[John White, A Warning Voice From White Pine, Territorial Enterprise article reprinted in the Sacramento Union, January 12, 1869]

 

            A Warning Voice from White Pine.— We are aware that it is of but little use, so far as regards the majority of mining adventurers, to publish warnings against following up the blind rush which is now taking place from this part of our State and California to the White Pine country, but some may heed, and feeling that this wild stampede is certain to result in loss of life and disaster to many good men, we deem it our duty to show the dark side of the picture — and dark it is for the man of small means. Let those who are contemplating a trip to White Pine with but a few dollars more in their pockets than will suffice to land them in that bleak region, read and reflect well upon the following extract from a letter written from the new mines under date of January 2d, by John White, late President of the Virginia Miners' Union. He says:

            "We are in the midst of the most terrific storm I ever experienced. In the name of common humanity try and induce the people not to rush here so madly at the present time. Nothing can possibly be done until next Spring. The snow is four feet deep already, with good promise of plenty more. All prospecting is stopped, the roads are impassable, and consequently much suffering must occur under the most favorable circumstances. Tell them all not to make fools themselves, but to stay quietly wherever they are, and control their impatience for a few short months, when the fearful rigors of Winter shall at least partially have subsided. As they value their health, and even life itself, again I say do not come here now."

            These warning words from John White should be heeded. — Virginia Enterprise, Jan. 9th.