December 1, 2011

Nevada's Online State News Journal

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Nevada History:

[First Gold in Nevada, Reno Weekly Gazette, February 12, 1880]

FIRST GOLD IN NEVADA.

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What Colonel John Reese Says About It.

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            E. M. Barnum, of Salt Lake City, sends to the San Francisco Call the following particulars in regard to the first discovery of gold in this State, as communicated to him by Colonel John Reese:

            Editors Morning Call: A few months since there was an inquiry made in the San Francisco press by the Historical Society for incidents relating to  the earliest discovery of gold in the Carson Valley region, now in the State of Nevada. From Colonel John Reese, still living in Salt Lake City, and from whom the name of Reese river was derived, we gain the following incidents:

            Colonel Reese, with his family, was the earliest white settler in Carson valley, locating there in May, 1851, and continued a resident in the same place until 1857. The ranch which he staked off is believed to have been the first permanent claim made in the country which now constitutes the State of Nevada.  In the first year of his settlement he cultivated and raised a fair crop of turnips, potatoes, radishes, melons and other vegetables. His ranch was first known as "Morton's [sic] Station" afterwards named Genoa.

            In the latter part of June, 1851, a small party of gold-seekers en route  from the East to California, stopped at the Colonel's ranch, the party composing E. L. Barnard, Lorenzo Dow (claimed to be a nephew of the eccentric and famous preacher of the same name), Peasly, and two or three others.  All the party were reported to have come from New York and Ohio.

            After a few days rest and recruiting of animals the party, accompanied by Colonel Reese, went down the Carson Valley between thirty and forty miles to prospect for gold. Near where a canyon or gulch, leading from the present site of Virginia City, intersects the valley, Lorenzo Dow, of the party, prospecting the dirt with his tin cup, discovered traces of gold. Proceeding up this canyon about four miles, and where the same is intersected by another canyon from the west, the first gold of good quality and in paying quantity was found. Below this point the gold obtained was worth $18 per ounce; above it appeared alloyed with silver and was worth less than $14 per ounce.

            Tidings of the new discovery rapidly spread, and in a short time many miners were on the ground, and about 100 claims were taken up in 1851 and 1852, and the locality became known as 'Gold Canyon.'

            The Dow and Barnard party were early joined by three or four old Californians, among whom was a veteran miner known as "Old Virginia," and the whole number continued their work in the locality during the two years of 1851 and 1852.  Old Virginia was known as a "lucky fellow," and wherever he sunk his shovel and shook his pan gold was sure to be seen. Selling his claim for $6,000 [sic], he soon succumbed to good fortune and gave up the ghost.

            Colonel Reese says that from the old miner's cognomen came Virginia City.

            Lorenzo Dow unquestionably is entitled to whatever fame may pertain to the earliest discovery of gold in Carson Valley.