Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-04-17
ARIZONA.
Rich Gold Discoveries.
New York Mining Report.

Great excitement is being created in the
Territory by the discovery of extremely
rich gold lodges in Pinal county, Ari-
IONA. The Yuma Sentinel, whose editor
George lying, is the best informed man
in the territory, says, of the discovery
of ore assaying $44, 800 per ton, that it
has actually been found in considerable
quantity; we have seen the certificate
of assay, which gives the value in gold
as So, S73, and in silver 81 ,649.43 Sc
lected specimens shown us could assay
three times as much, as they contained
at least one-third of their weight in
gold. The discovery was accidental
and occurred in this wise: Feb. 4, Col.
S. A. Buckingham went out to look at,
with view to bond Or purchase, GER
tain mines in Pioneer District, Pinal
county, owned by Buck & Hayes. On
their return they were accompanied by
D. Dunn. 1t being late in the day, they
struck across the country, hoping to
reach the Silver King and Globe trail
before dark. All four were mounted.
While forcing their way through the
brush, along the middle fork of Pinto
Creek, at point some three and half
or four miles north Of Andy Hawkins
Pinal ranch, and some sixteen miles
west of Globe, one of the party dis
mounted. He soon cried out, "Boys,
here's gold ~ At first the others thought
he was joking, but his persistence caus-
ed them to turn back, when, sure
enough, there were the richest aurifer-
Gus float and groupings perhaps ever
discovered. Closely examined, this
rock is found to be thor
oughly decomposed quartz, held to-
gether by perfect sponge of fine wire
has so discolored the gold that it might
escape casual glance, but the least
friction reveals its true character Speci-
mems broken from the ledge carry their
normal color, and are brilliant with
gold. The ledge occurs on the side hill,
about 500 feet above the bed of the
creek, which carries a constant stream
of pure fish-supporting water. 1t has
been traced for a great distance, and
ten locations, of 1000 feet each, have
been made upon it. \ We shall
soon learn whether this bonanza is a
mere freak of nature, Or really mine
that carries ore of the unprecedented
value of over $780, 900 per ton. But, in
any event, the groupings of the float
alone will make the boys rich. The ex-
citem entin that country is now imm ense,
and prospecting has received fresh
impetus. Almost the entire watershed
of Pinto Creek, and its branches is COW
cred with dense thicketssof catsclay and
similarly stubborn bushes. This fact
has heretofore proved a barrier to thor
lough prospecting. The FOUR discover
ers of the 81, 500 bonanza are d. Dun,
who used to be contractor at San
Francisco, but now resident of Los
Angeles; G. Hayes, form erly head cook
at the Russ House, San Francisco; G.
E. Burk, former resident of Yuma,
and later an active prospector and work
er of mines at the Laguna and elswhere;
and Col S. A. Buckingham, who tells
US he took out the Seventh New York
Volunteers (not the Seventh New York
Mllitia) In 1861. Col. Buckingham
came to California about year ago,
and to. Arizona nearly two months ago.
Since that time he has been examining