The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-09
A SKILLED MINER
FOR CHAIRMAN
Assemblyman Fontana on
the Rapid Growth of the
Mining Interests.
The Increased Output in Gala
Z veras and All Along the
Mother Lode.
The Big Union Copper Mine Soon to Be
Started - Legislation Which Will
Augment the Supply of Money.

Assemblyman C. D. Fontana OF Gala
veras County. who is here for few days,
says it is surprising how the mines OF
Calaveras and contiguous counties along
the mother lode are developing, He thinks
the output of all these counties will be
materially increased this year.
Speaking particularly of Calaveras, with
which he has so long been identified, both
as miner and business man. he says it
will this year, in his judgment, take the
lead in the production of mineral.
ut would have done so in 1895, the last
year for which we have the returns" he
said, "had it not been for the fire in the
Utica mine, which caused it to be closed
for two months. AS it was, Nevada
County outranked it slightly. But, be-
lieve, it is usually conceded that Calaveras
is first.
II live at Copperopolis, and there we
have both gold and copper. The Union
copper mine there, which is owned by the
Ames estate, is one OF the greatest in the
country. | suppose there is none bigger
anywhere, unless it is the Anaconda mine.
1.-The Union is closed down at present,
but since the great advance in copper it is
the especial desire to start the mine, and
W
will probably be very soon. the great prop
erty will be worked by full force of men.
"The output of this mine when it was
worked was 100 tons day, and $50 men
were employed. The starting of this big
property will make a tremendous differ
ence.
There have been great many inquiries
in Calaveras for properties aud great
deal OF bonding during the past four
months. | think the outlook is brighter
now than it has ever been. A large
amount of development work is being
done, too. The men who have mines are
working them steadily. There has never
been more interest IN legitimate mining.
In all parts of the mountains are intelli-
gent prospectors who are doing what they
can to deyelop the mineral wealth.
THE principal mines, including the big
Utica, the Gwyn, Royal. Ford and others,
are working good forces. The Utica is
employing about 500 men, and, of course,
its output is keeping right up. Every
body knows something about the heavy
product of this NINE.
But probably they are not so fully IN
formed about the Gwyn, whicl is owned
by Thomas Beishaw and Senator Voor-
heis. The Gwyn is now down 1000 feet,
and has recently completed forty-stamp
mill. Ore is being crushed now, for The
mill started up little while ago and is
being run steadily.
1.-The Ford is going to be fine mine.
The owners are sinking on it now, and it
is showing up a fine body OF ore. The
Jones mine at Robinsons Ferry is very
prominent now, too. It is being work ed
and has a good ore body. The Thorpe
mine is another property bout which one
now hears great deal. 1t IS at the Forth
crossing. The Mosher ard Hector at
Mokelumne Hill are also developing well.
There are fully 1900 men al work in he
county, and this big force is being added
to. What is true OF Caiaveras is true in
Amador, Ell Dorado, Nevada, Placer and
grow.
II am satisfied that we are on the eve
of signal prosperity so far as our mines
are concerned. The best of it is that the
development is legitimate. Because of all
this | am especially interested in all the
legislation that may come up this winter
at Sacramento in regard 10 mining. We
must look out for the mining interests.
In doing so we need not in any way con-
t1ict with the farming interest. In fact
they Will each be valuable to the other
The members OF the Legislature from
the mining counties-such as Assem- bly,
man w. S. Robinson of Nevada, Assem-
blyman II. 7. Power of Placer Assem- bly,
man Caminetti and Assem- blyman g. II.
Burnham of Placervilie-are all much in
tcrested in the legislation that will come
UP. This legislation is varied and impor-
tant, and Tor this reason am anxious that
man with thorough knowledge OF min
ing be given the Craftsmanship of the
Committee on M mes and Mining"