[From J. Wells Kelly, First Directory of Nevada Territory (1862)]

238      DIRECTORY OF NEVADA TERRITORY.

ESMERALDA COUNTY.

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            BEGINNING at a point where the thirty-seventh degree of north latitude intersects the one hundred and sixteenth meridian, and running west along said thirty-seventh degree, to the California line ; thence, along said line, in a north-westerly direction, to the summit of the divide between the east and west forks of Walker River; thence, along said divide, in a northerly direction, to the head waters of Desert Creek ; thence, following down the middle of said creek, to a point where it debouches from the mountain ; thence, following the base of the mountain to the west branch of Walker River; thence, across said river, to the base of the mountain ; thence, following the base of the mountain in a direct line, as near as may be, to Mason's Ranch ; thence, due east, to the one hundred and sixteenth meridian ; thence, south along said meridian, to place of beginning. County-seat, AURORA.

            This county, as will be seen from its boundaries, covers an area of vast extent, being next to Humboldt the largest in the Territory. Like Humboldt, too, it is pretty much an entire desert, containing even less good land, perhaps, than that burnt-up and barren region. Of three fourths of it, embracing all but the extreme western part, only sufficient is known to warrant the belief that it is a field of almost utter desolation,—consisting of alkali flats and dry lagoons, alternating with volcanic ranges and wastes of sands. Such is the aridity of the country, that the want of good water alone will forbid its ever

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being more than sparsely settled, while the absence of feed—the yielding nature of the soil, being mostly soda marsh or sand,—and the extreme heat of the summer, render even a journey across it a matter of suffering and toil. Fremont, Steptoe, and others, who have at various times hastened over it with small parties, represent the country as being a perfect "Tierra Caliente," and withal so broken by rugged hills, basaltic bluffs and lofty table lands, as to render a passage over it tedious and difficult ; a statement, the experience of the late boundary surveying party fully confirms. Toward a region so devoid of both geographic and historic interest, there would be little to invite attention, were it not for the rich mines discovered on its western border, and the hope of still others being found in the depths of its lone and silent wastes.

            The idea that silver existed in the country east of the Sierra was, as we have seen, antecedent to the discovery of the Comstock Lead. Peter Lassen and others, having observed traces of it in the region to the north, had previously made search for veins in that quarter ; while the existence of extensive mines of this metal in Northern Mexico, established a belief in the popular mind that an argentiferous belt extended throughout the whole intervening region. Under this impression, prospecting parties setting out from Virginia City, began pushing their explorations toward the south-east ; some ledges having been located for silver fifty miles distant in that direction, as early as the fall of '59. During the following summer these efforts were renewed, and not without important results, having led to the discovery of the rich and now well known Esmeralda mines.

            The credit of this discovery is due to J. M. Cory, James M. Braly, and E. R. Hicks, and was brought about in the following manner : Messrs. Cory and Braly, residents of San José, having gone over to Washoe in the spring of '60 on a prospecting tour, which contemplated the exploration of a pretty wide range of country, found themselves prevented by the Indian troubles from extending their labors beyond the immediate vicinity of Virginia, until late in July. They then struck north, and having examined the district about Pyramid Lake to their satisfaction, returned and passed over into the Sullivan

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District, east of Carson River. Here they fell in with Hicks, who having prospected the country from Oregon down, was still following up his searches for silver, heading south. Having a similar object in view, the three formed themselves into a company, and continuing their journey in that direction along the Pine Nut Range of Mountains, to the West Fork of Walker River, bent their course east, and pursuing a zig-zag route through the mountains between the forks of the Walker worked their way down as far as Mono Lake. Here they bent their steps to the north-east, and, passing through the Bodey, El Dorado and Masonic Districts, all being worked to some extent at that time, they proceeded in that direction until they reached the rugged chain of hills west of Walker Lake. Having inspected these, and a similar range further east, without meeting with any very encouraging prospects, they determined to go south to the Coso region, then already somewhat talked of; and, if necessary, push their journey the length of Arizona, or even Mexico.

            For the purpose of getting an extended view of the surrounding country, and shaping their course, they ascended a high peak in the Wassuck range of mountains—which, seen a long way off by the traveler approaching Esmeralda, has since very properly been named Cory's Peak. Having from this elevated position determined a route, they entered boldly upon what promised to be a long and toilsome journey through one of the most fearfully barren sections of the Great Basin. They had not got far until a want of water compelled them to make a deflection toward the west. Coming upon a spring in a valley-like depression encompassed by steep and rocky hills, they camped for the night. In the morning, Hicks, who seems to have been the hunter of the party, started out with his rifle to look for game. Passing over a craggy height lying west of their camp—since known as Esmeralda Hill—this man, who had a quick and observing eye, noticed the peculiar appearance of the quartz ledges, here quite numerous, and breaking off some pieces brought them into camp. His companions, better versed in mineralogy, at once detected in the blue streaks that had attracted his attention, the sulphurets of silver, and proceeding to test it, found the metal present in abun-

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dance. With such a prospect, all idea of going on without a further inspection of the locality was of course abandoned. The three went out, and examining the neighborhood found the hills ribbed with quartz veins from top to bottom. Having tested these veins, and found them all more or less impregnated with the precious metals, they took up seven of the number. The spot from which the first piece of rock was taken by Hicks, is in the Discovery Claim of what is now known as the "Old Winnemucca" Ledge, located near the brow and on the west declivity of Esmeralda Hill. This occurred on the 25th of August, 1860, a day that will be memorable as having brought to light one of the richest and most extensive mineral districts ever yet discovered.

            Having taken up this small number of claims, acting, under the circumstances, with a moderation highly commendable, these young men hastened to Monoville, twenty-five miles distant, and acquainted the inhabitants with the discovery. On the 30th of August, a company of some twenty returned with them, when a mining district having been duly laid out, and a set of rules and regulations adopted, numerous claims were taken up. This district, ten miles square, was, at the suggestion of Mr. J. M. Cory, named Esmeralda,—an appellation that has since gradually extended itself to the adjacent country, and finally been given to the county erected from a portion of it by the Legislature of Nevada.

            The fame of these mines spreading rapidly, a large influx of people soon followed, and every out-cropping quartz ledge in the vicinity was before winter taken up ; yet scarce any work was performed upon them, as tools and provisions were scarce, and most of the claim holders were without means, being men who were afloat, and who in the course of their adventures had drifted into this neighborhood at the time of the discovery. This, with the remoteness and the then bad condition of the roads leading to these mines, retarded their development for the first year—deterring capital from giving them aid, and depreciating them in the popular estimation. As is well known, nothing can be accomplished in quartz mining without machinery for crushing the rock; and being destitute of this, Esmeralda, however rich, could, of course, produce nothing—hence

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but few sales of claims have been effected, and but little heard of it compared with its great merits.

            It may, perhaps, be well to state, before proceeding further, that it is a question whether the territory embracing these mines lies is Nevada or California. Presuming that it was in the latter, the Legislature of that State, during the spring of '61, proceeded to erect it into a county, which was afterwards duly organized by the election of the usual officers, who still continue to exercise their functions. About the same time the new Territory of Nevada was created by an Act of Congress, and the Territorial Legislature meeting in the fall, acting upon this uncertainty, in like manner presuming that this district was on their side the line, erected from it the provisional county of Esmeralda—without, however, disturbing the local government already in existence, or directing any election to be held for superseding it. It will therefore be seen that, while Nevada claims a nominal jurisdiction over this territory, it is for all civil and political purposes a part of California. Under whose authority it will ultimately fall can only be determined by the settlement of the boundary, a matter not likely soon to be effected, owing to the inexcusable delays of those having the work in hand, and the criminal expenditure of the funds appropriated for its accomplishment. By act of both Legislatures Aurora, the principal town in this quarter, was designated as the county-seat, it being the center of the mines and the population. The census report showed Mono County to contain three thousand two hundred and twenty-six inhabitants in August last; of which number nineteen hundred and eighty-five were in and about Aurora, nine hundred and eighty-seven in Monoville, and the balance scattered throughout the county. Aurora, considering the difficulty of obtaining lumber, and the other disadvantages under which it has been built up, has grown rapidly, containing at this time several quartz mills in operation, with many large stone and brick buildings, and a fair exhibit of other useful and permanent improvements.

            The first quartz mill erected in this district was taken in by Messrs Green, Culver, and Jackson, in the spring of 1861, and started in June of that year, having been put up and run under the superintendence of Mr. S. S. Richardson, engineer

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and machinist, of San Francisco. It was a steam mill of fifteen horse power, running one of Howland's eight stamp batteries, and four large arrastras, crushing about eight tons of rock per day. Though not extensive, it was a first-class mill in all its appliances ; and owing to the cost of freight, and the absence of almost every kind of material and conveniences at the time it was brought in, was an expensive concern, having cost over twelve thousand dollars. Including this, the "Pioneer," there are ten quartz mills now running at or near Aurora, with eight more under way, and all of which will be ready for operation early in the summer—many of them much sooner. The following is a list of the mills completed:

Quartz Mills.

            THE PIONEER MILL, above described, situated on Willow Spring Gulch, in the upper part of the town.

            THE UNION, owned by Johnson, Millsap & Co., is driven by a twenty-four horse power steam-engine ; runs eight stamps--Bryant's improved battery—six arrastras, and one Varney pan ; crushes ten tons per day. It is located on Esmeralda Ravine, in the lower edge of the town, and was put up in the fall of '61, at a cost of twenty thousand dollars.

            TAYLOR & COMPANY'S MILL—is propelled by a forty horse power steam-engine ; eight stamps—Bryant's improved battery ; seven Varney pans—and cost sixteen thousand dollars.

            P. P. MOSES' MILL, situated a little below the Union, is driven by a fifteen horse power engine, and crushes by a process entirely new, and as yet untried on a large scale. It is called Stevens' Patent, and, so far as experimented with, has proved successful. It is claimed that with this force it will crush or grind one ton per hour. Mode of amalgamating not yet determined on. Cost, sixteen thousand dollars.

            NAPA MILL, on the same gulch, is furnished with a thirty horse power steam-engine ; eight stamps—Bryant's battery ; four arrastras and eight Hungarian bowls for amalgamating. This mill has a silver-saving process attached, and cost about the same as the Union.

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            THE AURORA MILL—Dow, Childs & Batturs, proprietors—driven by a forty horse power steam-engine ; has ten stamps —ten more soon to be added ; Bryant's improved battery ; use Varney's pans temporarily—the Veatch process shortly to be introduced ; will crush twenty tons of rock per day. Cost of mill, with silver-saving process and apparatus, twenty-five thousand dollars.

            THE PINE CREEK MILL, known also as Brodie's, situated a short distance below Aurora, crushes twenty tons of rock per day, working by a new method. Dr. Lanszweert's process for amalgamating is used, working for both gold and silver. Engine thirty horse power; cost of mill twenty thousand dollars.

            GIBBONS & COMPANY'S MILL, driven by a twelve horse power engine; carries four stamps—Bryant's improved battery; amalgamate with four Varney pans. Cost about twelve thousand dollars.

            CLAYTON & COMPANY'S MILL, situated one mile east of the town, is driven by a forty horse power engine ; has twelve stamps, straight battery ; employs the Clayton & Veatch process for saving both silver and gold ; crushes thirty tons of rock per day. Cost, eighteen thousand dollars.

            LAMB'S MILL—a small pulverizer for dry-crushing, completes the catalogue of mills now finished and running in the vicinity of Aurora. On the east fork of Walker River, thirty miles north, there are two additional mills driven by water, the one owned by Harry Durant & Co., running stamps, and the other the property of Welburn & Co., operating with arrastras only. The Durant mill cost about six thousand dollars, and crushes from eight to ten tons rock daily. The other is much less expensive, and has a capacity of about four tons per day.

            Within a convenient distance of Aurora there is a sufficiency of fuel to last a large number of quartz mills several years; yet as fuel is constantly becoming more difficult to be obtained,

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and must ultimately be exhausted, various projects have been set on foot for facilitating the transit of the ores to points where they can be reduced by water power. To this end a railroad is to be constructed from the mines to a point on the East Walker, twenty-five miles north of Aurora, and also another to the Big Meadows, thirty miles further up that stream, and in the vicinity of the forests whence these mines must derive their supply of lumber. The company formed for building the road first named have obtained a charter from the Legislature of Nevada Territory—the other from that of the State of California, within whose domain the entire route is supposed to be located. These are both valuable franchises, and cover improvements that cannot fail, when completed, to greatly promote the public convenience, and add immensely to the value of these mines. Two toll roads have been constructed leading out of Aurora : the one, owned by Garrison & Co., extending to the Big Meadows on the East Walker, a distance of twenty-five miles, cost six thousand dollars ; and the other reaching to Desert Creek, on the route to Carson Valley, forty miles, built by Clayton, Pugh and Dickson, in the winter of '60, at a cost of five thousand dollars.

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252 DIRECTORY OF NEVADA TERRITORY.

Mining Claims, etc.

            The following is a list—though possibly a very incomplete one—of ledges in the Esmeralda District that have been sufficiently opened and tested to establish their value :-

            The Esmeralda Discovery Claim—with one north and one south extension.—(It may be well, to state that the extensions in this district are in some cases deemed equally valuable with the original location, though perhaps not in the case of the Esmeralda Ledge.)—The La Plata, Cape, Sunset, Eclipse, Cen-

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tral, Winnemucca (Old and Young), Buckeye, Silver Hill, and St. Louis (consolidated) with extensions, Utah, Constitution, Golden Harvest, Cedar, Locomotive, Sierra Madre, Roman, Antelope (with extensions), Tennessee, Midas, Daniel Boone, Phoenix, Unique, Boston, Minnie, Live Yankee, Sinaloa, Mayfield, Arctic, Bay State, Bear Flag, Bright Star, Muy Rico, Santa Cruz, Golden Gate, Strawberry, Alta, San Francisco, Senator, Willow Spring, Last Chance, Empire, Keokuk, Pride of Utah, Bambo, Wide West, Yellow Jacket, Aurora, Sam Patch, Garibaldi, Real del Monte, Hornet, Queen City, Philadelphia, Long Island, El Dorado, Juniata, Great Republic, and Carmelo. In the Van Horn District, the following ledges are of good local reputation : the Farnham, J. J. Crittenden, Seco, Williams, Chalmers, and Bell.