Year: 1874

In presenting the mining interests
of Southern California to the public,
it is necessary to remind the reader,
who may reside north or east, that in
this section the Winters are very
much milder than further north, frost
rarely occurring, while snow is never
seen except on the tops of the highest
mountains. This gives the miner a
great advantage over those in the
northern and higher latitude in the
eastern portion of the State, as there
is not a day in the year too cold to
work comfortably in the open air. So,
If in the working of placers he had to
knock off one or two months in the
extreme dry weather of August and
September, he would lose no more
time than his brother miner up north,
who is generally showed in or frozen
up three or four months in the year.
Other things being equal, then, this is
the best climate on the Pacific coast
for mining operations. That we have
as extensive and rich placer mines in
this section of the State as have ever
been discovered on the Pacific slope, is
fact acknowledged by all miners
who have taken the pains to examine.
This belt of gold-bearing ground is
generally one or two miles wide, and
can be readily traced from the noun
tains northeast of Santa Barbara to
the State of Sonora, Mexico; and it
maintains almost a direct course,
crossing mountains and plains, and is
so distinct in appearance that any
practiced eye can detect at glance.
Wherever it is cut by gulches or val
leys the richest placer diggings have
been found. But until recently it was
not known that water could be had in
sufficient quantities to make the work.
ing of these mines profitable. This
mistake, however, has been discov-
cred, and in addition to the three
companies now at work on the San
Gabriel, there is one company at work
on the ditch which is to use the water
that runs from Elizabeth Lake. This
is called the Castec Mining Company,
of which r. NJ. WILLIAMS is Presi-
dent. We have conversed with miners
recently from the camp, and they all
concur in saying that it is the most
extensive and the richest placers they
have ever seen, and to prove their
faith in it, they prefer to take stock
In the company rather than money
for their labor. This mine is situated
OIL the north side of Santa Clara
Valley and about forty miles from
Los Angeles. This will be strong
mining camp by Fall, and all their
supplies will pass through this city.


There is another company at work
on the Piru Creek, about fifteen miles
northwest of the Castec, who also ex-
poets to have the water flowing on
their gold leads this winter. Still an
other company is at work on the
Cessipe but to what stage of advance
ment they have reached we do not
know. There is prospect of COM
pany being formed to work q placer
mine on the south side Of the Santa
Clara Valley about three miles east of
Lyons Station. A company of pros
pectors recently discovered two or
three beautiful quartz ledges in the
range of mountains north of San Fer
nando; we saw the specimens and they
are exceedingly rich. The owners are
now building their camp preparatory
to opening their ledges. One of the
largest deposits of asbestus in the
United States was discovered a few
months ago in the San Fernando
mountains. The parties who discov-
cred it have tried to keep it in the
dark, but it is no use, we have seen
the specimens and know it to be gen.
uine. This little discovery will create
a big excitement here some day. We
have filled the space allotted for one
article, and have not yet hinted at
the greatest mining interest we have
in our vacinity. We allude to our
petroleum. We predict that within
twelve months from this date there
will be more excitement and more
cash expended for the oil lands of our
county than for all the other interests
we have.