Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1884-02-16
Report of Grand Jury's "ROOral"
Committee ON SutI o Tunnel.

COmhtttee on but1 Aunneis
EDITOR TIMEs:-1he Grand Jury
having completed Its labors last
Friday evening, some of the men,
bers from the "rooral districts"
Smiths and Mason Vallies) accepted
the cordial invitstion OF their fellow
laborer, Col. Thomas, Supt., to take
a run into the Tunnel. On Saturday
morning Messrs. Smith, Simpson,
Sanders, Keymers, Nichol and Clea-
yer appeared on the grounds, where
they we're met by the Col. and con
Quoted through the mansion where
they we're shown many objects Of
interest, and each gentleman was
presented with a map Of the Tunnel
and books in reference to same.
After paying respects to the esteem
ed hostess all returned to the mouth
of the Tunnel where Foreman Nee.
han was in waiting with car and
complete change of attire. Prepar..
atory to putting on the new clothes
all were required to divest them
selves Of the old. Soon all were
ready and a more picturesque set of
ranchers would be difficult to find.
Smith and Simpson made a fine ap-
pearance in blue drawers and short
coats, Sanders sported an elegant
pair of No. IL shoes and wooden
shirt, Nichol in addition to a wooden
shirt wore substantial reefing jack
ct, Barney, the dude of the party,
wore high rubber boots and, oh, the
vanity of man, carried a lantern,
Cleaver was arrayed in brogans and
wooden socks and all wore straw
hats. Seating themselves on the
car, the Col. gave the signal and the
train moved forward stopping at the
different points OF interest. first 1t
was shafts No. and 2 and then at
the pumping station of the Comb
nation shaft with its immense pump
and machinery--''theg greatest pump
on earth"-then the 1850 foot Level
of the c & c Shaft, the Bonanza
drift; now it gets warm and a part
of our raiment is left in obedience
to instructions from our guide. Our
car is abandoned and we press for
ward on foot to the header of the
north drift. There is no fresh air
sent in here and the old supply has
been used over too often to be agree
able; but it would require something
hotter than this to stop the raid Of
these ranchers, they have been
through Pizen Switch and this is
nothing to such veterans. The end
is reached at last and we are under
Mexican ground, five miles and
more from the mouth of the Tunnel.
We turn to retracs our steps and are
informed that the temperature Is
about 1852 at this end. but we voted
1t l,00So and know we are right.
Ge ting back to where we left the
Col, at the cooling station, we sit
down and are informed that the mer-
curry stands here at 100, but don't be
humbugged Mr.. Editor, 1t is 1000,
Barney cnunted it. Notwithstanding
this fact, men were working all along
the line, but in mighty thin clothes
for this weather. / have said moth
ing of work being done on the TUNE,
(take the paper and read the reportsl
but the most substantial repairs and
improvements are everywhere to be
seen-boxes carrying hot water are
being placed underground and these
in turn flooded with cold water from
hydraulic pump which greatly low
ers the temperature. Our return to
sunlight was soon accomplished.
The Col. set out hot tea, ito prevent
colds) and as each raised the cup to
his lips gave utterance to the senti
ment-"may we never see hotter
place." After bath the party soon
found themselves in their old clothes.
Altogether it was very enjoyable
excursion, enlivened as 1t was by the
intereating conversation OF our genial