockholders in
these mines are j. G. Flood, James G. Fair,
John Mackay, and w. s. O'Brien, who COM
pose without doubt the wealthiest firm in
the United States. Taking the stock of their
companies at the price quoted in the board,
the amount they own is more than $780, O00,-
600, and each has large private fortcne in
addition. The mines named use 900, 900 feet
of lumber per month Under ground and burn
40, 900 cords of wood per year. Wood here
is worth from $40 to $12 cord, and at mark
ct prices Messrs. Flood s. Co. would have to
pay nearly 100000 a year for wood alone.
Virginia City is not built in forest. From
the top of Mount Davidson, which is half a
mile back of the city, there is not tree in
sight, except few shade trees-in the city,
and the view takes in not less than twenty or
thirty miles of clear and distinctive vision
Going into the mine the other day, and seeing
the immense amount of timber used, and
knowing the incalculable amount Of wood
burned in the several mines and mills, ask
ed Mr.. Mackay, who accompanied me,
at comes said he, " from our lands in the
Sierras, forty or fifty miles from here. We
own over $4,000 acres in the vicinity of
Washoe Lake, all of which is heavily timber
ed"
GLOW do you get it here?"
at comes" said he, Sin our own fiume
down the mountains, fifteen miles, and fir m
our dumping grounds is brought by the vir-
ginia and Truckee Railroad to this city, about
sixteen miles. You ought to see the fiume
before you 60 back it is really wonderful
thing"
THE JOURNEY.
When, therefore, two days afterwards,
was invited to accompany Mr.. Flood and Mr..
Fair to the head of the fiume, did not hest
tate to accept their kind offer. We started
at o clock in the morning, in two buggies !;
the two gentlemen named in one buggie, and
Mr.. Hereford the President and Superintend-
ent of the Company, which is known as the
Pacific Wood, Lumber, and Flume Company,
and myself in the other. The drive through
washoe Valley and along the mountains up
and down for 16 miles, over a road which for
picturesquenes is without an equal in my
memory, cannot be described. Not tree,
nor brook, nor any green vegetation was in
| sight. Hills and mountains, well defined and
separate in character, were in every direction.
Sage bush and jack rabbits were the only
I living things in sight. That beautiful purple
atmosphere, OF mist, winch Aas ui0ahJs
sleepy effect in the landscape, overspread the
mountains and extended through the valleys.
| The road we traversed swung round and
round the mountains now going near to the
SUBMITS, and now descending to their bases.
Both teams were Of the best, and in less than
an hour and half we had accomplished the
first part of our journey--16 miles. Here we
breakfasted and went to the end Of the fiume,
a quarter Of mile distant. The men were
running timber, 16 inches square and 10 feet
long, through it. The trestle-work upon