The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-19
All Quartz Veins Pour Their
Treasures Into Its
Bosom.
FAIRS LIFELONG VENDETTA
Mountains of Ore and LimitlesS
Power Invite the Cupidity
Of Man.
Especial Correspondence of THE CALL

led to Rome. From its apex one can trace
the groupings conyerging to its common
center as the spokes to hub. Beyond,
. mile or so as the bird flies. and 600 to 800
feet below, the Stanislaus is working along
= It's marrow channel. The scene is pleasing
rs a landscape. 1t is inspiring to the min
ing enthusiast. Great ridges and powders
of quartz protrude on every hand. East,
west, north and south, parallel, diagonal
~ and at right angles, are the plain evil
dences that this is the great storehouse for
the 'smother of gold"
Carson Hill proper is about three
quarters of a mile long and one-quarter of
mile wide, and the elevation above the
Stranislaus I should Judge to be from 500
to SO0feet 1t is practically all vein mat
ter, being composed of veins, punches and
stringers of quartz of all shapes and sizes,
with slate and tale intermixed. 1t is
claimed the whole mass would pay to mill,
and from the history of its superficial
workings the claim seems well founded.
From Angels to Carson Hill, along all
the parallel veins, every foot is covered by
q location or patent. The hill is covered
with claims three or four deep, reaching
from the apex to the base on either side.
Beyond it to the Stanislaus there is no
unoccupied ground.
The most important mines on the
HILL commencing at the north end,
either through their location or be-
cause of their development and pro-
duction in early days, are the Re-
lief, California-ophir, Iron Rock, Union
Kentuck. Morgan, Reserve, Enterprise and
Einnigan. The Point of Rock and Last
Chance are on the slope of the hill to the
west of the Reserve and Enterprise, and
beyond them, reaching to the Stanislaus,
are the South Carolina, Adelaide, Maloney,
Stanislaus, Calaveras Consolidated, etc.
The South Carolina is an important
claim of 200 feet, from which a large
amount of rich ore has been mined and
miIled. The Calaveras Consolidated be-
longs to an English company, which has
spent enough (some $600,O00) to develop
two or three mines, and has practically
abandoned its claim. This company made
the common mistake of capital without
brains, and put too much money on the
surface. Their assay Office, superinten-
dents residence, blacksmith etc.,
were models Of their kind, but before they
had occasion to use them the stockholders
became discouraged and one more wreck
was added to the many which discredit
California abroad and retard its develop
ment at home.
Ihave not been down to examine their
tunnel, some 400 feet long, which was to
bring the ore from Carson Hill to the Stan
islaus, but it is described as a work of art,
with an entrance of stone like the arched
gateway of a ba1onial castle, and the whole
tunnel commodious enough for broad
gauge railway. They had got about half
way to their destination when the funds
gave out. The idea was all right and with
man like Sutro directing the enterprise
the Calaveras Consolidated might to-day
be rivaling the Utica in its output.
The Morgan mine is so well known and
the others SO seldom spoken of that it has
become common to call it the "Carson
Hill" mine, as though it included the
whole hill. On the contrary, it is COM
paratively small claim. It's importance,
however, cannot be measured by its size.
There are few claims in the world from
which more money has been taken in the
same time and with the same amount of
development The yield is put at between
best qualified to Judge.
The Iron Rock is a claim of 1900 feet,
occupying commanding position at the
northern extremity of the hill. 1t is owned
by the law firm of Redick & Solinsky,
Raggio Brothers of Angels, and John J.
Snyder.
The Union-Kentuck and Morgan belong
to the Fair estate. The Morgan has been
in litigation for twenty-five years. It's
history is a romance of Golconda and the
clashing of stubborn wills. 1t was owned
by James G. Fair and William Irvine.
Right in the groupings there were ribbons
of gold. AS depth was attained these rib
bons became cables. There were leaves
and threads of pure gold running through
the rocks for days at time. A hundred
thousand dollars was thrown out in a
single blast. Every miner was searched as
he came out of the mines as the men are
searched in the diamond mines of South
Africa.
Finally the partners quarreled. ACCUSE
tions of dishonesty were made, and even
tually Fair, who owned controlling inter-
est, shut down the mine and swore
that his partner should never set
ISOb LII ~ dS1ll Willie 11O 1AfCAs IAdS OdbA
was religiously kept. The entrance to the
mine was barred by an iron door, q heavy
paddock attached and watch set. That
watch has been kept through all these
years. The Waterman died, but the widow
and his children still keep sleepless vigil
and draw the watchman's pay. James G.
Fair never wavered in his purpose nor
wearied in the conflict which it imposed.
With millions seemingly but awaiting the
Hopen sesame" of his decree. be deliber-
ately chose instead the narrowing and ID
terminable agency of the law, and by its
high and low DEGREES dragged the equities
involved with him to his grave
Death has removed one OF the contest
ants. The Supreme Court will soon make
3 final adjudication Of the case. Already
Efforts are making to secure control of the
great mine by parties conversant with its
sarly history, and if it falls to the Fair
estate it is understood it will be trans
ferred as soon as the legal requirements
can be complied with. Three millions is
reported to be the price agreed upon.
Fabulous stories are told of the riches
still visible in the mine. It's walls are