Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1867-11-22
The Noted Black Rock Mines.

The Nosed Black Rock Mines.
From the recent annual report of the
County Surveyor and County Assessor
of Humboldt county, we extract the fol-
lowing relative to the reported rich
mines Of Black Rock District, in that
county:
This district is attracting more alton
ton just now than any other portion Of
the State. Since 1859 parties have been
working on q black looking rock found
in the northwestern portion OF the
county, one hundred miles distant from
Unionvillc, with all the patience aud
hope of the old alchemists seeking the
philosophers stone. The appearance of
the rock had little to commend it-a
soft, black substance, easily whitfield
with a knife, and piled up BY nature in
mountain masses. ltsecmed impossible
there could be silver in it, or if there
were that the rock could exist in such
cyclopean bulk. But some one had said
it contained silver and in paying guam
titles, and that was enough to set men
wild. For six years they labored at 1t
with varying success. Pieces were sent
for ASSAY TO every part of the coast.
The verdict in every -ase, with one ex-
ception, was against it. But one as
saver, Mr.. Charles lscnbeck, stout.y con-
tended that it contained a large amount
of silver, but in so move n state mat
the common processes of assaying would
not reach il. The task of discovering
- ,hn xyas them owen 10 |
Mr.. Isenbcck. For u long time he Ia
bored patiently att, the whole resources
of Dall's splendid mill ut Franktown, IN
Washoe county, being thrown open 10
him. At last, in the Summer OF 1901,
he announced he was ready 20 work the
rock. Thirteen tons selected from dill
ferent lodges, were hauled to him n dis
lance of one hundred and forty miles,
and the public awaited the result with
feverish anxiety, but general incredulity
as to his chances of success. In n few
DAYS the result was announced, namely,
a weld of from $40 to 800 per ton.
The Black Rockers went wild. Money
was raised at orce for a mill steam
communication across Pyramid Lake
projected. Feet went up. Excitement
still continues. Ii Isenbeck succeedsas
he expects, the people of Black Rock
and the whole county should erect n
statue to his memory built of solid silver.
Now, the way the thing is apparently
turning out, we are afraid the Black
Rockers will have to wait a little longer
before they get silver enough out of
49,. 90 80 ,,,la , rar- Arpa sfutnn /
Mr.. Isenbeck, just in from there, states
that the four.stnmp mill erected by
Evans 4 Co. for the working Of the ores
from those mines, and operated under
his personal supervision, has made its
first run, working ten tons Of the ore,
the amalgam from which weighed ~
pounds. Mr.. G. W. Tozer, also just IN
from Black Rock, states that the results
of the first run of the mill were not fully
determined, II portion of the pulp from
the ore crushed not being worked yet.
On the other hand, we have the state
ment of Mr.. L. Bass, partner with Evans
/ Co. in the aforesaid mill, who is also
Just in from there. Mr.. Bass says
al am part proprietor Of the Black
Rock mill; | engaged Charles Iseabeck
to 90 there and superintend the work.
ing Of the Black Rock ore, at a salary
Of $1,000 per month, prorided he could
procure paying returns from the ore: paid
him $500 in advance, and he went TO
the mill; I furnished him everything he
demanded that would insure success in
reducing the ore he worked between
ten and twelve tons. Instead of the
quicksilver gaining l22 pounds of ANAL
gam, as stated by Mr.. Isenbeck yester-
day, IL lost the usual amount in work
ing; aud all the amalgam found was
about halfa pound, which, upon exam
iua,ion and assay, proved to be nothing
but copper, with no trace of gold or
silver therein. After this test, by lseu-
beck, l called upon him to return the
$500 advanced upon contract, which
he promptly refunded to me, he not hav-
ing been able to procure any precious
metals from the ore by his process. Mr..
Iseubeck is the third person who has
asserted that he could get rich returns
from the ore /: each has failed, and |
never vet have seen q quarter of q dol
lar in silver or gold actually produced
from working the Black Rock ores, and
never any signs of either, except in fire
ASSAYS, one Of a dozen of which have
perhaps shown gold and silver in paying
quantities. | believe yet in the rich
ness of our vast deposits Of ore, and
hope for SOME method whereby the same
a be p~roftably worked 4; but as yet,
none has been discovered. At this time
Mr.. Hiskey, of Dall's mill, at Frank
town, is engaged in working 49 tons of
ore from the Snowstorm ledge, and the
returns thereof | will make public.
desire only the truth to be told relative
10 the district, as untruth will only mil
itate against the best interests of the
country, in which | am as deeply inter-
ested as any one.'
We have no particular interest in the
matter, other than an earnest desire for
the general prosperity Of the country,
and q heartfelt wish for the full and
complete success of newly discovered
mines in any portion of our rich and
thriving young State. We simply pub
lish impartially each view of the situa-
ton, hoping for the best. The ore in
question is Of o new and strange char
acter, and it would be something won
derful, and too good luck altogether,
for the first practical attempt at milling
il, to be q complete success. 1t may
come out all right, yet. Wait a little
longer"