The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-09-30
GOLD NUGGETS.


San Francisco Mining ana ScaeHtWcs Tress.
The following table of remarkable mug
gets Is compiled from various sources and
probably contains errors. Early pioneers OF
California, and miners generally, are re-
ouested to communicate with the State Min
eralogist, TO point out mistakes that may be
noticed, and 10 send descriptions of those
not mentioned In this list. From the in
formation 80 obtained corrected catalogue
will be prepared.
Where the weight only has been published
the value has been calculated on an as
sumed fneness Of 800. OF course, such
calculation is only approximative, II being
impossible TO know the actual fneness.
Where the value only has been stated, the
weight has been obtained by reversing the
calculation.
The first piece Of gold found In California
By James w. Marshal weighed fifty cents /;
and the second IS. They were both paid
out for provisions and all trace Of them lost.
1t Is, therefore, impossible to show the first
piece Of gold found in the State, and 1t Is
10 be hoped we shall not soon see the last
The discovery of the first specimen Of gold
remarkable for its extraordinary size plays .
prominent part In the early history Of Cali
fornia. The Official news of the discovery Of
gold in the State was taken 10 the Govern
ment by Gen. K. r. Beaie. He went to
Washington, bearing about $50 worth Of gold
dust, but failed TO excite the interest he an
ticipsted, aud returned rather disguised.
During his absence the historical mad rush
TO California from the ends OF the earth had
begun, and he found San Francisco In wild
state of excitement. He arrived late In the
summer Of 1S4s. About that time young
soldier of Stevenson's regiment, while riding
along the Mokelumne river, stopped to drink
from q stream aud discovered gold nugget
weighing between 90 and % pounds. He
hastened to San Francisco and placed his
prize In the hands of Col. Mason for safety,
who sent II by Gen. Beale TO the Eastern
States, the exhibition of which in New York
famed the smouldering flames, and the ma
ton began to realize the Importance Of newly
acquired California.
In November, 1854, mass Of gold was
found at Carson hill, Calsveras county,
which weighed 1876 pounds Troy, or 2,340
Troy ounces, the value Of which, assuming
the gold to be QUO fine, was $43,5&4. This is
the largest piece Of gold ever found In the
State. Several other nuggets weighing from
six to seven pounds were found at the same
locality.
On the 18th of August, 1850, large piece
of gold was taken from the Monumental
quartz mine, Sierra Buttes, Sierra county,
which weighed 1896 ounces Troy, the value
of which was estimated at from sci 900 to
$4,000. The mine was owned by VIM. A.
Parrish q Co. The nugget wss sold to r.
b. Woodward, Of San Francisco, on the 4th
Of September, 1869, for $21 ,636 81, and
placed on exhibition ut Woodwsrd's Garden,
where l. attracted much attention. BY an
unfortunate circumstance, no cast was ever
made of 1t. II was melted and sold October
7th of the same year, yielding only ST.
654 92-an example Of the universal habit
of overestimating the value Of such speci-
mems. The Monumental mine had yielded
$4,000 worth of gold ut the time Of the dis
covery Of the nugget.
Mr.. Strain found . large slsb-shaped gold
quartz nugget near Knapps ranch, half .
mile east Of Columbia, Tnolum ne county,
which weighed over 30 poduds avolrdupois;
It was about Ia inches long, inches wide
at one end and at the other. When broken
mp the gold Was separated from the quartz,
which was melted into bar weighing coo
ounces, and sold for $500. The rock was
then crushed In an iron mortar and PANIED
cut. The result was gold TO the value Of
$1,000 more. This specimen was found in a
email trail leading up the slope Of the hill
from the gulch, aud hundreds Of miners had
walked over 1t without notice. Near the
same locality others found pieces worth q
few hundred dollars, but the pocket or vein
from which II came was never found.
In 1855, In French ravine, Sierra county,
q nugget was found which weighed 532
ounces, and was worth $4,000. 1t contained
considerable quartz, which Is not calculated
IN the weight. .....
In the year 1867, at Pilot hill, I'll Dorado
county, . boulder Of quartz was found
which sold for $500. The estimated
weight Of gold was 42o ounces Troy.
In 1851, Ut French rsvine, Sierra county
gold nugget was found which weighed zee
ounces, and was valued ct 5000.
Mr.. Virgin and two other miners found .
nugget OF gold on Gold hill, near Columbia,
Tuolumne county, which weighed $50
ounces. The value Of the piece was about
$500. It was somewhat oblong in shape
and worn perfectly smooth. On one side
there was deep cut, as II the mess had been
formed in contact with . sharp rock. The
gold was bright and had the general appear.
ance OF . small neteorite. Il was found
two and half feet below the surface, i'm.
bedded in red clay.
In 1853 mass Of gold weighing 2ss ounces
and valued ut 1926, was found 1t Colum.
biA, Toulumne county. My informant saw
II weighed at Mills banking house, In Col
umbia- .
A nugget Ii reported TO have been found
at Minnesota, Sierra county, weighing 26e
ounces, and valued ut 5000. No other par.
ticulars have been obtained.
In 1850, piece Of gold quartz was found
In French ravine, Sierra county, which con-
taiped 2e3 ounces Of gold, woith $4,s03.
A Rrenchman found nugget Of gold 10
SpriRg gulch, near Columbia, Toulumne
county, which was nearly pure gold. 1t was
worth moro than 5000. The mass was
somewhat coated with oxide Of iron when
found. II was globular In shape. The dis.
csvery Of this nugget proved to be great
misfortune, for the finder became insane the
following day and was sent TO Stockton,
The French Consul recovered the nugget, Of
the money obtained for 1t, aud sent 1t TO his
family In France. s#
A nugget, said 10 have been pure gold, wa
taken from the Middle Fork OF the American