Eureka weekly sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1887-1902, 1899-09-23
Sys u CoPPER
Recent Observer ON n Re-
.ourees of Southern Neyada.

Victor Barnd, who passed through
Furek. from his home at Hot Greek q few
weeks ago, bound for Fostoris, Ohio, on a
visit TO his parents, hss reached his desti-
nation. and is putting in q good word for
Nevads amongst the people Of the Buckeye
State.
The following is an interview taken from
the Fostoria Times, which states that Mr..
Barnd is very enthusiastic about the re-
sources Of the Silver State.
"I am interested in copper mines in
southern Nevada, and my home is at Hot
Creek, an ex-geyser, which Is located 100
miles south OF the town Of Eureka. The
country il part OF the great desert and is
made up, geographically speaking, by
mountain ranges and enclosed valleys
tending north and south. The salleys or
flats in the Great Basin are Q mixture OF
alkali beds and desert. One valley near
us is 125 miles long and from 10 to 20
miles wide. The famous Death Valley is
about 80 miles distant. We are in a coun-
try Of isolation and desolstion and Death
Valley Is . retired spot where one could
resort for more quiet and seclusion. l
have q man employed there now prospect
ing for copper.
Near US there is an slkali fiat % miles
long and Is miles wide. which is as level
as the surface OF q lake and the smooth
surface is unbroken by 30 much as q blade
Of grass or q grain Of sand. Evidently IL
is the bottom Of an old lake. The fat is
glazed over by soda and salt and under
the fierce rays OF the Nevada sun ii reflects
a binding glare OF white light. so inteDse
that it takes weeks OF experience to become
accustomed to it. Death Valley is chiefly
remarkable for being 200 feet below ses
level. Fifty miles from the valley is Nj
, whitney, the highest elevation in the
United States. So that in close proximity
, we have the two extremes of altitude II
, the United States. My home is 10 miles
from Death Valley. The copper mine op-
!. e~rations in which l am interested are Al
/ miles west Of it.
8 1.-THE mountain ranges for the most par
I are we'll timbered, the pinion pine prevail
ing. Cactus is about the only vegetation
in the valleys, even the ssgebrush beint
e very scant. The ranges which enclos'
: Death Valley, on the contrary, are desti
Q tute Of timber and even of soil.
"a curious phenomenon are the water
spouts which sweep up from the south AM
8 strike the mountain ranges. Many per
sons have lost their lives by them.
a "While we commonly speak OF the coun
b try as a desert. yet with the exception 0
the alkali and borax tracts, the soil is a
: fertile as that Of Ohio. Water is lackinI
Q to make it productive. Agriculture in Ne
vada is simply a matter OF irrigation
places where good springs run all the yea
round. The man who owns the spring ha
a ranch and a good thing. These rancho
are the GASES of the desert. Some OF tn
finest fruit ! ever saw was raised on one O
these ranches.
"The weather is extremely hot in Sum
% mer and cold In Winter. A temperstur
y of 100 degrees in the shade Is not uncom
:" mon. My man over at the place wher
:" we are prospecting writes that be worke
one day when the thermometer registere'
' 1873 degrees in the shade. The air is 90 dr.
that a high temperature causes very littl
= more discomfort than 80 degrees in tn
= moist air Of the Eastern States. We al
wear heavy wooden clothing TO protect n
from the heat. Light clothing would b
unfit.
A "Our copper mine 10 go miles west o
the big mines of the DeLamar, the secon,
n largest gold mine in the United States. /
"a 900 to its owner, a rich foreigner. A gres
o deal OF development Of new mines 10 il
a progress. The region has deposits Of cop
|. per ore mixed with small quantities Of gol'
"a and silver. Copper is going up in price
a and we hope to have railroads soon whicl
will enable us to get our product on th
market.
Here are some specimens Of ore from
the mine in which I have 9 part interest
1t is the rich ore known as copper carbon
ate (mslachite) and this reddish minera
9 is iron oxide. In smelling the ore. TIL
lime and the iron act IS a fiux and il il
fortunate that all the minerals are found
Q together. The walls Of the mine furnish
limestone and even a volcanic ash which
serves as fire brick for the walls Of the fur
nsces. Timber for fuel is easily obtained
from the neighboring ranges.
, "The cattle business is very profitable
/, especially since the advance In the price Of
/, beef. A three year old steer can be raised
for Sc and sold on the spot for SAG. I'm
fortunately, the raising Of cattle depends
|, upon the ownership Of water and the
ranges belonging thereto, and these are
limited In number.
Hence, Nevada offers no inducements
TO the young men Of che East who are
without capital. II takes money 10 de-