Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1879-08-27
EuREKA.s ORE CHANNEL.
Our Mines Viewed from n Scientific
Standpoint.

~ BNlCHtlAAC
Standpoint.
Notwithstanding the prejudices Of the
earlier prospectors Of White Pine and Eu-
reka relative to ores formed in limestone
not reaching to any depth, and as a conse-
quence the mines could have no perma-
nence, science, with the light Of truth en-
tightening error and l~eveling ~prejudices
and superstitions alike, is marching on.
The geological survey of the fortieth paral-
lei, under the craftsmanship of Clarence
King, demonstrates that this great lime
stone mass Of Eureka reaches to the incred-
ible depth of over 10000 feet into the
bowels Of the earth. This limestone is
formed by the slow accumulation Of calca-
reous matter from the growth and decay
Of marine organisms, representing a lapse
of time which is beyond the reach of the
Imagination. We have here evidence OF
the stability, permanence and vast depth
Of the encasing rock of the great lode or
ore channel Of Eureka, which, so far as
known, is without parallel in the history
Of the world. Facts are stubborn things
to evade. They are showing beyond the
power of cavil to dispute or controvert,
that the limits of the successful working
Of the Comstock lode will be determined
by temperature, and these limits soon
reached. The difference between the Com
stock and Eureka lode is that of the coun-
try rock. The Comstock being volcanic,
is proven to contain much heat while the
encasing rock of the Eureka lode is a sub
marine deposit, lifted high into the atmos-
phere, metamorphosed and riven with
assures. The assures must necessarily
penetrate to a great depth. And that
they have penetrated to a great depth
is proven by the deep-seated chemical
action which has made itself evident
through these assures resulting in ore
channels and metallic lodes. TIL cause Of
heat will not prevent the explorations
from penetrating to a great depth. The
deep working Of the several mines along
the great lode are cold and damp. About
5000 feet in a northerly direction from the
Eureka Con. s hosting works, and near the
end Of the great lode is situated the Will
liamsburg mine, which contains l ,257 feet,
having a strike nearly north and south,
with an eastern dip. There are several
shafts aggregating 700 feet, together with
several thousand feet of drifts and cross
cuttings. From three to four thousand
tons Of ore was extracted, yielding nearly
$3.50, 900. Through all the workings Of
this mine ore is found. For 200 feet the
workings expose the hanging wall formed
Of shale with various angles of dip APP
proximating for 200 feet % deg. No foot
wall in sight. QuaItZite being in the
neighborhood further developments will
determine a quartzite foot wall. From
the apex or surface workings Of this mine
the ore worked from $50 to $3.50. Car
Donates yellow and gray, interspersed
with %sulphurets similar in crystaliZation
and naturalization to the carbonates, on
the eighth level Of the Eureka CON- mine.
where the 200 feet workings terminate, a
Wine is sunk 40 feet in ore; in this Wine
the ore-body widens out and is found richer,
and as depth is attained no walls are
found in an IS feet crosscut one way and25
feet the opposite way. The dimensions Of
this rich body of ore, at the present writ
ing, are unknown. About the center Of
this property the lode takes a semicircular
swing towards the next mine, called the
Titus. At the junction of these mines the
ore body described above enters the Titus.
The day is not far distant when immense
quantities Of bullion will be rolling out of
the Williamsburg, to mingle and gingle
with the wealth Ct the world, which builds
up and as often destroys the hopes of man
kind. The main shaft is 100 feet deep,
having a strong and well constructed within
over it. A good road runs from the shaft
to Eureka.
Two hundred feet south from the main
shaft Of the Williamsburg are found the
stakes and monuments indicating the north
boundary of the Titus mine, having a
shaft 40 feet deep in shale, with the same
geological features and ore similar in char
acter with the Williamsburg. Here can be
observed ~silicate of lime or quartzite pro-
jecting above the surface in several places,
indicating the course of the lode. This mine
is situated on the great lode, and with the
large body Of carbonate ore OF the Williams
burg running into it will became a mine OF
great value. West of this mine is Titus
No. 2, and further west is the Hindoo,
running parallel. The Bowman mine con-
tains 200 feet. owned by a Boston corpor-
alton, situated 800 feet n~ortherly from
the Richmond hosting works, and on q
line with the new shaft Of the Richmond
and Eureka Cons hosting works and the
Williamsburg whim. This mine was first
opened by an incline shaft, 40 feet in
depth, out Of which several tons Of ore
were taken, averaging about S137.
About so feet further east a large
perpendicular shaft was sunk in the shale,
l18 feet deep; so feet from the surface ore
was found, under the shale, dipping east;
continued sinking 80 feet through a meta
morphic limestone matrix containing
punches of ore, weighing from 2 to 200
pounds, ~carbonates, assaying S140.
Initiated air was the cause Of suspending
operations on this mine until some pro-
vision is made to get the foul air out. A
continuous lode can be traced from the
main shaft of the Williamsburg to the
main shaft Of the Bowman; thence to the
Richmond, a distance of nearly 5000 feet,
having the same geological structure, the
same characteristics and environments.
The ore is the same in naturalization and
crystalographical structure and encased in
shale and quartzite as the ore bodies Of
Ruby Hill-in fact it is a continuation of
the great lode to the north.
John NJ. FOLEY