New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-10
GOOD WAGES FOR GOLD MINERS.
HOW THE VIRGINIA CITY OF TO-DAY DIFFERS
FROM THAT OF 63.

HOW THE VIRGINIA CITY OF TO-DAY DIFFERS
FROM THAT OF '63.
1t is certainty that the one-time Forty-Niner
would Gu: but a lame figure in the mining-camp lie
of the present day on the California Coast. For It
is since his time that the great Comstock ode was
discovered, and since his time that virginia CITY
became a mining centre and SHAFT for the VIII or
a Twain. The placer mining of the early days gave
place to the sunken shaft and It is still astonish-
ing TO Eastern people to hear of men working with
pick and shovel as deep 3.ao-foot level. with
the sinking Of shafts the necessity for power
full pumping machinery 10 clear the chambers OK
water and to operate the quartz mills. man now
resident in New-York in charge or the work OF
construction and setting up Of the first beam engine
used for crushing ore. This engine was made In
San Francisco. carried TO Virginia City 70 the
Gould & Curry mines and was set up in the old
mill In the canyon near the city In 1853 The ma
chine had to be transported through wilderness
filled with Wild animals road agents and bowling
Piutes. The task. however. was successfully ac-
complished The other day this man. who has
since passed through many vcissituces had the
episode recalled in a letter from a friend In Viz
ginia City, wherein the writer narrated that the &C.
centric straps Of the cd machine were all that re-
main OF IT, Continuing. the writer remarked thas
at the present time the machinery for both hosting
and pumping up 10 date. and or the moss
powerful pattern. lie adds that for ten years past
work is confined 10 levels above the Sutro or COM
stock tunnel level which would make the present
mining operations extend TO about the 1850 or l'S'
foot levels The water in these mines stands about
twenty thirty feet below the aforementioned level!
the tunnel draining everything above that point
Continuing. he remarks that at the time pumping
operations carried work was pushed a.
far down the 1900 foot level. but the expense Z
draining the mines 10 that point was so great ana
the Indications OF finding a large ore BODY were 50
doubtful, that deep mining was abandoned. The
writer at this point TO consideration OF prac.
teal point He says:
Virginia City. while not as Wild ard lively "a i
was in So is still very good camp. compared
with other mining camps this coast II Is par
ticularly for working for wages. for the
reason that 1t still pays the same old wages that u
always has. All the miners get 81. engineers. black.
smiths and carpenters. etc. IS, and machinists y
O day in gold coin and Surface men around
the mines get 50 80. and some get as high as s. per
day Another thing. man can into a store to-
day with a twenty dollar gold piece and buy more
provisions with that amount than ne could IN %
for $40 or $50 still | would advise no man looking
for work come here expecting 10 get employ
ment in all camps where mining is carried on YOU
will always fnd number OF men out OF work ana
unable to obtain employment"
From this II would appear that the golden age OK
the Sierras has not yet passed away.