Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-02-09
NEW INDUSTRIES TO FOLLOW IN THE
FOOTHILLS AND MOUNTAINS.

EDS, REcoRp UNION Having for many
years been resident of the mountains,
and Of the section to some extent affected
by the decision Of Judge Sawyer. l have
been much interested in the comments and
criticisms which it has called forth and
which have from time to time appeared in
your paper,
It is not proposed at this time to ques.
tion the correctness or Justice of this de-
cision : the fat has gone forth. and without
doubt, as good citizens, the miners affected
will submit to all the requirements of the
law, however distasteful to them and how.
ever injurious to their present prosperity.
That this decision will seriously damage,
II not ruin, many mining companies cannot
he questioned that it viii cause great loss
by depreciation Of values, aud, for a time,
in the lesseuiug of population in the min.
ing counties, Is beyond 4 doubt. The
thought that the mining counties have
through this decision received their death
blow, IS some assert, cannot for : moment
Ice entertained by any careful thinking
mind. The residents Of the mountains are
as energetic and intelligent a class of people
as can be found IN the State. Many OF the
old pioneers have here made their homes,
and are as enterprising and perseverinC as
in the golden days Of their youth. To
these men a few cloudy days do not be.
token eternal night nor does the closing of
one branch Of industry bring upon them
idleuess, pauperism or starvation. The
great treasure-house Of the S!erras has mo-
yet been exhausted, although Que door to
it may now be closed yet there are other
entrances easily to be found, and the golden
stream may be made to run again as freely
as before Men who have been content to
be at the beck and call of Others will be-
come their own masters, and they Will seek
for taose hidden treasures so surely to be
found by the industrious and peIsevering,
As has been said but few Of the hy-
draulic mines Will pay for drifting; those
of them that can he made to pay 10y that
process will all be worked. The famous
" blue lead has not been exhausted. and
in time can and will be fully explored and
opened. The many ravines and gulches
yet remaining uuprospected will be taken
and worked by the aid of the water set
free from it's present use. As the tailings
and debris in the rivers run down they
will leave g deposit Of gold which it will
take many years to extract; and, by the
way, this class of mining ls already becom-
ing very remunerative.
Quart mining is in its infancy. The
mountains and hills are many of them
ribbed and scanned with gold bearing lodes,
which will pay profit when economically
worked by wster-power. This industry,
when fully developed, will cause the erec-
ton of foundries and machine shops, Civ
ing steady employment TO a large number
OF skilled mechanics.
The demand for all kinds of lumber for
use in the valleys is steadily increasing,
and, when the means of transportation are
provided, the vast forests Of the Sierras
will furnish an almost inexhaustble supply
of cord wood, shakes, shingles, posts, tim
bers, etc, the value of which cannot he
estimated. And when water power can be
had, there is nothing to prevent the ship
ment of lumber in manufactured state,
such as doors. windows, blinds, etc. To
those loving pastoral life, there is un.
bounded room for their focks and herds,
open and free to all. Farming In the less
elevated portions of the mining section has
always been remuneratlve; grain and hay
are sure crops fruits and berries of all
kinds grow proiusely, and are of quail
ty and flavor unsurpassed, The prin.
cipal draw back is the cost of transporta.
tion to market, but that in time may and
doubtless will be remedied Wine-making
and dist ll;ag have been carried on in this
section for number of years, and, al
though at first but as an experiment, have
developed into permanent industries.
These are but few Of the resources and
capabilities of the mountain region, and
when these are properly taken advantage
of the mining counties will be filed by a
hardy, hard-working population, which
will crowd the heather Chinee to the
wall and itself retain the wealth which is
now carried beyond our border. B.
Camptonville, February 4, 1884.