USA > California > Tuolumne County > A history of Tuolumne County, California : compiled from the most authentic records > Part 30
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Subsequently to this outpouring, and after the molten stream had cooled, the great process of erosion, continuing, has scooped out all the cañons and valleys as we now find them, and has lowered the bed of the Stanislaus two thou- sand feet. In this gigantic and long continued action of the great rivers which then flowed over this region, carving, destroying and denuding vast tracts, the configuration of the whole country was changed; and, as a well attested case in point, the earth and rocks hemming in the great lava stream wore worn away, leaving the hard basaltic mass nearly intact, and surviving the destruction and removal of the softer rocks.
It is difficult to conceive of any force capable of effecting such extensive degradation of strata as has occurred here, but that it has occurred there can be no doubt. Examining the canon of the Stanislaus, it becomes apparent that the lava stream had crossed it near Abbey's Ferry, at a great hight above the present water level; and as the volcanic current had followed some other channel previously exca- vated by water, it is evident that the amount of denudation
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was much greater than the present depth of the existing cañon, say three or four thousand feet; figures that repre- sent the erosion which has taken place within the compara- tively late geological epoch succeeding the lava flow.
Here arise some speculations as to the comparative ages of the different deposits found in the county. It is well known that the limestone underlies Table Mountain, thus proving its superior antiquity. Slate antedates limestone, as proved by the existence of the upturned edges of slate strata within the limestone belt, peculiar in that their ex- treme metamorphism produces a strong resemblance to trap, for which this slate is oftentimes mistaken by the local savants.
That these slates, largely silicious, are older than the neighboring granite, appears from the existence of granitic dykes, forced upward through the slate and lying in con- tact therewith-a thing that could not result from the sub- sequent deposition of the sedimentary slate. An attendant circumstance is the extreme metamorphism of the contigu- ous slate, as caused by the influence of the highly heated granite, which it will need hardly be said was in a melted condition when it arrived at its present position.
We can now state the comparative age of the four prin- cipal formations, as follows: First in point of age comes slate, then granite, and limestone, and finally the volcanic deposits of Table Mountain.
Next we come to consider the later deposits.
After the formation of Table Mountain, and after the in- tense volcanic action had ceased, it is considered by geolo- gists that there occurred a period in which the rainfall was excessive, and in which all the streams flowing over this land were of corresponding magnitude. This supposition is put forward as the most likely means to account for the enormous denudation of land which has taken place.
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Herein lies the key to the deposition of gold-bearing gravels, both ancient and modern. The former gravel beds, found frequently on the tops of high elevations, resulted from the deposit from running water of particles of earth worn from the vicinity of quartz veins, and carrying along with them the gold disseminated throughout their mass. Orig- inally so deposited, subsequent erosions by the modern streams, to which volcanic changes have given totally different channels and directions, have again moved the auriferous materials, winnowing out the gold and leaving a portion of it in the newer placers, which are the shallow deposits of the lower canons of the present day. Hereiu is seen the connected fact of the great erosion of this part of the country, removing nearly all of the ancient gravels, but still leaving sufficient of the massy deposits to prove the truth of the theory.
This supposition regards quartz as the principal or sole matrix of gold-indisputable in the absence of an atom of evidence to the contrary. But it is not to be supposed that the present insignificant known veins had anything important to do with it. We can not regard the quantity of gold which man has extracted, or which yet remains in the available gravel leads, as more than a tithe of the actual quantity which was originally set free by the wearing down of A MILE of sedimentary slates and other rocks intersected by quartz veins, perhaps more extensive than on the present slightly prospected surface. Were the vanished rocks no richer than those that remain, who can estimate the wealth contained in that mile of Tuolumne's rock-ribbed earth which lies at present nearest the surface? Doubtless, were it prospected, its "pockets" removed, its milling ore crushed, its sulphurets reduced, and its gravel washed, the resulting mass of gold might suffice to enrich the world.
Truly, this is a vast subject. We have here the consid-
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eration of the existence of innumerable veins of quartz ex- isting within the rocks to a countless depth, involving wealth beyond calculation, and geological power and age beyond human imaginings. What time in past eras has done, time in the succeeding epochs may do. Argonauts of the tremendous future may search the streams for the yellow dross a mile beneath us, as possibly others have done a mile above us in the hoary past. The gravel that underlies the valleys of the San Joaquin and the Sacra- mento came from the Sierra, and holds those minute par- ticles of gold that were sustained by the waters in their passage; and that gold is lost to man. The gold is lost; but not so the lesson of the power and beneficence of the Creator who planed down these giant mountains, that man might gain by that which his puny strength could not otherwise reap.
The basaltic lava deposits have been referred to the Pli- ocene era. The ancient gravel beds are of previous exist- ence. In the detritus beneath Table Mountain the bones and teeth of animals, notably of the rhinoceros, of a species of horse, of the mammoth (elephas primigenius), of a species of camel, together with silicified wood, have been found, and possibly also relics of primeval man. According to Whitney, the remains of the mastodon, elephant, bison, tapir, the existing species of horse, and of prehistoric man's works, exist within the newer placer gravels; while buried within the deep, ancient placers, the mastodon, rhinoceros, an ally to the hippopotamus, an ally to the camel, and an extinct species of horse are found.
Thus the animals of the deep gravel period partook of the Pliocene characters, and also, to a less degree, to those of the succeeding Quaternary. Hence, Whitney is of the opinion that the deep placers were formed in the later Pli- ocene time, and that the lava flow occurred at the termina-
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tion of that epoch or at the beginning of the Quaternary; but Professor Le Conte, suggesting the probability of the Pliocene animal types lingering on into the succeeding epoch, deems it likely that the earlier Quaternary beheld the formation of the deep placers, while the newer placers were formed in the later portion of the same era; support- ing this theory with the statement that the deep placer gravels are similar to the Quaternary gravels all over the world, excepting their cementation in some cases into grits and conglomerates, through the agency of alkali and solu- ble silica, derived from overlying lava.
In the latter case, the formation of Table Mountain would necessarily have been of more recent origin, afford- ing yet a grand illustration of the immensity of geologic time, inasmuch as the entire washing away of the thousands of feet of hard slate has been the work of the elements in time subsequent to the volcanic outbreak, which we may assume took place after a considerable lapse of Quaternary time.
"Several cases have been reported of the finding of human remains in the sub-lava" detritus. These cases are not attested upon the authority of scientific men, but rest upon respectable evidence-insufficient, indeed, to prove an hypothesis, but highly deserving of consideration. Aside from the Calaveras skull mentioned by Whitney, and the Table Mountain skull reported by Winslow, there have been reports of mortars and pestles, of flint spear-heads and arrow heads found. But while these rest on fair evi- dence, yet they seem to carry disproof within themselves. The idea that a race existed at a period tens of thousands of years in the past, who manufactured and used precisely the same utensils that the present Indians do, seems an absurdity. One might as well expect to find Roman swords or English cannon beneath the giant lava stream, for it is
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impossible in the light of science that any race of men coulel have continued to exist throughout such a space of time as separates the volcanic outbreak from the present. It is more likely that a score of successive races have inhabited the region, each separated from the others by the widest ethnological differences, than that one should have such a perpetuity, neither advancing nor retrograding in their arts, habits and manufactures: and, that they did not advance would be evidenced by the continued use of the above men- tioned utensils. Decidedly, we must admit a very high antiquity to the lava deposits. To assign an age of a thou- sand centuries would not seem extravagant, considering the denudation that has since taken place. These figures are not put forward as their approximate age, however, but merely as a show for argument. Let it be assumed, then, that Table Mountain has that age, and it follows that the Stone Age of the inhabitants commenced even earlier, for there is no opportunity of knowing how long the sub-lava deposits had been forming, within which these relics have accumulated. Considering that the people of that date, were there such, used precisely the same implements as those now in use among the Digger Indians, it is the in- evitable conclusion that they must have been Diggers, and naught else. But this, as before remarked, is absurd; for there is not only no record or suspicion of any human race continuing for such a space of time, but it does not seem that any species of animals ever existed through such an extent of ages. The genus Homo may then have been in existence, but certainly not the species Sapiens.
There is in man a remarkable tendency to exaggeration of periods of time, a reverence for the antique, as it were, which, though most evident among the unscientific, yet "crops out" in the geological mind to some extent, and correspondingly weakens the statements of vast ages cred-
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ited to different strata and to different organic remains. The writer does not wish to impress it upon the people of Tuolumne that their Table Mountain is one hundred thou- sand years old; those figures being assumed at will, one half the time would just as well have carried out the pur- poses of his argument, or, indeed, for that matter, one tenth. The chief point to be regarded is, that to the ordi- nary mind a cycle of geological time-the period in which whole lands have been submerged, or hundreds of feet of sedimentary strata have been formed-is meaningless ; while a generation, or a century, carries with it a solemn seriousness. So it is with alleged discoveries of fossil re- mains: most men would have little hesitancy in accepting a dog's skeleton as coming from ground which a geologist would have no difficulty in identifying as of Silurian or Carboniferous origin, while the same man would hardly mention a locomotive engine or a repeating rifle as having been in use in the Revolutionary War. Yet the one is no more impossible than the other. Indeed, the former would be the easier to disprove; for of all scientific records, those which are most satisfactorily made out are those portions of geological science which the careful and advanced thinkers of to-day present to us for our study and reflection.
Origin of Gold.
Many theories regarding the origin of mineral veins and the occurrence of metals therein have been advanced, and the important subject has been variously and ably treated. But as yet perhaps no theory has been advanced that seems by its inherent applicability to remove all doubt. The sublimation theory, with its modifications, seems inappli-
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cable to the case of quartz veins, which are known to have been of aqueous origin. Electricity, it has been suggested, was the agent by which the deposition of veins was con- trolled; but this theory only seems to increase the difficulty, by assigning to an agent of which nothing is known results which it produced in some unimaginable way, so that the theory embroils us in more difficulties than at first. Some eminent scientists have given their adhesion to the hypoth- esis that the superincumbent sea water (known to contain traces of gold) parted with its auriferous store to the slates then in process of formation, and that afterwards the gold became collected in the later-formed quartz veins, through the agency of solution and chemical affinity.
Professor Le Conte, in his new "Elements of Geology," gives the outline of the most probable theory yet advanced, from which these extracts are made:
The contents of mineral veins seem to have been de- posited from hot alkaline solutions coming up through the fissures previously produced by movements of the earth's crust. Ribbon structure and interlocked crystals show this, and cavities are seen to be filled which could have been filled in no other way than by deposition from solu- tions. Fluid cavities exist in the quartz, which is the most common vein stuff. Quartz crystals only form thus.
These solutions were hot. Deep fissures necessarily fill up with water, and this water from its contact with rocks at a great depth absorbs heat from them. The solvent power of hot water under pressure is extremely great. Scarcely any substance resists it. " The invariable association of metal- liferous veins with metamorphism demonstrates the agency of heat."
The solutions were alkaline, containing alkaline carbon- ates and sulphides-the only natural solvents of quartz. Such solutions still exist in California and Nevada, and still are depositing quartz.
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These facts show the almost certainty of alkaline liquids having deposited quartz in veins. As to the contained gold, the theory is sufficiently elastic to deal with that also. Professor LeConte informs us that metallic sulphides, i. e., iron pyrites ("sulphurets"), copper sulphurets, zinc blende, galena, silver glance, etc., are by far the commonest forms of ore, and other forms we know can be traced to sulphides, having become decomposed from their original form. But metallic sulphides are soluble in alkaline sulphides, such as sulphide of sodium, etc., and these waters containing them would deposit them, on cooling, in the fissures.
It is a fact that at this very time there are veins of quartz containing the sulphides of lead, iron, mercury, copper and zinc, forming, in the State of Nevada, where the operation is visible to the eye of man; and it is going on just in the way indicated above. This, it may be said, is evidence enough to support the theory cited.
" Gold is known to be slightly soluble in the salts of iron. These salts, especially the sulphate and. per-sulphate of iron, are the probable solvents of gold. The silicate of gold is slightly soluble also.
In the auriferous veins of California the gold exists as minute crystals and threads, enclosed in the sul- phide of iron, and therefore must have been deposited from the same solution as the iron. It seems most probable that the gold was dissolved in a solution of the sulphate or per-sulphate of iron, and that the sulphate was deoxidized and became insoluble sulphide, and was then precipitated and that the gold thus set free from solution was entangled in the sulphide at the moment of the precipitation of the latter.
* * * " Gold is sometimes found in pure quartz, with- out the sulphide of iron. In these cases it may have been in solution in alkaline water as silicate of gold, as suggested by Bischof.
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* " Although gold exists in the iron sulphide of the unchanged portion of the vein, only in minute, even microscopic, crystals and threads, yet in the changed upper portion of the vein it exists in visible particles, and often in large nuggets weighing several ounces, and rarely, of sev- eral pounds weight. This fact is additional evidence that sulphate of iron is the natural solvent of gold. There can be no doubt that these larger grains and nuggets result from a coalescence of all the minute particles contained in a mass of sulphide, into one or more larger masses. By meteoric agencies, the sulphide is oxidized into sulphate, and the gold re-dissolved. From this solution it crystalizes into one mass, as the solution concentrates by losing its sulphuric acid and changing into peroxide. In the case of large nuggets, the gold is probably in some way deposited constantly at the same place, from a similar solution bring- ing gold for a long time."
These brief extracts will serve to give an idea of the theory which the later developments of geology have made to prevail. It will be seen that these suppositions dispose of the difficulties existing with respect to the formation of mineral veins in granite and other rocks besides clay slate. We need not seek for explanation as to the power of con- ducting electricity which any given formation possesses. Neither do all veins necessarily have to lie in a due north and south direction to make this theory admissible. Nor is intense heat necessary, as in the sublimation or igneous theories. Finally, we easily account for the existing growth of veins, and for veins formed at very different periods of the world's history.
Having said so much upon the formation of veins, we will now proceed to the discussion of the mines of this county, first taking up gold mining in quartz.
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Quartz Mining.
The first mention of quartz veins containing gold was made in the Sonora Herald of January 25, 1851. Therein it is stated that a very rich quartz vein had been opened at Jamestown by Turner & Co., several weeks previous. Also, that several other veins containing rich gold specimens had just been discovered nearer to Sonora; but that the dis- coverers would refrain from working them until Congress had made such laws as would secure them in their rights.
Undoubtedly these veins were what are now known as " pocket" veins, in contradistinction to "charge" or " mill- ing" veins; the difference being mainly in the dissemina- tion of the metal.
By the following September a considerable number of quartz "pocket" veins had been opened, in one of which very rich finds had been made by the " Tennessee Com- pany." Just previously the famous "Ford Lead " had been found, and had yielded prodigiously. Mr. Linoberg, of Sonora, became owner of the chief portion upon the death of the discoverer, and the claim was afterwards known as the " Louisiana Mine." In the same issne of the Herald we learn that the quartz excitement was diminish- ing, the results not having equalled the anticipations.
Quartz mining, as an industry, was soon after thoroughly established in Tuolumne, and the interest that attached to it has continued unabated to the present day. In spite of temporary discouragements, such as it met almost at the beginning, it has remained one of the leading interests, assisting more than any other to the well being of the county; and though the milling veins have not proved so rich as in other localities, that does not prove in any degree that the mining interests of the county are of small import- ance or unworthy of the attention which has been given them. Nor does it follow that because the quality and quantity of
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the rock so far extracted has not been such as to make the fortunes of more than a few, that the future will be of simi- lar results. Speaking from experience, it is safe to say that there exists, untouched at present, deposits of gold ore which, when the time comes to work them, will produce results worthy of comparison with the yields of other fa- vored localities.
We find that as early as 1851, Messrs. Bell, Linoberg & Co. had established an office in Sonora known as the " Quartz Mines and Intelligence Office;" devoted to the spreading of information relating to quartz, and to the pur- chase and sale of mining property and mining machinery. Here quartz was tested for customers.
The consideration of pocket mines having been relegated to another chapter, this article will contain only remarks upon the milling veins of the county, and these it is per- haps best to treat in detail, commencing with a description of the great Mother Lode, upon which most of the mines are situated.
The Mother Lode is, in many respects, the most re- markable metalliferous vein in the known world. Its pro- duction of the precious metal has not been so great as other quartz bodies have afforded, but its peculiar features, its influence upon the topography of the country, and its well sustained average value, together make it as above denomi- nated. Then its extent is most remarkable, as it is dis- tinctly traced for more than sixty miles-a fact that is most extraordinary, considering that the great Comstock and sundry rich South American lodes, each of which have pro- duced more wealth, cannot be traced for a tenth of that distance. The general course of the vein is forty degrees west of north. If a straight line were drawn connecting its two ends, the lode would be usually within a half mile of it; but in a few places two or three miles distant.
1
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The dip is eastern, and at an angle of forty-five or fifty degrees from the horizon.
The lode is made up of an association of parallel veins, the main one of which varies greatly in width, in places reaching thirty feet. Branches or companion veins some- times increase this to nearly one hundred feet. In some places the side veins are portions of the main vein, sepa- rated by "horses" at the surface, and uniting further down. In other cases they are totally different deposits, which do not unite even at the lowest workings. The most remarkable side veins are composed of talcose slate which carries gold and can be traced for miles, preserving a width of from two to twenty feet.
The chief peculiarities of the lode are its great length and thickness, its uniform character as to quartz, aud the character and richness of the large falcose companion veins.
The mines upon the great lode have been extensively worked, producing an enormous sum in the aggregate, and still promise, perhaps more than any others, additional re- wards to the energy which may be directed to their develop- ment. Although the vein has been extensively prospected, being pierced by their shafts at innumerable points, still it cannot be said that the wealth of the lode has been en- tirely brought to light ; on the contrary, miles of its out- croppings and its lower depths still remain to be examined. Much of the rock from this vein will pay a sum which is not quite sufficient for its present profitable working ; but in the future, when the work may be done at a cheaper rate, no doubt extensive mills will be constructed, which, devoted to working this ore, will produce fortunes.
Among the mines upon the Mother Lode, the Quartz Mountain Gold Mining Company's property, at Quartz Mountain, formerly known as the Heslep mine, has been considered a good and lasting mine. It has been pros-
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pected to a depth of 500 feet, furnishing all the way a silicious slate deposit, characteristic of the Mother Lode, containing a tolerable content of gold. The contained sulphurets are not saved, though they have been consid- ered promising sources of wealth. On the claim is a 25- stamp mill, with concentrating machinery, etc., the whole driven by a 45-foot overshot wheel.
The App claim is located on a lode parallel to the main vein, and about 300 feet distant therefrom. It has a 25- stamp mill run by water power. The shaft is 800 feet in depth.
The Alabama claim, located on the great lode, has within the past few years taken high rank. It has 12 feet or more of low grade ore, easily accessible and capable of being cheaply worked, as there is on the claim a magnificent 40- stamp mill, driven by water power, capable of crushing 50 tons daily. Under Mr. Harris' capable management, the mine has become the leading exponent of the system of working low grade ores successfully. Figures are wanting, but there is no doubt that the Alabama is capable of 'ex- tracting and crushing quartz as cheaply as it can be done at any mine in the world. The Sierra Buttes mine, in Plumas County, is able to take out and crush rock at a cost of not over two dollars per ton, the mill containing 60 stamps, and amalgamating in battery. No doubt the Ala- bama can compete even with such work as this. It is well for Tuolumne county that there exists an institution in which those ores which, though of small value per ton, yet are of the utmost importance to the county, may be profit- ably treated. It is a safe assertion to say that there are unlimited quantities of such ores in the county which may and doubtless will prove the mainstay of a large and in- creasing population.
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