[R. M. Evans, The Silver and Gold Mines of Nevada, Gazlay's Pacific Monthly Magazine, January 1865]

 

THE SILVER AND GOLD MINES OF NEVADA.

            OF all our metaliferous pursuits, silver-mining is the one that, for the time being, engages the public attention and absorbs the largest amount of capital. Five years ago the discovery of the Comstock lode, in what was then called Washoe, opened up a new era and a new business in

THE SILVER AND GOLD MINES OF NEVADA.  35

the life of the miner, and gave a spur to the almost dormant energy of the California mining interests. This new branch, at first, was one of difficulty, hardship, and unproductive, but, once entered upon, has proved the richest and, I may say, the most certain of all mining pursuits. There is, perhaps, no other portion of the globe of like extent containing such a variety and abundance of mineral products as the State of Nevada, bordering on the great basin of Utah. Within its limits there is scarcely a metal or mineral known to science but what is found in quantities sufficient to justify their being worked, if not at present, at least when labor becomes cheaper, and greater perfection shall have been attained in the modes of extracting the metal from the ore. Here may be found also gold free, and in combination with other substances. Silver in all its varieties, of which there is twenty-six recognized by metallurgists, and in such abundance that in a few years the world will be astonished at the amount that can be annually produced from the mines of Nevada.

            In 1849, a few gold-seeking adventurers visited the localities of Virginia and Gold Hill, and prospected Six Mile Cañon to the foot hills, and Gold Cañon from its source to mouth. In the latter part of 1850, not less than one hundred and fifty miners, chiefly Mormons, were at work upon these ravines. Some of the miners in Gold Cañon made fortunes in 1850, and the most of them washed out from one to three ounces per diem. We can point to the spot, near Gold Hill, where gold to the value of $80,000 was gathered in less than a month by one man, and to a " pocket " (near the " Devil's Gate ") which yielded to the laborers in a single day six hundred ounces of gold dust, valued at that time at $14 the ounce. Near where Carson City now stands, a trading post was established in 1850, and at Genoa and Dayton others were erected for the purpose of supplying the immigrant who crossed the plains in those early days. Around them camps were formed, and adventurous spirits explored the range of mountains in the vicinity; but, the placer-diggings giving out, the miners departed for California, and nothing more was heard of this locality again until 1858.

            In the Fall of 1859, the rush for Washoe commenced with unabated ardor, to culminate in the following spring and summer. Those who could provide themselves with a proper outfit of mining implements, camp furniture, and provisions, together with a horse or mule, to pack their supplies, tramped across the bleak Sierras to the new El Dorado of their hopes. It was in the dead of winter when the new emigration set across the mountains, the snows were deep, the path choked up with drifting avalanches, and the trails obliterated. There were no friendly guide-posts, or even stopping-places, in the way of inns, ranches, or encampments, to point out the proper route for the hardy adventurer to follow across the mountains. Indeed, it was one of the severest winters known on the Sierras, and old trappers and voyageurs would have hesitated to leave their snug cabins in the adjacent smiling valleys to embark on so perilous a journey, amid the heavy snowstorms almost daily occurring, had any other allurement but that of chasing the Will-o'-the-Wisp of fortune enticed them away from the summer scenes by which they were surrounded. Providence, however, seemed to guard with His all-protecting will the hardy emigrants. Of some ten thousand men who crossed the mountains during the months of December, January, and February, camping in the snow night after night, and subjecting themselves to the chilling blasts which beset them on their hazardous journey, not more than a score of men, if even that number, perished from cold—the drifting snow—or the incidents of travel through a heretofore almost unknown region. They were without organization, and had but limited supplies of subsistence; but where one party of adventurers were in danger, hundreds were ready to start forward to dig them out, succor, and relieve them.

            Many of the early adventurers to Washoe were amply rewarded for the hardships they endured, but thousands who came after them wandered about after the hidden treasures, sadly disappointed at the sorry prospects which, in the future, loomed

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drearily before them. A few dilapidated tents and wretched hovels marked the spot where the thriving, bustling city of Virginia is now located. Provisions were difficult to obtain, even at exorbitant rates, and but little of the actual necessaries of life. The country traversed was sparsely wooded, the water impregnated with alkali, and arsenic, and copper, while from the few settlers in Carson Valley no supplies could be expected to feed such a legion of men that overrun them. Beneath their feet, however, rich auriferous metals of fabulous extent were known to exist, while the facilities for opening the mines were of the rudest sort. Ragged millionaires, half-starved for the want of proper nourishment and comforts of life, sickened and died, and were buried in nameless graves. The original discoverers of some of the richest silver lodes perished of exhaustion. Instead of reaping the benefits of their labor and energy, they sleep on the hill-sides and in the cañons of the icy Nevadas, while now dead men's bones rattle along the sluice-boxes of the late comers as the old landmarks are rapidly swept away from the graves of the pioneers by the irresistible, onward, and mighty tide of progress and civilization.

            Virginia City, at present, is not the only place of prominent importance in Nevada. New districts have been formed in every portion of the State. First, the Humboldt District was discovered in 1860, and many fine ledges were found to yield abundantly. Then Esmeralda and Silver Mountain Districts, and later the Reese River country, at the extreme eastern part of the new State — rich in glittering wealth beyond calculation.

            The great Comstock ledge, or lode, which first brought Washoe into notice, is situate on the hills a little east of the Sierra Nevada, and is supposed to extend under the whole of Virginia City, Gold Hill, American Flat, Devil's Gate, and Silver City. The Ophir, the first located, being at the extreme north end of the range at Spanish ravine; it contained, originally, 1,500 feet, but 100 feet was given to some Mexicans for a spring of water, flowing from the ravine; this 100 feet is called the Mexican lode, and has proved to be the richest portion of the whole mine.  The companies on the Comstock lode are —the Ophir, north 1,200 feet; Mexican, 100; then Ophir, 200 feet south; next Central No. 1, 150 feet; California, 800 feet; next South Central No. 2, 150 feet; then the Kinney ground, 60 feet; White & Murphy, 210 feet; Dick Side's Company, 500 feet then Best & Belcher; then the famous Gould & Curry, 1,200 feet; Savage, 800 feet; Hale & Norcross, 400 feet; Potosi, 1,400 feet ; Chollar, 1,400 feet ; Fairview and Bullion, 1,200 feet. All these claims are in Virginia Proper, and on the Comstock lode. They are extremely rich, although some are more developed than others, and, therefore, are better known to the world. On the south of Fairview lays Gold hill, with its rich portion of the Comstock lode upon it.

            The Moray Company, Milton Company, Croesus Company, Onega, 290 feet; Superior Company, 800 feet; Minerva Company, 800; Alpha Company, 800 feet; and next follows south, what is known as Gold hill proper. The companies are small; the mines are well worked, and yield rich returns. Apple & Bates, 10 feet ; Imperial Alta Company, 118 feet; Bacon Company, 45 feet; Empire Mill and Mining Company, 82 1-2 feet; Hamilton & Co., 22 1-2 feet; Grissom & Co., 30 feet; Sparrow & Co., 20 feet; the Plato Mine, 10 feet; Bowers' Company, 20 feet, entirely owned by Mr. Bowers, said to yield very largely ; next the Hamilton Company, 20 feet; Winters & Booth, 20 feet; Coover & Co., 21 feet; Rice & Co., 13 1-2 feet ; Imperial Holmes Company, 68 2-8 feet; Winters & Co., 50 feet ; Ball & Davis, 25 feet; Johnson & Laddam, 25 feet ; Rogers & Whipple, 25 feet; Arrington & Co, 25 feet ; Irvine Company, 80 feet; Burk & H. Co., 40 feet; next Stewart Company, 80 feet; Yellow Jacket, 1,200 feet; these are on what is known as the Gold Hill claims on the Comstock lode. Here the ledge seems to be broken into three parts as it enters into American Flat, at Crown Point Ravine. All along American flat are very rich ledges, some of them held very high by the owners, who have found them very valuable. The Crown Point Ravine Company is known to be extremely rich ; also Uncle Sam, Over-

THE SILVER AND GOLD MINES OF NEVADA.  37

man, Baltimore American, North American, and hundreds of others. This place was lately discovered to be a profitable paying district, and a large mining town has sprung up in consequence. The activity among the miners in a new location, soon makes a change in the aspect of affairs, as can be seen here. All along the range gigantic works are erected for the various companies. One enterprise is worthy of note. The Gold Hill and Virginia Tunnel Company, which will drain the whole Comstock ledge, commenced at American flat, and will run through Gold Hill and Virginia City to the Ophir, at the extreme north. The draining of the mines will save to the company working them a vast amount of money, that would otherwise have to be expended for pumping purposes. The United States Tunnel, which was commenced in 1860, in Spanish ravine, is, also, an extensive work, and will develope the resources of the various rich ledges, above the Comstock, on Virginia Hill.

            The mills are pouring out their treasure with unfailing and constant regularity.

            It is not simply the present yield of the silver mines which contributes to enrich us, but still more, the confidence in their future, in their permanence, and in their constantly increasing production.

            The Virginia district is now the greatest and most productive mining district in the world. I do not say the richest, for many others have richer and more abundant ores. But the advantages which others have in the quantity and quality of the ore, and the cheapness of labor, in the established character of the lodes, and the experience of centuries, are more than compensated by our superior and improved machinery, intelligence, enterprise, and industry.

            No other silver mine now produces so much silver annually, as the mines on the Comstock lode—nor does any other district equal, it. Capital has been freely invested in the Comstock, and that has made them so productive. There are other districts, that must have capital, and they will show that they can produce even more than the far-famed Comstock. I will instance Reese River, which lies on the great mineral belt that runs through the entire Pacific Continent. The mines of Reese River are the richest I ever visited. I have seen rocks taken out of various ledges—have seen it worked, and found that they yielded over an ounce of silver, rich, in gold, to the pound of ore, and in some instances three ounces to the pound.

            The famous mines known to the world are the San Luis Potosi, Cerro Paseo, Guanajuato, Zacatecas, Sombrerete, Catorce Durango, Copiapo, are the principal silver districts of Spanish America; and not one of them yields more than $2,000,000 annually. Whereas the Gould & Curry, in the Virginia district alone, yields $6,000,000 annually; and the Virginia district together $14,000,000.

            Potosi, at one time, produced $10,000,000, and many of the Mexican mines have, for short periods, run up to $4,000,000 or $8,000,000, but then they had immense beds of ore, worth $8,000 to $8,000 per ton.

            Where ever any one mine has yielded one third as much as the Gould & Curry, the ore has been three times as rich. A few small parcels of ore, worth $4,000 per ton, have been found in the Comstock lode, and large deposits of the same quality will, undoubtedly, be found in the lodes all over the territory—now State of Nevada.

            The history of every great silver lode in Spanish America, shows alternations of rich and poor ore; the poor occupying by far the greater space. It is not unlike, when great depths are reached, that the richest deposits may confidently be expected.

            The principal mines in Virginia City are only about four hundred or five hundred feet in depth. Whereas, in nearly all the principal mining districts of Spanish America, a depth of two thousand feet has been reached ; and when the mines of Washoe are so deep, we may find ore as rich as ever was found in any country in the world.

            The " Reese River Country" contains more thousands of square miles of mineral lands than mere conjecture could designate. It takes in more mines than the most imaginative brain could well enumerate. It includes every variety of physical and topographical structure to which the caprices of Nature have subjected the forms and di-

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mensions of mountains, valleys and plains, and it includes, beyond all doubt or peradventure, an amount of mineral wealth beyond the intelligence of man to conceive, laying, as it does, in the great basin of Utah, and in the range of the far-famed Sierra Madre, which is known as the richest range of mountains in the world. Time can only develope and bring to light its vast mineral wealth. The discovery of silver mines in this portion of Nevada is so recent that as yet the world knows but little of them ; nor do all know where Reese River is. It lays about 180 miles from Virginia City, almost due east, and on the road to Salt Lake. All the emigrant trains from the States must pass through it, and a vast population is now filling up its borders. Austin, the first town ever located there, was laid out in the spring of 1863; and has become the centre of trade and population for the whole of Reese, and to say that it is destined to be the metropolis of Nevada is no stretch of imagination. The numerous districts already laid out on Reese River are so numerous that it would be almost impossible to give even a passing description of their extent and resources. Almost every week a new one is formed, and ledges of great richness are discovered. The Amador district was thought to be the richest, as some ledges were found immensely productive; but others have been opened far surpassing it. The first ledges were very auriferous till they reached the water level, where they widened, and increased in extent. Yankee Blade district is situated about four miles north of Austin, with a fine and growing town located upon it. A number of valuable mines, on the hills, surround the town. Big Creek district is south of Austin, and some twelve miles from Clifton, and, as its name implies, is one of the best watered sections in the whole county. The creek is bordered with willow and elder bushes, and famed for its saw mills and brick yards, and all over the hills are rich ledges, many of them yielding $500 to $600 per ton.

            Simpson's Park district, east of Austin, has become quite a mining country. Many rich ledges have lately been discovered, and promises to take a high rank. Here may be had full scope for the miner, as rich ledges are known to exist all over the district, the climate is fine, and wood and water in abundance.

            Mount Hope district, north of Austin, has also many rich ledges. The valleys in Reese River can be highly cultivated, and where water is abundant, as fine crops raised as in any of the Western States. Last year the hay crop alone was very heavy and luxuriant. A new county has been formed out of the Southern portion of Lander, and named after Governor Nye. The county seat lies about one hundred miles in a straight line, and one hundred and twenty by the traveled road, E. S. E from Virginia City. It is sixty-three miles S.S.W. from Austin, and forty miles S. S.E. from Middle Gate, on the overland route, with which places it is connected by good wagon roads. The Union district lays on the westerly declivity of the Shoshone range, extending some twelve miles south of " Ione." The ledges are very rich in silver, with wood in abundance, which is a great desideratum in Nevada. The new district, Clan Alpine, is probably the richest of all on Reese River : the ledges are wide, well defined, and exceedingly auriferous. Mr. Veatch, who discovered it, was fully impressed with the idea that he had found the richest section of country in Nevada.

            The Humboldt mines lay north-east of Virginia, and is near to the Humboldt river. It has some very fine ledges on the range of hills on which the mines are located. Various mining claims have been laid out, and extensive work has been accomplished on some of them. The Cuba and Sheba are the great ledges of the county, and bid fair to hold up the reputation of Washoe as a mining region. This section has had many draw-backs, but at present is looking much better than ever before. Capital, the want of which has kept back all the mining operations outside of the Comstock, is being more freely invested, and when the canal now being constructed to carry the water to the various districts, is fully completed, a new era will dawn upon miners in this locality. The country around about possesses good grazing and farming land, and in a few years more will furnish all the

THE SILVER AND GOLD MINES OF NEVADA.  39

cereals that can be consumed by the sturdy population.

            " Nevada" ranks as one of the last in our glorious Union, and although the youngest in the constellation, may yet see the day when for wealth producing it may rank the first. Its immense extent, its known richness in all minerals, and the completion of the great Pacific railroad will send multitudes to seek employment in her mines, and develop her vast resources. In no portion of her wide domain can any adventurer go but that he can find almost anything of value that ever came from the earth. Coal is known to exist in many localities ; granite can be found almost in any portion ; marble of the finest quality for building purposes ; cinnebar has been already found ; salt is in extensive basins, at Sands Springs, five miles square, and although it has been opened to the depth of fourteen feet, there seems to be vast deposits far below even that distance, and as silver ore cannot be reduced without the aid of salt, another article is added to her already great sources of wealth. The salt is cut in solid blocks, pure and white as the driven snow.

            Palmyra district is a good paying one without doubt. The Constitution is the principal ledge, and is claimed to be extremely profitable to work. A fine town has been erected here called " Como," which boasts of a newspaper. The town is higher in altitude than Virginia, and has plenty of timber and water, and becoming quite a place of importance, this district is south-east from Virginia, about fifteen miles.

            The Sullivan district is about six miles from Como, and on the west side of Eldorado Cañon, partly in Lyon and partly in Ormsby counties. This district was discovered in 1860, but abandoned on account of Indian depredations and other vexatious causes. The principal ledge is the Etna, which is a very fine one of ten feet in width, traceable for nearly a mile. The quartz of this district is a fine, hard white, filled with very rich sulphurets. The country is heavily wooded with pine nut, and well watered.

            Washington district adjoins Sullivan, is very mountainous, well wooded and watered, but has been very little developed. In my travels through this section I have (now since I have seen the oil-wells of Pennsylvania) noticed in two places in Nevada previously the same indications of the oil on the water of streams flowing through certain localities, and no doubt petroleum exists as well in Nevada as elsewhere. A few more years, and then the State will exhibit to the world that she has every element within herself of greatness, progress, and prosperity. Nature has been bountiful to Nevada in everything. Where she lacks soil, it is made up by a bountiful supply of the precious metals. Those looking for petroleum had better study this section; it is known to be a hydro-carbon compound of two gases; these gases are primary elements, indestructible and exhaustless in quantity. One of them—hydrogen—is a constituent of water, and of course is as inexhaustible as the ocean; the other, a constituent in all vegetable forms, and, in many of her rocks, one hundred pounds of limestone when burned will weigh but sixty pounds.

            The part driven off by burning is carbonic acid, and in many parts of the State and in California are stratas of limestone underlying the old rocks. The water falling on the surface, and percolating through the porous sandstone that overlies the old rock, becomes charged with salt, potash, saltpetre, and other chemical ingredients, and finally reaches the limestone rock and decomposes it; the carbon in the rock, and the hydrogen of the water, uniting to form oil, while the oxygen is set free to ascend to the atmosphere to unite with minerals and form oxides. The reverse of this process is seen in burning the oil in a lamp ; the oxygen in the atmosphere uniting with the carbon in the oil, forming carbonic acid, and with the hydrogen forming water, thus completing the circle. To those who are looking through Nevada for ledges, it would not be amiss to pay attention to petroleum, and they may be rewarded by making a discovery that will not only enrich themselves, but be a lasting benefit to the inhabitants of the State, who would, were it easily obtained, consume a large portion.

            The route and expense of travel to Reese River, in general terms, may be set down as from San Francisco to Austin, at about five hundred miles, divided as follows : -- From San Francisco to Sacramento, one hundred and thirty-five miles, by water; from Sacramento to Virginia City, one hundred and eighty-five miles, by stage ; from Virginia City to Austin, one hundred and eighty miles, also by stage; at a total , expense of about seventy dollars, exclusive of hotel bills and incidentals. From Virginia City to Austin there is one main traveled route, known as the Old Emigrant Read, which touches Carson River for a distance of about forty miles.

            There is, also, a branch road, south, leading by Fort Churchill, and the New Overland route on the north; both of which diverge soon after leaving Virginia City, but come into the main road again at different points on its line. All along the route can be found, in the hills, ledges that will pay all the way from two hundred to five hundred dollars to the ton.

            I have prospected many of them, and was not disappointed in the bright anticipations I had formed on setting out on my pilgrimage—of the vast deposits of the precious metals—underlying the whole surface of the country I passed through.

            With increased facilities for opening up these new sources of wealth; the lands peopled with a hardy, industrious population, and the avenues of communication between the Atlantic and Pacific seaboard lessened by the great overland railroad and the telegraph, Nevada becomes the modern mecca of fabulous wealth and importance ; rising in glittering majesty between its white-capped mountain-sentinels, to command the homage and attention of the civilized world.