The herald., 1896-08-16

same bright color Luxuriant ferns were
growing in this solid mass Of red, and
the two contrasting colors formed a COM
bination not altogether pleasing to the
eye, but possessing a unique element
that was decidedly interesting. 1t was
about $3.50 p. m. when our little engine
puffed into Nevada City, and few mo-
ments later found me domiciled at one Of
the leading hotels. frequented by specu-
lators and mining men. Weary from the
heat and the long days journey, rest
was soon sought ''in the arms of Nor
pheus," and early the following morn
ing, equipped with high gum boots, over
alls and rubber coat and a dilapidated
sombrero, your correspondent prepared
to explore the Reward mine, under the
able guidance Of R. c. Walrath the gen.
eral manager.
THE REWARD NINE
A square iron car on trucks, about
double the size Of an ordinary cracker
box, was held stationary by means of
wire cable at the entrance of the shaft,
and few moments later, safely en-
sconced in the same, and holding on to
the sides with the grim determination
to do or die" I was swiftly speeding
down the almost perpendicular decline,
into the apparently fathomless abyss be-
low. My solitary candle seemed only to
intensity the darkness, and the reassur-
Ing words of Superintendent Gribble,
coming from some unseen space in the
rear, informed me that there was no
danger, and that we would soon reach
the bottom, 900 feet below the surface
The car stopped and being assisted from
my somewhat cramped position, I was
soon following my guide into the va
rious winding tunnels, sometimes being
compelled to crawl on hands and knees
through mud beneath and constantly
dripping water overhead, until finally
the sound of picks is heard. and we pres
emily stand once more erect and watch
The underground workers detaching one
by one the glitterng masses of gold
gearing quartz.
After securing a number of rich speci-
mems we start on another exploring ex-
perition, when the sullen boom Of blasts
in the distance is heard, causing the
whole mine to tremble, and the strong
smell of burning powder assails our nos
trils, and our eyelids smart and tingle
until 1t seemed that he mourners' bench
Is not far removed.
The Reward mine is south extern
sion of the old California, and yields
a much larger percentage than the av-
erage geld-bearing quartz. The drain
age tunnel which connects with Deer
creek is 2S00 feet long, and has been but
recently completed.
Ntl. w dIdlu anu bdnk commissions
er Ktlburn are two Of the principal
stockholders.
THE PROVIDENCE MINE
1t was high noon when our hotel was
reached, and after hasty luncheon I
was once more seated in the blackboard
by the side of the genial manager en-
route to the Providence mine, one Of the
largest in the section. The descent was
made with greater ease, as the car was
large enough to accommodate several
passengers, and the dampness was not
so noticeable. The staff and tunnels
were larger and were supplied with air
pumped by water power, and as we
stepped from the car Superintendent
mckinley volunteered the information
that we were 1900 feet beneath the sur
race. This mine, which is also of gold
bearing quartz, is worked on a large
scale, III men being employed, while a
iorty-stamp mill is in constant opera
tlon. A number of expensive repairs
are being made to the works for the
hrst time in fourteen years. The chlo-
rlnation process of extraction is used
which Is extremely complicated. the
gold at one stage being converted info
q sreenish Hquld, similar in appearance
10 the 1atal absinthe, which has so re-
Gently been brought again to public mo-
tice through the suicide of one of its
victims.
THE RED HILL NINE
On the day following bright and early
! was vending my way toward the Red
Hill mine, two miles distant from the
city. under the leadership of Prof. G,
A. Treadwell. This claim, consisting of
forty eight acres, was bought by Henry
Trevaskis little over a year ago. who
at once began to take out ''pay dirt"
In large quantities, occasionally strik-
ing pocket" that would yield as high
as $500 in pure gold, ready for the mint.
ic hot &c, l.,
free gold" The process of separating
1t from foreign substances is much SIM
pier than that in the quartz mines, the
percentage also being higher. Not hav-
ing the means to carry on the ex-
tensive works necessary to develop the
mine. Mr.. Trevaskis placed the claim in
the hands of Prof. Geo. A. Treadwell,
who at once proceeded to organize an
English syndicate, known as the Red
Hill Mining company of Glasgow, which
appointed the professor general manag-
er Of the same and retained Mr.. Trevas-