Mining History Library

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The Story of Nevada's White Pine News

In its 55 years of near continuous publication from 1868 to 1923, the White Pine News moved six times to six different mining camps and towns, all within a 45-mile radius, including Treasure City, Ely, and East Ely. White Pine County in eastern Nevada epitomized the dramatic and sometimes violent boom and bust of western mining and mining camps.

1899 Sneffels Stage Robbery and the Death of Kid Adams (1899 Newspaper)

On October 2nd, the Sneffels Stage was robbed as it transported mail and gold bullion from Camp Bird to Ouray, Colorado. The bandits were pursued relentlessly, but one managed to escape after many days dodging the law. The other, a young man known as "Kid Adams" was not so lucky, and was killed by a deputy. This was not the end of the story though, as it was determined that the deputy murdered Adams rather than bring him in to face charges.

The Prospector's Story (1899 Salt Lake Mining Review)

A prospector describes his search for a lost gold mine in Death Valley, and his discovery of the remains of miners in a remote mining cabin.

The Great Consolidated Mines of Mercur (1902 Salt Lake Mining Review)

The Mining Review takes pleasure in calling attention to the fact that Mercur, in Camp Floyd district, Tooele county, this state, is Utah's greatest gold camp....

San Juan - In the Heart of the Mining Districts (1875 Newspaper)

"In conclusion let me say this San Juan country is the greatest mineral section upon the face of the globe." This 1875 letter from a prospector traveling the early mining districts of the San Juan mountains of Colorado briefly describes some of the earliest towns of the area, and gives interesting insight into the mind of a pioneer prospector.

Tough Times in Death Valley (1875 Newspaper)

Brief report on prospectors caught in a Death Valley blizzard, forcing them to make a gruelling trek to Cerro Gordo. Facing starvation the men killed and ate a donkey: "jackass meat, as an article of diet, is a lamentable failure."

Cripple Creek - An Accurate Account of the First Discovery of Gold (1895 History of the State of Colorado)

Book chapter gives a good overview of the discovery of gold at Cripple Creek, and the early development of the towns and mines of the district.

Lake City - Capital of Hinsdale (1882 Newspaper)

This 1882 editorial appears to be a promotional piece describing the potential of Lake City and surrounding mines. It provides an interesting overview of Lake City and surrounding mining camps at this early date.

Big Ed Burns, Gold-Brick Swindler Visits Cripple Creek (1896 Newspaper)

“Big” Ed Burns, one of the most notorious characters in the West, was arrested last night by Officers Clark and Reynolds. Burns is known all over the United States, and has been known to turn a bunco trick in St. Louis and Chicago on the same day. He will do anything from robbing a coop to a gold brick swindle.

Dredging for Gold in California (1911 Engineering and Mining Journal)

Article details the gold dredging industry in California as of 1911. Many interesting details are recorded, including that California had at least 61 active gold dredges during that year.

Trinity River Gravels of California (1911 Engineering and Mining Journal)

The Trinity River region in northwestern California has long been worthily noted for its placer mines, the working of which opened with a rush in the early ’50’s and has continued with more or less regularity ever since.

The Ophir Mine (Virginia City, Nevada) (1876 Engineering and Mining Journal)

Summary of the Ophir mine annual report details the destruction of the devastating 1875 fire, and discusses the great effort that went into rebuilding the mine infrastructure.

The Georgetown Route to Leadville (1879 Newspaper)

Description of the road conditions and stage coach travel from Georgetown to Leadville in 1879. The article contains a fascinating description of early Kokomo.

Jackson the Prospector (1859 Newspaper)

Article details George Andrew Jackson's discovery of gold at the site that would become Idaho Springs, considered the first significant gold strike during the Colorado gold rush.

Central Idaho - A Rugged Mining Region (1922 Engineering and Mining Journal)

EM&J article describes the difficulty and remoteness of the mining regions of Central Idaho.

Burro Steaks Now on Menu at Panamint Famous Ghost City (1917 Newspaper)

San Bernardino Sun: Ghosts of a phantom city are to revive the fame of the once great camp of Panamint, known for a third of a century only in the memory of the men who were there and in later years in Charles E. Van Loan’s “Parson of Panamint.”

The Stukey Party From Goldfield (1905 Newspaper)

"The John Stukey party, consisting of John Stukey, C. W. McGrew, H. L. Hanson and D. C. Locke, of Goldfield, arrived in Ballarat a few days ago, having come overland by way of Bullfrog."

Wealth in Wonder District (1907 Newspaper)

GOLDFIELD, Nev., March 16.— Browned as a berry from the sunburn and wind, J H. Macmiijan of the J. H. Macmlllan company, incorporated, returned during the week from a trip by automobile into Fairview, Wonder and Manhattan, where he was on a three weeks' tour of inspection of his various mining interests.

Stewart Reduction Works (1875 Newspaper)

Newspaper articles from 1869-1875 describe the design and operation of Georgetown's pioneering Stewart ore reduction mill. Of particular interest here is the text of a speech by J. O. Stewart to his fellow Georgetown citizens, a rare first hand account of an early and important Colorado mining man.

The Ingersoll Rock Drill (1879) (1879 Manufacturer and Builder Magazine)

Article describes the advantages of the Ingersoll rock drill.