The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-08-18
WYALoNG COLD YIELDS
cious MefaI BY q CS1onSss n
New South wales.

The romance OF Australian guild min-
ing is not inaptly illustrated by Tie
history of the Wyalong gold field, IN
New South Wales. Less than seven
years ago it was simply grazing dir
trict, consisting largely of crown lands
held on lease by pastoraIists, the level
nature OF the country, covered with red
soil and scrub, causing it to be neglect
ed by prospectors, although the Tenor.
gold field, with its busy population, was
only 40 miles distant.
In July, 1898, Victorian colonist
named Neeld, and his family, being de-
sirous of obtaining q larger area Of
land for settlement than was possible
under the Victorian land laws, crossed
the River Murray, and made their way
to Wyalong, a3s miles south of Sydney,
where suitable area of land was Sc
cured. Mr.. NeeId, who had consider
able experience on the Bendigo, Ball
arat and other Victorian gold fields was
speedily impressed by the auriferous
conditions Of the district, his attention
being attracted by numerous ironstoue
nodules and loose fragments of quartz
This was at the beginning of August,
1898, and he at once commenced pres
pecting, but did not succeed in finding
gold until about month after his ar
rival, when he discovered it in loose
piece of quartz.
Other discoveries followed, and few
days later systematic prospecting op-
erations were commenced Fresh finds
were made, and, ultimately, Mr.. NeeId
and his sons decided upon holding the
red flag, and pegging out their claims
This was done ON September IS, 1898,
and no sooner had the discovery been
reported than the news spread like Wild
fire, numbers of men riding the same
night toward the, scene of the gold dis
coveries, in order to secure claims
wherever possible. In January, 1894,
there were over 500 men on the field
In the following March the first parcels
| of ore were crushed at Barmedrnan, the
center of a quartz-mining district is
miles distant, when the marvellous rich
ness of the ore became ascertained
The result was a great rush to tire
ground, and about three weeks later the
population had increased to about TO-
600, but many subsequently left, being
unable to secure auriferous land At
the end of 1894 the settled population In
the Wyalong and Barmedrnan districts
was between 1900 and 5000, the NUM-
| Der of claims worked being about 500,
| of which between % and 80 were ON
payable stone. In 1895 the quantity Of
| gold obtained was 25.t97 ounces. I'm
| 1896 it was 1895 ounces. and in 1897,
34,370 ounces, being the largest aurifer-
Gus output of any gold field in the col
| ony, the next richest being HIIIgrove-
| with 81. $50 ounces. The total yield
from the Wyaloug gold field from its
| discovery at the end of 1893 up to the
| present has been estimated at f38. COO
ounces. worth more than half million
| sterling.
| The gold is extremely fine. and some
times not to be detected without the aid
of poke. lens No aiIuviaI gold is
| found. and in this respect the district
differs from most of the large gold
fields Of the colony. The number and
extent of the reefs promise not only .
steady increase in the rate OF predae-
ton, but also furnish Indications Of
its permanency. The townshipof VIVA
long. which occupies a site practically
| uninhabited in 1899. now boasts Of a
population of about 7.GG0.-Chicago
Tribune