San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-03-12
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
Lower California Gold Find-The
Outlook and theoSteps NeCeS-
Sary to Get Hand in.

sary to Get Hand In.
SAN DIEGO, Cal, March A, 1889.
Editor LIGHT:
Within the last ten days quite a
mining excitement has been devel-
oped in Lower California, and it seems
pretty certain that there are some
rich placer mines there. The distance
from here is about $50 miles, over a
rather rough country. Being in the
Republic of Mexico, persons going
there from the United States must of
course comply with the law in refer
ence to mines as well as those govern
ing the importation of provisions,
horses, wagons, etc. The distance from
this place TO the Mexican line is only
about twelve miles, and any one fit
ting out here can get clearance papers
before leaving this place, but must of
course, submit to search at the custom
house at the line. The desire on the
part of many to be early on the
ground led. them to leave here before
getting the necessary papers, con-
seguently delay and much abuse
of the Mexican customs laws fol-
lowed. 1t is only necessary to know
the laws and be governed accordingly
and above all to be patient and polite
in order to get along all right. The
Mexican people, as rule, are very
polite but they must have their own
time and way about things, and the
gringo that thinks he can by buster
and bull-dosing get through, will find
himself in a bad box right soon. 1t is
but natural that they should wish to
get the first pickings of rich find of
free gold and foreigners should not
make fuss about it.
For years the search for gold in
paying quantities has been going on
in Lower California, but up to this
time very little success has rewarded
the efforts of the searchers. Some
quartz mines were located. but owing
to the difficulties in The way of devel- !
oping them nothing has been done.
If the country is ever developed it
must be by railroad from this point,
or Yuma, down through to the
peninsular as the coast has no good |
harbors and very few of any descrep-
ton. The bay at Ensenada is an open |
and the landing of passen-
gers and freight is often a matter of
great difficulty.
Reports from the mines are vague |
as yet, reliable information being |
to obtain. 1t is stated in the |
papers that as much as one thousand !
dollars have been taken out in one |
day by single individual Several |
thousand dollars in dust and nuggets |
have been brought here for sale with
in the last week. The leading paper |
here has sent a man down to inves- |
ticate and report, but he has PROB |
ably gone to digging for the precious |
metal, as he has failed to report up to |
date. The area is said to be small
where the find is located, and will in |
all probability soon be worked over.
If not, the dry season will soon put |
an end to all operations until next |
winter, when the rains come again. |
Will try and keep you posted as
5he matter developers.
The vote on the new city charter
here was largely in the affirmative
the opposition coming mostly from
.he riff raft.
Business is showing signs of i'm
)rOvement, yet there is room for more.
Dur beautiful bay could accommodate
arge amount of shipping, but we
must have something to send away in
he ships besides sand.
On the 22nd we celebrated TWO
events, WashingtOn's birthday and
The completion of the flume. The
celebration was a grand success, but
5he completion of so grand an enter
prise was a greater success. There
was expended by the company $780,
700 before single dollar could be
realized on the investment, but
water is better than gold in this
country and now San Diego has an
lntailing supply, which comes of its
OWN weight, with pressure sufficient
% throw it over the tallest buildings
n the city. 1t is pure and fresh from
he mountains. 1t is calculated that
thousands of acres of land will be
irrigated by this same flume. This is
he second enterprise of the kind that
las been completed. Last wear the
Weet water damn was finished and
pipes laid to National City and over
thousands of acres of rich mesa land
Lround there. No one can appreciate
he blessings flowing from these
water enterprises until they live for
while in country where the rain
all lasts for only few months in the
'ear. AS the benefits of irrigation
become better known greater enter
'rises will be undertaken. Texas
will come in for her share in the prog
ess of the age. J.E.B.
Good Example to Follow.
Leader,