He had
built a little quartz mill in Nevada, near the Comstock mine. Seeing the
suffering of the workmen in all the mines on that mountain side, he
thought of a plan for the construction of a large tunnel which was to
begin at a low level at the nearest point of the Carson River and run
deep into the mountain so that it could drain all the rich mining
section, give good ventilation for the deep underground works, and
afford a much cheaper and more convenient way of taking care of the ore.
It was to be four miles long, with branches extending from it to
different mines. Its height was to be ten feet; width, twelve, with a
drainage trench in the center to carry away the waste water to the
Carson River, and tracks on each side for the passage of mules and cars.
At first the mine owners were pleased with the project, and Mr. Sutro
succeeded in forming a company to build the tunnel. Then he went to
Washington, where the government became so interested in his plans that
on July 25, 1866, there was passed an act of Congress granting Sutro
such privileges in regard to public lands as would safeguard his work.
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