Mining and Scientific Press, Vol. 10, No. 11, p. 168 (March 18, 1865)

"QUICKSILVER."

Last week we saw Dr. E. F. Hough, of Martinez, take two ounces and nine pwts. of pure quicksilver from two pounds of cinnabar from the Welch lode, on Mount Diablo. The rock was smelted in a common retort (holding one pound to a charge) placed in the bar-room fire. There is an immense deposit of cinnabar in the above-named lode, a portion of which is exceedingly rich. If worked to advantage, the cinnabar of Mount Diablo will soon prove one of the important resources of Contra Costa county.

"OPEN SESAME ORE."--Five tons of ore from the lodes of the Sesame Company, of Clayton District, Contra Costa county, were shipped to this city on Wednesday of last week. The rock will soon be tested by working process, and we are quite hopeful that the Open Sesameites will receive a favorable return. Their several claims possess an abundance of mineral ore, showing, among them all, gold, silver, copper and cinnabar.

" WORTH MENTIONING."--The Summit of Zion Copper Mining Company, in Clayton district, Contra Costa county, have made a good showing of work for the amount of money expended. It is an incorporated company and commenced operations in May, 1863, since which time $4,000 only has been collected from assessments, and over 500 feet of tunnel, drifts and shafts have been run--tracks laid and shafts curbed. Besides this, a blacksmiths' forge and tools have been paid for, and the company remains comparatively free from debt. The lode has been reached at a depth of 230 feet, and the workmen are still drifting upon it. The ledge shows good ore, but not sufficiently concentrated to be valuable. J. F. Williams, Esq., of Martinez, is Secretary of the company.

Return to Mines of Mt. Diablo Collection Index