The winter of 1874-1875, R. W. Chilson, better known as “Chloride Dick”, arrived at the “Silver Nugget” mine, making four brothers at the property. By this time the mine was running full blast, making regular shipments to San Francisco. The ore was broken down by hand and closely assorted, sacked in double canvas sacks, which weighed about 50 pounds each when closely tamped.
After about $200,000 worth of high-grade ore had been shipped, the property was organized and incorporated under the laws of New York and known as the “Silver Nugget Mining Company”. A fine stamp mill was erected to mill the old dumps. It is worthy of mention, that the “Silver Nugget” was a small, high-grade, blanket vein, lying on the bedrock and confined to Richman Basin. The deepest overburden being only 17 feet deep at the lower edge of the basin, the vein came to the surface at the upper end of the basin.
During the early development of the property, the brothers hurriedly built a rock cabin, equipped with port holes, water barrels and provisions. This cabin was used as an ore house, as well as a fortification against attacks by desperadoes who roamed the country in quest of easy wealth; also against Indian attacks This cabin was later torn down and milled, as it was built of rock from the mine and contained a great deal of high grade.
Following the discovery and operations of the famous old property, Gip discovered Mineral Creek, built a fine stamp mill on a property known as the “D. G.” mine. It was at this property that Dory Harris was employed as a watchman by Gip, after Harris had made his money in the “Stonewall Jackson” and had gone broke in San Francisco and elsewhere
Following is a list of a few original locations in Globe and Richman basin: Globe, Alice, Buffalo, Rambo, Rescue, Miama, Sherman, Meter Lazy Bob, Buckeye, etc. Silver Nugget, Rifleman, Hoodoo, Silver Spring, Wm. P. Miller, Richman, Blue Cap, Joe Brewster, Henry Rishbridger, Silver Plancho, Mexican, etc.
During the succeeding years the Chilson brothers blazed many trails in the west, discovered many properties, becoming experts in their profession.
R. W. Chilson discovered the “Christmas Gift”, “Reward” and “E. Pluriubus Unum” properties, south from Casa Grande. He later discovered the “Young America” lead-silver property, in Stephens county, Washington, which property was operated by himself, and finally purchased by Mr. Selby of the Selby Lead and Smelting Company of San Francisco. D. G. Chilson also went to the state of Washington, as did his brother, Bill, who discovered the “Fourth of July” and “Antlers” properties at a camp then known as “Ruby”, which was located near Conconully, the county seat of Okanogan county.
Later, Gip discovered “Gold Hill”, which is located about eight miles from Loomis and about 20 miles south from the Canadian boundary. He spent a great deal of time and money in the development of “Gold Hill” and later sold the property to Ralph Bagley of Pittsburgh in the year 1899.
There were many other properties of less importance discovered, operated and sold by the brothers. They were men of the frontier, choosing for their fields unexplored regions.
Our western country was comparatively new, some three to five decades ago, the exposed treasures were to be had for those who understood the business and who would explore for them. The Chilson brothers had their share.
Now, with the passing of one generation, likewise the passing of exposed treasures, there are just as many mines today as there were in the seventies. They are not exposed, so it falls to science to develop new methods, ways and means to discover new mines.
The present generation, Daniel G. Chilson, son of the late D. G. Chilson, and the writer, son of R. W. Chilson. (I might add that I was nicknamed “Nugget” in memory of the “Silver Nugget” mine), have followed the profession of our fathers and uncles, likewise have followed the onward progressive march of civilization and demands inasmuch as we have developed the needed scientific method for the location and definition of ore bodies through the medium of radio, that we may perpetuate our profession and give to the world new mines Two years were spent in the research department of the University of Arizona in concluding and perfecting the method which is known as the “Chilson Process”.
It I an established fact, then when a commodity is needed, due to increasing heavy demands, that someone individually, or collectively, will supply directly or indirectly, the needs of the populace, as in the case of transportation, from ox team to airplane; communication runners to wireless, telegraphy and broadcasting; it is relatively so in power, and on it goes, the perpetual evolution of the civilized races.
I will conclude by stating that I do sincerely hope that the succeeding generation of Chilsons will perpetuate our cause in the science of mining and keep pace with the ever-increasing demands, as we have endeavored to do.
