The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-05-28
McCARTY'S MINE.
The Lucky Discovery of a Great
Contractor.

In the construction of such buildings as the
Mills, Crocker, Academy OF Sciences, Mutual
Life and others of equal magnitude. genius of
high order is manifestly requisite. All of
these great structures were the work OF John
McCarty, the well.known contractor of this
city, who has the courage TO undertake and the
skill to execute even greater undertakings.
An instance of Mr.. McCarty's energy and
methods was afforded short time ago, when
Alvlnza Hayward, the great capitalist, wanted
a factory of considerable size built ON
the corner of Brannan and Eighth streets
The building was 275 feet long and 206 feet
wide, with concrete foundations. Mr.. Hay
ward demanded that the building should be
finished In twenty days, aud exacted large
forfeit In case OF noncompliance With the
contract. MIR. McCarty was one of the few
contractors who would agree TO undertake it,
which he did and delivered the completed
structure TO the owner in eighteen days, or two
days less than required. This is one OF MIR.
McCarty's feats in rapid building.
About a month ago the citizens of san Fran
cisco were startled by the report that d mine of
cinnabar had been discovered on the corner of
McAlister and Devisadero street, The report
was received with great Incredibly and was
regarded by the Knowing ones asa canara, but
as time progressed aud excavations We're made
showing unmStakable evidences. OF valuable
ore. this iucredulity was changed to wonder
and amaZement, and The utmost curiosity
was manifested. Future Developments were
eagerly discussed. and at last so great was
pubic interest excited that crowds visited
he scene of the discovery, and the owner of
the property was c0mpeli, to fence in the
shaft in order 10 secure space in which TO work
his men.
The owner OF the lot on which this m inc was
found is the subject OF this sketch. The lot IS so
by 100 feet in dimensions and was purchased
by Mr.. McCarty ia January of the present year
for S23 600. In April last the purchaser de-
clded TO grade the lot, preparatory TO the cree
tion OF house, and graders were accordingly
set TO work. The upper layers of sand aud
gravel were removed and bed. OF clay met
which on being taken off exposed a red stratum,
causing no particular remark, however.
Among the labOrers was a former miner of The
New Almaden quicksilver mines, who recog-
niZed similarity with the red rock taken from
the lot TO thai mined at New Almaden. The
grader communicated with MeCarty, who
caused an assay to be made, when il was
found that specimens taken at random yielded
as high as 70 to 80 per cent of quick
silver. SO astonishing a result as this was
not anticipated. ! bat the lot bought in the
heart of great city for a ely residence should
prove 10 be mine yielding ore worth from
S400 to $500 q ton was a result that was hardly
TO be dreamed of, vet such are the facts, and
they cannot be disputed.
The vein of the ore runs from northwest to
northeast aud is three feet in depth. Its extent
remains TO be developed. A shaft is being sunk
and full report viii be made before long. AS
II is. he f1nd is an historical event. and no his
tory Of mining in this State Will be complete
without some reference TO the great find of Mr.
McCarty on a San Francisco lof-