Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1882-01-01
RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT.

RETROSPECT AND OSFES
The SENTINEL gives to-day some facts
of Eureka's history, mainly statistical,
and devoted mostly to the events OF the
year just gone. The statistics are from
the records and are authentic. Figures
are dry reading, perhaps, but they m
body the rhetorical excellencies oil clear
ness and precision. We may point with
qualification to what has been done IN
the two mines that have been most
prominent in the history Of Eureka Dis
trict 60 far. The Eureka Consolidated
has disbursed in dividends 81, 7O5,Ooo.
The payment Of dividends was suspend
ed Nov. l, and the surplus funds on
hand retained to pay for improvements
that are being made-the sinking oil
a new shaft and the erection OF new, ex-
tensive and costly works. With a
handsome net balance remaining in the
~company's treasury an assessment Is
not Immediately apprehended. Inc
Richmond Company has paid dividends
up to the present, aggregating $780, y
This company also has a substantial
reserve fund to meet all demands. The
Geddes & Bertrand Mining Company
are engaged in the construction OF very
extensive works to develop their prop
erty, thereby indicating their faith in
the value of the mine. In many other
mines q vast deal Of important work
has been done. Numerous strikes nave
been made during the year, all going to
confirm the belief in the richness and
permanency Of the camp. The devel'
opments in the Eureka Tunnel have
done much to further strengthen this
opinion, while the late discoveries in
Prospect Mountain Tunnel have well
nigh turned speculation oE the subject
into settled belief. These discoveries
have cheered the miner and given new
life to the prospector. Work has beer
renewed on many old claims and new
ones have been opened. Unfortunate
litigations have vexed our principal in
dustry somewhat, but this trouble is
an universal concomitant Of mining.
Complications OF this sort must be
looked for in the future also. 1t would
be well, however, for the interest OF
the whole camp as well as OF persons
in the immediate management OF
mines to steer as clear Of such an en-
barrassment as possible. There is no
reason why mining may not be con-
Quoted as other business is. so as to
be creditable to those who manage it
for integrity and straightforwardness
The reputation Of a Spectator in mines
ongh. 10 be as precious as that of a
man engaged in any other pursuit. At
least this much is true whether other
wise honesty is the best policy or not.
During the year q new railroad has
been commenced with Eureka for the
construction starting point and with
Salt Lake as the present proposed
terminus. but at which point it will
become a part Of one of the projected
transcontinental trunk lines. That the
building of this road is a bona fde en-.
terprise there seems to be no doubt.
Vigorous work on the road is going on
at present, at considerable expense,
notwithstanding the inclemency Of the
season. A great portion Of the grading
and filling in, getting the roadbed pre-.
pared for the rails, has already been com.
pleted owe ten miles Of the route from
Eureka, The advantages that will accrue
to this district from thua being brought
into direct communication with the
markets Of great Eastern centers can be
better appreciated thai estimated. 1t
would be well for the people here to at.
tend to it, If it can be done. and have
the base Of supplies continued at Eureka.
A great deal Of valuable trade would be
lost II Salt Lake should be made the
point Of supply. The .merohs.ts. snu
others snssased in business here. outside
Of mining. have not all done as well in
1881 az in the preceding year. The cause
u plain. Fewer men were employed in
the camp in 1881 than in 1880. The
force on the two principal mines was re.
duoed. which lsssened the money dis.
bursed directly. as we'll as in various
ways indirectly. Our people. moreover,
had begun to think that there were nc
other mines in the district than the Eu.
and Richmond. Happily. the pros
pect OF the camp is no longer considered
swallowed up in these two splendid prop
critics. The outlook for the Spring and
Summer trade in Eureka is more promis.
ing thas it has been for years. Real
estate here 10 worth at least as much now
a. ever, and probably more than ever
before in the history Of the camp. The
business lots on Main street command
rents and can readily be sold for
more money per foot than an equal
measure Of surface ground would bring
In any other town In Nevada. Barring
the shadow that rests upon the business
interests Of every mining town. the un-
certainty Of calculating upon the hidden
treasures under ground, the future Of
Eureka District may be contemplated
without apprehension. Nor is il at all
in the nature of q puff for the camp, to
say that We will have q boom Of the
biggest and most substantial sort before
the end Of the year that we enter upon
to-day. Could the Comstock make q
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