Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-07-20
MINING IN THE SOUTH.
A California Operators Views OF
the Georgia Deposits.
New York Graphic. ]

New York Graphic.
Mr.. Gorham Blake, a California |
mining operator, has purchased a
large quantity of land in the Geor-
gia gold fields, and intends to test
hydraulic mining in the Dahlonega
region. A representative of the
Graphic, meeting Mr.. Blake, asked
his opinion, as an expert, of the
probabilities in that State. "In my
Judgment" said he, "there are vast
quantities of gold to be mined in
Northeastern Georgia. The mining
so far has been of the rudest. The
people seem to know nothing Of the
improved methods which have so
long obtained IN California. The
surface Of a large district is full of
gold, and, while there has been an
abundance Of water, hydraulic
mining has not been attempted on
any extensive scale. One New
York speculator has dumps of gold
ore to the value, / should think, Of
$10,0OO,000, but the gold is so ex-
ceedingly fine that it will require
the utmost care to save it. BY the
rude methods of the Georgia miners
only a slight percentage Of the gold
is saved. A couple of copper plates,
the surfaces of which are oxydized,
is all the safeguard against the waste
of gold, whereas in California there
are numerous devices for catching
the minute fragments of the pre-
cious metal"
Mr.. Blake gave some instances ol
the folly and laziness among the
mining operators, and said that as
soon as the water was applied the
gold would be washed out and
saved by the improved processe:
which obtained. in California
Five years have elapsed sinco
he was in the latter place, an(
he intends to visit the State ant
ascertain what new devices there
are for saving gold before he returns
to the Dahlonega region.
"Mr. Blake" said the writer
"are there any deep mines, such a
the Comstock lode, in the Easter
States?"
"Not one. so far as | know
The deepest shaft in Georgia,
think, was 100 feet"
"Do you believe, then, that gol'
might be found in quantities a
great depths?"
"Most assuredly. There is n
reason why gold and silver mine
might not be discovered 1000 fee
below the surface equal to any i
California and Nevada. In on
place there are seven adjoinin
veins. I should not be surprise
if they ran together to certai
distance below the surface, and il
tend to sink at least one shaft !
my property" -, =,
"Are you acquainted with th
Comstock mines, Mr.. Blake?"
"Yes, very well, indeed. | wa
one of the original owners of som
of the ground now occupied by th
Ophir and other mines"
&c How do you account for th
falling off in price of Consolidate
Virginia and California 2"
"My impression is that the
mines are now tco deep to be workC
proGtably, not but that there is
abundance of rich ore--indeed,
gets richer as they go deeper-bl
the heat is so tremendous that h
man beings can't get at it. Ne
can't live more than two or thr
minutes in the lower depths; l.
and 1lG degrees of heat is exp
renced in these lower depths, al
tho air in these deep recesses is j
sufficient to sustain life, while t
water is scalding hot. l own
Comstock lode stock, but sold o
sometime agd, as l apprehend
that mines could not be worked
so great depth" n
"Do l understand you, the
that the mines are as large pr
1ucers of ore as ever!"
"Oertainly, the ore is richer t
lower the depth. There is mo
GOLD and it is of finer quality, b
men can't work it below 1000 ie
It makes no difference, winter
summer, or what deviceis employ
the heat becomes terrible by
time the lower levels are reach
Each man is allowed FIVE gallons
ioe-water per day. 1t does not aft
him much, for the water passes
in perspiration. When the n
comes to the surface he gives TO
% cloud of steam"
Mr.. Blake, who seems to be
very intelligent gentleman. spe'
in high terms OF the future oil 6
and silver mining in this conn