The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1878-01-31

There are now over four hundred
quartz mills in California. and most of
them fit for and fully two-thirds of
them in active service. There are also
several cement crushing mills and some
IL smelling works in the State, the for
mer mostly in Placer and Calaveras
Countiss. and the later ali in Inyo Coun.
ty. erected for reducing the smelling
ores found Is yet only in that district.
Of these mills one-hslf are driven by
steam and the balance mostly by wster,
about 20 being driven by steam and
water alternately. 1s the water may
render recourse to steam necessary. In
few instances these propulsive ele-
ments are employed conformity. The
first mill Of this kind in the State was
put up in 1850. the pioneer locality
being contested but unimportant mat
ter, inasn,uch % several of these struct-
ures were in course of erection about
the same time. Two of these mills. the
Phoenix. Amador County. and the
Summer. Kern County. carry each 80
stamps. The Oneida mill at Jackson,
Ama1or County, aud the Psloms, Gala.
veras County, each carry go stamps. snd
the Benton, in Masiposa County. "a
stamps; the Mariposs mill. also in
Mariposa County. carries so stamps.
Ten to Is is the average number of
stamps to the quartz mills of the State,
though quite good many have from
20 to 40. The six mills belonging to
the English company at Sierra Buttes,
have 178 stamps all running ON ore
from that mine. The greatest number
of mills (63) is in Nevada Co.. the most
stamps being in Amador, which contains
Al mills, the same number as Ell Dora
do. The expense attending the erection
of these mills has varied from a few
thousand dollars or more to 500, 600
$4,000 to $4,000. About dozen new
mills were put up last year in different
parts Of the State. besides two or three
cement mills md several smelling fur
naces,
In Colorado the stamp mills treat
nearly all of the ore from the mines.
which is Of low grade and requires cheap
treatment. in order to retain a profit.
Twenty-Five mills were in operation in
Gilpin country last year. with total of
Cos stamps. Most of these we're in
operation constantly, night. day and
Sundays. The average number Of
stamps in operation throughout the
year was 597, crushing one-tsnth of a
cord or about three-fOurths of Q ton of
orc every "a hours. There were 20, 100
cords treated. or allowing seven ton to
a cord. 10. 100 tons, and the average
yisld was $74.10 per cord. or $l0.5S
per ton. The average saving of the
stamp mills is from so per cent to so
per cent. and sometimes nearly 20 per
cent. The amount of silver aud copper
is small. The smelling works save 81
per cent. or more Of gold. silver and
copper. and treat the high grade or
picked gold ores, and such silver ores as
they can buy. on the same basis OF .
charge of $50 or $35 per ton, or more
in case of very rich ore. The quartz
mills charge from $lS to $22 per cord.
which amounts to the same as $3.50 or
g per ton. The Briggs and Bobtail
companies, who have their own mills,
mine. hoist and mill their ore at cost
of IS per ton or less. The cost at the
Kansas and Gunnell 10 but little more.
About I, 400 men are employed in min
ing and milling in Gllpin county.