The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-03-04
Important Gold Discovery East
of Banning
THE INFANCY Bros STRIKE
A Bonanza Found ia a Gorge of the
Morongo Mountains
Thousands of Dollars Worth of Precious Ore
In Sight They VIII Abandon Grazing
and Dig Gold

If report which has Just reached the
city is true, the richest gold strike that
has vet been made in Southern California
is in the Pinon district in the Molave
Mountains about sxty-tve miles cast
of Banning. The fortunate discoveries
are the McHaney Brothers, Jim and Will,
well-known cattlemen in San Bernardino
county, and Riverside. The McHaneys have
practically lived in the desert (so-called)
for nineteen years, pasturing catt and
incidentally prospecting for minerals.
Some OF the best mines between San Ber-
nardino and the Colorado river were dis
covered by them, but unfortunately others
got in and filed claims ahead OF them,
30 that they did not always profit by their
discoveries.
Their latest and best discovery is caus-
ing greater excitement among mining
men in that region than any other that
has been made in many years. The strike
was made five or six weeks ago, but
kept very quiet, as the discoveries did
not intend to be euchred out of their find
this time. After locating the ledge and
becoming convinced OF its great richness,
they staked off four claims, known as
the Desert Queen, the Desert Chief, the
Chief of the Hills and the Dry Lake Val
ley mine. Then as they were in doubt as
70 to whether the claims were in Riverside
or San Bernardino counties, location
papers were recorded in each. This was
done but yesterday, and now the locators
feel secure in their claims.
Harry Harrington, a well-known man
around town, and brother-in-law of the
McHaneys, showed some specimens of
rock from the mines to Herald repre-
sentative yesterday. 1t was remarkably
rich in virgin gold, and Mr.. Harrington
said there was any quantity of it where
this was procured The ledge is from
three to fifteen feet wide, and has been
traced for long distance. AS before
stated, it Is in mountain gorge, sixty
five miles east of Banning and about sixty
miles north of the Southern Pacific Rail-
road.
The McHaneys and others who have
seen the mines say at least five hundred
tons of ore are in plain sight as mere out
groupings. Three tons of it, taken to
Tingman's mill, ten miles distant, and
run through the stamps, yielded $9l5 gold.
up equally well. A bag full of sand taken
from dry wash in the vicinity cleaned up
a handful of gold. So it is expected that
rich results will be obtained both by the
placer and stamping process.
! There is an abundance of wood and
water in the vicinity. If there were not
plenty of water, it would be impossible
to Craze the 1900 head of cattle that the Nc
Haney brothers own. There is a good
wagon road to the diggings, but the trip
overland from the railroad is very diff
cult one, and only those accustomed to the
hardships of desert life should attempt
it. All the gold claims III the vicinity
have been staked out, so there is little in
ducement to any one to rush to the field.
II is predicted, however, that one of the
aliveliest mining camps in the country
will spring up in the neighborhood of the
McHaney's bonanza within the next six
months.
The McHaneys have leased Tingman's
three-stamp mill for two months, in which
time they expect to clean up enough gold
to put in live or ten-stamp mill of
their own. Mr.. Harrington will join his
brother-in-law in developing the mines
He is at present securing an outfit in this
city, and will leave for the diggings about
the middle of the week.
/, The McHaney Bros. own another mine
about five miles distant, which is being
worked for them by Mr.. Holland. 1t is
only four-inch ledge, but the ore is
said to- assay $1,000 per ton in gold. The
lMeHaneys refused an offer of $40, 600 for
this claim some time ago. Their new
discovery, although the ore is not nearly
SO rich; they deem much more valuable,
on account of the vast amount of it.
They have given their cattle out on
shares and intend to devote their entire
time from now on to mining.