34 



for the extraction of ores until levels are driven at the bottom of the present main 

 shaft, when by stopping a winze between the upper and lower levels, and putting 

 the main adit in repairs, good ventilation and an easy delivery of the ores to the 

 surface will be made. . 



With tl^is view, and plan before them, the company commenced their first per 

 manent operations in the early part of 1855 by 'driving a six-foot shaft in the lode 

 to the depth of twenty-seven fathoms. The shaft is heavily timbered and planked 

 from the top to the bottom, and is. separated in the center by a partition, on each 

 side of which a pair of train rails are laid for the purpose of guiding the " ribble 

 tubs " in which the ore is placed to be taken to the surface. 



In all the mines of this portion of the State having inclined shafts, this system 

 is now adopted. Each tub when loaded will bring up about four hundred pounds 

 to a cargo. 



At the bottom of the twenty-seven fathom shaft, two levels have been com 

 menced, and are driven north and south about thirty-five feet ; at the distance of 

 one hundred feet north of the main shaft, another shaft has been commenced and 

 carried to the depth of nine fathoms. 



At twelve fathoms from the surface, and connecting with the whim shaft, two 

 galleries have been driven of ninety feet each ; the south gallery connects with 

 the end of the old adit of three hundred and fifty feet, and may be used for the 

 /transportation of ores at a future day. 



At the bottom of the main shaft the lode has a power of twelve feet and 

 possesses all the characteristics heretofore mentioned of the lodes of 'this part of 

 the State, being more or less pyritous and streaked with graphite derived from 

 the investing walls of the lode. 



On the east side of the lode a rare feature is noticeable for this system of veins, 

 and one wholly anomalous in this country. The ores are uniformly of a dark 

 color, with a tint of blue in every mine thus far opened; but the east side of the 

 lode of the Union carries a vein of pure white quartz, free from sulphurets or 

 other admixtures, but containing pure metallic gold imbedded in coarse nuggets. 



The mine employs fifteen men at an average rate of seventy-five dollars per 

 month each, with board, and up to the present period has paid the entire expenses 

 of labor and all the incidentals pertaining to the operation for the year, from the 

 ores extracted during the opening of the mine. 



RECAPITULATIONS OF WORKINGS. 



Fathoms. 



1 shaft of 27 



1 " 9 



Total ". 36 



Feet. 



2 galleries, 90 feet each 180 



1 adit, 1854 350 



Strike, north, 50 west; dip, 70 east. Power, 12 feet. 



