Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1880-04-08
G OLD MINING G..
OSceOla, Nevada, Another New
Mining Camp Coming to
the Front.
REMARKABLE PLAcERS AND PROBABLY
EQUALLY REMARKABLE GOLD VEINS.

on Osceola. Senator Spencer has done a
great deal toward attracting the attention
OF Eastern investors to the splendid re-
sources of White Pine, and the Eastern
portion Of the State generally. Says the
Graphic:
Among the new mining districts giving
promise of soon coming to the front, con-
corning which the Graphic has lately been
in the receipt Of numerous inquiries, is
O~sceola, White Pine county, Nevada. 1t
is located about Is miles from the Utah
boundary. in a valley directly under
Wheeler's, or JEFF Davis Peak, 1875 miles
southeast from Eureka, Nevada, the south
ern terminus Of the Eureka & Palisade
Railroad, and 90 miles due west from De-
seret, Utah, the present Southern terminus
of the Utah Southern Railroad. Commu-
nication from Eureka is by mail stage, by
the way Of Hamilton and Ward, and from
Deseret by mail stage, by way Of frisco,
or directly west over q good road, over
which a mail and stage will shortly be run.
The region around Osceola SO far pro-
duces mainly gold, and in this respect I'M
doubleday gives higher promise than any Of
the other new districts now receiving their
first development, and the indications are
regarded as not unfavorable to a fair posi-
ton as a producer Of silver. Since May,
1877, it has had something Of a history in
the way OF placer mining, which has here
been prosecuted as extensively as the sup
ply OF water would permit, with results
that show many of the gulches to be re-
markably rich in gold. Innumerable mug
gets have been taken from these gulches,
the largest Of which, found by John OAR
ling, John Verzan and Charles Wisel in the
fall OF 1877, weighed "a pounds, and worth
over $1,000, is one Of the largest nuggets
ever found. W. r. Watson, December,
1877, took out q 1884 nugget; the Hamilton
boys a $3.50 nugget, June, 1879, on the
claim OF Flynn d Co., who on the same
claim found a 1886 nugget in the summer
Of 1877. Other lucky finds are reported by
Verzan & Wisel, $130, 500 and down to
SIS; by Harper, Nichols d Co., S88, S5S
and S2S, down to IS; on Heckathorne's
George d. Blair, from $50 down; and by
Skinner q Breckenridge a 500 nugget,
November, 1879. The product of these
placers is estimated at about 81, 900 per
month, or 5000, 900 for the two and one
half years, during which they have been
worked, which is certainly very large, in
view of the scarcity of water and the
methods OF working. During the first
season water was hauled in barrels, and
used sparingly in pans and rockers but
since that time a limited supply of water
has been found and conducted to the
placers, and used alternately by the differ
ent miners in rockers. The yield has been
so satisfactory, even under these adverse
conditions, that it is now contemplated to
bring in the water from a distant water
course, in such volume as to permit of
more systematic and satisfactory operation
of the placers.
The scarcity Of water for the treatment
OF ores, and the distance they would have
to be hauled for treatment elsewhere, and
the want OF capital to provide suitable ma
chinery and properly open mines, which is
always experienced in new mining camps,
has very naturally served to discourage and
retard the development Of quartz or vein
mining in the vicinity Of Osceola. But the
richness of the placers was so exceptional
that it could not be expected that the source
from which their treasures were derived
would be altogether overlooked. And very
limited prospecting has served to disclose
numerous valuable mines, the character
and extent OF which are now being tested,
with a promise that the results will bring
the camp strongly to public notice before
the summer is concluded. Two properties
Of which we have some account, the Eagle
and Crescent, have received some little de-
velopment, and an apology for a mill, con
tanning five stamps and an old silver NOR
tar with a crack in the bottom, was erected
on the property, and about 700 tons of ore
extracted and milled. The results indicat-
ed a saving of about 50 per ton, but the
appliances were too crude for satisfactory
work, and their capacity too limited for
| economical operation, and the proprietors
having neither capital to enlarge or i'm
prove the mill or for the opening Of the
mines, did not achieve much success, and,
it is said, have sold out to other parties
who are in better shape for establishing
| the character OF the new camp. Bodies of
ore Of much greater extent and value than
the old proprietors worked have already
been uncovered ON these same properties,
while the developments on other claims in
the vicinity indicate that they are Of equal
if not greater value. The veins in this
camp are very large and strong, and the
| numerous tests which have been made in
dictate IN average value in gold that no
other camp has been able to show with the
same development. There can be some ere
selected Of great value, such as will bear
transportation to long distances for treat
ment there are considerable bodies Of ore
which will run from $50 tn $40 per ton,
and every one familiar WITH gold mining
will understand this to be Of exceptional
richness; and great masses Of ore Of a grade
something better than the low grade ores
which constitute the main reliance of all
gold camps. The great drawback to devel-
opment at 0sceola is the scarcity OF water,
which has been exceptionally scarce during
the last two years, but the present supplies
used with economy can be made to suffice
for considerable milling interests, and when
the placer mines bring in the water from q
distance, which will probably be done this
year, there will be an abundance for any
number Of mills.
1t is, of course, impossible to estimate
the future position Of a camp like this.
We nave had Bodie and so many other sur
prises, that it seems prudent to wait until
the character Of the new district is more
clearly understood before attempting any
estimate Of its real value. However, enough
appears to be already assured to justify the
prediction that it will prove q "good one."
Parties desiring interests in properties here
will probably be under the necessity OF
visiting the locality itself, and making their
purchases from owners direct; or, what
psrhaps is better still, prospect for mines
on their own account. Like all new dis
tricts, it is not understood, even at home,
and its immediate vicinity offers an attract
i've field for those who have faith in their
own luck and skill as prospectors. IN
other season, or perhaps by fall Of this
wear, when the fame Of the district has be-
come sufficiently spread abroad, it is likely
that the mine merchants" will be offer
ing /" Osceola wares" to eager Eastern
customers.
Mining Claims Located.