Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1901-04-24
ESSAY ON TONAPAH
From the Pen of a Practical Man
Now on the Ground,

ED. BULLETIN: Though many of
the great producing mines Of early
N vdda are practically exhausted,
aud the phenomenal bullion output
that was at one time the proud boast
of Nevadans has been reduced to
minimum, faith in the ultimate re-
g .neration of the mining industry to
It's former. magnitude has never
ceased to exist. The activity that
prevailed in the battle born State
in days that are now but memory.
unquestionably had an adverse re-
Election upon other localities of great
surface inducement. Capital is just
as sensitive to the touch of posi-
b.lities as mercury is to atmospheric
influence, and just as soon as the i'm
preston took root that opportuniti
were fading away, capital sought
more encouraging fields. This exo-
las was not consequent upon the
conviction that the mineral fields of
our STATE were no longer deserving
of attention, but because localities in
other parts of the western ore belt,
m ire dvantageously situated with
environments more contributable to
success, allured the mine investor
and our common wealth suffered in
consequence.
The last two decades, however,
have wrought great changes in all
that pertains to mining and the re-
duction of ores, and naturally those
fields in easy reach of railway com
muuication with great commercial
'nters enjoy precedence over the
l. CT but isolated fields of the Silver
State. 1t must be borne in mind
that during our early history. owing
t. the inaccessibility of our ore bear
ing districts, freight rates, sup
plies, ETC., were abnorlnally high,
Consequently only ores of high grade
could be worked protitaby, hence
immense quantities OF what was
tlen denominated low-grade ore
were untouched To-day such ore
bodies can be treated successfully,
and the time is not far distant when
capital will turn toward the land of
sage and silver.
| That this State has been run over
by prospoctors is true, but that it
has been thoroughly prospected is
not true Just as soon as capital be-
comes ilen titled with our mining re,
gions, every mountain range will be
invaded by the ubiquitous searcher
for natures treasure vaults.
Tonapah is a striking example OF
opportunities that only require en-
ergy aud perseverance to unfold their
existence. This new camp is unques-
tionably the most wonderful discov-
cry, SO far as the present showing is
Concerned, that was ever struck in
the State oreven on the coast. One
can employ the strongest qualifying
adjectvos in describing this great
property without fear of exaggera-
ton. 1t is phenomenal
The mines are situated upon gen
tie slope at the base OF Tonapah
mountain. This mountain is IA lone
one, not distinctly connected with
the range, aud its position and gen
eral contour remind the old Com
stocker OF Mt. Davidson. The for
nation is lime porphyrv and the
character of the rock is such that de-
velopment work can be forwarded
rapidly and at light cost. The Lodges
are strong aud we'll defined and
though they vary a little in theil
course. the general trend is north
east and southwest. The entll
gangue is fine milling ore, provided
it could be reduced on the ground,
but would not stand distant trans
portation. The rich ores that are be-
ing III pped usually follow one wal
or the other. though at times they
mingle with the ledge in general ano
render it difficult to sort.
The observation is frequently made
IF the ore goes down it will b.
the greatest camp on earth. 1t l.
unnecessary to use the subjunctiv
mool, for it will 60 down, and over
! looking here and there in It's down
/ ward course a slight falling of l.
values, 1t is safe to predict the mer2