Letter from Cornucopia. (December 9, 1875)
Letter 14
LETTER FROM CORNUCOPIA.
The Weather—The Mines and the Markets—The Mother Vein Found—The Roads and Mails.
Cornucopia, Dec. 4, 1875.
Editor Silver State: It has been sometime since I wrote you, and I thought to-day I would sit down and write you a few notes from this camp. In the first place, in regard to the weather, I can state it is fearful, rain and snow every day since the 5th of November last, and our country is FLOODED WITH MUD, and God only knows when it will be better. Old settlers have been prognosticating and saying that after the storm was over we would have good weather. I suppose we will; but the prophets are at fault so far, and the clerk of the weather almost continuously showers down upon us. As yet there are plenty of provisions in the camp, and I think we can stand it through the winter. Many are leaving and seeking new quarters; but where they are to go to better themselves no one can tell. Those permanently engaged here seem cheerful, and will bide their time. Hogle, Truett, Meacham, Moser, Lewis & Co. and in fact all our leading merchants and business men have an abiding faith in the merits of this district.
That the Leopard mine is one of the richest in the State it is not necessary for me to repeat. In their easterly works, from the lowest depth in the mine, they have STRUCK THE MOTHER VEIN, and now it comes in solid, and shows one of the best mineral veins in the country. The mill capacity of that company is not sufficient to work the ore extracted from the mine; they could easily supply ore enough for a 100-stamp mill with their present force if they wanted to do so. Another year will make statements from Cornucopia that will surprise outsiders. Although it may be reported that the Leopard mill is going to shut down, there is nothing in it. They have discharged some men it is true, and why not? Why keep supernumeraries when they can get along with their work with present capacity, with less hands, business is business with all, is the old axiom.
OTHER MINES. The Consolidated Cornucopia, situated a little east of the Leopard, is prospecting well. George Tucker is the contractor for sinking a shaft on the claim, and is now down about seventy feet, and everything indicates that they have an exceedingly rich claim. The Monarch, in the same locality, is also good. I heard the other day that the Black Diamond, on Chloride Hill, have very rich ore, and the mine promises well. The South Leopard will eventually make a good mine. But enough of mines in this.
J. W. Barrett Esq., of your place, returned here a few days since by the way of Elko, and he says that the roads are miserable—It is no winter route. Brown, a teamster from Winnemucca, has been out now nearly twenty days with freight from Elko, and has not got in yet. Many are talking about the feasibility of the WINNEMUCCA ROUTE as the only safe winter course. The petition for the mail from Winnemucca here has been circulated and quite numerously signed; will forward same in a few days to the proper department.
Blonger, of the old firm Laswell & Blonger, appears to be doing well.
THANKSGIVING DAY passed off quietly. The day was very much saddened on account of its being the funeral day of Mrs. Schnyder, wife of Mr. Schnyder, foreman of the Leopard mine, and most all turned out to attend the funeral, as she and her husband were very estimable people, notwithstanding, quite a number of chickens and turkeys were eat [“et”] by private parties and at the public eating houses.
The markets. Of late our markets have undergone a change. At present hay is $100 per ton; wood (J. M. Barrett’s market) $40 per cord; butter $1 per pound; barley 7ct’s per pound; flour $9 per hundred. But board yet remains at its old rate, $8 per week.
Last night Wells, Fargo & Co.’s office at this place was robbed of about $200. The agent had just moved into the new office on Main street, and that was his first night’s experience.
Ty Owens is sick with the neuralgia and rheumatism.
This is all at present.
More anon, S. M. H.
Originally published in the Silver State on December 9, 1875. (link)