Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-10
A MARVELLOUS CAMP.
Mery or the Establish menf or the Most Won.
dsrfui Mipins Camp Ever ON the Pacific

dsrfui Mipins Camp Ever ON the Pacific
Censs.
Denver (Col) News.I
A Renaissance Of the most wonder
full mining-camp ever founded at this
remote day may possibly be Of interest
10 Coloradoans, and illustrate another
instance Of what courage, perseverance.
and confidence may accomplish.
In the southeastern portion OF the
State of Nevada, in Lincoln county,
early in the sixties, there was estab-
lished by the Mormons small trading
station named Panaca, which was
kind of rendezvous for them on their
annual expeditions to California and
other points south. The country was
wild, barren, and only the habitation
Of the coyote and rowing band Of In
dians. The courageous prospector, in
his desire to make new discove-
ries, however, was not deferred from
exploring its heretofore unknown trea-
sures. In 1865 a few prospectors,
including Uncle Billy Raymond and
Jack Ely, crossed over from California
and directed their course easterly.
After traversing the desert in the
southern part Of the State and enduring
all the hardships incident to such a
trip they reached Panaca. After few
days Of rest, and having recuperated
their animals and replenished their
larder, they struck out in a northerly
direction over the mountain. At dis
lance Of twelve miles north Of Panaca
they found strong indications Of the
existence Of silver Night coming on,
they retired to small stream which
they had crossed during the day and
established their camp, which afterward
bloomed into the town Of Bullionville,
and where large mills were afterward
constructed for the reduction of their
ore. The next morning they resumed
their work, and in a short time discov-
cred an old abandoned shaft, and an
examination of it disclosed the fact that
it had been abandoned only short
time. A further exploration revealed
to them the existence Of mineral in fair
quantities and very rich. They then
directed their attention to securing the
ground, which being accomplished,
they commenced to develop the property
in systematic manner. No time was
lost in communicating with their bene-
factor, Mr.. Phoebe, French capt.
talst in San Francisco, who was SO
gratified at their success that he lost no
time in supplying them with all the
means necessary, as well as machinery.
OUT OF COMPLIMENT TO HIM
they named the TOWNSHIP which had
been located Phoebe, and the mine Ray
mond and Ely. There being no works
of reduction nearer than 300 miles, an
arrastra was constructed on the stream,
where they camped and worked their
ore by that process until the returns
therefrom would Justify them in erect
ing a mill. 1t was not long before their
find developed into valuable property.
Machinery was purchased in San Fran
cisco, transported to Palisade and
Toans, in Nevada, on the Central
Pacific railroad, and then hauled
400 miles across country the
most desolate that was ever traversed
by a human being, the teamsters
being compelled to carry the water for
their animals in barrels strapped to the
sides of their wagons. The introduce
ton Of improved machinery in carrying
on their operations worked wonder
full change. These enlarged facilities
necessitated an increase in their force
of miners, and instead of shipping their
bullion by pony express, Woodruff and
Ennor established a line of Concord
coaches to the "diggins." The fame
of the production had already aroused
the people of California. A tide Of emf
grafton soon turned to the new Ell Do
RADIO, and in short time the town
of Phoebe assumed quite interesting
proportions. The country for miles
around was soon located, while the
town itself presented a scene of ac-
tivity and progress encouraging to all.
In 1869, however, the mine showed
signs of petering, and preparations
were accordingly made to meet such a
contingency. The force of miners was
reduced and the extraction Of ore limit
ed to so much per diem. The owners,
Raymond and Ely, posted off to San
Francisco and negotiated sale Of 1t
to Haggin & Tevis, large mining
operators in that city,. The new
purchasers introduced their system
of mining with a degree OF sue
cess unparalleled in the history of that
industry. A Mr.. Lightner, a gentleman
Of vast experience in mining as well as
a most successful miner, was appointed
superintendent. He applied himself
diligently in his new field and succeed
ed beyond his most sanguine expecta-
tions. The mine continued to yield
handsomely, and its fame extended far
and wide. Large numbers Of people
came from every quarter and thronged
its streets day and night, exceeding the
palmiest days of the Comstock. During
the years 1871, 1872, 1873, and 1874
the flush times in Phoebe presented
A MARVELLOUS SCENE TO THE
STRANGER.
Nearly every other building was a sa-
loon and granddaughter, crowded with
men playing the game from excitement
and anxious to improve their fortunes,
and it was frequent occurrence to see
the players place their reyolyers in
front of them on the table to intimidate
the festive check guerilla by its potent
argument. Seldom was morning ush-
cred in but the services Of the coroner
were called into requisition, and Colo
mel Van Hogan, acting IN that capacity,
held three inquests on the bodies of
men who had met with violent deaths.
and yet not single execution ever took
place for these offences.
The bar Of the city could claim among
its numbers some Of the brightest lights
in the legal profession-Colonel Harry
|. Thornton, John Garner, David Ash
lev lone of the most brilliant attorneys
who ever framed a brief, and others.
No mining district in the great West
presented finer field for the exercise
of their abilities-hardly mining claim
whose title was free from some cloud.
The fiercest contests which ever oc-
Cured In any courts characterized the
litigation in the District Court Of Lin