ing first-rate in the bottom of the shaft, better than at any other point. When the whole battery is put in motion the mine will pay $1,000 per day. The owners expect to have 100 stamps in operation early in 1872. A late number of the Calaveras Chronicle says of a recent "strike" in this mine: "A stratum of rock of remarkable richness has been discovered at a depth of 400 feet. The rock closely resembles the slate of which the walls of the lead are composed. The stratum mentioned lies next to the foot-wall, and is about a foot in width and thickness. The inclination of the 'streak' differs slightly from that of the shaft. Commencing at a point near the surface it crosses the latter diagonally, leaving the shaft at the 400-foot level. By 'drifting' a short distance on the lead, however, from the 500-foot level, the stratum will undoubtedly be struck again. By the merest accident it was discovered that this singular deposit, instead of being slate, was simply a mass of sulphurets, carrying free gold in abundance; 2 ounces yielded 166 grains of gold, or at the rate of $53,140 per ton. The rock assayed was broken from a chunk at least a foot square, and is considered a fair test of the richness of the whole stratum."

The Whisky Slide mine, six miles southeast of Mokelumne Hill, was located ten years since, but has been worked only at intervals until recently, when a 10-stamp mill was erected and the mine opened by a tunnel 350 feet in length, which cuts the lead at a depth of 100 feet. The ledge is in slate and has a width of from four to sixteen feet, the width gradually increasing with depth, but, as in all slate formations, the vein pinches and swells as it is opened on a horizontal line. The pay has been of low grade, but in consequence of the great facilities for extraction of quartz and the width of the vein, it has been milled and mined for $6 per ton. This includes the expense of hauling the rock one mile from the mine to the mill. The treatment is by amalgamation in battery, copper plates, and blankets.

This county possesses numerous other promising veins of quartz in various stages of development, and is destined to rank as one of our leading quartz counties. Its copper veins are also extensive and rich. They have been noticed elsewhere in this article.

The county assessor's report for 1870-'71 returns the number of quartz-mills as twenty-eight, which is probably correct,, as it does not materially differ from Langley's list. The aggregate of quartz crushed is reported by the same authority as 130,000 tons, but this is probably a clerical or typographical error. The total number of stamps will not exceed 300, of which about 200 have run during the past year, and these not regularly.

AMADOR COUNTY.

This county is the smallest of the group we have included under the general designation of the "southern mines." It has a width, from north to south, of only twelve miles. The principal interest of the county is quartz-mining, some of the best mines being on the Mother lode. In this respect the county is second only to Nevada, both as to the number of tons crushed and the yield of gold from this source. The placer diggings, river mining, and other branches of mining of this character, are very limited and not worthy of special mention. The limestone belt noticed in the description of Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties extends into this county, where it is found at Volcano, but to the northward of this point it loses its continuity. A few remnants of volcanic action are found in the southern part of the county, near the Mokelumne River. The Mother lode enters the county near the Mokel

umne River, the southern boundary, and has been extensively and almost continuously developed to the Cosumnes River, the northern boundary of the county, where it loses its characteristic features, and is known no further by that name.

During the past year a remarkable stagnation has existed in quartzmining. Many of the principal mines were closed for several months in the spring and summer on account of a strike of the miners. This strike occurred during the very brief season of water-supply, so that when the miners resumed work water was becoming very scarce. During the latter part of the summer, owing to the drought, all the quartzmills were idle with the exception of the Oneida, which, fortunately, obtained enough water to run forty stamps during most of the season. The fact of the quartz-mines not being worked has been a great calamity to the entire county. From seventy-five to eighty thousand dollars, which would otherwise have been dispensed to the laborers monthly, has remained in the bowels of the earth, consequently working a great hardship to all branches of industry. The leading mine, the Amador, which paid in dividends during the year 1870 the sum of $155,400, only disbursed $24,000 the present year, (1871.) Many other mines were forced to suspend operations during the most favorable season of the year, and great loss was entailed on the owners. Notwithstanding this, active operations were conducted in a number of claims which have for several years remained idle. Deep shafts have been sunk and new and powerful mills erected, and it is certain that the year 1872 will witness an unparalleled yield from this section.

The town of Sutter Creek contains a population of about 2,000, and is the largest and most prosperous of the southern mines. Here are found the principal mines. These have been fully described and illustrated by cuts in former reports, and we will simply note the operations of the past year.

The Amador mine is now in complete working order for the first time in nearly eighteen months. In April, 1870, the main shaft was burned out, and the time until the present has been devoted to repairing the shaft and putting up new hoisting-works, and it is now the best and most complete shaft and hoisting-works on this coast. In place of the old bucket plan of hoisting rock, they have a substantial "cage," on which iron cars, capable of holding eighteen hundred pounds of quartz, are run and speedily hoisted to the surface, and many other modern improvements have been introduced: The company claim 1,800 feet on the ledge. They have two sets of hoisting-works, each of which is run by an engine of 80 horse-power. The upper (or old) shaft is down 1,250 feet, on an incline of 700; at that depth the ledge is 10 feet thick. Their new shaft is down 1,300 feet, on the same incline as the old shaft, and built in three compartments.

The company own three quartz-mills: one of 40 stamps, run by steamengine of 75 horse-power; the other two, of 16 stamps each, run by water-power. The 40-stamp mill is run by the company, and crushes daily (24 hours) 80 tons of rock. One hundred men are regularly employed.

The mine was visited in July by an intelligent correspondent of the San Francisco Bulletin, who gave the following account of its appearance at that time:

Through the kindness of General Colton, vice president of the board of directors, and Mr. Steinberger, superintendent of the mine, we were permitted to descend into the Amador mine on Monday last, for the purpose of inspecting the immense underground excavations. This mine is situated on the great Mother lode, which extends through Amador to Calaveras and Mariposa Counties, and has been in active operation for

nearly twenty years. The surface-workings overlook the quiet little city of Sutter Creek, which is located in a basin beneath, surrounded on all sides by an unbroken circle of hills. It is upon the Amador mine that this place is most dependent for its support.

Entering the dressing-room we were furnished with a suit of miners' workingclothes from among the many that were to be seen hanging on the walls all around, and at once proceeded to descend the north shaft. This shaft, it will be remembered by those interested in mining matters, was destroyed by fire, in May last, the same lasting thirteen days. The repairs are now nearly completed. The shaft, as it now is, is much larger than it formerly used to be. It is now twelve feet long, lying in the same manner as the vein runs, north and south, and embracing the entire width of the lode. The timbers employed for lining it are all square-sawn, measuring twenty inches in diameter. These timbers are placed at a distance of five feet apart, from center to center. Stout planking is used to support the foot-wall, which is a soft, rotten slate. The hanging-wall, being granite, needs no such support. This shaft is again subdivided into three compartments, in two of which patent cages will be employed in hoisting ore, instead of the iron buckets now in use. Entering a large iron bucket, three of us descended in charge of W. Jones, the foreman. We soon discovered that the shaft is nothing more or less than an immense underground incline, as it follows the dip of the vein from west to east, at an angle of about 75°.

For several hundred feet down the lode has been completely exhausted. The present working-levels are named after the principal stations on the way to New York, the first being named the "Latrobe;" the second, "Folsom;" the third, the "Sacramento;" the fourth, "San Francisco;" and the fifth, or lower level, "Panama." By these various names they are all known and readily distinguished. Our transit from the surface to "Panama" level, a distance of 1,250 feet, occupied about fifteen minutes' time. To raise ore from this level only occupies about one minute. This is the prospecting-level in the mine. At present, the vein measures twelve feet in width, and yields an average of about $10 per ton. Although "Panama" level is some 150 feet below the level of the sea, it is proposed to sink 200 deeper in the course of a few weeks. It is now the deepest excavation in search of gold existing throughout the world.

The Badger or south shaft is used for draining the mine. Large iron cylinders, of about twelve feet in width, having a carrying capacity of 300 gallons, are used for that purpose. These are hoisted by means of steam-power at the rate of one per minute. During the summer season the mine is kept quite dry by running eight hours only of the twenty-four. In the winter or wet season the increased amount of water forcing its way into the mine usually compels them to abandon the lower levels.

Every possible precaution is taken to insure safety and to prevent accidents occurring; nevertheless, I am informed that as many as thirty-eight men have been killed since the opening of the mine, a proportionately large number having been injured also.

The ore, as extracted from the mine, is at once conveyed to the mill, situated at a distance of about one-quarter of a mile from the shaft. This mill contains seventy-five stamps, forty of which are usually employed when the mine is in full blast. At present, twenty only are at work, inasmuch as there are only forty miners engaged in the underground excavations. It is here that an average of about two thousand tons of ore per month undergoes a thorough reduction, yielding an average of about $22 per ton, or an aggregate of about $45,000 per month. Previous to the present proprietorship, the reduction of the ore was very much neglected. The concentration of sulphurets was altogether disregarded, and they were allowed to escape. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have thus escaped into the bed of Sutter Creek, and are now probably irrecoverably lost. The concentration of sulphurets is now carefully attended to, and the gold extracted from them brings in a large revenue, yielding at the rate of $100 and upwards per ton. All the sulphurets saved at the various mills in the neighborhood are reduced at the Chlorination Works of Messrs. Jones & Belding. The yield of the sulphurets of the various mines ranges from $90 to $130 per ton.

Unfortunately, this promising state of affairs was again disturbed by trouble with the Miners' League, resulting in destruction of property and life. Consequently the annual report of the Amador mine shows only four months' running, 17,790 tons of ore raised, 16,490 tons crushed, giving $12.21 per ton, or $201,357, of which $24,000 was paid to stockholders.

The following extracts comprise the substance of the reports of the president and superintendent, January 1, 1872:

PRESIDENT'S REPORT.

It is a matter of no little regret to me that events, over which the officers of this company could have no control, have prevented my making as favorable a report, as

to the product of the mine for the past year, as we all hoped. It is quite satisfactory, however, to know that the small yield has not been the fault of the mine, or its management. The large amount of dead work, (the result of the late fire,) the unusual scarcity of water, which compelled the mills to remain idle for several months, have been the main hinderances of a satisfactory return to all parties directly interested.

I would recommend the erection of a first-class 60-stamp mill at an early day, in order that we may be able to crush the large amount of low-grade ore which has accumulated in all parts of the mine, especially north of the new shaft. My predecessor, Colonel Fry, wisely made the same recommendation at the close of last year; but misfortunes, which I have before noted, have prevented this most important improvement. In addition, the Canal Company, on whom we would be dependent for water to run so large a mill, have been unable to complete the large ditch which we had hoped would furnish us an abundant supply of water. Although disappointed in its completion, it is but justice to say that it is one of the best-constructed ditches, to the point now reached, I have ever had the pleasure of seeing on the Pacific coast. And the officers of that company assure me, in the most earnest manner, that they will be able to furnish us, from this ditch, all the water we may require for our new mill, by the time it is erected.

In all the extensive improvements consummated during the past year, such as the sinking of the north shaft and erection of the new hoisting-works, the result has been most satisfactory.

The unceasing care and attention of Superintendent Steinberger to all the varied interests of the company under his management, during the past year, warrant me in saying that no mining property west of the Rocky Mountains has been more faithfully, honestly, and economically conducted. I say this from personal observation, having visited the mine during the past year two or three times each month. In conclusion, I would most earnestly recommend that the sinking of the new or north shaft be continued, as the shaft is constructed with a view of continuously going down on the vein, without interfering with work in the other parts of the mine. And should the vein continue, as it now shows at the bottom of this shaft, we hope to develop, in the next year, a large amount of valuable ore.

Hoping that my successor may have less care and anxiety in the management of this extensive and valuable property for the coming year than I have had in the past, with more satisfactory dividends,

I remain, very respectfully, yours,

DAVID D. COLTON,

President.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

Herewith I send you statement of operations for the past year at the company's mine. During the year 1871, 17,790 tons of quartz were extracted from the mine, and 16,490 tons were crushed at the Eureka (40-stamp) mill; 1,300 tons now on the dump at Rose mill.

A large amount of dead work has been done in various parts of the mine during the past year. The cleaning out and partial retimbering of the Panama drift, from north shaft to its face, (175 feet,) which was filled up with débris, retimbering old levels, opening drifts under pillars, cleaning out and retimbering the Latrobe level, &c., besides the sinking of the north and middle shafts.

The Badger shaft (which is the water-shaft) has been kept in good repair, and is now in condition, as is also the machinery, to contend against any reasonable increase of water. A prospecting-drift has been driven south from Badger shaft on the Panama level 220 feet, but no rock in paying quantities was found.

The Middle shaft has required considerable repairs, but is now in fair condition. This shaft has been sunk below the Panama level 155 feet, 105 of which was sunk the past year. Sixty feet below the Panama level the New York level was started, and 60 feet below the New York was started the Green level, leaving a sump of 35 feet under the Green level. The cost of sinking this shaft, including the turning off of Green and New York levels, was $4,853 50, or $46.22 per foot. The vein in the bottom of shaft is four feet in thickness, and the quality of the rock good.

The North or new shaft is now below the Panama level 95 feet, and cost $5,056.06, or $53.223 per foot.

The turning off of the New York level is included in the above figures. The average thickness of the vein in the bottom of shaft is seven feet. On the 1st of September last the Panama level was reached with this shaft, being 1,165 feet from surface, 460 feet of which was sunk the past year.

The entire cost of sinking this shaft from within 180 feet of surface to Panama level, a distance of 985 feet, has been $33,299.88, or $33.06 per foot. These figures embrace lumber, timber, lights, smith-work, labor &c., also the turning off of levels at Latrobe, San Francisco, and Panama.

The time occupied in the sinking and turning off of these levels was eleven months, two months having been lost in consequence of the strike. The timbers used for sills and legs are sawed red spruce, twenty inches square. The center-pieces and caps are 12 by 20 inches. The timbers are five feet apart from center to center and logged between with three-inch red spruce plank. The shaft is divided into three compartments, two cage-ways and one bucket-way. The size of shaft is in length in the clear thirteen feet, and in width is from six to twenty feet. Over the shaft, on the surface, have been erected first-class hoisting-works. Everything in connection with these works is in splendid condition and works admirably.

The north drift on Panama level is now north from North shaft 395 feet, 230 feet having been driven the past year. The vein in the face of drift is over sixteen feet in thickness, with a good regular hanging-wall. The quality of the quartz has improved very much in the last few feet that have been driven. From the general character and regularity of vein and wall we have every confidence in the permanence of the vein, and have reasonable assurance that, from the developments thus far made in this drift, there exists a large quantity of quartz above this level, as none of the levels above the Panama level have been driven over 180 feet north of North shaft. A level has been driven north under the old San Francisco level, and is north from North shaft 180 feet. From this level considerable bowlder-rock has been taken out, and large quantities still remain in place.

The Latrobe level has been cleaned out and retimbered to face of drift, being 80 feet north of North shaft. Large quantities of bowlder-rock are developed on this level.

The only stoping that has been done in the mine the past year has been above the Panama level, north of North shaft, on the bowlder-vein.

The only ledge-rock that has been taken out (excepting that from the sinking of the shafts) has been taken from pillars under the fourth, fifth, and sixth-hundred feet levels.

The great bulk of the rock mined and milled, the past year, was from the bowlder

vein.

The only quartz taken out below the Panama level has come from the sinking of the North and Middle shafts. But little has come from the Green and New York drifts, as they are as yet but a few feet from shafts.

The quartz is now in place from Panama to Green level, excepting what has been taken out from the sinking, giving us 120 feet of backs.

The 40-stamp mill is in good running condition. The water-wheel, which is old, has been repaired, and will, with occasional slight repairs, run this winter.

The Rose mill has been repaired, and is running well. The Badger has also been repaired, and will commence crushing in a few days.

The working of the mine the past year has been attended with many difficulties and heavy expenditures, the strike and scarcity of water forming a part.

The vein in the lower part of the mine (Green and New York levels) looks most promising, and, so soon as the drifts are driven ahead far enough to open stopes on these levels, we will be able to get out sufficient ledge-rock to keep the mills running; until then we will be obliged to take out considerable bowlder-rock to keep up the supply.

The entire mine and machinery (as is everything else in connection) is in good working condition, and, unless some unforeseen accident takes place, no fears need be apprehended of the future profit of the mines.

Respectfully, yours,

JOHN A. STEINBERGER,

Superintendent.

The Oneida mine, south of the above, is one of the best developed in the county, and has been described in the Mining Commissioner's report for 1869, since which time no material change has occurred in the character of the rock. This mine likewise suffered severely from the strike of the miners and the drought. It is situated about half way between the towns of Jackson and Sutter Creek, and is owned principally in those towns. The length of the claim is 3,000 feet. They have three different incline shafts down on an angle of 65°. The first is down 300 feet, the second 700 feet, and the third 800 feet. They are working only through the two latter. The ledge will average 12 feet thick. They are working 100 men. Their 60-stamp mill is run by an engine of 60 horse power, and crushes daily 90 tons of rock, (24 hours.) which averages $10 per ton. The hoisting-works are run by two engines, one of 30 and one of 15 horse-power. This mill is complete with all the