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April 18, 2006
Nevada's Online State News Journal
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Nevada History:
[This work is taken from a manuscript written by the publisher of The Nevada Observer in 1979-1980 and converted to digital form; Copyright © 2006 David Thompson]
EARLY GOVERNMENTS IN NEVADA
Chapter VII
Mining District Governments
In January, 1858, a group of miners met at Johntown, in Gold Canyon, and organized the Columbia Quartz Mining District.[1] The District was bounded by a line beginning at the mouth of Six Mile Canyon; thence upon the Carson River to the month of Clear Creek; thence to the center of Lakeview Ridge, dividing Eagle and Washoe Valleys; thence north along the center of said divide to the north branch of Six Mile Canyon; thence down the canyon to the starting point.[2] The miners elected William H. Dolman as District Recorder, and enacted regulations to govern the location and development of miming claims.[3] Many of those active at the meeting had recently arrived from Placerville, and the regulations adopted at Gold Canyon were based upon those of the Placerville Quartz Mining District.[4]
Eliot Lord, in his work Comstock Mining and Miners, made a substantial study of the early mining district governments, and analyzed the effectiveness of the Columbia Quartz District government:
The truth is that the regulations of the Columbia Quartz District were forgotten or only dimly remembered before a month had elapsed after their adoption. It was difficult for any meeting to frame rules which the body of miners would recognize as binding, for on one pretext or another compliance with any rule would be evaded or the existence even of a code ignored. If only a portion of the miners of the district were present at the meeting in January, the absentees might refuse to sanction the proceedings of this informal convention or to obey laws which they had no voice in framing; if the laws were adopted by a majority vote, the minority in the convention might decline to be governed by the decision. Even if the shifting population of the Johntown camp could be supposed to have adopted this code by unanimous consent, its constitution was fatally defective in the lack of provision for the enforcement of its articles. Public opinion or the sentiment of the majority might be opposed to an infraction of the code, but a mere expression of opinion was not a preventative. United action was often necessary, and this could not often be secured; for it was not in the nature of the easy-humored miner to insist upon a strict observance of rules, and except when his own interests were at stake he did not care whether another man obeyed the laws or broke them.[5]
In 1859 reports of rich ore discoveries began to come out of the Walker River diggings, a loosely defined region between the West Fork of the Walker River and Mono Lake.
[6] A rush developed to the area, and there were complaints about the extent and security of existing claims.[7] To resolve these and other problems, the miners called for a public meeting to be held in the spring.[8] The miners attending this meeting did not repeat the mistakes of the framers of the Columbia Quartz Mining District. They assembled at Camp Farwell on May eighth, 1859, where Peter Nye was called to be Chairman of the meeting and J.A. Talbott was appointed secretary.[9] The preamble adopted by the convention clearly states the purpose of the meeting:The isolated position we occupy -- far from all legal tribunals, and cut off from those fountains of justice which is the inherent right of every American citizen to enjoy, renders it necessary that some organization should be made by this community for mutual protection against the lawless and for meting out justice between man and man.
[10]The miners went on to provide for a system of law enforcement -- two Justices of the Peace, a Constable, and a Recorder -- to serve the needs of the community.
[11] Each of these officers of the law was to be elected every six months.[12] The articles adopted by the meeting specifically state the duties of these pubic officials, and define their powers.[13]The miners also adopted a code of criminal rules and regulations, which went well beyond the peculiar requirements of mining claims. The first section of the rules and regulations prescribes death by hanging for any person convicted of willfully and maliciously killing another; the second section allows for punishment by jury verdict in cases of willful wounding or maiming.
[14] Section three states that robbers and thieves may be punished with flogging or by banishment, as the jury may decide.[15] Persons convicted of assault and battery, or threats with a deadly weapon, are provided for in section four; these a jury may decide to fine or banish.[16] Another section forbade banking games under penalty of banishment, while yet another prohibited sales or gifts of liquor to Indians.[17] The laws of California were voted as appropriate to guide the Justices and the Constable, and the miners also allowed for the collection of fees as were allowed by California law.[18] After June first, 1859 all claims had to be worked at least three days each week.[19] The miners resolved to have the proceedings published in the Territorial Enterprise, and then elected E. Lamb and Peter Nye Justices of the Peace; Leroy Vining became the Walker River Constable, and J.A. Talbott was elected Recorder.[20]Not much more than a month afterward, the miners of Gold Hill held a similar meeting. It convened June eleventh, 1859, and A.G. Hammack acted as Chairman for the proceedings, which were recorded by Secretary V.A. Houseworth and published in the Territorial Enterprise.
[21] The preamble, rules and regulations were strikingly suggestive of those adopted at Walker River; the text of the preamble, articles and first four sections of the rules and regulations of the two meetings are almost identically worded.[22] The Gold Hill miners were silent on the question of selling liquor to Indians, however, and unlike the Walker River miners, those of Gold Hill had decided that "No Chinaman shall be allowed to hold a claim in this district."[23] The Recorder's fees were only twenty-five cents at Gold Hill, while the Walker River Recorder took in fifty cents for the same service.[24] After passing some technical regulations governing quartz vein claims and locations, the miners of Gold Hill elected J.A. Osborn Justice of the Peace (Gold Hill miners thought one would do, but wanted their officials elected every six months), James F. Rogers as Constable and V.A. Houseworth as the Recorder, and then adjourned.[25] The earlier portion of the Gold Hill miners' meeting was characterized by strong support for the Territorial movement and its adherents.[26]There is no indication that either the Walker River or the Gold Hill mining governments ever exercised, or attempted to exercise jurisdiction in any criminal case. The official activities of the two governments seem to have been limited to recording mining claims and locations. At Gold Hill, the recordation passed into local folklore, courtesy of Dan DeQuille:
V.A. Houseworth, the "village blacksmith," was the first recorder at Gold Hill, and the book of records was kept at a saloon, where it lay upon a shelf behind the bar.
The “boys” were in the habit of taking it from behind the bar whenever they desired to consult it, and if they thought a location made by them was not advantageously bounded, they altered the course of their lines and fixed the whole thing up in good shape, in accordance with the latest developments.
When the book was not wanted for this use, those lounging about the saloon were in the habit of snatching it up and batting each other over the head with it.
The old book is now in the office of the county recorder at Virginia City and is beginning to be regarded as quite a curiosity. It shows altered dates, places where leaves have been torn out, and much other rough usage.
[27]In the fourteen months following the miners' meetings at Walker River and Gold Hill, miners in Western Utah formed at least fifteen other mining districts. In their meetings defining the districts and establishing rules and regulations for claimants, there was no mention of a criminal code, nor is there any record that these mining district governments intended to exercise legal authority over crimes committed within the districts. In February, 1860, a meeting of miners at Gold Hill decided to draft a revised code of laws, which was adopted in a subsequent meeting held March fourth, 1860.
[28] The rules and regulations governing criminal activity and providing for punishments are conspicuously absent from the revised code. These facts suggest that the criminal code adopted by the Gold Hill miners, at least, was unsuccessful in its operations or undesirable to the men who framed it. Certainly the precedent established by the miners of Walker River in 1859 found few subsequent imitators.The miners who formed districts and rules governing claims in a series of public meetings hoped to provide some security to those who discovered and worked ore deposits. The rules and regulations were not drafted with any great precision, and without an adequate appreciation for the geology of the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada. Describing the recording codes of the Gold Hill miners, Eliot Lord analyzed some of the fundamental defects of the district government:
These provisions were derived in substance from similar codes in operation across the Sierras governing the division and development of narrow gold-quartz ledges dipping at well-defined angles in most instances. It was believed that the croppings on the slope of the Sun Peak [Mount Davidson] were the exposed surfaces of similar ledges of gold-bearing quartz, and the idea that these waving, irregular, broken lines of rock were jutting points of one and the same lode never entered the minds of the venturesome lawmakers; but the Procrustean bed having once been made, it was certain that facts would be lopped off and strained to suit the original theory. It was easier to make the bed than to lie in it, but the radical error in its construction was discovered too late for correction.
Inapplicable, inadequate, and rudely framed as were the laws of the district, still they might have been fairly useful if their provisions had been enforced, but the easy-humored carelessness with which rule after rule was broken or totally ignored would be amusing if its consequences were not so vexatious. The laws were passed and signed by the citizens of the district who were able to write, but this action was apparently intended as a concession to some imagined necessity for a formal prelude to their foray upon the ledges -- a sop, as it were, to an invisible dragon of legal fiction guarding the golden fleece. When by a semblance of law the treasure was placed in their hands they portioned it out without much regard for the restrictions imposed by their formal proclamation.
[29]As an example of the sort of confusion which characterized subsequent legal developments, Lord cited the discovery and subsequent claims upon the richest section of the Comstock Lode. The circumstances were such, Lord concluded, as to show “the characteristic negligence of the prospectors or their wilful disregard for their own laws and regulations.”
Lord presented persuasive reasons for the ineffectiveness of the mining district government at Gold hill. As for the miners, “some allowance may be made for their ignorance and for an easy-natured carelessness inbred by their roving and reckless habits of life, but there can be no doubt that pretended thoughtlessness was often a mask for fraud and greediness.” Lord went on to explain:
If a locator found rich croppings or a promising ledge, he was not anxious to define his boundary lines by stakes until he had satisfied himself of the extent and probable dip of his ore body, for if he placed his terminal stakes be-fore he had traced the line of his ledge and explored his seam of ore, he might inadvertently cut short his own bonanza. So he was in no hurry to mark his section, and his neighbors were equally tardy. Notice after notice would be posted claiming the allotted number of feet on a ledge, but never defining the precise position of the locations, as every man naturally wished to cut off the richest slice of the prospective bonanza and was not disposed to cut the loaf until he knew the contents. If his neighbor found ore and he did not, he was thus prepared to plant his boundary stakes in that neighbor's ground, and by hook or by crook obtain a share of the treasure. This humanly covetous spirit might, to be sure, overreach itself. The bonanza might be in his own ground and not in his neighbor's, when he might expect to see hungry claimants swooping down on his undefined plot like a swarm of vultures; still by his estimate of chances he was ready to take this risk, relying on his own quickness to secure the first grasp of the prize and on the shotguns of his friends to insure its enjoyment.
If he was reluctant to post stakes therefore, as required by the laws, he was still more unwilling to limit his chances further by recording a notice defining his boundaries. Stakes could be pulled up and thrown away, but records were not so easily got rid of. A certificate of location filed by himself might prove a disagreeable witness hereafter, and he was in no haste to forge weapons which could be used against himself. So his monuments or boundary stakes, if fixed at all, were light pine posts (4 by 4 inches usually), and his notices, if recorded at all, were still more flimsy in character.
[30]There is but little information readily available on the operations of the other mining district governments of Western Utah. Many of the ore discoveries were of little consequence, and the mining districts were abandoned. Where the discovered ore was rich, litigation seemed almost certain to follow, after the rush for claims. Copies of published laws and/or proceedings for eighteen of the mining districts of Western Utah during 1859-1860 are reproduced in the footnotes to this chapter. In order of appearance, they are Camp Farwell on Walker River
[31] (May 1859), Gold Hill District (June 1859,[32] February 1860,[33] April 1860[34] and May 1860[35]), Virginia District (September 1859[36] and June 1860[37]), Flowery Diggings (November 1859[38] and March 1860[39]), Aqua Frio District[40] (December 1859), Galena District[41] (December 1859), Argentine District[42] (March 1860), Butte District[43] (March 1860), Wild Cat District[44] (March 1860), Nevada District[45] (March 1860), Carson River District[46] (April 1860), Castle District[47] (April 1860), Eagle Valley and Washoe Districts,[48] Sullivan District[49] (May 1860), Devil's Gate District[50] (June 1860), Sulphur Spring District[51] (June 1860), Eagle District[52] (June 1860), and Green Valley District (Camp Faulls)[53] (July 1860).
[1] Lord Eliot, Comstock Mining and Miners, Howell-North, Berkley: 1959 (1883), p. 33.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid., p. 35.
[6] Territorial Enterprise 8 Jan 1859:2; 12 Feb 1859:2; 9Apr 1859;2; 28 Apr 1859;1; 21 May 1859:1; 4 Jun 1859:2; 18 Jun 1859:2; 25 Jun 1859:2; 28 Jun 1859:2; 9 Jul 1959:2; 19 Jul 1859:2.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Territorial Enterprise 21 May 1859:1.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ibid.
[13] Ibid.
[14] Ibid.
[15] Ibid.
[16] Ibid.
[17] Ibid.
[18] Ibid.
[19] Ibid.
[20] Ibid.
[21] Territorial Enterprise 28 Jun 1859:2.
[22] Ibid.
[23] Ibid.
[24] Ibid.
[25] Ibid.
[26] Ibid.
[27] DeQuille, Dan, [William Wright], The Big Bonanza: An Authentic Account of the Discovery, History, and Working of the World-Renowned Comstock Lode of Nevada Including the Present Condition of the Various Mines Situated Thereon – Sketches of the Most Prominent Men Interested in Them – Incidents and Adventures Connected With Mining, the Indians, and the Country – Amusing Stories Experiences, Anecdotes, Etc., Etc. and a Full Exposition of the Production of Pure Silver, Thomas Y. Crowell Co., New York: 1876 (Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York: 1947), pps. 34-35.
[28] Territorial Enterprise 10 Mar 1860:4.
[29] Lord, Eliot, Comstock Mining and Miners, pps. 44-45.
[30] Ibid., pps. 49-50.
[31] Territorial Enterprise 21 May 1859:1:
MINERS' CONVENTION AT CAMP FARWELL, WALKER'S RIVER
At a meeting of the miners of Walker's River, held at Camp Farwell, on the 8th day of May, 1859, Mr. Peter Nye was called to the Chair, and Mr. J.A. Talbott appointed Secretary.
The object of the meeting were [sic] briefly explained by the Chairman.
The following preamble, rules and regulations were unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, The isolated position we occupy -- far from all legal tribunals, and cut off from those fountains of justice which is the inherent right of every American citizen to enjoy, renders it necessary that some organization should be made by this community for mutual protection against the lawless and for meeting (sic) out justice between man and man. Therefore, we the citizens of Walker's River and vicinity do hereby agree to adopt the following rules and laws for our government:
Article 1st. There shall be elected two Justices of the Peace, one Constable, and one Recorder of this District, for the term of six months.
Art. 2d. The duty of the Justices shall be to issue all subpoenas, summons' (sic), warrants, attachments, etc., as may be required, to try all civil and crimi¬nal cases, and award such judgments as the evidence of the case or the decision of a jury may require.
Art. 3. The duty of the Constable shall be to serve all precepts emanating from the court, keep in custody all prisoners for crimes or misdemeanors until convicted or acquitted, act as a conservator of the peace and inflict all penaltise (sic) that may be awarded against offenders.
Art. 4th. The duty of the Recorder shall be to keep in a well bound book a record of all claims, (mining or agricultural,) that may be presented for record, with the names of the parties locating or purchasing, the number of feet or acres, where situated, and the date of location or purchase.
RULES AND REGULATIONS.
Section 1st. Any person who shall wilfully and with malice aforethought take away the life of any person, shall, upon being duly convicted thereof, suffer the penalty of death by hanging.
Sec. 2d. Any person who shall wilfully wound or maim another, shall, upon conviction thereof, suffer such penalty as a jury may determine.
Sec. 3d. Any person found guilty of robbery or theft, shall, upon conviction, be punished with stripes or banishment, as the jury may determine.
Sec. 4th. Any person found guilty of assault and battery, or exhibiting deadly weapons in a threatening manner, shall, upon conviction, be fined or banished, as the jury may determine.
Sec. 5th. Any person found guilty of selling or giving liquor to Indians, shall be fined twenty dollars.
Sec. 6th. No banking game shall, under any consideration, be allowed in this district, under the penalty of banishment.
Sec. 7th. The same fees shall be allowed the Justices and Constable as are allowed by the laws of California - the fees to be paid by the parties litigant, and the Court shall be guided by the laws as laid down in the California Digest.
Sec. 8th. Evidence of record of claims shall be considered title in preference to claims that is not [sic] recorded, nor shall the Recorder record more than one hill, one dry gulch or ravine and one river claim in the name of an individual, unless the same has been purchased.
Sec. 9th. All claims shall be properly defined by a stake at each end of the claim, with the number of members forming said company and the number of feet owned.
Sec. 10th. The Recorder shall be allowed fifty cents for recording the claim of each individual or member of a company.
Sec. 11th. All miner's tools, the cabin and one claim shall be exempt from execution for debt.
Sec. 12th. After the first day of June, 1859, all claims must be worked at least three days in each week, unless sickness or want of the requisite tools or provisions shall prevent, and in case of the latter, miners shall be allowed twenty days to commence said work.
Resolved, That the above rules and regulations be signed by the citizens of this district, and all new-comers be requested to sign the same.
Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published in the “Territorial Enterprise" in Carson Valley.
E. Lamb and Peter Nye were duly elected Justices of the Peace; Leroy Vining elected Constable, and J.A. Talbott elected Recorder.
PETER NYE, Chairman.
J.A. TALBOTT, Secretary.
[32] Territorial Enterprise 28 Jun 1859:2:
MINERS' MEETING AT GOLD HILL.
At a meeting of the miners of Gold Hill, held on Saturday, June 11th, 1859. A.G. Hammack was appointed Chairman, and V.A. Houseworth, Secretary.
The chairman briefly explained the object of the meeting, after which, Judge Crane, in a brief and cogent speech, gave an account of his labors and exertions as Delegate of Nevada to Congress.
On motion of V.A. Houseworth, it was unanimously resolved, that we fully endorse the citizens' proceedings of Carson City, of June 6th.
On motion of B.F. Little, it was unanimously resolved, that the Chair appoint five Delegates to meet at Carson City, Eagle Valley, on June 20th, to appoint Delegates of this District to be elected by the people, to the Convention to be held at Genoa, Carson Valley, on the 18th day of July ensuing, to consider the public good.
The Chair appointed V.A. Houseworth, J.A. Osborn, Jas. F. Rogers, L.S. Bowers and Capt. A.A. Parker said Delegates.
It was unanimously resolved, that we, the miners of Gold Hill, in demonstration of respect to Judge Crane, for his manly and distinguished services as Delegate to Congress, entitles him to our highest considerations.
The following preamble, rules and regulations were unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, The isolated position we occupy far from all legal tribunals, and cut off. from those fountains of justice which every American citizen should enjoy, renders it necessary that we organize, in body politic, for our mutual protection against the lawless and for meteing out justice between man and man. Therefore, we the citizens of Gold Hill and vicinity do hereby agree to adopt the following rules and laws for our government:
Article 1st. There shall be elected one Justice of the Peace, one Constable, and one Recorder of this District, for the term of six months.
Art. 2d. The duty of the Justice shall be to issue all subpoenas, summons', warrants, attachments, etc., as may be required, to try all civil and criminal cases; and award such judgments as the evidence of the case or the decision of the jury may require.
Art. 3d. The duty of the Constable shall be to serve all precepts emanating from the Court, keep in custody all prisoners for crimes or misdemeanor until convicted or acquitted, act as a conservator of the peace and inflict all penalties that may be awarded against offenders.
Art, 4th. The duty of the Recorder shall be to keep in a well bound book a record of all mining claims that may be presented for record, with the names of the parties locating or purchasing the number of feet, where situated, and the date of location or purchase; also, return a certificate for said claim or claims.
RULES AND REGULATIONS.
Section 1st. Any person who shall wilfully and with malice aforethought take the life of any person, shall, upon being duly convicted thereof, suffer the penality [sic] of death by hanging.
Sec. 2d. Any person who shall wilfully wound or maim another, shall, upon conviction thereof, suffer such penalty as the Jury may determine.
Sec. 3d. Any person found guilty of robbery or theft, shall, upon conviction, be punished with stripes or banished, as the Jury may determine.
Sec. 4th. Any person found guilty of assault and battery, or exhibiting deadly weapons in a threatening manner, shall, upon conviction, be fined or banished, as the Jury may determine.
Sec. 5th. No banking games, under any consideration, shall be allowed in this district, under the penalty of final banishment form (sic) the district.
Sec. 6th. The same fees shall be allowed in the Justice and Constable as those alleged in California -- the fees to be paid by the parties litigant, and the Court by the laws as had down in the California Statutes, so far as applicable.
Sec. 7th. Evidence of record of claims shall be considered title in preference to claims that are not recorded, nor shall the Recorder record more than one hill, dry gulch or ravine claim in the name of an individual, unless the same has been purchased.
Sec. 8th. All claims shall be properly defined by a stake at each end of the claim, with the number of members forming said company and the number of feet owned.
Sec. 9th. All claims shall be worked or the notice renewed in sixty days from the day of record, and no claim shall exceed two hundred feet square, hill claims excepted, which may be reduced to fifty feet front.
Sec. 10th. The Recorder shall be allowed the sum of twenty-five cents for recording the claim of each individual or member of a company.
Sec. 11th. No Chinaman shall be allowed to hold a claim in this district.
Sec. 12th. The district shall include all of the territory from the meridian of John Town to Steamboat Valley.
Sec. 13th. All quartz claims shall not exceed three hundred feet in length, including the depths and spurs.
Sec. 14th. Any person or persons discovering a quartz vein shall be entitled to an extra claim, on all veins he or they may discover.
Sec. 15th. All persons holding quartz claims shall actually work to the amount of $15 to the share, within ninety days from the time of locating.
Sec. 16th. All persons holding quartz claims and complying with section 15th, shall hold the same for the term of 18 months as actual property.
Sec. 17th. All quartz claims shall be duly recorded within thirty days from the time of locating.
Sec. 18th. No person shall locate more than one claim on a vein discovered.
Sec. 19th. Any and all persons locating for mining purposes shall have the same duly recorded within ten days from the time of locating.
Sec. 20th. Resolved, that the above rules and regulations shall be signed by the citizens of this district, and all who may locate hereafter.
On motion, it was unanimously resolved, that the proceedings of this meeting be published in the "Territorial Enterprise", in Carson Valley.
J.A. Osborn was duly elected Justice of the Peace; Jas. F. Rogers, Constable; V.A. Houseworth, Recorder.
On motion, the meeting adjourned.
A.G. HAMMACK, Chairman.
V.A. HOUSEWORTH, Secretary.
[33] Territorial Enterprise 10 Mar 1860:4:
LAWS OF GOLD HILL DISTRICT.
Sunday, February 26th, 1860.
At a meeting of the Miners of Gold Hill District, on motion, Mr. J.H. Mills was called to the Chair, and S.A. West appointed Secretary.
The Chairman briefly stated the object of the meeting.
On motion, that a committee of five be appointed to draft a revised code of laws.
The following persons were appointed said committee: J.H. Mills, Dr. Witter, Edw. C. Morce [sic], H. Clark and S.A. West.
On motion, that the committee be allowed one week to report.
On motion, the meeting adjourned until Sunday, March 4th.
-------------
Sunday, March 4th, 1860.
The meeting met pursuant to adjournment.
The committee appointed to revise the Mining Laws of Gold Hill District would respectfully submit the following:
This District shall be bounded as follows, to wit: On the east by the Devil's Gate District, on the north by Virginia District, on the west by Washoe District, and on the south by Carson District. The lines to be established by the several Districts by mutual agreement.
Section 1. No person shall be entitled to hold more than one claim on any one quartz lead by location.
Sec. 2. All quartz claims hereafter located, shall not exceed two hundred feet in length, including all dips, spurs and angles.
Sec. 3. Any person or persons discovering a quartz lead, shall be entitled to one claim in addition for such discovery.
Sec. 4. All quartz claims shall be duly recorded within five days from the time of location.
Sec. 5. All persons locating quartz claims shall define by a stake at each end of the claims where the ledge is visible, giving the names forming said company and the number of feet claimed.
Sec. 6. Any person or persons locating quartz claims where the ledge is not visible, shall be required to set his or their notice as near as possible to said claim or claims until the ledge shall be defined, giving the names forming said company as in section 5th.
Sec. 7. All persons holding quartz claims shall work to the amount of three days for each claim, in each and every month, on said claim or claims, or work to the amount of fifty dollars, which shall hold said claim for the term of six months.
Sec. 8. No person shall be allowed more than one claim in any one gulch, ravine or hill, unless by purchase.
Sec. 9. All ravine or gulch claims shall not exceed one hundred feet square each, hill claims excepted, which may be reduced to fifty feet front.
Sec. 10. All hill, ravine or gulch claims shall be recorded within five days from the time of location. Each claim or claims shall be defined by a stake at each corner, with the names of the person or persons forming said company.
Sec. 11. All surface claims shall be worked within ten days after there is sufficient water to successfully work said claims.
Sec. 12. There shall be a Recorder elected to hold his office during the pleasure of the miners.
Sec. 13. The duty of the Recorder shall be to keep in a well bound book a record of all mining claims that may be presented for record, with the names of the parties locating or purchasing, with the number of feet claimed, where situated, and the date of location or purchase; also, returns a certificate of record of said claim or claims, giving the book and page of said record.
Sec. 14. The Recorder shall be required to go upon the ground and place the stakes and notices on the claims, as in section 5th and 6th, and for such services shall be paid 75 cents per claim.
Sec. 15. The Recorder shall not record any claim or claims, that is already recorded and unforfeited, according to the laws of this District.
Sec. 16. No Chinaman shall be allowed to hold a claim in this District.
Sec. 17. All claims located under the old law shall become subject to the revised law after the expiration of three days from this date, as to the working of said claim or claims.
Sec. 18. It shall be the duty of the Recorder to keep the books of record in a safe place, and allow the public to examine them in his presence.
Sec. 19. That the laws as adopted shall go into effect from this 4th day of March, A.D. 1860.
On motion, that the proceedings of this meeting be published in the Territorial Enterprise.
J.H. MILLS, President.
S.A. WEST, Secretary,
[34] Territorial Enterprise 28 Apr 1860:2:
TO THE CITIZENS AND PROPERTY HOLDERS IN GOLD HILL DISTRICT.
GENTLEMEN AND FRIENDS: -- My personal business affairs having assumed a shape that requires all my attention, I can no longer act in the capacity of Recorder, thanking you kindly for your indulgence while serving you, I, to-day, retire from the position, leaving the same vacant, to be filled as per notice. If it would meet the wishes of a majority, I would suggest the name of Chas. E. Olney, as a person in every way qualified to discharge the duties of the office.
Thanking you again kindly for your good feeling manifested, I hereby hand in my resignation.
Your most ob’t. serv’t.,
E.C. MORSE.
-------------------
At a meeting of the citizens and property holders of Gold Hill Mining District, held on the 17th inst., Mr. J.H. Mills being elected to the Chair, and C.E. Olney Secretary, the letter of resignation from E.C. Morse having been read, the following resolutions were adopted:
Resolved, That the resignation of E.C. Morse, the present Recorder, be not accepted until Sunday, the 22d inst.
Resolved, That the election of Recorder be postponed until Sunday, the 22d inst.
Resolved, That this meeting adjourned to meet on Sunday, the 22d of April, at Seaman & Copper's Saloon, for the purpose of electing a Recorder.
J.H MILLS, Chairman.
CHAS. E. OLNEY, Secretary.
------------------
At a meeting of the citizens and property holders of Gold Hill District, held at Seaman & Copper's Saloon, on Sunday, the 22d of April, pursuant to adjournment, the following resolutions were adopted:
Resolved, That the protection of property in this District depends much upon the Records being kept in a manner that will secure the public interest, and with this view this meeting would direct that a committee be appointed to solicit subscriptions to raise a sufficient amount of money to purchase books suitable for Public Records, and authorize the Recorder to copy all the old records into the same, and that the Recorder shall certify to the transfer of the records, on oath.
Resolved, That the Recorder shall keep all records in a substantial and well bound book, and expose them for public examination in his or his deputy's presence, and not otherwise, and shall not allow any books of record to be taken from his office, except by himself or his deputy.
Resolved, That it shall be the duty of the Recorder to keep a book in which he shall record all the Mining Laws of this District, and to keep a correct record of all Miners' Meetings, that may be held in this District.
Resolved, That the resignation of E.C. Morse, Recorder for Gold Hill District, be accepted.
Resolved, That no person shall be allowed to examine the records of the District with pen and ink, or even with a pencil in hand.
Resolved, That this meeting proceed to an election of a Recorder, and that the Chair appoint the Board for said election, together with the committee, specified in the first resolution.
Board of Election -- Lloyd Frazell, Inspector; A.W. Adams, Seth Briggs, Judges; W. Dolman, Lafferty, Clerks.
Committee. -- J.P. Holmes, M. Wallace.
C.E. Olney was elected Recorder by a majority of 199 [?] votes.
Gold Hill, April 22d, 1860.
[35] Territorial Enterprise 2 Jun 1860:1:
GOLD HILL DISTRICT.
Gold Hill, May 13th, 1860.
At a meeting of the citizens and property held [sic] of Gold Hill Mining District, holden at Seamen & Copper's Saloon, the following preamble and resolution were adopted:
WHEREAS, The present difficulties existing between the whites and aborigines making it necessary for people to leave their homes and property unprotected, and especially their mining claims subject to forfeiture under the existing laws:
Therefore be it resolved, that all property subject to the existing local law, and all mining claims, not forfeited under said law at this date, shall not be subject to such forfeiture, but remain good to the owner or occupant thereof for ninety days from this date.
May 18th, 1860.
WHEREAS, Owing to the numbers of people leaving the Territory and taking with them their firearms and horses, leaving those who choose to remain and defend their property in nearly a defenseless condition, and at the mercy of their savage foe; and further believing that the same is caused in a great measure by the fore-going resolution:
Therefore, be it resolved, that the said resolution exempting mining claims from forfeiture for the space of ninety days be null and of no effect, at the expiration of twenty days from this date, and that the law passed in this district on the 4th day of March, 1860, on the expiration of said twenty days, become in again full force and effect in reference to all claims and claimants, except those who are engaged in actual service in defense of their country; whose claims shall not be subject to forfeiture until such time as the war, or until their return, then the claims of said persons -- doing actual service - shall become subject to the said law passed on the 4th of March, 1860.
Resolved, That the foregoing resolutions be published in the Territorial Enterprise, the Sacramento Union and Alta.
J.H. MILLS, President.
CHAS. E. OLNEY, Secretary.
[36] Territorial Enterprise 8 Oct 1859:3:
MEETING OF THE MINERS OF VIRGINIA DISTRICT.
At a meeting of the miners of Virginia District, held at Virginia City, Sept. 14th, 1859, the following laws were adopted for the government of the miners of said district:
Article 1. All quartz claims, hereafter located, shall be two hundred feet on the lead, including all its dips and angles.
Art. 2. All discoverers of new quartz veins shall be entitled to an additional claim for discovery.
Art. 3. All claims shall be designated by stakes and notices at each corner.
Art. 4. All quartz claims shall be worked to the amount of ten dollars, or three days work per month to each claim, and the owner can work to the amount of forty dollars as soon after the location of the claim as he may elect, which amount being worked shall exempt him from working on said claim for six months thereafter.
Art. 5. All quartz claims shall be designated and known by a name, and in sections.
Art. 6. All claims shall be properly recorded, within ten days from the time of location.
Art.7. All claims recorded in the Gold Hill record, and lying in Virginia District, shall be recorded free of charge in the record of Virginia District, upon the presentation of a certificate from the Recorder of Gold Hill District, certifying that said claims have been duly recorded in said district; and said claims shall be recorded within thirty days after the passage of this article.
[Article 8 not included in the publication.]
Art. 9. Surface and hill claims shall be one hundred feet square, and be designated by stakes and notices at each corner.
Art. 10. All ravine and gulch claims shall be one hundred feet in length, and in width extend from bank to bank, and be designated by a stake and notice at each end.
Art. 11. All claims shall be worked within ten days after water can be had, sufficient to work said claims.
Art. 12. All ravine, gulch and surface claims shall be recorded within ten days after location.
Art. 13. All claims not worked, according to the laws of this district, shall be forfeited and subject to relocation.
Art. 14. There shall be a Recorder elected to hold his office for the term of twelve months, who shall be entitled to the sum of fifty cents for each claim located and recorded.
Art. 15. The Recorder shall keep a book with all the laws of this district written therein; which shall at all times be subject to the inspection of the miners of said district, and he is furthermore required to post in two conspicuous places a copy of the laws of said district.
On motion, it was resolved that these laws be published in the Territorial Enterprise for one month.
Resolved, that W.C. Campbell be declared the Recorder of this district.
W.C. CAMPBELL, Chairman.
S. McFADDEN, Secretary.
Virginia. Sept. 14th, 1859.
[37] Territorial Enterprise 9 Jun 1860:2:
MINERS MEETING.
The following is a summary of the proceedings of a meeting held at Virginia City, June 6th.
The meeting was held in front of the International Hotel, and the attendance was very large. J.W. Noice was chosen chairman and Herbert C. Jones appointed Secretary. The chair stated that the object of the meeting was to consider the propriety of rescinding the resolutions passed May 13th. On motion the chair appointed the following committee of five to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. Mssrs. Tyler Poorman, Anderson, Tilton, and Pugh. After a short intermission the committee presented the following resolutions which were adopted:
WHEREAS, On the 13th day of May laid [sic], under the excitement caused by the sad news of the butchery of a number of our most respected citizens by the hostile Indians of this Territory, -- the miners of this district passed a resolution suspending the working of claims for 60 days or during the war.
And whereas, Said resolution was passed under a sense of impending danger when the miners believed such action was necessary to afford them an opportunity of protecting their lives and property --
And Whereas, We believe our lives are no longer in danger, and, therefore no reason exists why mining claims should langer [sic] remain idle, be it therefore:
Resolved, That after The 20th inst., all claims must be worked in accordance with the mining rules and regulations in force in this district prior to the 13th of May, 1860.
Resolved, That the miners of this district entertain a high regard for the gallant men who have volunteered their services and perilled their lives for the protection of our homes and property against the savage foe, and that the above resolution shall not apply to those who may be engaged in the actual prosecution of the war during its continuance.
Resolved, That the foregoing resolutions be published in the Territorial Enterprise, and that the papers throughout the State of California be requested to give the same a place in their columns.
The resolutions were adopted and the meeting adjourned.
[38] Territorial Enterprise 26 Nov 1859:2:
LAWS OF THE MINERS OF FLOWERY DIGGINGS.
We insert, agreeable to request of the miners of "Flowery Diggings," those portions of the Gold Hill laws as relate exclusively to the mining interest.
Art. 4th. The duty of the Recorder shall be to keep in a well bound book a record of all mining claims, that may be presented for record, with the names of the parties locating or purchasing, the number of feet, where situated, and the date of location or purchase; also, return of certificate for said claim or claims.
Sec. 7th. Evidence of record of claims shall be considered title in preference to claims that are not recorded, nor shall the Recorder record more than one hill, dry gulch or ravine claim in the name of an individual, unless the same has been purchased.
Sec. 8th. All claims shall be properly defined by a stake at each end of the claim, with the number of members forming said company and the number of feet owned.
Sec. 9th. All claims shall be worked or the notice renewed in sixty days from the day of record, and no claim shall exceed two hundred feet square, hill claims excepted; which may be reduced to fifty feet front.
Sec. 10th. The Recorder shall be allowed the sum of twenty-five cents for recording the claim of each individual or member of a company.
Sec. 11th. No Chinaman shall be allowed to hold a claim in this district.
Sec. 13th. All quartz claims shall not exceed three hundred feet in length, including the depth and spurs.
Sec. 14th. Any person or persons discovering a quartz vein shall be entitled to an extra claim, on all veins he or they may discover.
Sec. 15th. All persons holding quartz claims shall actually work to the amount of $15 to the share, within ninety days from the time of locating.
Sec. 16th. All persons holding quartz claims and complying with section 15th, shall hold the same for the term of 18 months as actual property.
Sec. 17th. All quartz claims shall be duly recorded within thirty days from the time of locating.
Sec. 18th. No person shall locate more than one claim on a vein discovered,
Sec. 19th. Any and all persons locating for miming purposes shall have the same duly recorded within ten days from the time of locating.
[39] Territorial Enterprise 10 Mar 1860:2:
LAWS OF THE FLOWERY DISTRICT.
Art. 1. The bounds of this district shall be, on the south and west by the Seven Mile Canyon; on the north by the Iron Mountains; and on the east by Carson River. All quartz claims located in this district shall be two hundred feet on the lead, including all its dips, angles and spurs.
Art. 2. All discoverers of new quartz veins shall be entitled to additional claim of two hundred feet.
Art. 3. All claims shall be worked within thirty days after location to the amount of two days to each claim per month; and the owner can work to the amount of fifty dollars as soon after the location as he may choose; which amount of work being done; shall exempt his claim from work for six months thereafter.
Art. 4. All rights of the claimants of a ledge shall always be the whole width of the said ledger extending a sufficient distance on each side of the ledge, the entire distance of his claim to enable him to work to the best advantage, and if the corner stakes are not first placed on the ledge by the location, on account of the ledge not being distinctly marked they may be changed so as to correspond to the course of the vein when that shall become known.
Art. 5. All claims shall be properly recorded within five days from the time of location.
Art. 6. All surface or placer claims shall be one hundred feet square, and be designated by stakes and notices at each corner.
Art. 7. All ravine and gulch claims shall be one hundred feet square, and be designated by stakes and notices at each corner.
Art. 8. All surface and ravine claims shall be worked within ten days after sufficient water can be had to work said claims.
Art. 9. All claims not worked according to the laws of this district; shall be forfeited; and subjected to a relocation.
Art. 10. There shall be a Recorder elected who shall be entitled to the sum of one dollar for each claim recorded. It shall be the duty of the Recorder to go on the ground, and see that stakes are set in their proper places, before recording the claims.
Art. 11. Every company shall within ten days of the time of location of its claims; survey their ground and place good substantial marks at each end of the same; and define by notice the direction which they claim. Said lines shall not debar the owners of claims from the benefit of all dips, angles and spurs; provided, that such dips; angles and spurs be clearly shown, and all ground within the bounds of said marks shall be the lawful property of the first [locators].
Art. 12. All persons holding claims in this district shall, within ten days of the passage of these laws, survey their claims and set their stakes and marks.
Art. 13. The Recorder shall keep a suitable book or books in which the laws of this district shall be plainly written, and all records of claims, deeds, transfers and surveys, shall be registered distinctly; and said records shall at all times be open to the inspection of the public; and said Recorder is required to post in two conspicuous places a copy of the laws of this district.
Art. 14. It shall be the duty of the Recorder to duly record the original notices in letters instead of figures; where figures occur; and shall give to each locator of claim or claims a certified copy of the same.
Art. 15. These laws shall be applicable to companies as far as practicable, and in all company claims; work in accordance with these laws, on any portion of their ground, shall be sufficient to secure the whole.
Art. 16. All laws and parts of laws heretofore made in conflict with the spirit and meaning of these laws, are hereby repealed.
Passed March 2d, 1860.
U.P. HUTCHINGS, Secretary.
[40] Territorial Enterprise 31 Dec 1859:4
AQUA FRIO MINING DISTRICT.
At a public meeting of miners, after due notice was given thereof, held at the Toll House of Messrs. Newton & Hill, in this district, it was resolved that Mr. Benj. Hill act as President and Mr. T.B. Campbell, as Secretary.
On motion of Mr. J. Jester, a committee of five were appointed for the purpose of framing a code of Laws, defining a boundary and establishing a name of recognition for a mining district in this locality.
The committee hawing reported thereon, and after mature deliberation on each and every article, the following articles were acknowledged to be and are, hereby, the standard Laws of this Mining District, to wit:
Article 1. This Mining District shall be designated as known as the Aqua Frio Mining District,
Art. 2. The boundaries of this district shall be as follows, viz: commencing at the Buttes in Steamboat Valley, thence up and including the center of Steamboat Creek to a point at Mr. Smith's house; thence in a southeasterly direction to the Summit following the divide between the waters of the rivers Truckee and Carson; thence in an easterly direction along said divide for at least five miles.
Art. 3. A claim in this district shall consist of three hundred feet in length on the lode, including all its dips and angles.
Art. 4. No claimant will be allowed to pre-empt more than one claim on the same lode in this district, and the names of all subsequent partners must be bona fide.
Art. 5. When a discovery of a lode of ore of any kind is made in this district, the discoverer thereof will be entitled to an extra claim for discovery.
Art. 6. After a claimant has located and recorded his claim, he must post two notices, (as per record) one on each end of said claim, so as to designate it, that new comers may know where to prospect.
Art. 7. When a claim has been located five day's work on each and every claim, shall be required to be done during each and every month; but the claimant may at his option, after twenty consecutive days of good work, be exempt from further work for the space of six months from that date; provided, that said work is shown to be satisfactory to the Recorder; and recorded as such for further reference.
Art. 8. All claims located in the Aqua Frio district, must be recorded in said district, and it is further resolved, that in thirty days from this date, be given to those having claims recorded out of this district, to transfer the same to the record book of this district and become amenable to these Laws, at their own option.
Art. 9. The Recorder shall be allowed the sum of fifty cents for each and every claim recorded by him. His record book shall be open for inspection to all the miners of this district.
Art. 10. A Recorder of claims having been elected at the meeting, his duties shall be to faithfully record all claims in the district; locate the claims in person with the claimant, and the record so recorded, shall be the only evidence in case.
Resolved, That John P. Newton be, and is hereby elected Recorder of this district..
Resolved, That these Laws remain inviolate until amended by a public meeting, to be held after ten days, due notice be given in three public places.
On motion this meeting adjourned, sine die.
BENJ. HILL, President.
T.B. CAMPBELL, Secretary.
December 10th, 1859.
[41] Territorial Enterprise 31 Dec 1859:4, 14 Jan 1860:4:
MEETING OF THE MINERS OF GALENA DISTRICT.
At a meeting of the miners of Galena District, held this 21st day of Dec., A.D. 1859, the following Laws were adopted for the government of the miners of said district.
Article 1. The boundaries of said district shall be as follows: Commencing on the divide between the Washoe and Eagle Valleys, at the point where the wagon road crosses said divide, thence running northerly on the eastern boundary of Washoe Valley to its intersection with the so-called Steamboat Creek in the head or south end of Pleasant Valley thence down the center of the said Steamboat Creek to its intersection with the Truckee River; thence up the said Truckee river to Lake Bigler; thence in a southeasterly direction to the place of beginning.
Art. 2. All quartz claims located in this district shall be two hundred feet on the lead; including all its dips and angles.
Art. 3. All discoverers of new quartz veins, shall be entitled to an additional 200 feet for discovery.
Art. 4. All claims shall be designated by stakes and notices at each end of any company's claims provided, the ledge can be easily traced; but in case the ledge cannot be readily traced, may at any time thereafter drive their stakes where the lead is known to run, And any claim located after any such claim so located, and found not to be on the ledge, shall not conflict with the claims so located. The ledge upon which any claim or claims are located shall be designated by name.
Art. 5. All quartz claims shall be worked to the amount four days, or $12 per month to each claim. And the owner can work to the amount of $50 as soon after the location of the claim as he may choose, which amount being worked, shall exempt him from working on said claim for six months thereafter.
Art. 6. All claims shall be properly recorded within ten days from the time of location.
Art.7. Any claim recorded in any other district and lying in Galena district, may be recorded free of charge, in the record at Galena district, upon the presentation of a certificate from the recorder of the district in which they are recorded, certifying that said claim has been duly recorded.
Art. 8. All surface or Placer claims shall be one hundred feet square; and be designated by stakes and notices at each corner.
Art. 9. All ravine and gulch claims shall be 100 feet square, and be designated by stakes and notices at each corner.
Art. 10. All surface and ravine claims shall be worked within ten days after sufficient water can be had to work said claims.
Art. 11. All claims not worked according to the Laws of this district shall be forfeited, and subject to re-location,
Art. 12. There shall be a Recorder elected to hold his office for the term of twelve months, who shall be entitled to the sum of fifty cents for each claim recorded.
Art. 13. The Recorder shall keep a book with all the laws of this district written therein, which shall at all times be subjected to the inspection of the miners of said district. And he is furthermore required to post in two conspicuous places a copy of the laws of said district.
On motion it was resolved that these laws be published in the Territorial Enterprise for one month.
Resolved, that A.W. Stowe be declared the Recorder of this district.
J.H. STURTEVANT, Chairman,
A.W. STOWE, Secretary.
December 21st, 1859.
[42] Territorial Enterprise 31 Mar 1860:1:
LAWS OF ARGENTINE DISTRICT.
Spring Ravine, U.T.
March 19th, 1860.
Pursuant to notice, the Miners of this locality met at the tunnel of the King of Algiers Company. Edward Holske was called to preside, and Samuel Hart was chosen as Secretary. After a few remarks the following resolutions were passed.
Resolved. 1st. That the miners of this locality having a large extent of mining ground not yet formed into a District, and seeing day by day the inconvenience of traveling far so as to record their different claims, have this day, Monday 19th March, 1860, formed, and do form a new District, with rules and regulations attached to the same, forming a code of laws hereinafter described; this new District to go under the appellation of the Argentine District;
Resolved, 2nd. That we do hereby appoint R.C. McKenzie as Recorder of said Argentine District, and have elected him to said office unanimously.
Art. 1. The boundaries of said District shall be as follows: Commencing north or northeasterly at Toll Gate; thence easterly following the western boundaries of Virginia District and Gold Hill District; thence striking off south from the lower part of American Flat, in Gold Hill District, or a post marked Argentine District to the northern shore of Washoe Lake, opposite to the Dick Side Hill; thence running northerly following up the northern shore and striking the boundaries of the Galena District, up to Steamboat Springs; thence to the Toll Gate, the place of beginning.
Art. 2. All quartz claims located in this District shall be two hundred feet on the lead, including all its dips, angles and spurs.
Art. 3. All discoverers of new quartz veins shall and will be entitled to one additional claim of two hundred feet for discovery.
Art. 4. All claims shall be designated by stakes and notices at each end of any company’s claims, provided, the ledge can be easily traced, but provided the ledge cannot be traced readily, may at any time drive their stakes where the lead is known to run; and any claim located after any claim so located, and found not to be on the ledge, shall not conflict with the claims so located. The ledge upon which any claim or claims are located, shall be designated by name.
Art. 5. All quartz claims shall be worked to the amount of four days, or twelve dollars per month to each claim, and the owner can work to the amount of fifty dollars as soon after the location of the claim as he may choose,' which amount being worked shall exempt him from working on said claim for six months thereafter.
Art. 6. All claims shall be properly recorded within ten days from the time of location.
Art. 7. Any claim recorded in any other District until date 19th March 1860 and lying in Argentine District, may be recorded free of charge in the record of Argentine District upon presentation of a certificate from the Recorder of the District in which they are recorded, certifying that said claim has been duly recorded.
Art. 8. All surface diggings or claims shall be one hundred feet square, and be designated by stakes and notices at each corner.
Art. 9. All surface and ravine claims or gulch claims shall be one hundred feet square, and be designated by stakes and notices at each corner.
Art. 10. All surface and ravine claims or gulch claims shall be worked within ten days after sufficient water can be had to work said claims.
Art. 11. All claims not worked according to the laws of this District shall be forfeited and subjected to relocation.
Art. 12. There shall be a Recorder elected to hold his office for the term of twelve months. The Recorder shall be required to go upon the ground and place the stakes on the claims, and for such services shall be paid one dollar per claim.
Art. 13. No Chinaman shall be allowed to hold a claim in this District.
On motion it was resolved that these resolutions be published in the Territorial Enterprise for one month.
EDWARD HOLSKE, Chairman.
S. HART, Secretary.
For true copy,
R.C. MC KENZIE,
Recorder, Argentine District.
[43] Territorial Enterprise 31 Mar 1860:1:
LAWS OF BUTTE DISTRICT.
At a meeting of the miners of Butte District, held March 22, 1860, the following by-laws were adopted.
Art. l. This District shall be known as the Butte District, and bounded as follows: On the east by Wild Cat District; on the south by the Great Western; on the west by the El Dorado; and it shall extend two miles north of Carson river.
Art. 2. No person shall be entitled to hold more than one claim on any one quartz lead by location.
Art. 3. All quartz claims hereafter located shall not exceed two hundred feet in length.
Art. 4. Any person or persons discovering a quartz ledge shall be entitled to one extra claim for discovery.
Art. 5. All mining claims shall be duly recorded within ten days after location.
Art. 6. All claims shall be designated by a notice giving the name of the lead and company; and also the number of feet located, and the name or names of the party or parties locating such ground.
Art. 7. All claims shall be worked to the amount of two days work or eight dollars per month, but the owner of the claim or claims may work to the amount of fifty dollars so soon as he chooses; which shall exempt him from working said claim for six months.
Art. 8. All claims not worked according to the laws of this District shall be forfeited, and subjected to re-location.
Art. 9. There shall be a Recorder elected who shall be entitled to fifty cents for each claim recorded.
Art. 10. The Recorder shall keep in his possession a well bound book with all the by-laws written therein, which at all times shall be subjected to inspection by the public.
Art. 11. The Recorder shall not record any claim or claims that is already recorded and forfeited [sic] according to the by-laws of this District.
Art. 12. No Chinaman shall hold a claim within this District.
Art. 13. The laws of this District shall go into effect within ten days after their publication in the Territorial Enterprise.
On motion, Geo. W. Olds was unanimously elected Recorder.
J.B. HUFF, President.
A.H. GLASSCOCK, Secretary.
Done this day, March 22d, 1860.
LAWS OF WILD CAT DISTRICT.
At a meeting of the miners of Wild Cat District, held on the 16th day of March, 1860, the following by-laws wore adopted:
Article 1. This District shall be known as the Wild Cat District; and bounded as follows, to-wit: Commencing on the east line of Buckland's Ranch, on Carson River and running south eight miles; thence running eight miles west; thence running north to Carson River; thence down the river to the place of beginning.
Art. 2. No person shall be entitled to hold more than one claim on any one quartz lead, by location.
Art. 3. All quartz claims hereafter located shall not exceed two hundred feet in length.
Art. 4. Any person or persons discovering a quartz lead shall be entitled to one claim for discovery.
Art. 5. All mining claims shall be duly recorded within seven days after location.
Art. 6. All claims shall be designated by a stake and notice, giving the name of lead and company; also, the number of feet located and the names of the party locating such ground.
Art. 7. All claims shall be worked to the amount of two days work, or eight dollars per month to each claim. But the owner of the claim may work to the amount of fifty dollars as soon after he pleases, which shall exempt him from working said for six months.
Art. 8. All claims not worked according to the laws of this district shall be forfeited and subject to re-location.
Art. 9. There shall be a Recorder elected who shall hold his office for the term of six months, and shall be entitled to fifty cents for each claim recorded.
Art. 10. The Recorder shall keep in his own possession a well-bound book with all the laws of this district written therein, which shall at all times be subject to the inspection of the public in his presence.
Art. 11. It shall be the Recorder's duty to be on the ground located before recording the same.
Art. 12. The Recorder shall not record any claim or claims that is already recorded and unforfeited, according to the laws of this district.
Art. 13. No Chinaman or Negro shall hold any mining claims in this district.
That the laws as adopted go into effect ten days after the publication of the same in the Territorial Enterprise.
On motion, George W. Olds was unanimously elected Recorder.
On motion, the proceedings of this meeting were to be published in the Territorial Enterprise.
PHILO S. BARNUM, President.
FRED. HENRY, Secretary.
[45] Territorial Enterprise 5 May 1860:2:
LAWS OF NEVADA DISTRICT.
At a meeting of the miners of Nevada District, held at Winnemuck City, March 28th, 1860, for the purpose of revising the laws of said district, the following by-laws were adopted:
Article 1. This district shall be bounded as follows: the Carson River shall be the south-eastern boundary, the summit of the Red Hills the north-eastern, and the summit of the dividing ridge between the Carson and Truckee River the north-western, and the Flowery District the south-western.
Art. 2. On motion it was carried that each claim shall consist of two hundred feet each.
Art. 3. All discoverers of new veins shall be entitled to one additional claim for discovery.
Art. 4. All claims shall be designated by stakes and notices at each end.
Art. 5. All claims shall be worked to the amount of ten dollars or two day's work per month to each claim; but the owner can work to the amount of twenty dollars as soon after location as he may see proper, which amount shall exempt him from working said claim for three months thereafter.
Art. 6. All claims shall be designated by a name and particularly described.
Art. 7. All claims shall be recorded within ten days after location.
Art. 8. All claims not worked according to the laws of the district shall be forfeited and subject to relocation.
Art. 9. There shall be a Recorder elected to hold his office for one year, and said Recorder shall be entitled to one dollar for each claim recorded.
Art. 10. The Recorder shall keep in his own possession a well bound book with all the laws of the district written therein, and shall at all times be subject to the inspection of the miners of the district.
Art. 11. It shall be the duty of the Recorder to be on the ground located, before recording the same, also to see that the stakes and notices be properly placed and the ground measured according to article 4th of these laws.
Art. 12. All disputes in regard to mining claims shall be decided by a miner's court, which shall consist of a Justice, whose duty it shall be to administer an oath or affirmation to witnesses and jurymen, the jury to consist of six or twelve persons as the parties may agree, and the majority of said jury shall decide the case.
Art. 13. The Justice shall receive as his compensation five dollars per day, while in judgment, and each juryman shall receive for his compensation five dol¬lars for each case decided.
Art. 14. These laws shall take effect from and after this date.
Art. 15. These laws shall not be construed so as to affect any existing laws.
On motion, It was ordered that George Hewett the now existing Recorder remain in office during the full length of his term.
On motion, It was ordered that a copy of these laws be sent to the Territorial Enterprise for publication for one month.
W.B. HANSBOROUGH, President.
D. KETCHUM Secretary.
Winnemuck City, March 28th, 1860.
AMMENDMENTS [sic] TO CARSON RIVER DISTRICT.
At a meeting of the miners of the Washoe and Eagle Valley and the proposed district of Carson River, on the 1st day of April, 1860, the following amendments were adopted:
Resolved, That the laws, as passed by the miners' meeting held on the 31st day of March, shall be acknowledged and binding with the exception of the amendments made at this meeting.
Resolved, That Mr. Cooley is to be notified to deliver up the record of Carson River district to his successor, to be elected at this meeting, within thirty days from this date.
Resolved, That D.B. Cook be elected Recorder, to officiate at the expiration of thirty days from date.
Resolved, That the Recorder is to go on the ground to be located, to examine the respective boundaries, stakes, etc. And he shall receive one dollar for such services to each individual claim for recording.
Resolved, The present Recorder shall transfer the records of mining ground, located in Carson River District, and recorded in the Washoe and Eagle Valley district, into the records of the now organized Carson River District, on the certificate from the Recorder of said Washoe District, within twenty days from date.
All bills of sale must be recorded within ten days. And the fees for recording the same shall be one dollar.
Resolved, That the amendments be published in the Territorial Enterprise.
D.B. COOK, Chairman.
T. HEISS, Secretary.
Carson River, April 1st, 1860.
[47] Territorial Enterprise 5 May 1860:2:
LAWS OF CASTLE DISTRICT.
At a meeting of the miners of Castle District, on Saturday, April 28th, 1860, the following by-laws were unanimously passed:
Article 1. This district shall be known as the Castle District and shall be bounded as follows: on the north by a line running east and west distant two and a half miles due north of Kate Castle claims; on the south by a line running in the same direction distant two and a half miles due south of Kate Castle claims; on the east by a line two and a half miles due east of the Kate Castle claims; and on the west by the line of the Aqua Frio District.
Art. 2. Claims on quartz ledges shall not exceed two hundred feet in length by two hundred feet in width.
Art. 3. All ravine and gulch claims shall be one hundred feet in length by fifty in width.
Art. 4. Hydraulic and hill surface claims shall be one hundred feet square.
Art. 5. No person shall hold more than one claim on any quartz ledge in this district by location.
Art. 6. Discoverers of new lodes shall be entitled to one additional claim for discovery.
Art. 7. All claims not recorded within ten days after location shall be subject to re-location.
Art. 8. All claims not worked on to the amount of five dollars per full claim for every thirty day shall be subject to relocation, but any claims that are worked to the amount of thirty dollars, shall be exempt from relocation for six months.
Art. 9. There shall be a Recorder elected who shall hold his officer [sic] for the term of six months.
Art. 10. The Recorder shall keep in his possession a well bound book in which shall be kept a copy of the district laws' [sic] together with the record of claims taken up and transfers of claims made in the district, and such book of record shall be open to the inspection of the public at all times.
Art. 11. It shall be the duty of the Recorder to go on the ground and see that stakes are properly set at each end of claims, and he shall receive for his services fifty cents for each claim recorded, and two dollars and a half for each bill of sale or transfer recorded.
Art. 12. No Chinaman shall be allowed to hold a claim in this District.
Art. 13. All claims recorded in other districts which now come within the limits of this district, shall be allowed twenty days to transfer their record free of charge.
On motion, Robert Campbell was unanimously elected Recorder.
On motion, It was resolved that these laws be published in the Territorial Enterprise.
T.H. LAVERTY, President.
R. CAMPBELL, Secretary.
MINERS’ MEETING
At a meeting of the miner's [sic] of Eagle Valley and Washoo District's [sic], held pursuant to notice, in the absence of the Recorder; the meeting was called to order, and on motion of O.H. Pierson, W. Stewart was called to the chair, and W.F. Mason was appointed Secretary.
The object of the meeting was stated by the chair. After which Mr. Hatfield offered the following preamble and resolutions:
[. . . . .] to the impossibility of obtaining the necessary mining tools wherewith to work claims, and the scarcity and high price of provisions, -- we the miner's [sic] of Eagle and Washoe Valley mining district, in legal meeting assembled, hereby:
Resolve, That all regulations requiring parties locating and recording, or who have heretofore located and recorded claims on quartz ledges or leads to perform work on such claims, be suspended until June 1st, 1860.
Resolved, That on the 1st day of June, 1860, such and every company shall have one man on their claims, and shall from that date be held strictly to the regulations heretofore passed.
On motion, the resolutions were adopted unanimously.
Parker H. Pierce submitted the following:
WHEREAS, Within the designated boundaries of this district as adopted at a general meeting of the miners of the district, October 29th, 1859, certain persons have attempted to organize separate districts of record, to the detriment and inconvenience of parties holding and locating mining claims in this district, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the miners of this district, in legal and general meeting assembled, that we do not recognize the organization of any district within the boundaries of Eagle and Washoe Valley mining districts, and that the attempted organization of such separate districts is illegal, void, and of no effect.
Resolved, That the so-called Recorders of any and all separate districts, be compelled to record all claims which they have recorded thus, illegally, upon the recognized Book of Records of Eagle and Washoe Valley district, within ten days. Adopted.
W. STEWART, Chairman.
W.F. MASON, Secretary.
[49] Territorial Enterprise 19 May 1860:1; 2 Jun 1860:1:
MEETING IN SULLIVAN DISTRICT.
At a meeting held by the miners of Sullivan District, on the 14th day of May, 1860, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, reliable information has been received from Mr. J.J. Webster of the existence of Indian hostilities in this vicinity, and the miners of this District being entirely destitute of arms for their defense:
Therefore be is [sic] resolved, That labor may be suspended on all claims in this District for two months from this date, or until said hostilities cease, and that not forfeiture of claims shall take place in consequence of said cessation of labor.
Resolved, that the proceedings of this meeting be published in the Territorial Enterprise.
JOHN DAY, Pres't.
J.M. JOHNS, Sec'y.
[50] Territorial Enterprise 14 Jul 1860:3:
NEW LAWS FOR DEVIL'S GATE DISTRICT.
Pursuant to a notice previously circulated for one week, and signed by a majority of the miners of Devil's Gate District, a public meeting was held on Saturday, June 30th, 1860, at the Recorder's Office, in Silver City, Devil's Gate District, whereat Thomas I. Tennant was elected President and T.W. Penny Secretary, when the following Preamble and Resolutions were introduced and adopted, viz:
Whereas there are within the Devil's Gate Mining District a number of quartz ledges upon which various companies have expended their labor and money in opening or prospecting the same, and there now being no means within said district whereby they can crush or work the quartz, rendering any further work upon many of the ledges useless, therefore, with a view to protect those who have expended their labor and money in developing the mineral resources of the country, be it resolved,
1st -- That any quartz ledge taken up and worked or prospected by any person or company, shall not be subject to relocation for the space of six months following the date of the record provided for in the next resolution.
Resolved, 2d -- That when a company have prospected their ledge, they may call upon the Recorder of the district and require him to visit their ground, and if on examination he considers it duly prospected, it shall be his duty to record the same among the mining records of the district, for which service he shall be entitled to demand and receive the sum of two dollars, prior to making the required record.
Resolved, 3d -- That no ledge shall be considered prospected unless a shaft at least fifteen feet deep has been sunk, or a tunnel of at least twenty feet has been run; and in no case shall a claim be considered prospected unless the ledge has been struck and at least three tons of quartz taken therefrom.
Resolved, 4th-- That any person purchasing, in good faith, an interest in any quartz ledge in this district, shall not lose the same by any subsequent relocation upon the same; and should any such interest be jumped, upon proof before the Recorder that such interest was purchased in good faith and the money paid for it, the Recorder shall notify the jumper or jumpers to give up the same; and should they refuse to do so, after three days notice, it shall be the duty of the Recorder to restore the ground to the owner or owners, summoning sufficient miners and residents of the district to expel them from the ground, if necessary. The same power shall be given the Recorder to carry out and enforce the provisions of resolution No. Three. The parties for whose benefit the above services are performed, shall pay to the Recorder the sum of five dollars therefor.
Resolved, 5th -- That the foregoing preamble and resolutions be published in the Territorial Enterprise.
THOS. TENNANT, President.
T.W. PENNY, Secretary.
June 30th, 1860.
Silver City, Devil's Gate District, U.T., June 30th, 1860. I hereby certify that the above preamble and resolutions are a true copy, taken from the record book of this district.
B.T. BROWN,
Recorder Devil's Gate District.
[51] Territorial Enterprise 14 Jul 1860:3:
LAWS OF THE SULPHUR SPRING DISTRICT.
At a meeting of the miners held on the 25th June 1860, in accordance with a notice previously given, a new Mining District was formed, and a set of laws adopted for the government of the same, of which the following is a true copy:
1st. A new Mining District shall be, and is hereby erected from the section of country included within the following boundaries, viz: Beginning at Gray & Allen's Bridge, on the East Fork of Carson River, and running thence due east 10 miles, thence south 10 miles, thence west to East Fork of Carson River, thence down said river to the place of beginning; the same to be called the Sulphur Spring District.
2d. The size of all claims in this District shall be two hundred feet running on the lead, with sufficient width to include all the dips and angles thereof.
3d. No one person shall be entitled to hold more than a single claim on any one lead, except by purchase; but every person shall be entitled to hold a claim on each distinct lead in this District.
4th. All claims located in this District shall be recorded within ten days after the enactment of this law, or after the location thereof.
5th. The Recorder duly elected for the District, shall be entitled to 25 cts. for each and every claim by him recorded.
6th. The working of all claims in this District may be discontinued until the 1st day of November, 1860, after which it will be necessary for two days work to be done on each claim every month.
7th. Organized companies may do all their work together in one shaft or tunnel, forming laws to govern themselves, subject to the laws of this District.
J.M. BOYERS, Sec'y.
J.F. GRAY, Recorder.
[52] Territorial Enterprise 14 Jul 1860:3:
LAWS OF EAGLE DISTRICT.
At a meeting of the miners of Eagle District held June 30th, 1860, the following laws were adopted.
1st. This district shall be known as the Eagle District and bounded as follows, to wit: on the east by the Pine Nut District; on the north by the Blue Ridge District; on the west by the east fork of Carson River; and on the south by the summit on the Walker River road.
2d. No person shall be entitled to hold more than one claim on any one quartz lead by location.
3d. All claims hereafter located shall not exceed two hundred feet in length including dips, angles and spurs.
4th. Any person or persons discovering a quartz lead shall be entitled to one claim for discovery.
5th. All mining claims shall be duly recorded within five days after location.
6th. Claims shall be designated by stakes and notices at each end of every company's claims; providing the ledge can be easily traced, but if the ledge cannot be traced readily, claimants may at any time thereafter drive their stakes where the lead is known to rim, and claims so located and found not to be on the ledge shall not be interfered with by those subsequently located. The ledge upon which any claim or claims are located shall be named.
7th. All quartz claims shall be worked to the amount of four days or sixteen dollars per month to each claim; every person having the privilege of working to the amount of $75 as soon after the location of his claim as he may choose, which amount being done shall exempt him from working on said claim for six months thereafter, and whenever claims shall be held in company and the amount of work shall be performed during each month that shall be equal to the aggregate of the claims. And such work shall be done on any part of said claims as the company may direct.
8th. All claims not worked according to the laws of this District, shall be forfeited and subjected to relocation.
9th. All surface diggings or claims shall be one hundred feet square, and be designated by stakes at each corner.
10th. All surface and ravine claims shall be worked within ten days after water can be had to work the same.
11th. There shall be a recorder elected to hold his office for the term of six months, who shall be required to go upon the ground and place the stakes on the claims; and for such services shall be paid one dollar for each claim.
12th. The Recorder shall keep a book with all the laws of this district written therein, in his possession, which shall be subject to the inspection of the public in his presence.
13th. All claims now located in said district, or that shall be located prior to 15th of July, 1860, shall be represented on the last mentioned date by all the bona-fide owners, unless unavoidably prevented.
On motion, H. Smith was elected Recorder.
J. OGDEN, Chairman.
J.M. STEES, Sec'y.
[53] Territorial Enterprise 14 Jul 1860:3:
CAMP FAULLS.
At a Miners' Meeting, held this 7th day of July, 1860, about five miles north-east of Carson Canyon, (or Woodford's,) in Carson County, Territory of Utah, on motion, J.J. Downie was called to the chair, and Wm. McBride was chosen Secretary.
A committee of two, consisting of John Faull and Capt. John Day was selected to draw up by laws and resolutions. The committee offered the following:
Article 1st. -- Resolved, that this district shall be known as the Green Valley District. The limits of said District shall be as follows: Commencing at the junction of the east and west forks of Carson river, in Carson Valley, running up the east fork to the summit of the Sierra Nevada; thence northwesterly along said summit to Carson Canyon; or west fork of Carson river; thence down said branch to the place of beginning.
Article 2d. -- A Recorder shall be elected, whose duties it shall be to record all claims in a book kept for that purpose; said book to be kept open for inspection at all times in the presence of the Recorder, or his deputy.
It shall also be the duty of the Recorder to go upon the ground and measure the number of feet taken up, and place a stake at each terminus of the claim.
Article 3d. -- The fees for recording shall be as follows: For recording each claim of two hundred feet or less, one dollar; for each bill of sale or trans¬fer, two dollars; for recording a deed, four dollars.
Resolved, That all quartz claims located in this district shall be two hundred feet on the lode, including all its dips, spurs and angles; the discoverer being entitled to two hundred feet extra for such discovery.
Resolved, That each individual or company whose interest is undivided, shall cause one day’s labor to be performed in every month for every two hundred feet they may hold, or they will be subject to re-location.
Resolved, That placer claims shall be one hundred feet square, and shall be worked one day in every ten where there is sufficient water to work the same.
Resolved. That each person or company locating claims in this district, be allowed ten days to prospect the same before recording.
The above laws were unanimously adopted.
On motion, J.J. Downie was elected Recorder of the district.
Resolved, That the above laws be published three times in the Territorial Enterprise.
J.J. DOWIE, Chairman.
W. McBRIDE, Sec'y.
Chapter I: The Settlers' Government; Chapter II: Carson County, Utah Territory; Chapter III: The Nataqua and Sierra Nevada Territorial Movements; Chapter IV: The Carson Valley People's Court; Chapter V: Rival Governments; Chapter VI: Nevada Territorial Movement and Provisional Government; Chapter VII: Mining District Governments