Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1899-08-31
WYALONG GOLD FIELDS.
cIous Metal by COIOnist in
New south Wales.

The romance of Australian gold min
ing is not inaptly illustrated 10y the
history of the Wyalong gold field, in
New South Wales. Less than seven
years ago it was simply a grazing dis
trict, consisting largely of crown lands
held on lease by pastoraiists, the level
nature of the country, covered with red
soil and scrub, causing il TO be neglect
cd by prospectors, although the Iemora
gold field, with its busy population, was
only 40 miles distant.
In July, 1898, a Victorian cOlonist
named Neeld, and his family, being de
sirous of obtaining a larger area of
land for settlement than was possible
under the Victorian land laws, crossed
the River Murray, and made their way
to Wyalong, 33s miles south of Sydney,
where a suitable area of land was Sc
cured. Mr.. Neeld, 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 ironstone
nodules and loose fragments of quartz.
This was at the beginning of August,
1898, and he at once commenced pros
pecting, but did not succeed in finding
gold until about a month after his ar
rival, when he discovered it in a loose
piece of quartz.
Other discoveries followed, and few
days later systematic prospecting op-
erations were commenced. Fresh finds
were made, and, ultimately, Mr.. Neeld
and his sons decided upon holding the
red flag. and pegging out their claims.
This was done on September IS, 1873,
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 10 secure claims
wherever possible. In January 1e9+,
there were over 500 men on the field.
In the following March the first parcels
Of ore were crushed AT Barmedman, the
center of a quartz-mining district. 1G
miles distant, when the marvellous rich
ness Of the ore became ascertained.
The result was great rush TO the
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 Barmedman districts
was between 1000 and 5000, the num-
Der of claims worked being about 800.
of which between 20 and 30 were on
PAYABLE stone. In 1895 the quantity Of
gold obtained was 25.497 ounces; in
1896 it was 50. 1876 ounces, and ina 1897,
$3.50 ounces, being the largest aurifer-
Gus output of any gold field in the coll
ony, the next richest being Hillgrove,
with 81 $50 ounces. The total yield
from the Wyalong gold field from its
discovery at the end of 1898 up 10 the
present has been estimated at 10000
ounces, worth more than half a million
sterling.
The gold is extremely fine, and some
times not to be detected without the aid
Of a pocket lens. No alluvial gold Is
fouud, 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 i'm the rate Of produc-
tiou, but also furnish indications of
its permaucncy. The township of Nya-
long. which occupies a site practically
i'm 1893. now boasts Of a
population Of about 7.OoO.-Chicago
Tribune.