The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-04-14


ing tic Gold A Miners Life-THe Cabin
Tile Library-The Eoening at Home
Music The Table, etc.
PRESCOTT, Arizona, Feb. 9th, 1877.
DEAR WHIG:-Away up on the divide of
4 pine clad mountain range, fifteen miles
from the post Of Fort Whipple and the viii
lage of Prescott, is the gold ledge of the
Accidental mine, the largest in this part of
the country. There are, at present, seven
men engaged in taking out ore. This is
done in the following manner: tunnel is
run into the mountain about three or four
feet wide. In this there may be foot or
more of ore which is all picked out care
fully, and run out to the dump" or load
ing place. The waste is run out and thrown
aside. This carrying is done by hand car
and railway which follows the tunnel.
The ore is "taken down" by drilling and
blasting with black or giant powder. 1t is
then hauled down the mountain to the mill,
two miles distant, in mule teams carrying
two tons to the load. The ore from the
Accidental mine is worked by the
ARRAsTRA PROCESS,
using steam power. There is circular
bed made in the ground about foot deep,
iloored with rock In the center is shaft
with arms, to which is attached large rocks
The ore is thrown in and the drug rocks"
allowed to run over it until it is ground to
the tineness of corn meal. While grinding,
water is kept running in and out, and into
this is thrown some quicksilver which gath
ers the gold. When it is ready to "clean
up the quicksilver is gathered by "pan-
ming" and is roll or ball of silver in ap-
pearance. This is put into a retort with a
closed top, and having connected with it a
piece of gas pipe four or five feet long.
The retort is put on a fire and the end of the
pipe in water. The "quicksilver evapo-
rates and goes into the water and is con-
densed, leaving in the retort the pure gold
yellow, shining, frosty, and very pretty.
MINERS LIFE AND SURROUNDINGS.
On little fiat, in Lynx Greek Canyon,
stands our camp, long, low, log cabin,
built of rough pine logs and covered with
"shakes" split boards, three feet by six
inches.
On stepping inside, to the eye of an East
ern observer, it would appear but cheer
less place; but, to the rough miner and
mountaiteer, it is home. Around the sides
of the cabin are built hunks three feet
wide, filled with wild grass and covered
with the heavy grey blanket. Here, the
"boys sleep. Boxes and shelves nailed
to the logs contain dishes and grub. At
one end of the room stands long table,
over which hangs row of bright tin cups
Books and papers have their places on
shelves. Among them you will find the
San Francisco papers, Harper's and Les
lies papers and magazines. These, to-
gether with some contributions from the
folks at home, make up our library.
AN EVENING SCENE IN MINERS CAMP
Supper over and the table cleared, there
is a general call for music. A few logs are
piled on the fire; two violins and one guitar
are brought from their boxes, and away
goes song after song. Good music, too!
Such songs as annie Laurie" dearest
May Poor Old Slave" "Uncle Ned"
" You and l." Lulu Wild" etc. The
greater part of it by note, for there are
men among us who understand music thor
oughly, though they are wild, rough-look
ing fellows who, you would think, had
never seen a note book. While the music
is going on, some will be at the table writ
ing home others will be telling tales and
comparing notes by the fire until 10 o'clock,
when all will lie quiet.
MINERS TABLE