The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-08-21
o.sc..L.:
Great Excitement ON the Diseoye.
~ Of Gold Near the Cliff
SAN FRANcIsco, August, {

HOUSE,, F.a ...
sAs FRASclsco, August, 8.
Special Correspondent Of the IRt0llIgs5elr.
The interest awakened by the recent
discovery Of deposits Of auriferous black
sand on the Ocean beach and In the foot.
bills In the vicinity Of the Cliff House, is
Increasing daily, and the pcens Of the
excitement Ia now regularly visited by
Thousands OF persons from this city re.
presenting almost every class. The beach
NIL day long from Mussel Rock, is dotted
with eager prOspe ctOrs. Everybody. is
enthusiastic, and the almost unanimous
opinion Of those who have inspected the
diggings Ia that the large quantities Of the
golden black sand, which covers an area
Of many miles, will yield very handsome
profit to the workers. There Is COM
pAny styled the "oceAn Beach Mining
Camp" which seems to be regarded an
important as well as the richest part as
yet established. This place Is con.
tinuous hustle from daylight until sun
down. Within semi circle formed by
the surrounding hillocks and numerous
vehicles, several OF the horses had been
unhitched and staked out TO rest aud
Craze on the barren brush, we're copRrega.
led the principal locaters and mining ex.
perts, who discussed the details OF the
gold field and the probabilities Of future
bonanza in an unimpassioned manner,
while the uninitiated outsiders not versedI
10 the science OF mining clustered around
aud acted upon any available or practical
suggestion. The majority Of the work
Ing men take their lunches, and
at noon-time when all spread out
on the sand banks, Wagons, and buggies,
the sight resembled 4 shipwrecked colo
ny or a picnic by the sea.shore. Miners
10 hightop boots and red shirts, with
sleeves rolled up, were seen stalking
through the white SUR, which broke upon
ibe shore and mingled With the yellow
grains OF gold and sand that glittered 10
the sunlight for an instant only, shifted
their position and disappeared. There are
several parties who have erected pumps,
portable table or sieve, rocker board
and other appliances requisite for work.
ing fine gold, The great trouble at pres
emit is that their work 10 impeded BY the
crowd that Is continually wandering
over the diggings and scoopipg up sand
with their hands or with shovels, and
wash out the gold from the black sand
which Is found few inches below the
surface and then give vent TO their aston
ishment in EXPLANATIONS iof dslight 80
the color Of the yellow metal is discern
ed. Various estimates have been made |
as to the amount Of gold in each ton Of
sand, which so differs in value that no ex.
act aversge can as yet be given. It might
BE- stated, however. that the lowest fig.
ures now plsce 1t at. $40, whilethe result
Of an assay made by Thomas Price Of a
sample was 500 to the ton. II Is thought |
that even II it should not exceed SIS TO
the ton II would pay we'll. Considerable
dissen.ion arose between number Of the
stake holders, as to their own lines
and many revolvers and shotguns were
exhibited, which had tendency TO in.
timida.e some Of the more pusillanimous
golddiggers, who were evidently green In
the business. How 1t may terminate Is
at present difficult to say; the general i'm.
preston, however, Is that it won't be q
decided success. This will be more fully
determined In few weeks hence, when
the mines ~ will be fully developed.
4 ID.ilHNrl p fs.H'.a TING.