Year: 1869

soon q the covering was removed strong escape


OF the same gas tool pace 80 odna tSe face over
the opening. will be days yet before any one can
venture down into TINS ar nars ioo Of WAS pos or
deemed prudent TO open The SHAFT OF the crown
Point mine while we were there. This VIII probably


here aTe vet ye or six bodies in the Crown Point
and Kentuck that have TO he got out and. judging


rom the condition OF those last recovered will be
dYicut 10 recognize them. The last were decom-
posed that It was almost impossible to bring them
10 the surface, and the men on the cage when
bringing them up, were obliged to hold sponges


filed with alcohol over their n0srils to enable them
to support the terrible stencil. This has been ter
rble accident but nothing to those that sometimes
occur in the mining districts Of England when the
dead are numbered by hundreds. Many OF those
who have lost their lives here have left large fami
lies and, with the usual generosity OF the people
OF this coast large subscriptions for their relief
at once started, and the amount win probably reach
s4oOOO, which win be invested permanently for
their benefit II is well established that this fire was
caused by carelessness in leaving candle, when
some or the light frame work was ignlted. This
done when the gangs OF men were shifting, conse-
quently 1t was enabled TO gam headway before being
has been severe but useful lesson, ana have no
doubt It will be prohted by, so that similar acc-
dent Will not soon, If ever, occur again.


THE VIRGINIA AND CARSON RAILROAD.


Wme at Gold I'LL mad the opportunity oil ex-
aiming the tunnels that have been commenced for
the above named road, which is destined to be one
OF the most important enterprises for the Pacific
coast this State ana, in fact for the whole country
yet projected. In lengthit Is only about twenty
five miles, and its great importance is as foows:-
Up TO this time only the high grade OF ores have
been found 10 be profitable, by reason OF the
nous expense or working them, tins expense being
the cost OF hauling ore % the mills incl Tor the latter
and timber for the Underground worSs. As have
before mentioned, II has been feared that as the
value OF the ore deprecated IL would lay fall so
low as TO make no return for the outLIy, and as a
consequence the work on a greater por on OF the
mines would have to be abandoned. Various plans
have been projected whereby this dlf,c1i might be
STerSoms , Gomez but they have all fallen through until
sent one, and he has with his usual energy raised
the necessary funds iOr its completion. The work is
now being pushed forward with all possible rapdty,
the iron Is shipped and the rolling stock ordered
and 1t Is believed that by December next the road
VIII be ready for operation.


Now let me explain the Importance OF the work.
By the construction OF this road Virginia and Gold
Hi are placed within two hours OF the richly tim
bered country OF the Sierras and less than that
OF the quartz mills located upon the Carson river.
Consequently ore can be hauled to the distant mills
fuel for the steam mills can be brought here, and
heavy timber for mining purposes also and all at
one-haf The present rates Now, what is the resutf
Millions upon millions OF tons OF low grade ores
that have been passed by as worthless can then be
worked 10 greater profit than even the fine are
now; and the latter, OF course will be equally
HANGED in value hence, when the road is completed
and In operation tas product Of bullion wiz be far
last for OF the inferior deposits, that have never
been noticed because unproftabc, there Is an mex
haustibe supply. Work on abandoned mines will be
Nevada will show more OF life than 1t ever
has, even when were being worked
that yielded $1,000 per ton. II Is hard to
estimate the value OF this great work, but eighteen
people viii wonder why IL was never thought OF be-
fore, when so much money might have been made
by comparatively small outlay OF capital. rhe
darkest hour Is just before day. and so Is with this
locality for its gloomy period occurred Just before
the dawn OF the brightest hours 1t has YET known in
q business point OF view