190

digging over the old claims, note the young
pines, andthe long “V” flume which brings
lumber from the mountains to the east-
ward twelve miles, and climb up to the
Town-Talk Tunnel, 450 feet long; elevation
2,774 feet; and then descend, passing
old mills and new mills, a portion of the
city of Nevada, away acrcss on the oppo-
site side of the mountain, peacefully re-
posing—probably all unconscious of our
near approach. On the descent to the city,
we pass the New England miil on the
left, and the Pittsburgh mill on the right;
then cross a bridge 450 feet long over Gold
Run Creek, where considerable placer
mining is still being done, and after a run
of five and a half miles from Grass Valley,
arrive at

Nevada—tThis city is the county seat
of Nevada county, situated on Deer Creek,
a rapid stream with rugged canyon walls,
and contains a population of about 4,300.
There are here seven stamp mil's, agrega-
ting 110 stamps, two de-sulphurizing
works, and, when sufficient water can be
had for ihe purpose, an extensive business
is carried on in hydraulic m ning.

The place is rather irregularly laid out,
owing to the formation of the land and the
creek which runs through a portion of the
the town. There are some good business
blocks, good county buildings, several
hotels, of which the principal is the Union;
one daily newspaper, the Transcript; and
one weekiy, the Gagctte. There are some
very nice private residences, surrounded
with orchards, fruit and beautiful shrub-
bery, which contrast strikingly with the
bare, brown, or red old hillsides.

The first mining in Nevada was placer,
ereek and guich-washing.. The mines
were very rich, and las several years.
During this time the famous hill “ dig-

ings,” a part of the “ old river bed,” were
decors and opened. They, too, proved
a source of great wealth, though many
miners became “dead broke” before the
right system—hydraulic mining with long
flumes—was inaugurated. These mines
proved very extensive and lasting, and yet
form one of the chief sources of the city’s
wealth. Of late years the attention of the
people hs been directed to cement and
quartz mining, and several very valuable
quartz veins have been opened, and fine
mills erected on them. The quartz interest
is now a decided feature in the business of
the city.

Stages leave Nevada daily for North San

 

CROFUTT’S NEW OVERLAND TOURIST

Juan, 14 miles; Comptonville, 22 miles;
Forest City, 45 miles, and Downieville,
50 miles.

Norra San Juan—is a lively mining
town of 1,500 inhabitants, most of whom
are engaged in hydraulic or other min-
ing. The yield of the Milton Company’s mill
for 1877, was $233,000; the Manzanita
mine, $150,713, for the same year. Or-
chards and vineyards are numerous, also
some fine private residences.

CoMPTONVILLE—is another smal] min-
ing town, of about 500 inhabitants, most of
whom are dependent on placer mining,
and they have a portion of the “ old chan-
nel” or hill mines in the immediate
vicinity.

Forrest Crry—is a place of about 400
inhabitants, also a mining town, working
“ drift diggings.”

DowNIEVILLE — the largest town in
Sierra county, is situated on Yuba River,
with a population of about 1,000.

BLooMFIELD—is twelve miles from Ne-
vada, sometimes called “Humbug,” but the
yield of the North Bloomfield Co.’s mine
for 1877, $291,125, was mot much of a
humbug.

With this hasty glance at a country
where the material for a big book lays
around loose, we return to the Overland
road, and again to the westward.

Leaving Colfax, we follow down Auburn
Ravine, at times near its bed and anon
Winding in and out among the hills, which
are here and there covered with small
oaks and an occasional large oak
and pine, together with the Manzanita, a
peculiar shrub, resembling the thorn of
the Eastern States, which sheds its bark
instead of its leaves. (See Annex No. 50.)

N. KE, Mills — is the first station after
Colfax, 5.6 miles distant, but trains stop
only on signal. The country is very rough
and broken, and 8.31 miles more brings
our train to

Applegate—another sideirack near
some lime Kilns. Continuing along with
numerous cuts, fills, bridges and one tun-
nc] near the next station, 700 feet long, for
2.97 miles, we arrive at

Clipper Gap—an unimporiant sta-
tion. iis onward, we leave the ravine
and keep along the foot hills, to hold the
grade — passing through many an old
washed placer mine, in which, only a few
short years ago, could be seen thousands of
men digging and washing, washing and
digging, from morning till night, seeking

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