The Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1869-1872, 1870-05-28
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DALD nOUNIA1Ns nay %, 1oiU-
EDrroRs IxpkPHSDKr:-Believing that .
few items from this comparatively new and Is
yet unknown locality would be interesting to
your readers. herewith send the following,
relative to the locality, discovery, prospects
and mineral wealth so far as the latter has
been developed:
LocALrrI OF THE DISTRICT,
Bald Mountain mining district is situated in
the Ruby range, which further south is called
! the White Pine range, about fifty miles south
Of Elko. The principal mines yet discovered
are located eight miles east of Telegraph Sta
ton on the Hamilton road, which constitutes
the western boundary of the district. The
valley skirting the mountains at this point is
thickly covered with dense growth Of stunt
ed juniper or cedar, as il is commonly called
by the miners; which gives place as the noun
tain is assembled to the pinion or nut pine;
which In turn, as the the summit is neared, is
succeeded by the harder mountain mahog-
any, which grows to a large size on the lime
capped peaks and rugged sides of the
highest cones of the mountains rendering il
the thickest that has ever come within the
observation of the writer in the mineral re-
gions OF Sevads. Several large and never
failing springs rise in the deep Sorges and de-
cliyities OF the mountains in the immediate
vicinity OF the mines, capable of furnishing
an unlimited number of mills and furnaces
WITH suhctent water Tor all practical purposes.
THE DISCOVERY OF THE MINES.
The mines were accidentally discovered in
the Fall of 1869 by John Foreman and r. C.
Combs, who. on their way to Arizona, camped
at spring in the vicinity, and while getting
up their horses, preparatory to starting, dis
covered boulders rich in silver, which they
traced to the mines now known as the Genie
and Nevada Apprising their friends in Elko
o. the nch discoveries they had made a few
OF them were induced to visit the locality: and
the district-which in consequence of high
peak destitute of timber, had been named
Bald Mountain-was organized Owing
to the negligence or inability of those who or.
gained the district to place its advantages
Prominen tly before the public, no excitement
relative thereto was created and but three men.
MeSsrs. Foreman, Bailey and Combs wintered
in the place.
MINERAL wEALTH AND FUTURE PROSPECTS OF
THE DISTRICT.
The mineral wealth Of Bald Mountain dis
trict, judging by the surface indications, and
the very limited developments made in the
district, compares favorably with any in the
State, and consists, as far as known, of arcentif
erous galena, copper containing from $50 TO
SlOO per ton IN silver and black sulphurets
and chloride OF silver ore. The eaiena. of
winch there are immense deposits, is found in
the low hills bordering on Railroad valley, in
ametamorphic formation, different from that
higher in the mountain. The copper the
Groupings of which ranges from twenty to
forty per cent. and contains from $50 TO 500
dollars per ton in silver, is found in album
dance about midway between the valleys and
summit, in series of lodges extending
through belt about three hundred yards
wide. The silver veins, the most prominent
aud promising of which are the Genie and
Nevada, are found in the limestone formation
which caps the mountain near its western
slope. and contain chlorides and black suIphu- |
rets which assay from SIS to $500 per ton, |
and extend through a belt nearly twice AS
large as that In which the copper is found. !
The general prospects Of the district, Judging |
from the variety Of ores which abound within |
Its limits and the large float which appears on |
the surface; the unlimited supply Of wood |
for reduction purposes; and its never falling !
supply OF w"ter-a rare Cccurrenc. in Nevada
will, upon the completion of the proposed |
railroad from Elko to White Pine, render il |
second to no mining district in the State.
PEosPEcToR.