The record-union., 1899-08-23

ore is disintegrated quartz. Rich bould-
ers OF various sizes are scattered all
over the property. The location of the
ledge has been the problem which has
Daffed those working the property ever
since its discovery, twelve years ago.
Three years ago The Boulders was
purchased by George L. Carr. Mr..
Carr had faith in the property and he
backed his faith with his capital. Since
becoming it's owner, the young mining
operator has spent $4,000 in develop
ment work. Three tunnels have been
run, aggregating 1,500 feet.
THE BLUE LEAD.
Reports of progress are made relative
to work on the Blue Lead, at Dutch
Flat. Mills will soon be ready for work,
and the owners say there is every rea-
son to believe they have in no manner
overestimated the wealth of their gray
Ell.
DREDGER MINING.
Oroville Mercury: To-day there are
five dredgers in operation, all working
day and night These are owned and
operated by the following companies:
Feather River Exploration Company,
L
ing Company, Marigold Mining Com
pany and Kia. Orc Gold Dredging Com
pany. Each of these companies has a
single dredger at work, and they began
work with the machines in the order
named, the Feather River Exploration
Company being the pioneer in the busi-
ness. This dredger was completed and
began work in March, 1898, and the
last of these named began dredging
just year later, in March of this year
Judging by outward indications all have
been successful. The Feather River
Exploration Company has placed con-
tracts for two new machines, which
will be built in the river beside the one
OF theirs now working, and contract for
third was placed some time ago by a
Colorado mining man who owns land
in the lower end of Oroville. These
three machines will be larger and of
greater capacity than those now work
ing and will be operated by electricity
contracts having been made with the
Butte County Electric Light and Power
Company, which is building a power
plant on Butte Creek and was granted
franchise at the last meeting of the
Board of Supervisors.
The dredger mining industry has
made rapid strides during the past
year. From one machine, the working
force has increased to five with three
more assured, and there is every rea-
son to believe that the number will
continue to increase The Feather
River Exploration Company alone own
LOO acres of bottom land which viii
provide work for many dredgers for
many years. and they own but a small
portion of the land available for
dredger mining. The other companies,
ii their ground proves good pay, and
theee is every reason to believe that it
is, will each have use for many ma
chimes and there is no doubt that the
dredgers will continue to increase and
multiply.
The machines now at work are show
ing their owners what can be done.
and the significance of the increase in
the number operated by the Oldest
company is important. The one now
in operation must pay or they would
not be engaging to build more. Others
that have a single machine are learn
ing exactly what their ground is
worth, while still others, owners Of
bottom lands, not yet dredging, are
what they have. The Crocker Estate
Company have been prospecting their
land in South Thermalito by means Of
a boring machine, and the erection of
dredgers thereon may follow.
Altogether dredger mining along the
Feather below Oroville may be said to
be in a fourishing condition and ad-
Vancing rapidly toward development
into a great industry. The progress
of the past year has been all that could
be desired, and every indication points
to continued growth.
CRUDE OIL.
Modesto News: We have been shown
sample of the crude petroleum that
is found in the oil regions of Fresno
County by r. T. Covert of Salida,
Joaquin Oil Company. The oil is of d
dark color and resembles porter. It
is much better in quality than the
crude oil of Southern California, and
the tests show it is 75 per cent. pure
The sample is from the Blue Goose
gush well, which has an output of 900
barrels per day. Near the Blue Goose
are two other pump wells, which yield
1,200 barrels a day These wells are
near Oil City. The land of the San
Joaquin Oil Company is two and one
half miles south from them, and is on
the pipe line of the wells to Coalinga,
the railorad station, and six and one
half miles distant. The wells will
probably have to be 1000 feet deep,
and the cost of the first we'll will he
about $4,000, as the machinery, casing
and other appliances will have to be
purchased for the first WELL and later
wells sunk will be much cheaper The
top casing will be sixteen inches, but
the bottom will be only six inches,
which is ample for the flow of the oil.
whether they struck a gush or a pump
well. The ineorporators set aside a
portion of the stock for sale, and Mr.
Covert informs us that he has prom
ises for more of the stock than has
been set aside but he sells to the first
who come, Notwithstanding the prom
ises of others, as the stock is not con-
sidered sold until paid for. The oil
belt is undoubtedly in the section in
which the company have located and
extends from Stockton through the
Coast Range to Los Angeles. The wells
are to be deeper than some, as the
quality of the oil is much purer than
those nearer the surface and is free
from the tar and other substances. The
promoters believe they have a sure
thing on a big flow of oil, and we have
no doubt but that they are right The
oil is of foo fine a grade for tho oiJipor