The San Francisco call., 1896-06-11
NUGGETS AND
VEINS OF GOLD,
Thousands Of Square Miles
Said to Be Teeming
With Them.
IN THE MOJAVE DESERT
Steady Influx of Prospectors
Into the New and Rich
Diggings.
LACK OF WATER A DRAWBACK.
Mountains Said to Be Literally
Streaked With the Auriferous
Quartz.
LACK OF WATER a DRAWBACK.

such profusion and obtainable over 80
large an area as has never before been
known IN all the rich and remarkable finds
of California and Australia is the sub
stance of reports from that section Of Kern
| County which lies a little north of due
east from Mojave, and about forty miles
| distant from that city.
In this desert and hilly region placer
and quartz diggings are now being worked,
| said George f. Weeks of the Bakersfield
Californian in an interview in this City,
that for richness and extent exceeds any
thing previously recorded in the mining
history of the world.
Tne development of this region is said to
have only begun, yet it is known that the
auriferous deposits extend for at least
twenty five miles, east and west, while its
latitudinal boundaries have not yet been
defined.
At the present time there is said to be
steady influx of prospectors including in
many cases entire families. Mojave's ho-
tel accommodations are entirely made
quate, Notwithstanding that from three to
four stages leave there daily, full of pill
grlms for the latest gold hunters Mecca.
From fifty to one hundred people depart
daily from there, and this human current
has been maintained for some time.
1t has long been known that this region
is promising field for the prospector and
for mining ope rations on a large scale,
but the lack of water has heretofore been
an effective deterrent. This obstacle to
comfortable living as well as to profitable
mining has now been to great extent
10 frua hot hn
DO int from the mineral belt at which
water is obtainable is twelve miles, but as
its use for placer mining is unnecessary in
view of the fact that ''dry washing" is
very successfully carried on in this region,
it has been found practicable to haul the
necessary supply on carts in barrels.
Delivered at the mines water costs 81
barrel. Teams can haul half dozen bar
rels at time and can make two trips
day. Eventually, however, 1T is expected
to utilize the water from the more distant
mountains, and it is proposed to bore
wells. For the latter purpose well-bor-
ing plant is now on the ground capable of
drilling to depth of 100 feet. There is
the fullest confidence that water will be
struck long before that distance is reached.
Both at Mojave and in the mining Sec
tion women and children as well as men
sleep out of doors without discomfort, be-
hotel accommodations and the lack of
tents in the camps.
One miner who had been to the diggings
but short time was seen in Bakersfield
last week by Mr.. Weeks with buckskin
purse four inches long filled with gold
dust and nuggets, one of the latter being
worth $50.
The mining camp is in section of
rather low hills, and the valleys between
are where the placer mines are being
worked. The valley tracts are apparently
the washings from the neighboring hills,
and the hills are said to be literally scanned
with the precious yellow metal. In some
cases veins can be traced from a hilltop to
where the valley and hill seem to join.
Here the vein disappears only to reappear
on the further edge of the valley, where it
can be easily followed up the slope of the
next hill.
In these valleys the gravel and soil is so
devoid of moisture that it makes dry
washing not only practicable but exceed
ingly efficacious and profitable. The pro-
cess consists of running the gold bearing
gravel and soil over an apron lined with
quicksilver, the latter retaining the free
gold in amalgamation.
Rich quartz veins are said to be in sight
everywhere, though at the present time,
owing to the lack of water, but three or
four mills of small capacity are in opera
tion.
In some portions of the camp the claim
monuments are so thick that from dis
tance they appear like stakes in vineyard.
In this connection the Bakersfield Cali
fornlan in its next issue will publish the
following In its editorial columns:
Kern County is at present the scene of the
commencement of a mineral development,
which there is the best reason for believing
Will result ere long in giving this region as
vide lame as any mining locality in the
country and the building up of mining camps
OF large proportions. Already mines are pro-
ducing good results in the Aqua Caliente,
Randsburg, Goler and other ''new' districts,
while in the older ones such as Havilah. Keys
vile, Greenhorn, KernviIle, ETC., development
OF the most promising character is under way.
Every day almost Eotes the discovery OF new
and rich mineral deposits of the most promis-
ing character.
The amount of mineral bearing territory in
this county is immense, covering as it does the
entire eastern half and extending over several
thousands of square miles.
The deposits that have so far been worked
size, and the number is constantly being
added to.
But little attention has been paid outside
the county to these rich mines. The owners
nave not sought newspaper notoriety, and as
consequences mines and mining camps that,
had they been exploited through the columns
OF the press would have caused an excitement
second to none are scarcely known outside
very limited circle.
That California, in common with the other
mlneral-producing States of the West, is on the
eve OF a big mining boom, cannot be doubted.
not be wildcat boom, either, but one founded
upon the most solid basis-that OF permanent
and wel-paying mines.