Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1876-03-09
BONANZA GROUPINGS.
Weekly Summary Of the DEVILS
Gate District Mines.


| in the lower levels of the mines of
this district. Still they have steadily
progressed in their labor, drawing
nearer and nearer the consummation
of our hopes. The proper develop
ment of a silver mine requires years
of patient faJor, a courageous will
rarely found in any other industry.
But the great Comstock is fact. Its
richness is assured; but neither we're
demonstrated without great expendi-
lures of money, time and toll. No
one thoroughly acquainted with the
said lode believes its immense depos-
its of silver-bearing ore is confined
to one place or district. 1t has been
found on its northern and southern
boundaries-its eastern and western.
And although in many places ore
has been discovered near the sur
face, it has in almost every case been
confined to what is termed by mining
men the "red ledge" But years OF
experience have developed the fact
that the richest and most extensive
deposits are to be found in the
white" ledge, lying hundreds of feet
below the surface, encasod in walls
of porphyry. Space will not permit
lengthy article on this subject;
still this fact is the impetus--the real
explanation of the great exentions
which our mining men are putting
forth in this district.
The severe storms which have fol-
lowed in rapid succession have gen.
orally retarded the work of develop
ment, and, in some cases, causing an
utter suspension of operation. The
following is our weeks report, with
the appearances of the different levels,
drifts and measurements up to yes
terday afternoon as notes from per-
sonal inspection:
DAYTON.
This mine was located in 1860 by
Felix La Croutz, at present foreman
of the Kossuth mine. Considerable
work was done with favorable results
up to 1868. From that time until
| 1871 only sufficient work was done to
legally hold possession. In 1872 the
present company obtained possession
and Incorporated, the 1,600 feet be-
ing changed into 10000 shares.
They Immediately began operations,
and in the fall of that year COM
menced their present shaft, which, at
a depth of about $50 feet, struck the
red ledge bearing metal at the rate of
three-quarters gold to one-quarter
silver. Since then the explorations
have continued, and that they have
been profitable it is only necessary to
quote the official bullion returns since
January. 1S74-being nearly $685.
900. Large sums of money were
taken out before this time of
which no accurate account can be
obtained. 1t soon became necessary
from the great flow of water to erect
heavy machinery, which was done re-
gardless of expense, and which equals
any ON the Comstock, excepting
those of the large bonanza mines.
Some idea may be formed of the
power of the engines, the pump
ing being 20x60 inches, and the
hosting 24x40 inches, enabling them
to sink to a depth of $500 or 1900
feet, if necessary. The former is
provided with poppet valves, and
the latter with slide valves. The
foundation was work of many
weeks, consisting of 1900 perches of
masonry, consuming 55 tons of lime
and go barrels of cement. Part of
the stone was taken from the mine,
and part from the surrounding hills.
There are four large steam boilers of
Of lHCHcs cdCn. uc "hoic IL Wv
cred with fine and substantial bull
ding, neatly painted. A full supply
of fire apparatus is provided, in case
of such misfortune. In fact, moth
ing has been spared to facilitate
thoroughness in developing the
riches which the past indicates be-
yond doubt to be in the lower lev
els. The depth of the main shaft is
67S feet. The rock is soft, being
light blue porphyry with streaks of
clay, similar to that in other portions
of the Comstock. The average
depth attained daily is three feet,
no blasting being necessary. The
south drift ON the 300-foot level av-
erages four feet daily, and is in sos
feet, still running beside the red
ledge but encountering daily seams
of white quartz, which appears to be
crowding out the red. 1t assays
from IS to $15 per ton. The south
drift on the 50O-foot level is in 25S
feet, following the general course of
the ledge, like the one above. The
north drift on the 500-foot level is in
254 feet. In these drifts, running
north and south from the shaft on the
same level, there is change in the
appearance of the ledge from the
other levels. In some respects it is