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in the cause of freedom. All honor to Grid-"Lander Hill," "Mount Prometheus," and ley! "Central Hill," in which the principal discov

Of the career of this distinguished gentle-eries of silver-bearing veins have been made. man on the Atlantic side I have read wonder- Austin, the chief town and county seat of Lanful newspaper accounts. He was fêted, and der County, lies high up in the cañon, extendgazed at, and admired, and hurrahed, and print- ing along it for a distance of more than a mile, ed in weekly pictorials, and puffed, and joked with a broad main street, intersected by cross -was the irrepressible Gridley; and the grand streets running up to the left over the lower finale was $100,000 to the Sanitary Commis- slopes of the hills. It contains at the present sion! Ever praised, ever sung in song be time (January, 1866) a permanent population Gridley! It was a noble speculation, based of about five thousand. The buildings are prinupon a sack of flour and the popular sympathy cipally frame, well constructed, and ornamentfor a noble cause. It commenced in Austin ed in front by rows of scrubby pines stuck in and ended with a net profit of $100,000 to the the ground. Among them are some pretty suffering soldiers, and immortality to the name cottages, evincing a growing taste for the comof Gridley. forts and even the luxuries of life. The best private residences, such as Mayor Hanson's and Mr. Rankin's, are substantially built of stone.

On the strength of his fame Gridley became interested with Mr. John W. Harker and other experienced financiers, and raised sufficient capital in New York to return to Austin and start a bank. The great banking establishment called the "First National Bank of Nevada" is now one of the prominent institutions of the country.

Buel, after his defeat for the Mayoralty of Austin, concluded to run for the Governorship of the State. He was nominated by the Convention at Carson-alas for Buel! The State was gloriously Republican. My worthy friend was sanguine to the last; he had many votes, but failed for want of votes enough. May he have better luck in his choice of party next time! He is a good fellow, and deserves to win in a good cause. Morally, he still lives; politically, he is a dead Buel.

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MR. RANKIN'S HOUSE, AUSTIN.

In the business part of the town, on the main street, are many fine brick houses; also several handsome stores and saloons built of stone. The general aspect of Austin is cheerful and picturesque. During the period of my sojourn

I now come to a stand-point, from which I think we may take a general view of the country with special reference to its resources and future prospects. The elaborate reports of Professors Silliman, Jackson, and Adleberg, who visited Reese River during the year 1865, leave me but little to say, even if I were competent, in relation to its geological features; and the admirable detailed reports of Mr. Clayton on-from May to August-it presented every inthe individual ledges have quite exhausted that branch of the subject. A summary of what I saw myself in my unlearned way, with what I gathered from practical miners and experts, may enable the general reader to form a more vivid and comprehensive idea of the country than could be derived from purely scientific reports.

dication of prosperity. The population is one of the best I have seen in any mining townactive, industrious, hospitable, and orderly. In point of morals I do not believe there is a better condition of society in any community of equal number on the Pacific coast. This is mainly attributable to the fact that a larger proportion of the population consists of women and children than in most new mining towns; and in part to the prevailing scarcity of surplus Every man has to labor for a living. There is not much chance for gamblers or idlers; consequently there are few of them.

The district of Reese River lies on the western slope of the Toyahe range of mountains, and is distant from Virginia City, by the Over-means. land Mail Route, 170 miles. It embraces a tract of hilly country some eight miles in length by four in width, bounded on the north by the Yankee Blade Cañon, on the west by the Reese River Valley, on the south by Simpson's Park, and on the east by the summit of the Toyahe range. Within these limits are situated, in close proximity to the main cañon which runs from Reese River Valley to the summit, those spurs or hills of the Toyahe range known as

The Toyahe range of mountains, in which most of the discoveries of silver ledges now attracting attention have been made, commences near the Humboldt River, about 100 miles north of Austin, and extends in a southerly course, trending slightly to the west, a distance of 175 miles, where it terminates in the high desert plateau, which forms the southern rim

The characteristic appearance of the Toyahe Mountains is that of extreme barrenness. The cañons and a few of the open slopes are dotted with a scrubby growth of nut-pine, juniper, white-pine, and a hard, scraggy kind of timber called mountain mahogany. In the vicinity of Austin most of the wood has been cut away for fuel and other purposes in the progress of mining; but north and south, from eight to ten miles distant, there is still a sufficient supply to last for several years, probably five or six. In the Smoky Valley districts the quantity of wood is much greater; and it will probably be many years before any difficulty will be experienced on that score. The barren aspect of the mountains arises more from the extreme dryness of the climate than from any want of fertility in the soil. During the rainy season bunch-grass flourishes all over the hill-sides, affording a fine pasturage for stock; and wherever there is water for irrigation the land is highly productive. The valleys are entirely destitute of timber, presenting a singularly desert-like appearance, except in those portions which are sufficiently moist to give a tinge of green to the everlasting sage-bushes by which they are covered.

of the Great Basin. Formerly the Overland | called granite, and which has been received as Telegraph and Mail Routes crossed it a few such by some geologists. One theory is, that miles to the north of Pony Cañon; but since this district is a granitic basin, rupturing the the building of Austin both telegraph line and transition series, and affording the anomaly of overland stages pass directly through that city rich silver veins reposing in primitive or Pluand across the head of Big Smoky Valley. tonic rocks. Mr. Prescott thinks this granitic rock is transition in character, being the product of older granite, which has been pulverized and re-cemented, forming a highly metamorphic and altered granite, akin to gneiss and the earlier slates and schists of the Azoic period,' and conforming fully to the series in which is found most of the other minerals of the range, of which, in addition to the slates, porphyry, gneiss, transition limestone, calc-spar, sandstone, and a variety of magnesian rocks, are the most important. Considering the granite deposit in this light, the geology of the Toyahe range is not only harmonized, but also in agreement with the corresponding Mexican ranges. The veins in Lander Hill, Mount Prometheus, and Central Hill, and in fact throughout the district of Reese River, are narrow, ranging generally from fourteen to twenty inches in width, and rarely exceeding three feet. characteristic has given rise to the term "razorback ledges," so much in vogue among the Washoeites, who profess a contempt for the Reese River ledges as compared with the great Comstock. Their exceeding richness, however, compensates in a great measure for their lack of width. I have taken out ores myself from a mine in Lander Hill which assayed upward of $7000 to the ton; and I saw an assay of ore made which yielded at the rate of $10,000 per ton. One, two, and three thousand dollars are results which scarcely attract attention. The Austin ledges seldom show distinct or prominent croppings on the surface as in neighboring districts.

Although it is not my purpose, as before stated, to attempt an elaborate description of the geological features of the Toyahe range, the great interest felt throughout the East in the development of the Reese River and adjacent districts, will justify me in making a brief summary of the prominent points. In doing this I take pleasure in acknowledging my indebtedness to Mr. W. C. Prescott, who has done more perhaps to encourage the introduction of Eastern capital than any person who has yet visited the country. Mr. Prescott is well known throughout the East, not only from his connection with the family of the distinguished historian-the late lamented William H. Prescott-but from the high reputation which he has achieved by his reports on the mineral resources of Central Nevada. As representative of the "Sterling Mining Company" of New York, whose possessions lie in Smoky Valley, he first visited that region in January, 1865, and subsequently made a thorough scientific reconnoissance of all the adjacent districts. Mr. Prescott is of opinion that the rocks composing the Toyahe range belong to the earlier geological periods, as in all productive argentiferous regions. The ore-bearing ledges repose in these rocks, all of which are highly metamorphic, and many of them stratified. At and around Austin the numerous parallel veins are well disposed, with smooth and fine lateral aces, separated by a clayey seam of variable thickness, from a wall rock which is popularly

This

In that part of the Toyahe range which slopes into Smoky Valley, the quartz ledges lie boldly above the surface, in compact form, showing great width and strong traits of depth and permanency. As a general feature they have no clayey or slaty partitions, but lie in direct contact with the smooth faces of the granite formation already described. These silver-bearing veins at times protrude far beyond the slates, and at the surface are much leaner than below.

One of the advantages claimed for the ledges near Austin is the facility with which they can be worked. The granite formation in which they lie is soft, and blasting is but little required in getting out the ores. They are all true fissure veins, with well-defined casings. The clay seam between the quartz and the casings renders the excavation of the ores comparatively easy.

The chlorid ores reach from the surface to a depth of 60 or 70 feet. Then comes a lean or barren streak, extending down from 20 to 30 feet to what is called the water-level. It was this unproductive stratum which caused the extraordinary depression of mining stocks in

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1864.

NEW YORK SPECULATORS.

Reese River Country, where can we look for them? The man who is cheated in a horse would be laughed at if he complained that there are no good horses. Mining speculations are much on a par with speculations in horse-flesh. Brokers and horse-jockeys generally make their profits from the credulity of their fellow-men. If every purchaser personally examined the mines offered to him, or availed himself of the services of an experienced agent, there would be less disappointment in the investment of capital.

But experience has demonstrated, in | in nefarious speculations detrimental to its inevery case where the excavations have extend- terests. If there are no good mines in the ed below the water-level, that the vein continues unbroken, and with every promise of permanency, to an unknown depth. The experience of the Oregon, North Star, Southern Light, Diana, Savage, Morgan and Munsey, Washington Irving, Providentia, Scottish Chief, General Hooker, St. Louis, Hubbard, and other leading mines which have been worked to any considerable depth, is sufficient evidence of the richness, depth, and permanency of the ledges. Splendid ruby and antimonial ores are now being taken out of all these mines, the lowest grade of which seldom falls short of $150 to the ton, while from $300 to $500 is a common yield. Insufficient machinery for pumping and hoisting has hitherto been the great drawback to the profitable working of the mines. The miners, who have held on to their claims through all the fluctuations and alarm of the past two years, are now reduced to the necessity of calling in the aid of capital. This, in part, accounts for the extraordinary number of claims now flooding the markets of New York.

The general direction of the veins in the Toyahe range is north-northwest and southsoutheast, with a dip to the east. The pitch is from 30° to 70°, the average inclining from 35° to 45°.

From May to October the climate is mild; seldom too warm, and the sky almost invariably bright and clear. The extreme rarity of the atmosphere at this elevation, 6500 feet above the level of the sea, and the absence of moisture, give rise to a peculiar form of intermitThat many swindles have been perpetrated, tent fever, called by emigrants and miners the and many worthless claims palmed off on a mountain fever. Otherwise it would be difficredulous public, is beyond dispute; but it is cult to find a more healthy climate. The winboth unreasonable and unjust to condemn the ters are cold, though sometimes open and pleaswhole country because dishonest men engageant. On the north side of the hills the snow

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radiate. Mills have already been erected in many of them, and active operations in the way of developing the mines are now going on in most of them. The following are the principal districts, located within the past three years, with the distances from Austin, viz.: Yankee Blade, 4 miles; Amador, 6; Big Creek, 12; Geneva, 15; Santa Fé, 22; Bunker Hill, 30; Summit, 20; Ravenswood, 20; Washington, 35; Marysville, 45; Union, 63; Twin River, 65; Mammoth, 63; Diamond, 80; Cortez, 60; San Antonio, 100; Silver Peak, 125; Ione, 75; E. Walker River, 120; Egan Cañon, 160.

These do not by any means comprise all the valuable districts which have been opened throughout the interior, and on the confines of Nevada. I refer to them as having intercourse with Austin, and contributing in a great measure to the importance of that place as a market for the trade of the mines.

An important step toward the encouragement of investments from the East was made in September, 1864, by the Midas Silver Mining Company, of New York. Colonel J. V. Robbins came over to Reese as agent of the Com

MIDAS MINE.

pany, and commenced the erection of a large mill on the left side of the old Telegraph Cañon, about three miles distant from Austin. In three months and nine days it was completed and in running order. The building is of brick, with a handsome brick smoke-stack, and contains a battery-room with fifteen stamps; an amalgamating-room, with eight Freiberg barrels and the necessary pans, separators, retorting furnaces, etc., and a large roasting-chamber, with the best fire-brick furnaces, all admirably arranged for convenience of access and economy of labor. The Midas Mill is, in all respects, one of the most perfect establishments of the kind in the State of Nevada. The machinery is of the latest and most approved kind, and works with wonderful steadiness and precision. It is no unusual thing to crush, roast, and amalgamate ten tons of rock per day. Under the careful management of Colonel Robbins, the result has been an average yield of $300 to $400 per ton of first-class ores; $150 to $200 of second-class; and $80 to $100 of third-class. The Midas Company own several valuable ledges in the vicinity, chief among which is the Midas, situated near the entrance to Yankee Blade Cañon. The yield of this mine has of late been such as to give great confidence to mining enterprises in this region. Already the Company have declared a handsome dividend; and the probability is, still larger dividends will be declared during the present year.

The success of the Midas Company's operations has demonstrated the value of good mill and mining property. Recently a magnificent mill has been erected on the southern slope of the old Emigrant Cañon, within a mile of Austin, by some Pennsylvanian capitalists, under the title of the Keystone Silver Mining Company. The work was done under the personal supervision of Captain Addison L. Page, Superintendent of the Company, and is admirable of its kind. The mill is of brick and stone, with the latest improvements in machinery. It contains a splendid battery of twenty stamps,

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an engine and boiler-room, an extensive roast- | vada by their able management of this entering chamber, and an amalgamating depart-prise. The "Confidence Ledge," upon which ment second to none in the country. The the principal work has been done, outside of Keystone Mill has sufficient capacity to crush the mill, is now yielding some excellent ores. and amalgamate twenty tons of ore per day. A powerful engine, well protected by a frame The Company owns three or four mines in building, has recently been erected at the enconnection with its mill property. Among trance of the main shaft for pumping and hoistthese the "Scottish Chief," situated on Lander ing purposes. I can see no reason why, under Hill, is at present the most promising. The judicious management, the Keystone and Conores from this mine run from two to five hun-fidence properties should not yield handsome dred dollars to the ton.

Another wealthy and enterprising Eastern company has erected a fine mill, about three miles farther to the north, at the entrance to the Yankee Blade Cañon-known as the "Confidence Mill." This is of the same capacity, and built upon very nearly the same general plan as the Keystone. Situated near the centre of a belt of rich mineral ledges, several of which are owned by the Confidence Company, it enjoys the prospect of an unlimited supply of ores. Two gentlemen from New York, Mr. Fearing and Mr. Boyden, have greatly distinguished themselves throughout Central Ne

returns to the owners during the present summer. Each of these mills cost over $100,000. Add to this $20,000 for offices and outbuildings; and $130,000 for the cost of ledges, and the investments will not fall short of $250,000. I make this estimate upon my own judgment, and not from any information derived from the parties concerned.

The Parrott Mill, on Big Creek, nine miles south of Austin, furnishes another instance of the growing interest felt in this region by Eastern capitalists. Mr. John Parrott, the San Francisco banker, was the chief originator of this enterprise. The Company is known as

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