Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-05-11
WONDERFUL GOLD FIND
MAY SURPASS COMSTOCK.
RECENT DISCOVERIES of GREAT
DEPOSITS IN THE DESERT OF
NEVADA.
VISIBLE BUT UNSEEN.
ToNAPHA PROMISES TO BECOME
ONE OF THE RICHEST CAMPS
IN THE WORLD.


in Nevada has received an impetus un-
equalled in several years, due to the
discovery of claims which bid fair TO
rival the wen known and still pro-
ductive Comstoek The new camp,
called Tonapah, is situated in the
southwestern part of Nevada, near the
line of Esmeralda and Nye counties,
about 125 miles south and little west
of Justin. and about 60 miles east of
Sodaville, town on the Carson & Col
orado Railroad, line running south
from Carson City. The camp is in a
porphyry belt in the low foothills on
the western slope OF the San Antane
range, and to the east of Lone Noun
tain. 1t was discovered in the fall of
1900. The Lodges run east and west,
which is unprecedented in Nevada, as
all known auriferous Lodges have been
due north and south. The new Lodges,
which are capped by black groupings,
miles, are in the great desert of New
ada. Through this desert and through
the very groupings is the old road over
which the western pioneers passed on
their way to California The old forty
miners, journeying to the land of gold,
passed these groupings and even
camped temporarily on them, without
realizing that the wish ofAtheir hearts
was under their feet.
Of the thousands who travelled on
this road, it is safe to say none even
took sample of the groupings, for the
average low assay made has been 6S6
ounces of silver and $140 in gold to the
ton. The ore is mineralized por-
phyry, and the veins are from one to
four feet wide. On the west side OF
the belt is a good deal of shade, and on
the east it is capped with pyolite or
trackite for some distance. The ore
runs as high as $500 and 5000 in gold
and from 1000 to 1900 ounces IN sill
yer. There is one vein in particular
that appears to be more of a main lead
than the others and has been opened by
two shafts and several open cuts, show
ing high grade ore three to four feet in
width to depth OF 40 feet. For con-
siderable distance south many of the
veins have been opened up on the sur
face and lead to the above mentioned
vein The ore is hard, dark colored
and brown quartz, sometimes showing
pure gold and much horn or native sill
YER In some cases where the ore is
in yellow block porphyry, it is porphy-
rite quartz, not unlike the surface ores
of Cripple Greek All the ore is
hauled to Sodaville. 60 miles. and
thence shipped to San Francisco for
treatment Nothing less than 500 q
ton is sent. as the cost of transpoffa-
ton is about $45 per ton. Owing to
the large amount of ore shipped, the
Southern Pacific is considering the ex-
tension of its road from Sodaville to
the new town.
This is without doubt one OF the
richest surface discoveries ever made
in the United States, and if the values
continue to any depth the camp will
be one of the wealthiest in the Union.
The greatest drawback to the camp is
the lack of water and wood. hence the
name. Tonapah-"No water, no wood"
The nearest water is a spring three
miles north. from which all the water
used is hauled. Plenty of water viii
be obtainable when wells are sunk ten
miles east of the camp. This will soon
be done, and water will be pumped for
the mine and piped for the use OF the
town.
Shortly after location s250000 was
offered for eight of the company claims
but this was refused. as the owners be-
Iieved ore to greater value was in
sight. The next offer was from Col
Lowe, the original discoverer OF the
silver King mine, the first location
made at Cripple Creek, Col. The COM
pany has refused the offer made by Col.
Lowe, and is now considering one from
Brent & Price of San Francisco.
The town has been surveyed for
eight blocks and already lots on the
main street have been taken. Up 10
date. Tonapah consists of two stores
three assay Offices. three hay yards.
three saloons with another in construc-
ton. and dozen frame houses. Eighty
tents serve as shelter for families
awaiting house accommodation. The
town is built at the base Of the foot
hills in sand wash on a level fiat
A miners union viii soon be formed
with membership of 200, and material
Is expected for two newspapers,
daily and weekly At present the
camp is typical Of the mining days OF
half century ago. with gambling and
drinking and consequent registering
freely INDUCED In Application has
been made for . postofnoe and the name