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Show Embracing as it does an abundance of water-the main river itself has about 10,000 miners' inches at its highest, and not less than 1,500 inches at the lowest stage not including the numerous small tributariesexcellent timber for all purposes covering the whole country, ample fall for any required grade for washing off the gravel and room for dumping, aJU.d what is of the utmost importance, gold in quantity to insure large profits for generations to come· While the gold may not be equally distributed over so large an area, and expeffe~ce ·~lsewh.ere proves that l'tis :not, enough has already been demonstrated at the various places where the gravel has been washed tb show its great value. Time did not permit me to closely examine the plaJers ori Granite and Olear Creeks, but as they lie within the great gold zone, so to speak, they will be profitable producers for many years. But by far the most valuable and important is the North Fork of the John Day River placer region. There nature seems to have been very liberal in placing so conveniently her forces for hydraulic mining, and notwithstanding the gravel may not contain so much gold per yard, as in the other sections, it can here be gathered at one half the cost. From my experience in hydraulic mining the cost of washing this gravel, using 2000 to 2,500 miner's inches of water will not exceed five cents per cubic yard, and each miners' inch will tear down and move not less than three cubic yards per twenty-four hours under proper conditions, or 6,000 cubic yards daily. Assuming the values to be fifteen cents per cubic yard, which iE? certainly conservative in the light of the present season's returns from partial clean-ups, it will show a net return of at least $600 daily for each plant in operation, and as the length and width of the placer field, together with its fall or grade, and abundance of water, is such as will permit the operation of at least four ;such plants, you have as I said at the beginning, an enterprise of great magnitude; its present value diffi. cult to determine, without being thought too extravagant, for there are many millions of gold held in this &lxtensive gravel field, and the property certainly is worth many times the price y~._)u paid for it. Hon. H. J. Grant, Dear Sir: Sincerely Yours, BENJAMIN HAMPTON. SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, SEPTEMBER 12th, 1896. Having recently returned from a visit to the placer mines on the North Fork of .the John Day River, Grant County, Oregon, I can say I am satisfied your property is all you can wish. The gravel containing the gold is almost without limit. The fact that with very crud8 appliances men have been able to obtain most liberal returns for their labor is iP evidence b8yond . question. With ample water which you have, and with the improved appliances you have introduced, to my mind, with any reasonable management, your mining company must succeed. That the gold is there, can be demonstrated t0 the satisfaction of any man. Water can be had in quantities to meet all needs even to the washi.ng of the mountains down. Respectfully, JOHN HENRY SMITH. |
