The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-06-25
NEvApA's FIRST NUGGET.
How Her First Piece of Gold Was Dug
Out With q Butcher Knife.
Alta Californian.

Out With a Butcher Knife.
Alta Californian.
An interesting corresp ondence has lately
passed between Elliott Lcrd, Of the United
States Geological Survey. and John Orr,
the first discoverer Of gold in Nevada. Un
der the supervision of the director Of tht
geological survey, history CT the Com
stock discovery and mining development
on the east slope Of Nevada is being pre-
rarei. Mr.. Orr, az pres s,ut reIidiog a,
Duncan's Mills, Sonoms county, has in his
possession the first gold nugget known to
have been found in Nevada, and the ipqui.
ries of Mr.. Lord have been In relation to
the circumstances of its discovery, and the
possibility OF securing it srom Mr.. Orr. by
donation or purchase, for the collection In
the national museum at Washington.
In conversation with Mr.. Orr short
time ago he stated the facts relating to the
discovery. He started with large train
to come across the plains in 1S49. Unusu-
ally severe weather was encountered, the
roads were bad ard they were compelled to
spend the winter at Salt Laks. He left for
California on the fist wagon train fIom
Salt Lake in the spring of 1850, bot the
desert was not crossed until the last Of
May, bscause of high W atsrs, and the fact
that their road had 70 be cut through the
snow until the Humboldt was reached. Orr
had partner named Nick kelly, after whom
Relly's Ravine is named, and IN the COM
pany was also cne William Prouse, now
living at Nuro City, about forty miles
southeast of Salt Lake. Prouss had work
ed in mines in this State before gold was
discovered at Coloma, and was good pros
pector. One early day of May, 1850, the
train stopped on the edge Of what is now
known as Gold canon, Dear the Carson riv-
or, to let the animals feed on some bunch
grass found growiog near the edge Of the
sage brush. Prouse at noontime took
milkpan and, gong d)wn the gulch, began
washing dirt, in few minutes getting COL
or to the value Of q Few cents. Orr then
named the place Gold Canon. Orr was
keeping rude chart Of ths ecu ,tIy trav.
cleo over, taking bearings north and south,
and estimating the distances travelled ev-
cry day. old can on was ma 'ked on the
chart which was lost by Mr.. Orr in 1855
while retu rping East to be married. The
train ,oon after resumed travel, going to
the head Of the Carson valley. There was
met party of seven, who had left the train
1T the sink of the Humboldt. intending to
go in advance to California and select good
locations for the balance of the party
They had been unable to cross tho coun-
try and had been lost in the snow In the
for four or dvs days, unable to
aud the divide to Hangtown, aud seeking
Carson TO recuperate. III Of.
A stay in Carson for three weeks fol-
Owed, when Orr, Kelley and several others
to Gold CAN on aud resumed pros
pecting. Kelley and Orr went up the canon
until little fork was reached, when work
was bsgu r. The party had few tools and
Orr had nothing but a butcher knife.
While Kelly was working Orr noticed
very arrow place ar the fork, where the
water barely covered q slab of slate rock.
Idly he examined it, and, noticing small
:revics near the ed ge, drove the knife into |
t, brea king off piece. The water wash |
I'd away the underlying dirt, aud in few
'eco nds Orr discovered a golden nugget |
where the rock had covered. It was quick |
y removed and found afterwards to weigh |
1925. This was on the 3lst of June, 1850, |
nearly thirty years ago. Prospecting was
and though gold dust was found
n several places throughout the caiion,
)r's was the only nugget found. The par
y lacked tools and PROVISIONS, and being
'ent on reaching California, abandoned the
anon and reached Leek Springs July 4,
$50. Orr offered the nugget to Kelly. who
efrsed to accept it, and as it was the first
'iece of gold he ever dug, Orr for few
ears kept IL as souvenir on that account. |
)f late years inquiry as to the first discov-
~ of gold in Nevada, and the settlement |
( the discovery upon Mr.. Or and his mug
ct have induced him to state that the |
ugget is not for sale, nor will it be dona-
ID to any museum. He has four grown
pms and he will keep it for them, to be
assed down as an heirloom. Mr.. Lord
rites that the survey in their contemplated
'ork will acknowledge the first discovery
8 above stated.