Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-08-27


Sands Nay Be Found the Entire Length
OF the Pacific Coast.
San Francisco Chronicle.
J. T. Best, who for the past ten years has
been connected withsthe lighthouse depart
ment of this coast, and who has been per-
sonally interested in the analyzing of the
auriferous sands and gravels of this coast,
stated during an interview with Chronicle
reporter, yesterday, that he was of the opin-
ion ld-bearing sands could be found the
entire length of the Pacific coast, from Point
Trinidad to British Columbia, and that with
in those points there could not be found a
space five miles in length which did not con-
tain claims that either were being worked or
had at some time been worked and aban-
doned, leaving the remains of former works
as sign of previous occupancy. The only
claims upon the east line that have ever been
thoroughly worked, that is, worked in such
a manner as to extract every particle of
color from the gravel worked, were those
at Gold Bluffs, the upper bluff being the
property of Mr.. Fernald and the lower be-
longing to Mr.. Chapman. These claims are
very valuable. some 100000 having been
taken out of the lower one since Jan. 1 last.
The bluffs are from three hundred feet to
seven hundred feet in height, and are ac-
cessible only ut two or three points. The
miners rely upon the tide to assist them in
their work, and depend upon the snrf's COM
ing in either FROM the southwest or north
west, when it rolls up the beach, and dash
ing against the bluffs retreats, taking the
gray sand with it and leaving long, narrow,
semi-circular shaped veins of dark blue
sand, which is scooped up by the miners,
packed on mules and taken to corral, where
it is worked out at leisure. A working test
was made short time since of l ,445 pounas
of sand taken from the Chapman, which re-
suited in yield of $3.50 worth of 957-
1000 fine gold, OF S27.2S to the ton. Several
experiments relative to the respective rich
ness of sands taken from different points
along the coast line we're made by MIR. Best
with the aid of coal shovel and a bucket of
water. Two ounces of sand taken from the
Stone Lagoon beach, in Humboldt county,
PANIED out thirty-four colors or about $40
to the ton. This estimate is based on cal
culation made by actual count and weight
of five hundred and fifty colors to the cent.
This specimen of sand might more properly
be called light-blue gravel and is very
easily worked. Sands taken from this
locality have never been known to yield less
than So cents, or more than 1921 per ton.
Two ounces of sand taken from the ocean
beach, PANIED out in like manner, yielded
sixteen colors, many of which were so
minute that thyy could scarcely be seen.
Allowing eight hundred colors to the cent
the result would be $3.50 to the ton. This
sample was worked with difficulty, owing to
fineness and the large amount of magnetic
iron it contained, and which caused it to
clog together like steel filings. Two ounces
of sand taken from the beach in the vicinity
of Pistol river, Oregon, upon being similarly
treated, yielded thirty-two colors or about
$5.12 to the ton. The gravel was of a
bluish-gray color and easily worked. A
specimen taken from this beach yielded
$56.24 to the ton by actual assay. Mr.. Best
thought that the only way III which these
sands could be worked SO as to be any ex-
tent remunerative would be by making use
of the most improved machinery, thereby
enabling the miner to thoroughly work out
the most minute particles or s'hour gold
contained in them.
The gold diggings recently discovered by
A. j. j. Phelps, located near Mussel Rock
in San Mateo county, and extending thence
southerly along the beach toward Point Sar
Pedro, were visited yesterday by Chronicle
reporter. The route to the place where
Phelps is encamped is tortuous in the ex
IRENE, and is not likely to be troubled ane
annoyed by any large influx of Sunda,
visitors. Phelps has pitched his tent within
few hundred yards of the rock, in shell
tered little nook, which he has christenet
| ssFresh Water Canon" It is so called be
cause stream of clear, limpid water flows
down the hills from Laguna Alta, mile
away. The precipitous sandstone bluff
closely resemble those of the ocean-beacl
mines, but the beach itself is somewha
lower. These bluffs are believed to contain
more or less of the gold, which is also foun'
in the black sand in streaks and patches tina
are believed to be sufficiently auriferous t
pay we'll for the working. Over ten thous
and feet have been secured by one company
and numerous other claims to the SOUTHWARK
have also been staked out by private parties
E. j. Ton Tiederman is the recorder for tn
mining district of San Mateo county.
Discovery of a New Element.