The herald., 1896-06-08
MINES AND MINERS

1t Is very unfortunate for the mining
industry of this state, says c. G.. Yale
IN the Examiner, that Speaker Reed Is
pursuing the course he is as 1t will prob
ably result in killing the mineral lands
bill. from which som uch was expected.
rms Dill was only inteded to classify
the lands or railroad grants, SO that the
mineral lands would stand reserved for
the miners and not fall into the hands
or the railroad companies, for whom they
were never intended. The companies
nave always protested that they did not
desire any of it's mineral lands, yet under
the system pursued they have been for
years acquiring, and still continue to
acquire, them. Once patented to the
railroad companies, miners must pur-
chase from them at their price instead
or government at fixed price. 1t is
probable that If Mitchell of Oregon
had not insisted on making the provis-
ions of the bill apply to his state as well
as to California it would now be law.
When the Montana and Idaho men were
after their law the California men kept
their hands off, though greatly desiring
the same relief. Probably Oregon did
not want to wait until all her mineral
lands had been absorbed. At any rate
the complication had given Mr.. Reid
chance to help the railroad companies
other session Of congress is held and the
subject considered the railroad compan
les will have patented most Of the lands,
and then they will let the bill pass. 1t
Is evident that they have beaten the
miners of California this time.
Mark Walser and others from Fresno
and Tulare counties are making ar
rangements to go to the upper waters
OF Kings river as soon as the snow melts
and search for mine which tradition
says exists somewhere in that wilder
ness. Whether or not they will succeed
IN finding 1t remains to be seen. The
chances are, of course, against finding
any old lost mine, as such things are
seldom found, although often talked Of.
But there Is something alluring in
tales and legends Of this sort which has
always attracted men, and perhaps al
ways will do so. 1t is the old Shipe
mine that is searched for. Before Shipe
was killed at Visalia, in early days, he
had q gold mine somewhere in the
mountains from which he procured all
the money he needed, and once or twice
a year he visited visalia and thought
nothing of spending $1,000 in riotous liv-
ing. Then he would load up his mule
with supplies and again disappear in the
mountains.
The supposition has been general that
ne procured his gold from the Sampson
Fiat placers; and this was the opinion
held until recently by Mr. Walser, Judge
Carter and others who purchased the
Sampson Flat mines a year or SO ago.
ana worked them as we'll as they could
during the dry year just closing.
But recently information has come to
iight which would seem to indicate that
the sampson Flat region is not far
enough back in the mountains. An old
fvn a.
Iulare county has volunteered the in
formation that the Shipe mine is be-
yond Tehipite valley. He says he saw
Shpe working there two or three differ
ent years. and that he thinks he can go
10 the place again, although he is now
ola ana Feeble. He says once since then
he undertook to pilot some men to the
mine, and would have done so. but one
DAY ne overheard them plotting to muir
Ger MIN when they reached the mine.
They spoke in a language which thew
supposed he could not understand. hut
he did understand it. That night. after
Iney nad fallen asleep, the Indian made
afterwards he kept his peace: but now
ne says he Is willing to show the way to
the mine. The locality is so elevated thai
IL IS useless to go before the middle of
summer.-Fresno Republican
AHe elgnt-nOur law for miners goes
into enect this week in Utah and there
Is more or less uneasiness as to it's re-
suits. The mine owners and smelters
claim that If they are forced to acknowl
edge the law they cannot work their
mines and smelters and pay present
wages. Some are proposing to pay the
men by the hour instead Of the day.
and say they will close down unless this
can be done. At Park City, according
to the Patriot. the men at the Daily and
Ontario have been put at work in com
pliance with the law of eight hour
shifts. and this is also the case of the
Daily West, Crescent, Anchor, Cumber-
land and Creole. At that camp, at least,
the new law is being given q fair and
impartial trial.-San Francisco Exam
liner.
Los Angeles parties who have been
examining the sulphuret mines at Ca
jon peak returned yesterday and are
well pleased with the propertis xam-
ind. They expect to invest heavily in
a number Of the prospects and will sink
a number Of shafts to determine the
extent and value of the ledges.-San Di-
ego Tribune.