THE COMSTOCK MINES. 161 



bottom of the mines may, at any day, reward the persistent efforts of those 

 companies that are still searching for them, and so restore confidence in the 

 deeper portion of the lode, there is, to say the least, no positive assurance of 

 such results at present. 



Whatever good or ill fortune may attend the explorations of the lode in 

 depth, there is still much hope for a long-continued bullion production and 

 remunerative mining industry, in the existence of large bodies of ore near the 

 surface, that, until now, have remained undeveloped by reason of their low 

 value, being too poor to pay for mining and milling, at prices hitherto exist- 

 ing, but offering a margin of profit, under conditions that seem possible for 

 the future. 



It is believed that there are very extensive deposits of low-grade ore in 

 various parts of the lode. In the Chollar-Potosi alone there are large bodies of 

 quartz, lying near the surface and easily available for cheap mining, which, 

 it is believed, can be worked profitably when the costs of both mining and 

 milling are reduced, as they seem likely to be, by the operation of the Vir- 

 ginia and Truckee railroad. This road bids fair to lessen considerably the 

 cost of materials used in the mines, and to afford cheap transportation for the 

 ore to mills that are driven by water power, thus diminishing the expense of 

 three important items — materials, transportation, and power. If this be 

 aided by a reduction in cost of labor, which seems unavoidable, for the high 

 wages at present are quite out of proportion to costs of living, the business 

 of the district should still possess some elements of continued prosperity, 

 quite independent of the results of deep explorations. 



Virginia and Teuckee Eaileoad. — This road was built during 1868 and 

 1869, and completed and opened for operation late in the last-named year. 

 Its name and charter implies the design to connect the cities of Virginia and 

 Gold Hill, where the mines of the Comstock are situated, with the Central 

 Pacific railroad, at the Truckee River. This will probably be accomplished 

 in time to come, but the road, at present, extends from the mining region only 

 to Carson, with a branch from that point toward the mountains, three or four 

 miles in length, and reaching thus the source of supply of timber, lumber, and 

 fuel. The road is 28 miles long, and corresponds with the Central Pacific 

 railroad in gauge, weight of iron, and method of constructon. Its cost is stated 

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