Ghost Towns of the Upper Mojave Desert - …vredenburgh.org/mining_history/pdf/UpperMojaveDesertHensher1986.pdfGHOST TOWNS of the Upper Mojave Desert Volume I: San Bernardino County

GHOSTTOWNS

oftheUpperMojaveDesert

VolumeI:SanBernardinoCounty

(Preliminarydraft:textonly)

byAlanHensherandLarryM.Vredenburgh

(c)1986

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GhostTownsoftheUpperMojaveDesert

ContentsFORWARD................................................................................................................................................................................3

INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................................................................4

BIBLIOGRAPHICALESSAY..............................................................................................................................................12

Glossary..................................................................................................................................................................................16

Mining,Farming,andLegalTerms.........................................................................................................................16

IVANPAH‐PIONEERMOJAVEDESERTTOWN......................................................................................................19

Notes...................................................................................................................................................................................28

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS..............................................................................................................................................29

SOURCES...........................................................................................................................................................................29

WATERMAN,CALICO,BISMARCK...............................................................................................................................31

OroGrandeandWaterman.......................................................................................................................................31

TheDiscoveryoftheCalicoMines..........................................................................................................................32

TheCamp..........................................................................................................................................................................32

TheTown..........................................................................................................................................................................33

Roads&Rails...................................................................................................................................................................36

RuggedIndividualists..................................................................................................................................................37

TheCalicoPrint..............................................................................................................................................................38

BismarckCamp...............................................................................................................................................................38

Mines&Mills...................................................................................................................................................................38

TownLife..........................................................................................................................................................................41

TheDecline......................................................................................................................................................................48

Daggett...............................................................................................................................................................................53

Calico:Rally&Collapse...............................................................................................................................................53

PROVIDENCE........................................................................................................................................................................56

MESCAL..................................................................................................................................................................................59

BAGDADandtheORANGEBLOSSOMMINE...........................................................................................................62

VANDERBILT.......................................................................................................................................................................65

MANVEL(BARNWELL)....................................................................................................................................................72

BORATEANDMARION....................................................................................................................................................76

MINNEOLA............................................................................................................................................................................78

DALE........................................................................................................................................................................................79

COLUMBIAMINE................................................................................................................................................................85

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COPPERCITY........................................................................................................................................................................86

COOLGARDIE........................................................................................................................................................................87

STEDMAN(CAMPROCHESTER)..................................................................................................................................88

ATOLIA...................................................................................................................................................................................90

THEVONTRIGGERCAMPS.............................................................................................................................................95

THECIMADISTRICT.........................................................................................................................................................97

StandardCamp,Toeglcity,CampDawson..........................................................................................................97

THECRACKERJACKDISTRICT......................................................................................................................................99

Crackerjack,Avawatz,andCopperCity(II)........................................................................................................99

SILVERLAKE......................................................................................................................................................................102

GOLDPARKANDPINONCAMPS...............................................................................................................................104

HART.....................................................................................................................................................................................105

THELANFAIRVALLEY...................................................................................................................................................110

Lanfair,Ledge(Maruba),Dunbar.........................................................................................................................110

BAXTER................................................................................................................................................................................114

KINGSTON...........................................................................................................................................................................118

CHUBBUCK..........................................................................................................................................................................120

CAMPSINBRIEF...............................................................................................................................................................122

INDEX....................................................................................................................................................................................126

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FORWARD

IfirstbecameacquaintedwithAlanHensherinearly1980shortlyafterheauthored“GhostTownsoftheCentralMojave–AConciseGuide,”[1979].Atthistime,Iwasputtingthefinishingtouchesonmyportionsof“DesertFever”[1981].Unbeknownsttome,myworkcoveredsomeofthesamegroundashis.AftercontactingAlanforacopyofhispamphlet,webegantocollaborateonMojaveDesertmininghistoryprojects.

Alangenerouslylistedmeascoauthorofthis138pagevolume,butthisisreallyhiswork.Hemadeaconcertedefforttogetitpublished,buttonoavail.UltimatelyhesimplysoldXeroxcopiesfor$15each–whichjustcoveredthecostofreproductionandpostage.Thisvolumewassimplyadraft.Itlackedmapsandphotos.Idon’tknowhowmanycopieshemade,butIknowtheUniversityofCaliforniapurchasedafew.

Afewyearslater,in1991,CaliforniaClassicsBooks[LosAngeles],publishedagreatlycondensedversion(63pages).Thisbooktitled“GhostTownsoftheMojaveDesert”wasfullofmapsandphotos.Ihadroundedupmanyofthephotosandagainhegenerouslygavemecredit.

Alan’smostrecentpublicationthatcoversaportionofthisregionistitled“AbandonedSettlementsoftheEasternMojave.”Itwaspublishedin2007byAlanPatera(WesternPlaces:LakeOswego,OR).

SomuchhasbeenwrittenonthesubjectofMojaveDesertmininghistorysince1986bysomanypeople(includingbothofus),thatinsomecasesconclusionsdrawninthisvolumeareeitherincompleteorevenwrong.Theinventionoftheinternethasnowmademanynewspapersandperiodicalsavailableonline,openingnewavenuesofresearch.Inlightoftheseadvancesacompleterevisionisprobablyinorder.

Never‐the‐less,IhavealwaysadmiredAlan’s1986,“GhostTownsoftheUpperMojaveDesert.”Itisfullofhumanintereststories.ItdoesnotreadlikeaStateMiningBureaureport,eventhoughitisfulloffactsandfiguresaswell.Sometimearound2008Iscannedthisvolume,andafterrunningopticalcharacterrecognition,Ibegantore‐formatit,withthegoal(withAlan’spermission)ofpostingitontheinternet.IhopeyouwillenjoythismininghistoryoftheMojaveDesertasmuchasIdo.

LarryM.VredenburghFebruary2013

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INTRODUCTION

THISWORKISTHEFIRSTVOLUMEofagreatlyenlargededitionofabookletpublishedin1979:GhostTownsoftheCentralMojave,byAlanHensher.Herearethestoriesofabout35vanishedtowns,largecamps,andcoloniesinSanBernardinoCounty'sdesertregion.(AsecondvolumewillcoverthedesertsofKernandLosAngelescounties.)Allthesettlementsdependedonmines,farms,railroads,ortradefortheirsustenance.Withsomereluctance,wehaveleftoutsettlementsthatweremeanttobetemporary,suchasmilitarypostsandmostconstructioncamps.

Althoughboomtownsonlyrarelygrewintocities,theywerestillmorethanephemeral,limited‐purposesettlementsorwaystations.Wedefineatownhereasafairlypermanentsettlementthatprovidedgoodsandservicestoatradearea.Servicescouldincludecultureandeducation,entertainmentandrecreation.

Ourresearchhasyieldedafewsurprises.First,thenumberofvanishedtownsandcampsisastonishing‐‐severalhundredinSouthernCaliforniaalone.Then,too,thelargersettlementsturnedouttobefamilycommunities,notedmoreforromancethandrunkenbrawls.Bestofall,thestoriesofthesecommunitiesandtheirpeopleareavailabletoeveryone,inpublisheddiaries,governmentdocuments,andoldnewspapersandmagazines.

Alas,thehistoriesofseveralsettlementshaveeludedus.Wehaveuncoveredonlyfragmentsofinformation,forexample,onBush,achemical‐processingoperationnorthofDale;GrayMountain,ahomesteadingsitenearAdelanto;andonastringofrailroadstops:Crucero,Nipton,Desert,Danby,Siam,Klinefelter,andFenner.Mostofthesestationsbrieflysupportedpostofficesandstores.

Suchobscurityisunderstandable:thecommunitiesoftheCaliforniadesertsrarelybecameaswelldevelopedasthoseofNevadaortheGoldRushcountry.Fewofthemeversupportedbanks,churches,newspapers.Itwasnotuntilthelate1890'sandearly1900'sthatNeedles,forexample,becamethefirsttownintheMojaveDeserttogetabank,highschool,smelter,andcitygovernment.·

Thoughunderdeveloped,thedesertswerenotnecessarilyalawlessfrontier.VotingprecinctsandcourttownshipswereestablishedinthedesertregionsasearlyastheCivilWar,nearMonoLake,intheOwensValley,andintheCosoandSlateranges.Eachcourtdistrict,or“township,”wasauthorizedtomaintaintwojusticesofthepeaceandtwoconstables.

Fortunately,countiesprovidedavarietyofbasicserviceseventotheremotestareas.Actingthroughpart‐timeofficials(oftenajusticeofthepeaceoraconstable),countieswouldsuperviseelections,assesspropertyandcollecttaxes,buildandmaintainroads,buildbranchjailsandtakeprisonerstotheseatsofgovernment,prosecuteanddefendsuspects,investigatesuspiciousdeaths,inspecttreesfordisease,watchforfires,takecensusesofchildrenandcreateandsuperviseschooldistricts,takecareofminingrecords(bythelate1890's),andestablishbranchlibrariesandlightingdistricts(byWorldWarI.)

Schoolswerethemostcommonevidenceoflocalgovernment.Educationbegantoblossomduringthelate1860's,becomingalmostasecularreligion.True,attendancevariedwidelyfrom

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districttodistrict,andschoolhousesrangedfromadobehutstostatelyedifices;butmostimportantdesertcommunitieshadschools.

Thespreadoffreelibraryservicewasevenmorerapid.Spurredbythestate,mostcountiesestablishedbranchlibrariesineventheloneliestsites:inrailroaddepots,one‐roomschoolhouses,countrystores.SanBernardinoandKerncountiesopeneddozensofbranchesduringWorldWarI.

II.

THESETTLEMENTofthedesertsandmountainsofSouthernCalifornia‐indeed,ofArizonaandotherterritories‐‐resultedinpartfromthewaningoftheGoldRush.Decliningyieldsfromplacersandadepressionin1857ledtodiscoveriesallalongthesouthernSierraNevada,atMillerton,WhiteRiver,Keyesville.(Wellestablishedbythelate1850's,KeyesvilleandWhiteRiverwereprobablythelasttownstospringupduringtheGoldRush.)Thesestrikesinturnledtoaseriesofoverlappingrushesintotheinteriorduringtheearly1860's:alongtheKernRiver,nearMonoLake,intheCosoandSlateranges,alongtheColoradoRiverandintheProvidenceMountains,intheSanBernardinoMountains,alongtheSanGabrielRiver,andupanddowntheOwensValley.Manyofthepioneers,suchasDennisandJohnSearles,theMcFarlanebrothers,andSamuelA.Bishop,roamedfromoneexcitementtoanother.

TheimmediateimpetusforthediscoveriesintheMojavewastheseriesofgoldandcopperrushestotheColoradoRiverintheearly1860's.OntheirwaytoArizona,prospectorsfoundrichsilveroreintheProvidenceMountainsandorganizedtheRockSpringsandMacedoniadistricts.AsprotectionagainstIndians,thearmymaintainedafewmakeshiftpostsinthecentralandeasternMojaveforseveralyears;thepostatRockSpringevenhadapostoffice(probablythefirstinthedesert)forafewmonthsin1866.

III.

BOOMTOWNSdidnotriseandfallontheirown.Thesettlementswereaffectedasmuchbyoutsideforcesasbythedevelopmentoftheirrichmineraldepositsortheirfertilesoil.Politics,businesscycles,technology,theweather‐‐allcouldmakeorbreakatownorcamp.

Consideranearlycombinationofpoliticsandbusiness.By1878or1879,asix‐yeardepressionwasfinallyending.TherecoveryhasbeenattributedtoadroughtinEuropethatincreasedthedemandforAmericancrops,thepassageofaRepublican‐backedlaw(theSpecieResumptionAct)thatincreasedtheamountofgoldincirculation,and,mostofall,byarevivalinrailroadconstruction.Increasedrailroadbuilding,probablythegreatestcauseoftherecovery,inturnstimulatedseveralstrategicindustriesintheEast:steelandcokeproduction,coalandironmining,andbanking.

Therecoveryaccompaniedtheriseofminingcampsthroughoutthedesertsofthestate:Bodie,Lundy,MammothCity,Benton,Lookout(Modock),alljusteastoftheSierra,andProvidenceandCalico;intheMojave.Manyofthesedistrictswerepenetratedbyrailroads.LineswerebuiltfromLosAngelestoYumaandTexas,fromTexastoNeedlesandMojave,fromSanDiegoBaytotheSanBernardinoandDaggettareas,fromtheCarsonCityareatoOwensLake,andtotheforestsaroundBodieandthefarmlandsalongthecentralcoast.BycrossingsomeofthemostforbiddingterritoryintheUnitedStates,theselinesopeneduphugeregionstominingandfarmingandcutthecostofshippingandproduction.Arailroadcouldeasilyextendthelifeofadyingcamp.

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Itseemsunlikely,however,thatthedepressedpriceofsilvercausedthedownfalloftheearliestsilver‐miningcamps.First,thepricedeclinedonlygradually.Theslowdeclinegavelargeminingoperatorstimetoadjust,usuallybycuttingwages,oftenbyintroducingmore‐efficientmethodsofmilling.Thatsomecampsroseupwhileothersfadedsuggeststhatthedepletionoftherichest,mostaccessiblearecausedtheabandonmentofsomemines.

Happilyformany,politicscametotherescueofsilvermining.Inacompromisebetweenhard‐moneyandfree‐silverinterests,CongresspassedtheBlandAllisonActin1878.Themeasuregaveanimportantboosttothesilverindustry.Aspriceswererising,oratleastremainedstable,fromthelate1870'stothemid‐1880's,majordepositswerefoundatwhatwouldbecomeWaterman,Mescal,Calico,andLookout(Modock).

Thoughbarelyunderstoodeventhen,thedepressionofthe1870'sbroughtaboutprofoundchangesinpoliticalthought.Theworkingclass,backedbymiddleclassDemocrats,struckbackattheirsupposedenemies‐‐theChineseandcapitalistsandin1879pushedthroughasecondconstitutionforCalifornia.Eventhoughitcontainedmanyracistprovisions,thenewconstitutionatleastrecognizedtheneedofgovernmenttoregulateanincreasinglycomplexeconomy.Tofosterastablebankingindustry,forexample,thestatecreatedacommissiontoregulatebanks,nottomentionacommissiontoregulaterailroads,bureaustoreportontheprogressofminingandtheworkingclass,andasimplifiedjudicialsystem(superiorcourts).

Congress,too,hadsimilarideas.Itcreatedbureaustosurveymineralresources,regulaterailroadoperations,andreportontheconditionoflaborandtheeconomy.

Thefusionofpoliticsandtechnologyproducedsomeimpressiveresults.Despitethepresenceofgoodsoilandabundantwater,thegrowthofSouthernCaliforniaremainedmodestuntiltheSantaFéRailwaysystembuiltatranscontinentallinetoLosAngelesinthemid‐1880s.Then,afteryearsofagitation,theCalifornialegislaturepassedalaw(theWrightIrrigationDistrictAct)thatallowedclearlydefinedfarmingareastoorganizeirrigationdistrictsandsellbonds.Thenumberofdistricts‐‐andfarmingcolonies‐‐mushroomedinonlytwoorthreeyears.

Inanattempttoheadoffthefree‐silverforces,hard‐moneyRepublicanspushedthroughtheShermanSilverPurchaseActin1890.Thoughitwasaweakmeasure,thepriceofsilveragainshotupbriefly.Calicoandothersilverdistrictsgainedafewmoreyearsoflife,ifnotprosperity.

AllthistinkeringstillhadnotadequatelystrengthenedtheeconomiesoftheUnitedStatesorEurope.Speculationinagricultureandrailroads(early1893)ledtoasix‐yeardepressionthatclosedbanksfromNewYorktoRiverside,depressedthestockmarket,andcurtailedrailroadconstructionandlarge‐scalemining.Fearingthespreadofhardtimes,CongresshastilyrepealedtheShermanact.ExceptatPicacho,majormininginSouthernCaliforniawouldremaininthedoldrumsfortwoorthreeyears.

Accompanyingtherecovery,whichbeganabout1896,wasthestartofimportantminingprojectsneartherisingcampsofBallarat,Randsburg,Garlock,Hedges,Picacho,pale,Amalie,andStedman.

Therecoverywasalsoaidedbytheintroductionofawidevarietyoftechnology,fromLinotypestooil‐burninglocomotives.TelephoneshadalreadyfoundfavoratsuchwidespreadminingcampsasFrenchCorral(NevadaCounty),Bennettville(Mono),andCalico(SanBernardino).Bythelate1880's,electricitywasbeingusedtolighttheWaterloomillatDaggett,

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butelectricpowerwasnotwidelyadoptedintheindustryuntilBodie'schiefmillconvertedtohydroelectricoperationsafewyearslater.Meanwhile,theuseofsmallinternal‐combustionenginesbecameanecessityinthemillsofsuchremotedistrictsasDaleandGarlock.

Buttwootherdevelopmentstransformedmining.Firstcamethecyanideprocess.BroughttotheUnitedStatesabout1895,cyanidation,astheprocessiscalled,recoversthetiniestparticlesofgoldandsilverbyleaching,ordissolving,themetaloutofthecrushedore.Themethodprovedtobesothorough,especiallyinworkingtailingsandlow‐gradeore,thatcyanidationbecamethemostimportantstepinmilling.(Thecyanideprocessstillcouldnotextractgoldfromsomesulfide‐richores,whichhadtobeshippedtoasmelterandroasted.)

Whatthecyanideprocessdidformilling,theautomobiledidforprospectingandbuildingupsettlements.Thoughatfirstunreliable,autossoonprovedtobemoreeconomicalandfasterthanteams.TheirusespreadtotheboomsinDeathValleyandNevadaby1905;withinfiveyears,autoswouldbecomeanessentialfeatureofdesertlife.

Thedepressionsofthe19thcenturyoughttohavealertedBigBusinesstoitsfollies.ButBigBusinesslearnednothing.Speculationintherailroadandbankingindustriesledtoashortbutpainfuldepressionin1907‐1908.ThechiefminesatGoldfield,Nevada,andAtolia,California,amongotherdistricts,hadtosuspendoperations;banksfromGoldfieldtoLosAngelesfailed;theextensionofrailroadsintoArizona,Eureka,California,andtheOwensValleywasdelayed.Disgusted,privateandgovernmentbankingofficialsjoinedtofurthertightenupregulations,closepoorlymanagedinstitutions,andcreatestrongerregulatoryassociations,notablytheFederalReserveSystem.

Infact,itwasgovernmentpoliciesthatledtothehomesteadingmovement.ThemeasurethatmostaffectedtheWestwastheEnlargedHomesteadAct.Passedin1909,thelawallowedhomesteaderstofileondouble‐sizedspreads:320·acres,orhalfasection.Theresponsewasoverwhelming:thenumberoffilingsreachedapeakin1910ashomesteadsweresettlednearBarnwell(Manvel),Barstow,andMojave.

Meanwhile,thenewlyfoundedsettlementswerebecomingmorespecialized,morelikecampsthantowns.Thehomesteadingcolonieswereatbestembryonictowns,whichusuallycontainedonlyacombinationstoreandpostoffice,aschool,andsometimesahotelandrailroaddepot.Theminingsettlementswerenotveryelaborate,either.Ratherthanletthesettlementsdevelopinahelter‐skelterfashion,thelargecompanieschosetofoundcampsthattheycouldeasilymanage.Thecompanycampswereessentiallargeresidentialareasthatserveamineandmill.Thecampstendedtocontainaatleastonebunkhouse,aboardinghouse,acommissary,andsometimesaschoolorpostoffice.Bythe1920's,however,companycampswerecomingtoresemblesmalltowns.Theymightincludeageneralstore;agasstation,arecreationhallorreadingroom,acountylibrarybranch,andperhaps,asatTrona,ahighschoolorahospital.

IV.

PRODUCINGTHISWORKhastaughtusmanylessons.

First,wecametorealizethatitwouldnotbeenoughmerelytodescribeminingorfarming

operations.Thatapproachwouldonlyobscuretherichlivesofthesurroundingcommunities.Instead,wehavetriedtoemphasizesocialandculturalhistory,anapproachborrowedfromFredHolladay,awriterandeditorfortheCityofSanBernardinoHistoricalandPioneerSociety.We

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madeexceptionstothisprincipleifwefeltthatasettlementhadnotbeenadequatelytreatedelsewhereorifinformationonminingorfarmingoperationswasneededtofleshoutanotherwisesketchyaccount.

Thestoriesofthemenandwomenwhobuiltupthesesettlementsmustawaitanothervolume.Itissodifficultandtimeconsumingtoferretoutcompletebiographicalinformationthatwewouldnothavebeenabletofinishthiswork:

WEHAVEALSOBECOMEsomewhatunorthodoxinouruseofsources.Forexample,afterawhile,itbecameclearthatmanygovernmentdocumentswereincomplete.BothstateandfederalwriterstendedtooverlooktheveryproductiveoperationsatIvanpah,Mescal,andearlyCalico.Manystatistics,too,tendedtobeeitherinaccurateorirrelevant:censusareascoverednotsmalltownsbutvotingprecinctsorcourtdistricts,togiveoneexample.Happily,afewstatisticsdidproveuseful:censusfiguresforwell‐definedsettlements,suchasGarlock(KernCounty),populationestimatesfoundinvariousbusinessdirectories,enrollment,attendance,andschool‐censusfigures,andtheyieldsofminesandfarms.

Onegroupofsourceslooksespeciallypromising:state,federal,andcountyarchives.Includedinthemareclaim‐locationnotices,courtrecords,agreements,deeds,articlesofincorporation,andtaxrolls.Theirrelativeinaccessibilityandlackoftimeallowedusonlytoscratchthesurface.Fornow,wecanonlywonderaboutwhatthearchiveswillyield.

Inanycase,statisticsbythemselvestell‐little.Awiderangeofsuperbsecondarysourceshasplacedthematerialwe'veresearchedinperspective.

Inmanyways,thesesecondaryworks,includingmodernregionalhistories,studiesofbusinesscycles,andvolumesoncityplanningandminingtechnology,havebecomenearlyasimportantasthefirsthandsourcesthemselves.

Allinall,however,newspapersandselectedtradejournalsturnedouttobeourbestsources.Thepublicationsseemedtocontaineverything:statisticsonschools,mines,andfarms;eyewitnessaccountsofsceneryandtowns;reminiscences;andcommentariesontradeandbusinessconditions.

OtherhistoriansoftheWesthavemadethatsamediscovery.InhisColoradoMining:APhotographicHistory(1977),DuaneSmithcallsnewspapers“amandatorysourcethatmustneverbeslighted,sincethegoldofminingresearchistobefoundamongtheirpages.Miningcampandtownpapersprovidecontemporaryinsightsintoeveryphaseoflife....”AndtoJ.S.Holliday,theauthorofTheWorldRushedIn:TheCaliforniaGoldRushExperience(1981),Californiamining‐camppapers“offeranhonest,oftenpoignantpictureofmining‐camplife”andare“arichsourceofinformation.”Hollidaypredicts:“Futurediscoveriesofeyewitnessaccountswillnotbemadebychanceinatticsoroldnewspapersbutbyperseveringsearchthroughreelafterreelofmicrofilmednewspapers.Therearenodigginsmorecertaintoproviderewardforhardwork.”Amen.

CONSIDERINGTHERICHNESSofnewspapersandmagazines,ithasbeenallthemorefrustratingtofindgaps‐‐chasms,really‐‐intherecord.BadlybrokenfilesoftheSanBernardinoCountyandAntelopeValleypressexist:forexample,onlyascoreofissuesoftheCalicoPrintsurvive.Then,too,thenationalminingmagazinestendedtooverlooksmalldistricts;nationalfarmingmagazinestendedtoignorenewsfromagriculturalcolonies.Becauseofsuchgaps,we

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havehadtoqualifymanyofourstatementsbyusingsuchtermsas“apparently”or“probably,”oftentothepointofmonotony..

GAPSINTHERECORDmightnotmakemuchdifferenceifitwerenotforthetypeofworkthisis.Eachchapterislikeasmallbook,individuallyresearchedinscattered,oftenrestrictedsources.Then,too,wehavehadtomakesomesenseoutofthepiecesbywritingabibliographicalessay,glossary,andintroduction.

ALAS.DON'TCOUNTONHELPfromsomespeciallibraries,museumsorhistoricalsocieties.Thecollectionsofsomeofthemcanbeinaccessibleanddisorganized.Thoughwellmeaning,manyoftheseinstitutionshavespreadthemselvestoothin,unabletohelpanyonebutthemostcasualvisitor.AtUCLA,forexample,whilemanyearlyWesternnewspapersarekeptunrestrictedinthemicroformroom,similarfilesarekeptnearbyinthedepartmentofspecialcollections,undertightrestrictions.AtUCBerkeley,theBancroftandmainlibrariesmicrofilmandselltheirearlyWesternnewspapersseparately!InBlythe,thepubliclibraryrefusestofurnisheasilyreplaceablefilesofmicrofilmednewspapersthroughinterlibraryloan.(Wewoundupbuyingthefileweneededfromacommercialagency.)UCBerkeleyandSanDiegoStatelibrarywillfurnishinterlibraryloanmaterialstonon‐academicborrowersonlybysellingphotocopiesfor25centsapage;academicborrowersgettheoriginalmaterials.TheCaliforniaHistoricalSocietywidelypublicizesitsactivitiesandcollectionsbutthenwon'tanswerlettersaskingaboutitsholdingsofphotographs;expectalong‐delayedformletterifyoureceiveanansweratall.TheHuntingtonlibrary,theCaliforniaHistoricalSociety,andmostrecentlytheKernCountyMuseumcharge$40andmorefortheprivilegeofpublishingtheirphotos‐‐besidestheusualfeeforprocessingandhandling.Andstilltheseorganizationsbegforpublicsupportandexpecttoremainexemptfrompayingtaxes.Weneedn'twonder,then,whyworksonWesternhistoryconsistsooftenofsloppilyresearched,luridaccountsofgunfightersandlosttreasure.

THEREISAWAYOUTofthisquagmire.Wefirstneedtorecognizethatthepeopleandeventsthatmakeupthisstate'shistoryarepartofalargerstory.Topreventwastedtimeandeffort,historicalgroupsofadjacentcountiesandcitiesmightdobesttocoordinatetheiractivities.Together,theycouldcompileregionalbibliographiesorsetup.regionalcollectionsofnewspapersandbooks.“TheCaliforniaDivisionofMinesandGeology,forexample,istryingtocompileastatewideinventoryofphotosonminingandconservation.

Wecanthinkofanespeciallyusefulcooperativeproject:ourstate'snewspapers,magazines,andhistoricalcollectionsneedtobecompetentlyandthoroughlymicrofilmed(orrefilmed),selectivelyindexed,andplacedineasilyaccessible,well‐equippedregionalcentersopenathoursconvenienttothepublic.ThewritingsofsuchnotedgrassrootshistoriansasthelateL.BurrBeldenoftheSanBernardinoSunshouldalsobeindexed.Ifmoneyandtimearelimited,atleastCalifornia'sstatewidepublicationsshouldbeindexed,startingwithSanFrancisco'sAltaCalifornia,theearlySacramentoUnion,andtheMining&ScientificPress.

Afeworganizationshavetakentheinitiative.TheArizonaandNevadahistoricalsocietieshaveindexedtheirchiefpioneernewspapers.DuringtheDepression,theCaliforniaDivisionofMinesindexedthestate'sminingnewspublishedintheMining&ScientificPressandtheEngineering&MiningJournal,thoughtheindexisunevenandremainsunpublished.TheSanDiegoPubliclibrary,withgenerouscommunitysupport,hasindexedmostoftheissuesofitsleadingnewspapersandputtheworkonmicrofiche.

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Wehavealreadybenefitedfromawiderangeofwell‐managedlibrariesandarchives.OneauthorlivesnearUCLA,wheremuchofthestackresearchwascarriedout;theotherlivesintheSacramentoarea,neartheStateArchives,Statelibrary,CaliforniaDivisionofMinesandGeology'sphotocollection,andtheU.S.BureauofLandManagement'scollectionofsurveyrecords.Forextraordinarycourtesyandaid,weowethankstothestaffsoftheSanBernardinoPubliclibrary;theSmiley(city)Library,Redlands;theBeale(county)Library,Bakersfield;theLosAngelesCountyMuseumofNaturalHistorylibrary;theCaliforniaStatelibraryandtheStateArchives,Sacramento;theUniversityofNevadalibraries,Reno;thelibrariesofthesuperintendentsofpublicinstructionofSanBernardino,LosAngeles,andKerncounties;theSanBernardinoCountyregistrarofvoters;theadministrativeofficeoftheSanBernardinoCountyFreeLibrary;theUniversityofArizonalibrary,Tucson;thesurveyrecordssectionoftheU.S.BureauofLandManagement,Sacramento;andtheSanBernardinoCountyMuseum,Redlands.

Andwehaveonlypraiseforotherlibrarieswehaveusedforrelatedresearch:thoseofRiverside,Pomona,Ontario,SanDiego,theClaremontcolleges,UCIrvine,Modesto,Fresno,SanLuisObispo,PasoRobles,andUCBerkeley.

Butultimately,oursuccessdependednotoninstitutionsbutpeople.WehavereceivedinformationandencouragementfromArdaHaenszelandFredHolladayoftheCityofSanBernardinoHistoricalandPioneerSociety;GermaineMoonandPatKeelingoftheMojaveRiverMuseumAssociation,EddieLaytartandCarolPanlaquioftheMaturangoMuseum,Ridgecrest;DennisCasebier,Norco;RichardLingenfelterofUCSanDiego;LarryBurgessoftheSmileyLibrary,Redlands;WesChambersoftheBureauofLandManagement,Riverside;GaryKurutzoftheCaliforniaStateLibrary,Sacramento;RonBakerandJimHoferoftheOntarioCityLibrary;StevenWhitneyandBetteJochimsenoftheSanBernardinoPublicLibrary;Mrs.HelenTishkoffoftheSanBernardinoCountyFreeLibrary;Mrs.BettyWebboftheofficeoftheSanBernardinoCountysuperintendentofpublicinstruction;E.L.McFarlane,Sedona,Arizona;andthelateRileyBembry,ValleyWells.WilliamH.Clinton,theSanBernardinoCountyRegistrarofVoters,rescuedmanyheftyvolumesofvoterregistrations.AttheSanBernardinoCountyMuseum,BobReynoldsandMr.Smithallowedustocopyselectedphotos.ManyofourmostimportantphotoshavecomefromSteele'sPhotos,SanBernardino,andO.A.Russell'sagency,Yermo.MaryBudrewandBobO'ConnellcopiedvaluablematerialintheStateLibraryandtheStateArchives.Darrin;Hooten,LosAngeles,greatlyhelpeduswithresearch.NinaKleinbergandChrisAlford,LosAngeles,drewthemaps.JackPeskinandAlanHensher'sfather,MorrisHensher,literallykeptthewheelsofourworkmoving.AndStephanieVredenburgh,Larry'swife,continuestobeagreatencouragement.

V.

ITISOURHOPEthatthestorieswe'vepresentedherewillenableyoutosetoffonyourown

voyagesofimagination.Foryouwillneedtouseyourimaginationwhenyouvisitthesitesoflong‐gonetownsandcamps.Mostofthesiteshavebeenstripped‐‐byvandalsandbottlehunters,bypioneersbuildingupstilllivingtownslikeBakerandYermo,bypropertyownerstryingtoreducetheirtaxes,bygovernment‐encouragedscrapdealersduringWorldWarIandWorldWarII.TheElRanchoMotelinBarstow,forexample,ismadeofoldtiessalvagedfromtheroadbedoftheTonopah&TidewaterRailroad.

Thechangeintravelconditionsduringthepasttwodecadeshasleftuswithmixedfeelings.Reststops,interstatehighways,andpavedroadstoKelso,Cima,andotherbackcountryareashavebeenbuilt.Butthosesameinterstatehighwayshavealsobypassed‐‐andhavenearlykilled‐‐suchstrategicallyplacedhighwaytownsasAmboyandEssex.Thenewrouteshavewipedout

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mostservicesinthe100‐milestretchbetweenLudlowandNeedles,andwhatremainsatLudlowisscarcelyworthrecommending.Inlate1984,Amboystillsupportedaservicestation,cafe,motel,postoffice,andevenaschool.Fortunately,duringthepasttwoyears,Niptonhasgrownfromahamletofthreepersonstoacentercontainingastore,agarageofferinglimitedrepairs,aself‐servicelaundry,arestaurant‐bar,andaprivatecampground.

WHAT,THEN,ISLEFT?Plenty.Thedestructionofourhistoricalsiteshasalsoraisedthepublic'shistoricalconsciousness.Buildingsandrecordsalikehavebeenpreservedwithgreatersensitivitythanwasthinkable20yearsago.Tosavorourheritage,visitmuseumsandsuchtouristattractionsasCalico:lookovertheterrain;lookattheexhibits.Visitthebestbookstoresyoucanfindandbuytheirvolumesonlocalhistory,cityplanning,journalismandliterature,archaeology,geology,andnaturalhistory.Visitacollegelibraryorlargepubliclibraryandporeoveritsoldmapsandfilesofmicrofilmednewspapers.Remember,yourancestorsreadthesesamemapsandnewspapers.Foryou,itwillprobablybeslow,hardgoingatfirst,butgivetheoldrecordsachance:youmayeventuallyfindyourselfabsorbedbythemforhoursatatime.DinneryourfavoriteTVshows‐‐thesewillbecomeunimportant.Thenvisitthesitesofthetowns,mines,mills,andrailroads,severaltimesifpossible.Takeinthevastnessofthedesert:thefeelofthewind,thevividblueofthesky,thesofthuesofthehills.Atthehistoricalsites,youcanstillmakeoutthepatternsofthestreets,foundations,andrailroadgrades.Fragmentsofbottlesanddishes,rustynailsandrustycanslittertownsites.Pleaseleavethem‐‐bottlehuntersandtreasurehuntershavetakentheirtoll.Youwillfindafewsurprises.ThefoundationoftheWatermanmillliesjustoutsideBarstow,clearlymarked.EveninbadlyvandalizedProvidence,stonewallsandafewnearlyintactbuildingslinethestreets.Alongtheroadisamassivemillfoundation,probablybuiltduringarevivalintheearly1900's.Sizeuptheremains,anditwon'tbelongbeforeyouheartherumbleofpoundingstamps;smelltheblacksmokeofburningcreosote,andseethebuildingsriseoutoftheearthlikemagic.

VI.

INONESENSE,PERHAPS,thesesettlementswerefailures.Forwhiletheylived,theycontainedtheseedsoftheirowndecline:anever‐vanishingoratbestunreliablemeansofsupport,suchasmineraldepositsorrainfall.Surprisingly,fewboomtownswereabletodevelopintoranchingortradingcenters.SanFrancisco'sinfluentialMining&ScientificPressinlate1887lamented:“...Thetruthis,thebusinessofmining,asheretoforeconductedonthiscoast,hasconsistedofaseriesofexcitements,eachattendedwiththeinevitableskurryandscramble,andresultingusuallyinseriousdisappointmentandloss....

"GoldBluff,GoldLake,KernRiver,WhitePine,SnakeRiverandPanamintprovedallfiascosoftheworstkind;...theoutcomeofeventheComstockdiscoveryanditssubordinates...hasfallenfarshortofearlyexpectation.”

Theseekersafterbrighterfutureswouldhavescoffedatsuchintellectualizing.Fortheyknewwhytheyhadrushedtooneexcitementafteranother.Theboomshelpedsatisfyabasicimpulsetoseekadventure,tosettleandtobuild,asFranklinBuck,anargonautfromMaine,confidedwhileputtingupahotelinMammothCity(MonoCounty)in1880:“...thereisanexcitementaboutthis,buildingupnewtowns,thatIlikebetterthanploddingalongatsomesteadybusiness....”

OnlytheopportunitytobuyafarmintheNapaValleyheldBuckback,for“wearegettingalonginlifeandwehadbettertakeacertaintyonhavingagoodlivingthantheuncertaintyofmakingmoney.IfIwereyearsyoungerIwouldtaketheminingcamps.”

‐‐AlanHensherandLarryVredenburgh,October,1985.

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BIBLIOGRAPHICALESSAY

ALLSETTLEMENTSarecomposedofafewconstantelements:peopleandland,tonametwoofthemostobvious.

Publishedcensusreportstendedtousevotingprecinctsandcourttownshipsasthebasisofpopulation.Beginningin1880,unpublishedcensusschedulesdistinguishedbetweentownandtownship(courtdistrict)limits.The1880,1900,1910schedulesprovedtobeespeciallyuseful.Countybusinessdirectoriesandgazetteersusuallylistedpopulations,buttheirfiguresvariedsomuchthatwehaveusedthemwithcaution.Surprisingly,populationestimatesorcanvassesmadebyvisitorsorcorrespondentstendedtobelow.Occasionally,asinthecaseofCalico,wehaveusedannualschool‐censusreports,listsofregisteredvoters,andnewspaperordirectoryaccountstoestimatepopulations.

Ineventheremotestdistricts,citizensremainedintenselyinterestedinpoliticsandgovernment.In1866,thestatebeganrequiringeachcountytocompilelistsofregisteredvoters;theywerecalled“greatregisters.”Thepublishedlists,called“indexes,”tendedtolisteligiblevotersbycourttownshipandvotingprecinct.Theadoptionofwomen'ssuffragein1911boostedthesizesofthelistsconsiderably.Afewcounties,suchasInyo,stillpublishgreatregisters.

Thoughlessaccessible,anevenbetterrecordoflifearetheannualsummariesofschool‐districtactivitiescompiledbyeachcounty.Thesummaries,allunpublished,wereentitled“AnnualReportontheConditionofCommon[Public]Schools.”Until1911,eachdistrictwasrequiredbystatelawtotakeacensusofchildrenthroughtheageof15(laterthrough17).

Newspapersoftenprintedreportsofschoolactivities,butseveralhistoriesofcountyschooldepartmentsofferimportantinsightsintocommunitylife:GeraldA.Smith'sAHistoryoftheCountySchoolAdministrationofSanBernardinoCounty(SanBernardino,1954)andEdmundR.Harrington'sAHistoryoftheOrganizationandAdministrationofKernCountySchools(Ph.D.dissertation,UniversityofSouthernCalifornia,1963).AnexcerptofHarrington'sworkwaspublishedbytheKernCountyHistoricalSocietyasAHistoryoftheKernCountySuperintendentofSchools(Bakersfield,1969).

Oneofthefirstinstitutionssoughtbyacommunitywasapostoffice.ThefirstdistillationofofficialrecordswasmadebyWalterN.Frickstad,ACenturyofCaliforniaPostOffices,1848to1955(Oakland,1955).UpdatingFrickstad'svolumeisH.A.Salley'sHistoryofCaliforniaPostOffices,1849‐1976(LaMesa,1977).Salleyaddedimportantdetailsbut,alas,madeafewerrorsofhisown.

Mostofthemajorminingandfarmingsettlementswereservedbyarailroad.Intwomasterlyvolumes,DavidMyrickdescribednotonlythehistoriesofthelinesbutalsothetownstheyserved:RailroadsofNevadaandEasternCalifornia(Berkeley,1962and1963).Theseworksblendinformativetext,exquisitephotos,andclearmapstoestablishthemselvesasmodernclassics.Abibliographywastoappearinasupplementalvolume,which,unhappily,nevercameout.

Gazetteersandregionalbusinessdirectoriesaretantalizingsources,buttheyareexceptionallyscarceandcanaboundwithminorerrors.Theseworkspurportedtocontainentriesoneverypostofficeorsettlementinagivenarea,sometimesacounty,sometimestheentirePacificCoast.Weconsultedgazetteersfrom1870to1904.Foragoodlistofthesedirectories,

13


consultMargaretMillerRocq,CaliforniaLocalHistory:ABibliographyandUnionListofLibraryHoldings(2nded.,Stanford,1970).

Moreaccessible,moreaccurate,andperhapsmoreusefulisaseriesofwater‐supplypapersissuedbytheUnitedStatesGeologicalSurveyearlyinthis“century:WalterC.Mendenhall,SomeDesertWateringPlacesinSoutheasternCaliforniaandSouthwesternNevada(U.S.G.S.Water‐SupplyPaper224,1909);JohnS.Brown,RoutestoDesertWateringPlacesintheSaltonSeaRegion(WSP490‐A,1921),whichalsocoverstheTwentyninePalms,Dale,andBlytheareas;DavidG.Thompson,RoutestoDesertWateringPlacesintheMohaveDesertRegion,California(WSP490‐B,1921).ThesetwoworkswereupdatedandenlargedasDavidThompson'sMohaveDesertRegion,California:AGeographic,Geologic,andHydrologicReconnaissance(WSP578,1929),aclassiconthedeserteconomy.

Twocomprehensive,luciddirectoriescovergold‐miningareaswell:WilliamB.Clark'sGoldDistrictsofCalifornia(CaliforniaDivisionofMinesandGeology,Bulletin193,1969)andErwinGudde'sCaliforniaGoldCamps(Berkeley,1975),whichconciselyprofilesthousandsofcamps,towns,waysidestations,andtradingcenters.Usefulforindividualdistricts,notablyRandsburgandSoledadMountain(Mojave),isBennieW.TroxelandPaulK.Morton,MinesandMineralResourcesofKernCounty,California(CaliforniaDivisionofMinesandGeology,CountyReport1.San“Francisco).Allthreecontainextensivebibliographies.

TheonlycomprehensivehistoryofminingintheMojaveDesertisLarryVredenburgh,GaryShumway,andRussellHartill,DesertFever:AnOverviewofMiningintheCaliforniaDesert(CanogaPark,1981).

Thevariousmethodsofminingandmillingcanbeconfusingtolaymen.Despiteasomewhathaughtytone,OtisE.Young,Jr.,WesternMining(Norman,Okla.,1970),whichtracesdevelopmentsupto1893,thoroughlydescribesthedevelopmentofthestampmill,chlorination,cyanidation,andotherprocesses.WorkingconditionsarewelldescribedinbothYoung'sbookandinRichardLingenfelter'sTheHardrockMiners:AHistoryoftheMiningLaborMovementintheAmericanwest,1863‐1893(Berkeley,1974).

TheWesternFederationofMinersinfluencedminingfarmorethanotherpioneertradeunions.Thefederation'shistoryissympatheticallybutfairlytreatedbyJohnErvinBrinley,Jr.,“TheWesternFederationofMiners”(Ph.D.dissertation,UniversityofUtah;1972).Itsextensivelistsofunionsarekeyedtomapsofminingdistricts.Theriseandfallofmanyimportantcampscanbetracedinthefluctuatingmembershipsofthelocals,asrecordedintheannualreportsofthefederation.Mostofthedesert'sunionsarelistedintheWesternFederationofMiners,OfficialProceedingsoftheSeventeenthAnnualConventionfor1909(Denver).TheCaliforniaBureauofLaborStatisticscompiledwageratesinitsReport,12(1905‐1906),14(1909‐1910),15(1911‐1912),and17(1915‐1916).

Informationonfarmingsettlementsisrelativelysparse.ForirrigationdistrictsorganizedundertheWrightAct,aprogressreportappearedintheRuralCalifornian(LosAngeles),1891,especiallypp,509and525.Severalgovernmentwritersinterpretedtheimportanceofthedistricts:thewater‐supplypapersofHarryJohnson(No.278)andDavidThompson(No.578),bothalreadycited,andbyFrankAdamsinIrrigationDistrictsinCalifornia,1887‐1915(CaliforniaDepartmentofEngineering,Bulletin2,1916).

14


Militaryoutpostsareaformofsettlementoveroverlooked.RobertW.Frazer'sFortsoftheWest(Norman,Okla.,1965)presentsthumbnailsketchesofeachmilitaryoutpostintheWestupto1898.SoonaftertheCivilWar,ayoungbrigadiergeneralinspectedthefortsoftheWest,includingthoseoftheMojave:JamesF.Rusling,TheGreatWestandPacificCoast(NewYork,1877).Hisdescriptionsarebriefandpungent.Amodernsurvey,withothermaterialadded,isDennisC.Casebier,ReopeningtheMojaveRoad:APersonalNarrative(Norco,1983).Happily,afewgoodregionalworksilluminatethelargerscene.ThedevelopmentofthesouthernSierraandwesternMojaveareablyrecountedbyWilliamHarlandBoydinACaliforniaMiddleBorder:TheKernRiverCountry,1772‐1880(Richardson,Texas,1972).Itsmapsareespeciallyuseful.PatriciaJerniganKeeling'sOnceUponaDesert(Barstow,1976)isavaluableencyclopedichistoryofthecentralMojave.RichardLingenfelter'sSteamboatsontheColoradoRiver,1852‐1916(Tucson,1978)isasmuchahistoryofminingonthedesertasontransportationontheriver.FrankLove'sMiningCampsandGhostTowns:AHistoryofMininginArizonaandCaliforniaAlongtheLowerColorado(LosAngeles,1974)isthoroughlyresearched,yetitschapterstendtolosecoherence,thephotosaremuddy,andamuch‐neededmapislacking.LegendaryistheseriesofarticlesbyL.BurrBelden.Belden,ahistorianandreporterfortheSanBernardinoSun,wroteweeklyaccountsonthehistoryofthevariousCaliforniasfrom1951through1967.Thoughthequalityofhisresearchvaried,therangeofhissubjectsisstillimpressive.Belden'shistoriesofvarioussettlements,bothlivinganddead,isessentialforamodernresearcher.

Nocomprehensiveaccountoftheearlynationalandregionalbusinesscyclesseemstohavebeenwritten.IraCross'four‐volumestudy,FinancinganEmpire:HistoryofBankinginCalifornia(Chicago,1927)isturgidlywrittenyetmanagestocombineannalsofbankingwithanalysesofdepressionsandrecoveries.Amuch‐overlookedworkisJohnP.Young,SanFrancisco:AHistoryofthePacificCoastMetropolis(SanFrancisco,1912).Young,anewspapereditor,blendednarrativeaccountswiththoughtfulinterpretationsofculturallife,thepress,andtheeconomy.Theeffectsofthedepressionsofthe1870'sonSouthernCaliforniawerebrieflyrecalledbyboom‐townpublisherJamesJ.AyersinGoldandSunshine(Boston,1922).HisrecollectionsagreewithreportsintheSanBernardinoandColtonnewspapers.

Stateandfederalminingreportsareatemptingsourceofmininghistory.Buttheearlyvolumesoftencontainerroneous,outdatedinformation.Inexplicably,thecompilersoftenoverlookedCalifornia'sdeserts.

Periodicalsbecamethechiefsourceforthiswork.TheMining&ScientificPress,publishedweeklyinSanFranciscofrom1860to1922,stoodabovealltradejournals‐‐mining,farming,railroading.Thisjournalcarriedthelateststockandmetalprices,extensivenewssummaries,andawidevarietyoffeaturesandeditorials.Alas,afterabout1900,themagazinetendedtooverlookminordistricts.AndoccasionalarticlesweregleanedfromtheMining&ScientificPress’sworthyrivals:theEngineering&MiningJournal(NewYork)andtheMiningWorld(Chicago).

Denver,SaltLakeCity,LosAngelesandotherminingcenterssupportedawiderangeofminingpublicationsofferingone‐of‐a‐kindcoverage.Thoughnotaswelleditedororganizedasthenationalminingjournals,theLosAngeles(American)MiningReviewandSaltLakeMiningReviewhadatalentforseekingoutnewsandfeaturesfromsomeofthemostobscuredistrictsintheSouthwest.Manyoftheirphotosareunusuallyclearandcrisp.

Newspapersareessentialtounderstandingatown'ssocialandeconomiclife.TheAltaCalifornia,aseven‐dayblanketsheet,reportedonboomsasfarawayasBritishColumbiaand

15


Idaho;itscorrespondentswereonthesceneduringtherushestotheOwensValley,theColoradoRiver,andthecentralMojave.ClosertotheactivityweretheLosAngelesStarandNews,VisaliaDelta,andSanBernardinoGuardian;allwereneatlyprintedtabloidsfilledwithperceptivecorrespondence.

16


Glossary

Mining,Farming,andLegalTermsAdit:strictlyspeaking,ahorizontalpassageintotheearthwithonlyoneopening;atunnel(strictlyspeaking)isapassagewithtwoopenings,thatis,cutthroughahill.Ongeologicalmaps,aditsandtunnelsaremarkedwithaforkedsymbol.Amalgamation:processbywhichmercuryisaddedtooretoseparateoutgoldorsilver.Arrastre(orarrastra):simpleplantinwhichheavystoneisdraggedaroundenclosedrockfloortocrushore.Ballmill:aplantinwhichironorsteelballsinarevolvingdrumcrushore;variationoftubemillandsuccessortostampmill.Bond:toleaseamine,inwhichthelease‐holderleavesadepositwiththeowner.Calcining:processofroastingnonmetallicminerals,suchasboratesorlimestone.Chileanmill:ore‐crushingplantusingheavyverticalwheelsrunninginacircularenclosure;variationofanarrastreorgristmill.Chloriding:actofleasingpartofmine,forwhichownerreceivesroyaltybasedonvalueoforeremoved;alsocalledtributing.Chlorination:methodofextractingsilver(sometimesgold)byprocessingorewithheatedchlorine‐basedchemicals(suchassalt);anauxiliaryprocess.Croppings:earlytermforthesurfaceexposureofavein;nowcalledoutcrop.Crucible:heat‐resistantclayvesselusedformeltingoresandchemicalsinassaying.Custommill:ore‐processingplantdesignedtoservesmall‐scaleminers,oftenchloriders.Cyanidation:processofextractinggoldorsilverfromorestreatedwithsodiumorcalciumcyanidesolution;oftenusedwithleaching.Drift:horizontalpassageextendingfromshaft;variouselevationsofdriftsarecalledlevels.Dryfarming:cultivationinwhichmoistureisscientificallyconserved;alsocalleddry‐landfarming.Drywasher:machineinwhichgolddustisblownfreeofsandandgravel.Dump:pileofwasterockleftfrommining;oftenconfusedwithtailings.Enlarged‐HomesteadAct:federallaw(1909)permittinghomesteaderstoclaim320acres;ledtolastboominhomesteading.

17


Freegold:appliedtoorecontaininguncombinedgold;thatis,easytoprocess.Giantpowder:earlytermfordynamite.Grubstake:loanofsupplies,food,ormoneytoprospectorinexchangeforshareindiscoveries.Headframe:derrick‐likestructurethatsupportspulleyandcableaboveshaft;alsocalledgallowsframe.High‐grading:theftofrichore.Homesteading:officiallyclaimingandsettlingonpublicland;homesteadingdoesnotnecessarilyleadtoownership.Huntingtonmill:brandofore‐crushingplantusinghugerollers,likelaundrywringer.Hydraulicmining:methodofextractioninwhichpowerfuljetofwaterwashesgoldbearingearth(asfromembankment)intosluices.Jawcrusher:devicetobreakapartrocksorlargepiecesofore.Lanemill:popularbrandofmodernizedChileanmill.Leaching:processingmethodbywhichparticlesofmetal,usuallygold,aredissolvedoutoflow‐gradeore,oftenwithcyanidesolution.Lead,ledge,lode:fissurescontainingore,incontrasttoplacer;looselyspeaking,avein.Location:actoffilingclaim(notmerelyfindingdeposit).Ore:mixtureofrockandvaluablemineralorelement;mineralisacombinationofelements(borates,salt)orsingleelement(nativecopper).Rockisalsoacolloquialtermforore.Patent:transferofownershipofpubliclandtoindividual,suchasmineownerorhomesteader.Placer:depositofsandorgravelcontainingparticlesofmetal,suchasgoldortin,orgemstones..Quicksilver:oldertermformercury.Raiseandwinze:upwardanddownwardpassagescutfromdrift.ReductionWorks:planttoprocessore,usuallyamill,sometimesasmelter.Refinery:planttopurifymetalsfoundinbullion.Shaft:adownwardpassageintotheearth,usuallyvertical,sometimesinclined.Ongeologicalmaps,shaftsaremarkedwithahalf‐enclosedsquare.Smelter:processingplantusingchemicalsandgreatheattoseparatemetalsoutofore.

18


Stampmill:processingplantinwhichoreisgroundtodustwithhuge,iron‐coveredpestles(stamps);alsocalledquartzmill.Unitholdingstamps,usuallyfive,isbattery.Stope:excavatedpartofamine.Sulpherets:oldertermforsulphides(iron,lead,etc.),whichmakegoldmoredifficulttoremovefromore.Tailings:pileofcrushedoreleftfrommilling;oftencontainsconsiderablemetal.Whim:animal‐orsteam‐poweredcapstan,usedasahoist.WrightAct:Californialaw(1887)thatpermittedformationofirrigationdistricts;stimulatedlandboom.

19


IVANPAH‐PIONEERMOJAVEDESERTTOWN(Reprintedfrom:AlanHensher,“Ivanpah–PioneerMojaveDesertTown”,HeritageTales[CityofSanBernardinoHistoricalandPioneersociety,Annual7],1984,pp.36‐58.)

IFYOUhaveneverheardoftheghosttownofIvanpah,youarenotalone.ThoughitwasthefirsttowntobeestablishedintheMojaveDesert,Ivanpahwaslittle‐knowninitsownday,atleastoutsideSouthernCalifornia.Morethanacenturyago,aColtoneditorwonderedwhyinvestorscouldnot“seeagoldmineofanykindunlessitwaslocatedinNevada,orArizona,orsomeplaceveryfaroffandverydifficultofaccess....”AndayoungSanBernardinopublishercomplainedthataminingreportissuedbytheUnitedStatesMintwas“veryincompleteandaboundswitherrors....NomentionismadeofourmostproductiveminesintheIvanpahDistrict....”1

YetIvanpahservedasanoutpostofcivilizationfor30years.Whereelse,atleastduringthe1870's,couldatravelerintheMojaveescapethebitingwindstogetadrinkofpurewater,oramealforhimselfandhayforhishorse,playcards,smokeapipe,talk,mailapostcardhome,haveanightcap,.Andclimbintoawarm,comfortablebed?Ivanpahofferedallthis‐andmore.

ThediscovererofrichesaroundIvanpahhasneverbeenfullyestablished.ButitrequiredagroupofSanFranciscoinvestorsandadventurerstogivethearealife.Thisgroup,organizedasThePiuteCompanyofCaliforniaandNevadainearly1869,sentoutanexpeditiontoinvestigatepromisingcopperlodesintheClarke(soonshortenedtoClark)MountainRange,afewmileswestoftheNevadaline.When'thecompanyfounddepositsofsilver,itbroughtinsupplies,shippedoutsomeoreforassay,andbeganpublicizingtheClarkandadjacentYellowPinedistricts.

ThesettingmadetheClarkdistrictmorethanjust“averyEIDorado”formetals.Severalstrikeshadbeenmademorethanamileabovesealevel;ClarkMountain,thehighestpeakintherange,rosenearly8,000feet.Fromtheseheights,coolbreezeswouldmoderatetemperaturesthatsometimesreached110degreesF.intheshade.Snow,summerrains,andspringswouldwaterscatteredstrandsofjuniper,pinion(oftencallednutpine),yucca,andJoshuatrees.2

IncorporatedinJune,1870,thePiuteCompanywaswellequippedtodevelopthedistrict.Foronething,ithadplentyofmoney.Then,too,JohnMoss,atrustee,wasfamedasarovingprospector;TitusF.Cronise,thesecretaryofthefirm,hadwrittenapopularencyclopediaofthestate'sresources;andJ.W.Crossman,thesuperintendentatIvanpah,wasanup‐and‐comingminemanagerandwriter.

Thecompanyplannedfourtownsites.CaveCitywastobenearthemaingroupofminesonMineral(orAlaska)Hill,onthenorthsideoftherange.Pachocha(variouslyspelled)wasagreenspotataspringonthewestside.GoodSpring,justovertheNevadaline,wasintheYellowPinedistrict.Ivanpah,a160acresite,waslaidoutin“quiteaprettylocation”inawashordrawonthesoutheastslope,severalmilesfromthemines,becauseoftheproximityofanabundantspring.RoughlytranslatedfromanIndiandialect,thenamemeans“clearwater.”OnlyIvanpahandlaterGoodSpring(renamedGoodsprings)becamesettlements.3

Thecountybuzzedwithexcitement.Despitetheisolationandheat,300minershadarrivedinthedistrictbythesummerof1870,andotherswere“flockingthither”fromWhitePineandWashoedistrictsinNevada,fromotherpartsofCalifornia,andelsewhere.InSeptember,thedistrictbeganshippingitsfirstare,toSanBernardino,nearly200milesaway.Theleading

20


merchantswouldthenforwardtheoretoSanFrancisco,atfirstthroughAnaheimLanding(nearthepresentHuntingtonBeach),laterthroughSanPedro.InSanBernardino,theweeklyGuardiannotedthatquite“abrisktradeisspringingupinourtownwiththesedistricts....”Thoughfreightingorewasexpensivefromthestart,about$70aton,“itwillpay,ofcourse,tobringuptheserichores,”whichwerevaluedat$170to$2,500aton.Itwasdoubtedwhether“thefamousWhitePineminesintheirpalmiestdays,haveshownricherprospectsandreturns,formoreminerswerearriving,theirfacesbrightwithexpectation,andhopesashighaswaswonttobeinthegoldenharvesttimesof1849....”4

By1871,Ivanpahhadbecomeanestablishedtradecenterfora35x35miledistrictspillingoverintoNevada.AtravelerinAugustcameacross15buildings,includingahotel,twostores,theofficeandheadquartersofthePiuteCompany,andsmallhouses,allofthembuiltofadobe,coveredwithGoodshakeroofs,and“ontheaveragelargerthanwouldbeexpectedinsoyoungaplace....”Threeofthebuildingsmeasured40x60feet,includingthehotel,thelargeststructureintown.

Eightorninemilesnorthwestoftown,throughasteepcanyonandoveradivide,werethemines,whichwerescatteredaboutMineral(Alaska)Hill.EmergingastheoutstandingpropertiesweretheHite&Chatfieldclaim(laterrenamedtheLizzieBullock)andtheMonitorandBeatrice,ownedbytheMcFarlanebrothers‐Tom,Andrew,John,andWilliam.Theminesonthehillproducedoreworth$700to$1,700aton,mainlyinsilver.SixmilessouthwestoftownwastheCopperWorldmine,whichwouldremainidleforthreedecades.Severalgroupswereessentialtothedistrict'searlydevelopment:about20Indianminers;severalMexicans.whoworkedtheoreofothersintheirarrastras(circularstonemills);andsuchpioneersoftheKernRiverrushofthe1860sasmineoperatorDennisSearles,merchantW.A.MarshandtheMcFarlanes.

TheMcFarlanessoonsupplantedthePiuteCompanyastheleadingoperatorsofthedistrict.ThoughtheirBeatriceNo.2claimwasequippedwithonlyahandwindlassin1871,JohnMcFarlane's“sanctumsanctorum”‐averylargetent‐containedhisoffice,sleepingberths,andmineralcabinets,whichheldmorethan200specimens.Onevisitorwasdelightedtoeata“plainwellcooked,substantial”lunchservedonatablespreadbetweentwopinetreesandthenindulgein“asocialsmoke.”If“youthinkbeansarenotgood,youjusttakeatriptoIvanpah,walkeightortenmilesoverthehillsandyouwillconcludethatyoudidnotknowwhatisgood....“5

Mineoperatorshadtoperseveretosucceed.Ivanpahwasprobablythemostremotesettlementinthestate,lying70milesfromFortMohave,ontheColoradoRiver,about260milesfromLosAngeles,andmorethan630milesfromSanFrancisco(throughSanPedro).DespitethelengthyhaultoSanFrancisco,“handsomeprofitsareallowed.”NorwereminersfazedbyhavingtopaytheMexicans$125atontohavetheiroreworked,fortheycouldstillearnupto$80aton.TheIndianssuppliedtheminesonMineralMillwithwaterbroughtfourtosixmilesbypacktrainfromIvanpahSpring.6

Accordingly,onlytherichestgradesofore–“shippingore”‐wouldpaytoshiptoSanFrancisco.Atonesmallproducer,abundant“low‐grade”ore,worth$150to$200aton,hadtobesetasideonthedump,awaitingtheconstructionofamillorrailroad.AttheHite&Chatfieldproperty(LizzieBullock),thechargesforpreparingandshippingoreworth$1,458atontotaled$435.Still,Hite&Chatfieldearneda$20,000profitin1872.7

Allofthisactivityin1872–thesteadystreamofminers,mail,freight,andore‐madeSanBernardino“quitelively.”Brunn&Roe,SanBernardinomerchantsandorebuyers,once

21


forwarded28,000poundstoSanFrancisco.Withthecropsharvested,prairieschooners“loadedwiththerewardofourhardyfarmer”andsuppliesfromthetown'swell‐stockedmerchantsweregoingout(October)intotheMojave,Arizona,andUtahandreturning“ladenwithore.”TheGuardianwondered:“...Whowillsaythatweofthiscowcountryarenotprospering‐evenwithoutarailroad,harbor,breakwater,telegraphorthoseothernecessities,thatmakeatownlooklively.”8

Attheminesthenextspring,onecorrespondentpredictedthat“soontheshrillwhistleofthelocomotivewillbeheardasitdashesthroughourdeepcañons,tobeansweredbythemagicthumpofthestampandtheroaroftheblastfurnace....”Ivanpah,infact,was“becominganimportantminingsettlement,rapidlyfillingupwithminers,”from150inFebruaryto300byOctober.DuringthesixmonthstoDecember,Brunn&Roehadforwarded153,000poundsofore,whichnetted$57,000.9

Astheleadingproducersinthedistrict,theMcFarlanesmadeIvanpahamodemcamp.TheybuiltasmallsmeltingfurnaceinNovember,1873,afterwhichsilverbarsbegan“makingtheirappearance.”Thebrothersweresoonfoundtobelivingin“averycomfortablehouse”heatedby“agoodstoveandplentyoffireinit.”Thelower‐gradeoreonthedumpawaitedonly“thenecessarymachinerytotransformitintobullion.”Accordingly,aboutearly1875,theMcFarlanesmovedafive‐stampmillfromtheNewYorkMountainsto,itseems,thevicinityofthetown.TheBeatriceMine,bythistime,wasnearly300feetdeep.TheMcFarlanes'propertieswereincorporatedastheIvanpahConsolidatedMillandMiningCompany,oftencalledthe“IvanpahCon.”10

Thoughthedistricthadproducedarespectable$300,000bymid·1875,miningwascaughtinthedoldrums.Silver‐leadstrikesatPanamintCityandDarwin,westofDeathValley,wereluringmenaway.Infact,the500horses,mules,andburrosaroundIvanpahfaroutnumberedthe100whitesand40or50Indianslivingthere.Afewweekslater,inAugust,severalimportantbanksinSanFranciscoandLosAngelesfailed,thevictimsofoverspeculationinmining.TheSanBernardinoWeeklyTimesinearly1876askedforthepaymentofsmallbillsoweditbecause“timesarehardandmoneyscarce.”11

Thoughtheeconomyremaineddepressedthrough1876,onemineshowedespecialpromise.TheminewastheGunsight,anoldlead‐silverpropertybeingrevivednearTecopaandRestingSprings,about40milesnorthwestofIvanpah.(Despitethedistrict'sisolationanddesolation,200menwereworkingattheGunsightbyearly1877,andanother200menlivedatanewlyestablishedcampatnearbyRestingSprings.12ApostofficeopenedatTecopainMay.)

AttheIvanpahmines,J.A.Bidwellandapartnerbuilta10·stampmillonemileeastofIvanpahin1876.WhenitstartedupinJune,onecorrespondentreported:“'Notanidlemanincamp.'Suchistheexpressionheardonallsidesnowadays....”TheBidwellmillwasrunningonlyhalftime,but“thatprinceofgoodfellows,”WilliamA.McFarlane,wasrunningtheIvanpahCon.millsteadily,partlyonorefromTecopa.

Thetownitselfwasatleastholdingitsown.TwoformerBearValleymerchantsweredoingathrivingbusiness.L.M.Wilson,amineoperator,waskeepingtheAccidentalHotel,socalledbecauseitwas“anaccidentifyougetanythingtoeat,andanaccidentifhegetsanypayforit.IwilljustsaythatatWilson'stablewillbefoundallthedelicaciesofthemarket,inandoutofseason....”13

22


ButthepropertiesoftheIvanpahCon.soonfellonhardtimes.About$40,000inattachmentshadbeenfiledagainstthepropertybylate1876.TheSanBernardinoWeeklyArgusfearedthatthis“newtroublewillworkseverehardshiptomanyofourcitizens.Teamsters,station‐keepers,andworkmengenerally,willfeeltheblow....”Thisproperty,underseveraloutsideowners,operatedonlyintermittentlythrough1877,althoughtheMcFarlanesmanagedtheday‐to‐dayoperations.Onewriterevencontendedthatthemineshadneverbeenproperlydeveloped,havingbeen“gougedtoomuchbyincompetentminers.”14

Thevariousregionalandnationaldepressionsbegantowanein1877.InSanBernardino,businessseemedtobe“revivingalittle”thatsummer.Therecovery,sparkedbyarevivalinrailroadconstruction,begantospreadfromtheEast.Byearly1879,businesswasthemostbriskandthepeoplethemostconfidentsincetheflushtimesof1874·1875,whenthePanaminttradewasatitspeak.Oneeditorknewof“nosouphouses,nogangsofmenbeggingfortherighttolaborat$1.00perday....Inviewofthesadscenesoflastwinterthepresentisafelicitousstateofaffairs.”15

TheseyearsofrecoverymarkedanexceptionallybusyperiodforIvanpah.Bidwellinlate1877ordereda“neat”springwagonandacarloadofsuppliesandthenoverhauledhismill.TheforceathisLizzieBullockMineroseto20byAugust,1878.Thisoldandreliabledistrictstillheld“itspositionasfirstonthelistofmeritoriouscampsofthecountry,bykeepingupitsshipmentsofbullionandproducingrichores.”Bothmillshadbeenrunningsteadilyallseason.TwobarsofBidwellbullion“attractedagreatdealofattention”afewweekslaterattherailroaddepotinColton.Wellinto1879,Bidwellcontinuedtosendoutheavyloadsofbullion,onecargoworth$8,000.AsheleftforSanFranciscotobuymoresuppliesforhismill,Bidwellagainpredicted“alargeincreaseofminersandprosperityofthisaptlynamed'poorman'scamp.”16

Desertprospectsbeganarousingintenseinterestinneighboringcities,andinlate1877countysupervisorsputupguideboards,deepenedwells,andinstalledwateringtroughsalongtheSanBernardino‐RestingSpringsroad.JamesBoyd,theowneroftheCopperWorldMine,builtanexperimentalsmeltingfurnaceinSanBernardinoinAugust,1878.SanBernardino'smerchants,meanwhile,wereforwardinggoodsdailytoRestingSprings,Ivanpah,andevenArizona.TheroadtotheClarkdistrictbyearly1879waslinedwithwell‐suppliedreststations,suchasSoda,wherehayandbarleycouldbeboughtforeightcentsapound.17

Thedistrictsthemselves,however,experiencedapeculiarformofeconomiclife.Thearrivalofpaydayataminecouldbring“livelytimes”‐drinking,gambling,fighting,andgeneralidlenessfordays.Butwhereastheminesingeneralcouldremainprosperous,amillmightshutdownforlackoffuel,bringing“dulltimes”forweeks,evenmonths.

Duringone‐relativelydullperiod,inApril,1879,aresidentreportedthat“ourlittlecamp‐theoldstand‐by‐isnotdead,andnotlikelytobe....IthasbeenthemostprosperoussincetheMcFarlaneswereturningouttheirlargeamountsofbullioneverydayandthecampwasfullofmen....”Thedistrict'sresidents‐morethan100onAlaska(Mineral)Hillalone‐werecarryingonabrisktradeatthetown'stwosaloonsandtwostores.Ivanpahalsosupportedtwoblacksmithshops,twoshoemakers'shops,twohotels,twohayyards,onebutchershop,and“neatandcomfortable”houses,allinall,“muchbetterthanIanticipated,”onevisitorfound.Theareaalsosupportedajusticeofthepeace,constable,notary,postmaster,andperhapsadeputysheriff.18

Consideringthisgrowth,thelackofmailserviceremainedasoreissue.Loudcomplaintsinthecounty'snewspapersandvigorouslobbyinginWashingtoninducedthepostofficedepartment

23


tohaltplanstorunamailroutefromMojavestation,ineasternKernCounty,totheTecopa‐RestingSpringsareaandIvanpah.ThedepartmentfinallyauthorizedtheestablishmentofpostofficesatTecopainMay,1877,IvanpahinJune,1878,andKassoninJuly,1879.(Kasson,anespeciallyobscureoffice,servedaminingrevivalatSaratogaSprings,atthesouthendofDeathValley.ItclosedinNovember,1879.)19

ButtheactualdeliveryofmailhadtowaituntilaroundaboutroutefromColtontoFortMojavewentintooperationinearlyNovember.HorsebackriderswerescheduledtomakethreetripsaweekthroughSanBernardino,overtheCajonPassandalongtheMojaveRiver,andthentoTecopaandIvanpah.ContractorHughJ.White,theoperatorofastageline,wasgiven70hourstomakeeachone‐waytrip.

Thisserviceturnedouttobefarfromsatisfactory.WhitecomplainedthatitwasimpossibleforhimtomaketherunintheallottedtimeandfromtheoutsethadcutTecopaandIvanpahoffhisroute.Evenonthatshortenedroute,ScipioCraig,publisheroftheColtonSemi‐Tropic,bitterlypointedout,themail“takesitasleisurelyasiftherewasnosuchthingasSpecialagentsorreportsoftrips....”CraigsoonbecameincensedthatWhite's“persistentrefusal”toruntoTecopahad“provokedmuchwrothandcursingfromthehardyminersofthatflourishingcamp.”AsColton'spostmaster,hepromptlyreceivedpermissiontohandoutmailtoproperlyidentifiedresidentsofTecopa,

Whitegotthemessage.Hewasreceivingonly$1,000amonthtomaintainhorsebackdeliveriesthatcosthim$1,400amonth.YetbeginninginlateDecember,Whitewentovertheline,repeatedlyrestockedit,andorderedhalfadozenbuckboardstocarryexpressmatter.Finally,hepromisedTecopatriweeklyrunsfromIvanpah,whichhismenwerereachingin48hours.“....GuessMr.Whiteintendstodothesquarethingafterall,”Craigremarked.Theseimprovements,helatersaid,wouldbe“asourceofjoy”totheminersofTecopa.WhenWhiteinspectedtheline“asamatterofform”inSeptember,1880,itwasreportedthat“everythingconnectedwiththeroutehasbeensothoroughlyorganizedthatitismostlikewellregulatedclockwork....”20

Likeclockwork,heavybarsofbullionfromtheClarkdistrict,worth$2,000to$4,000ashipment,continuedtopourintoColtonandSanBernardino.Craigrejoiced:“Thenewsfromthisflourishingcampgrowsbetterandbetter.Everyweekorsowenoticehugebarsofsilverbullionpassingthroughenrouteforthemetropolis.Thesebarsweighnearlytwohundredpoundsapieceandaremorenearlypuresilverthancoin.”WhenonegrouplatersentanexceptionallyrichloadtoColton,hemoanedthatit“willgoenoughdollarstomakeaprinter'seyeswateralldownhisneck....”21

ButIvanpahrepresentedmorethanmining.Itsresidentsalsoappreciatedarichsociallife.WhenBillyBorehammarriedMayTaftatRestingSprings,the“boys”ofIvanpahgavethecouplearousingreception,whichwasfollowedbymusic,smalltalk,andsinginguntiltheweehours.WhenDr.FredBishopmadeplanstomarry“adashingwidowofSanBernardino,”hewaspraisedasa“finefellow”whodeserved“afairbirdforsofineacage.”(Bishop,alas,waskilledafewmonthslater,whenapparentlyhishorsestumbledandfellonhim.)22

Camplifealsohadanuglyside.WhenphotographerAdamVale,aclean‐livingfamilymanfromSanBernardino,enteredIvanpahinApril,1880,hecameacrosstwodrunkslyinginthestreetandanothertryingtogetapistoltoshootanotherman.Hehastilyscrawledinhisdiary:“'Drunk'Oh!whatamess.Delivermefromsuchaplace[.]”23

24


Valehadreasontowince.Afewdayslater,inoneofIvanpah's“manywhiskyrows,”anothermanwashurled“intoeternitywithoutamoment'snotice....”ThetroublehadstartedwhenD.C.SargentaccusedL.M.Wilson,thehotelandboardinghouseowner,ofcheatingatcards.Theissuefesteredforseveraldays,SargentfinallytakinghissupposedlossfromWilsonatgunpoint.

AnychanceofapeacefulsettlementvanishedwhentwoofWilson'sfriends,JackRileyandAndyLaswell,wentafterthemoney.ButliquorgotthebestofLaswell,whoconfrontedSargentat1.F.Burdick'sstore:“Wehavesomebusinesstosettlewithyou,socomeoutandsettleit.”Sargentretorted:“Ihavenobusinesswithyouandamnotgoingtosettlewithyou.”

Sargentapparentlymadeamotionasiftopullarevolver.Riley,andperhapsLaswell,beganfiring.Hitfourtimes,Sargentfelldead.

Thoughthiswasthecamp'sfirstkilling,themachineryofjusticewentintomotionatonce.JohnA.McFarlane,asforeman,heldacoroner'sinquest,adoctorexaminedthebody,andtheprisonerswereplacedinironsandtakenunder'heavyguardtoSanBernardino,wheretheyappearedatapreliminarycourthearing.BothLaswellandRileywerehighlyrespected,andCraigrefusedtocommentontheaffair.“....TheCourtofthiscountywillhavechargeofthecaseandwesuppressalldesiretoenlargeuponthematter.”(Confinedinthehot,stuffyjail,Laswellbecame“dangerouslyill”inJuneandwasmovedtoahome,“whereeverythingisbeingdonethatispossiblebutthereareveryfainthopesofhisrecovery.”Butherecovered.AjurylaterfoundRileyguiltyofmanslaughterbutacquittedLaswellandWilson.)24

Onlydaysafterthekilling,thecorrespondentfortheSemi‐Tropicexplainedthetwo‐sidednatureofIvanpah:“‘Payday'intheIvanpahConsolidatedhascomeandgoneandourtownhas[begun]tosettledownintothatquietlittlecampofold.Ivanpah,likenearlyallotherCaliforniaminingcamps[,]iseitherallexcitementorelseveryquiet.Theyaremadebyexcitements,springupasbyenchantmentandassuddenlydie.Ivanpah,forthreeorfourdaysafterpayday,wasaslivelyasthecampsof'49.'Everybodyhadmoneyandconsequentlynearlyeverybodywasdrunk,ortryingtogetthatway.Fightsweretheorderoftheday,andeverymanthathadagrudgeagainsthisneighborwantedtosettleitupandconsequently....theyallgotsatisfied.”25

Bynow‐early1880‐thetown'sfortuneswerefading.DuringVale'svisitinApril,dailylifecenteredonMcGintey'sstoreandsaloon,Wilson'sboardinghouse,McGrath'ssaloon,I.F.Burdick'sstore,thepostoffice,andahayyard.Sinceonlyabout65menandwomenlivedintown,andnotmanymoreatthemines,mailservicewascuttoweeklyinMay,whenashort‐livedweeklynewspaperwaspublished.26

25


(Courtesy:JournaloftheWest)CookandFrazee'slivelyIvanpahnewspaper,the“Green‐EyedMonster.”

TheweeklywastheGreen‐EyedMonster,namedafteramine.ItwasfoundedinMaybyJames

B.Cook,37,andWilmonte(Will)D.Frazee,22.

Frazee,thesonofarespectedfamilyintheSanBernardinoValley,hadservedhisapprenticeshipunderCraigwhileValeandstageoperatorWilliamGodfreywereservingascountyagentsfortheSemi·Tropic.WhenFrazee“pushedoutintothecold,coldworldtoseekhisfortuneelsewhere”inearly1879,Craigcommendedhim“tothegoodgracesofthecraftwhereverhemaygo.Heisasteadyboyandafasttypo.”FrazeejoinedtheArgusbutwoundupcarryingthemailtoIvanpahinearly1880.Hesoonbecameknownforwritingdroll,humoroussketchesinthemannerofMarkTwainandDanDeQuille.

DespiteCookandFrazee'sjournalisticexperience,theyhadtoclosetheirpaperafteronlyafewissues,quipping:“Aftersomeweeksinthis'boom'camp,ourarguseyehasyettocatchevenoneliveitemtoserveupinourlocalcolumn,savetheexcitingincidentsofourownarrival,heraldedasitwasbythecheeringrattleofabrotherreptilebesideourtrailandtheattentiveyawnofMcGintey'syellowpupintheshadeofthestore.”27

NotevenpoliticsexcitedIvanpah'svotersmuchanymore.Onlyafewyearsearlier,itsresidentshadsupportedthepopulistWorkingmen'sPartyandtheadoptionofasecondstateconstitution.ButinNovember,1880,theyfellinlinebehindJamesGarfield,theregularRepublicancandidateforpresident.Garfieldreceived29votesto13forWinfieldHancock,theDemocraticcandidate.Theelection“passedoffquietlyforaMiningcamp,withoutanyonebeingseriouslyinjuredbybeingmixedupinlittlepoliticalsquabbles...Itispoorpolicytobetonelectionreturnsfromminingcamps,foragreatmanyofthemenwilltalkonewayandvoteanother.”28

Meanwhile,fornearlyayear,otherdiscoverieshadbeenexcitingthecounty:atOroGrande,nearthepresentVictorville;theWatermanMine,justnorthoftoday'sBarstow;attheMescal(orCambria)Mine,inthesouthernendoftheClarkdistrict;andintheProvidenceMountains,evenfarthersouth.OfabonanzastruckbyAndyMcFarlaneandCharleyHassenatProvidence,acorrespondentreportedinJune,1880:“Everybodywhocangetawayareofftothemines.Therecentdiscoverieshavecausedafeveramongalltheoldprospectorsandtheyareawaytotrytheirchancesoncemore....”29

26


ThoughtheIvanpahCon.hadproducedareported$500,000inbullionbytheendof1879,it

remaineddoggedbyunexplainedtroubles.Tocutcostsandsupportacompany‐sponsoredstore,theowners,aSanFranciscofirm,hadissuedscrip“inimitationofmoney.”Thecompanylatersuspendedwork,owingitsmenseveralmonths'backpay.ThefirmalsoowedtheUnitedStatesgovernmenta10percenttaxfortheissuanceofthescrip.Theworkerssued,followedbythegovernment,whichwonajudgmentof$1,480andsentE.F.BeanasdeputyInternalRevenuecollectortoattachthemineandmill.

Theattachmentbecameanythingbutroutine.“AnotherTragedyAtIvanpah!”theSanBernardinoWeeklyIndexheadlined.Thetragedy,anotherkilling,hadoccurredafterBeanarrivedonMay16andwenttothecompanyofficetohavethemillshutdown.Duringthatdayandthenext,clerkJ.B.CookandsuperintendentJohnMcFarlanethreatenedBean.McFarlanesoonapologizedforhavingbrandishedadouble‐barreledshotgunandfor“usingthemostabusivelanguage,andapplyingthemostopprobriousepithets.”Thenheshutdowntheboilerandclosedthemill.

Themechanicsoftheattachmentrevealedaseethingcaldronofpersonalities,oldwounds,scorestobesettled.When,ontheeveningofMay17,CookwastoldthatFredHisomwaswatchingoverthemill,hegotupfromhisgameofcardsandrushedouttothemill,revolverdrawn,threateningBeanandMcFarlane.Duringthedisputethatfollowed,McFarlanesidedwithCook,hisright‐handman,grabbingashotgunandthreateningHisom.Hisomthensprangforward,dodgedashepushedupthemuzzleoftheshotgun,whichwentoff,andrammedMcFarlaneagainstthemillwall.Hisomsoonfeltasharppaininhishead,andbloodstreameddownhisneck.Thenthetwomenclinched.Realizingthedanger,HisompressedhisrevolveragainstMcFarlaneandfiredthreeshots.McFarlanefelldead;Cookbeggedforhislife.

Hisomgavehimselfuptoadeputysheriff.Cookwasalsoarrested.AtacourthearinginSanBernardino,thekillingwasruled“aclearcaseofjustifiablehomicide,”andHisomwasreleased.TheIndexpraisedbothHisomandBeanforshowingrestraint,notingHisom's“courageandcoolness.”ThekillingsmadeIvanpahasubduedcamp.

InSanBernardino,itwasfearedthatMrs.McFarlanemightremain“hopelesslyinsane.”Butsherecoveredsomewhatafewweekslater,receiveda$2,000checkfromherhusband'sfraternalorder,andwentEasttospendthesummerwithrelatives.(Shelaterhadherhusband'sbodyreburiedinSanBernardino.)TheMcFarlanebrothersavertedaforcedsaleoftheIvanpahCon.bypayingtheclaimoftheU.S.governmentbutplannedtosuefor$50,000.30Ingeneral,however,theminesweredoingwellin1881.FromRestingSpringscameshipmentsof$7,000inbullion,fromIvanpahshipmentsof$3,000.Bytheendoftheyear;Wells,Fargo&Companyhadshippedmorethan$150,000inbullionand$12,000ingolddustthroughSanBernardinoalone.Withfairlycheaprailroadtransportationavailable,oreleftonthedumpswasbeingshippedout“togoodadvantage,asitisveryeasilygotout....”31

Informationissketchy,butIvanpah'smineswereprobablyreachingtheirpeakbythistime.AnexceedinglyimportantseriesofsilverstrikeswasmadeonCalicoMountaininearly1881;withinayear,hundreds‐laterthousands‐werearrivingfromcitiesandminingcampsalike.IntheIvanpahprecinct,thenumberofregisteredvotersdeclinedfromapeakof78in1879toeightin1886.WhiletheMescalMineoperated,theownersboughtthepropertiesoftheIvanpahCaninearly1887andannouncedimprovementsthatwould“keepthemillinconstantoperationand

27


oncemore,makeIvanpahalivelycamp....”AnIvanpahmineoperatoralsoplannedtobuildamillathismine.Butneitherplancametopass.Aboutallthatremainedinoperationwereastoreandthepostoffice,perhapsaboardinghouse,too.Aweeklymailcontinuedtoarrivein1890,butitisunlikelythatthetwomillsranveryoften,foronly11residentsremained.32

WhenyoungFrankWilliamspassedthroughtowninDecember,1892,Ivanpahwasaconvenientplacetostop,nothingmore.“IarrivedinIvanpahsometimeaftermidnightandasIcouldseenolightsanywhereIjustsataroundandshivereduntildaylightcame.WhenIsawalargestonebuildinglightedup,IwentoverandfoundittobeMr.Bidwell'sstoreandboardinghouse.”WilliamsgotbreakfastanddirectionstoGoodsprings,Nevada.

Thepioneerswerealreadypassing,JohnnyMossin1880,JohnMcFarlanein1881.Bidwellwoulddiein1893,followedbyCrossmanandAndrewMcFarlane.

Alsopassingwassilver'sstatusasafavoredmetal.Atemporarypoliticalmaneuver,theShermanSilverPurchaseAct,droveupthepricein1890and1891.ButPresidentGroverClevelandandotherhard‐moneyRepublicans,fearingadepression,repealedthemeasure.Toolateanothersix‐year“financialstringency”sweptthenation.Oldsilvercampsdeclinedwhilemajorgoldstrikeswerebeingmadealloverthedessert,atHedges(Tumco),Picacho,Randsburg,andMojave.AtIvanpah,thestoreclosedaboutwhensilverreachedalowof58centsannouncein1898.ThepostofficeclosedinApril,1899.33

Nowanotherpioneerdiscoverywasprovingitsworth.TheCopperWorldMinehadbeenreactivatedin1898,becomingthelargestcopperproducerinSouthernCalifornia.AlargesmelterwasbuiltatValley(Rosalie)Wells;afewmilesbelowthemine,inearly1899;theIvanpahpostofficewasmovedtoValleyWellsinAprilanditsnamechangedtoRosalie.

Themineandsmelteremployed85menand140mules.Everyfourdays,teamswouldhaul20tonsofbullionupthe2,000‐footgradeoftheNewYorkMountainstoManvel,30milessoutheast,andreturnwithcoalandsupplies.Themineproduced11,000tonsofrichcopperoreuntillitigationforcedthemine,smelter,andpostofficetocloseinJuly,1900.

SpurredbytheimminentrevivaloftheCopperWorld,theCaliforniaEasternRailwaybuilta16‐mileextensionfromManveldowntothebrushcoveredIvanpahValleyinearly1902.Attheend‐of‐track,afewstoresandotherbuildingsoccupiedby25to30personsmadeupanother“Ivanpah,”calledIvanpahstation,locatedperhapsadozenmilessoutheastofitsoriginalnamesake.AnIvanpahpostofficereopenedatthestationinAugust,1903.

Thestationfailedtolast.Costly,wastefuloperationsforcedtheCopperWorldtocloseafterayearortwo.ArailroadfromSaltLakeCitytoLosAngeles(thepresentUnionPacific)wasbuiltwithinafewmilesofthestationin1904‐1905;otherlineswerebuilttotheboraxandgoldfieldsofDeathValleyandwesternNevada.ThepostofficewasmovedseveralmilestoLeastalk,anewlyestablishedstationatthejunctionoftheSaltLakelineandCaliforniaEastern.TheCopperWorldreopenedin1906,producing487,000poundsofcopperin1907alone,thenclosed.lvanpahstationhadbeennearlydeserted“forsometime”whenitsfourorfivebuildingswereburnedinApril,1908,supposedlybytramps.TheCaliforniaEasternranatrainfromManveluntil1913,finallytearingupthetracksin1921.

ThenWorldWarIboostedmetalprices.TheCopperWorldwasreopenedin1916,alargeblastfurnacewaslaterbuilt,andtheworkforcewasincreasedfromsixto60.Thebullionwas

28


hauledbytractortoCima,astationontheSaltLakerailroad.TheArmisticeinlate1918ledtodecliningprices,andtheCopperWorldagainshutdown.Thiswasthemine'slastmajorrevival.34

Afterafewyears,LeastalkwasrenamedSouthIvanpah,whichwassoonshortenedtoIvanpah.Asiding,home,andclusterboxformailmakeupthesettlement.Notes

1. ColtonSemi·Tropic,March13,1880;SanBernardinoWeeklyIndex,Nov.26,1881,citingmint'sannualreportonproductionofgoldandsilverinU.S.

2. LarryVredenburgh,GaryShumway,andRussellHartill,DesertFever:AnOverviewofMiningintheCaliforniaDesert(CanogaPark,1981),pp96‐109;ThePiuteCompanyofCaliforniaandNevada(SanFrancisco,1870);SanBernardino(Weekly)Guardian,May31,1873.

3. Guardian,June18,1870;RomanMalach,AdventurerJohnMoss(Kingman,1977),p5;PiuteCompany.

4. Guardian,Aug.20,Sept.10,andOct.1,1870.5. Ibid,Sept.30,1871.6. PiuteCompany;Guardian,Aug.5andSept.30,1871.7. Guardian,Ap.26,1873.8. Ibid,Ap.13andOct.19,1872.9. Ibid,May31,Feb.22,Oct.4,andDec.6,1873.10. Ibid,Nov.15,1873,andFeb.21,1874;Vredenburgh,DesertFever,p.113;GeorgeM.Wheeler,

AnnualReportUponTheGeographicalSurveysWestOfTheOneHundredthMeridian...(Washington,D.C.,1876),pp,53‐54.

11. RemiNadeau,City‐Makers:TheStoryofSouthernCalifornia'sFirstBoom,1868‐1876(4thed.;CoronadelMar,1965),valuablebackgroundthroughoutontrade,railroads,andmining;Wheelerreport,pp.53‐54;SanBernardinoWeeklyTimes,Feb.12,1879.

12. SanBernardinoWeeklyArgus,Feb.14,1877;accountsofcamp'sprogresscanbefoundinWeeklyTimes,Aug.24,1878,andFeb.22,1879,andWeeklyIndex,Nov.15,1880.

13. WeeklyTimes,June17,1876.14. WeeklyArgus,Dec.3,1876;Semi‐Tropic,Aug.25,1877.15. Semi‐Tropic,Sept.1,1877;WeeklyTimes,Feb.15andMarch1,1879.16. Semi‐Tropic,Dec.15,1877,andJan.19,1878;WeeklyTimes,Aug.24,1878;Semi·Tropic,

Sept.28,1878,andAp.5,1879.17. Road:Semi·Tropic,Oct.13,1877,Aug.10,1878;WeeklyTimes,Aug.10,1878;tradeand

travel:WeeklyTimes,Ap.27,1878,andAp.5,1879.18. WeeklyTimes,Ap.5andAp.19,1879.19. Semi‐Tropic,Jan.18andOct.26,1878,andMay10,1879;W.N.Frickstad,ACenturyof

CaliforniaPostOffices,1848‐1954(Oakland,1955),pp.51and146,142,153.20. Semi‐Tropic,May10,Nov.8,Nov.15,Nov.22,Dec.6,andDec.20,1879,andJan.21and

Sept.4,1880.21. Ibid,March13andJune5,1880.22. Ibid,March30,1880.3023. WilliamVale,“LogofTriptoIvanpah&RestingSprings”(typewrittencopyofdiary),

CaliforniaRoom,SanBernardinoPublicLibrary.24. Semi‐Tropic,May1andJuly3,1880;WeeklyTimes,July3,1880;Semi‐Tropic,Oct.2,1880;

WeeklyIndex,Oct.8andOct.15,1880.25. Semi·Tropic,May1,1880.

29


26. Valediary;Semi‐Tropic,May1,1880;Censusschedules,SanBernardinoCounty,1880.27. KarlShutka,“‘HumbugBill’Frazeeandthe‘Green‐EyedMonster,’”JournaloftheWest,

October,1962;Semi‐Tropic,Feb.15,1879,andJan.21,1880.28. Semi‐Tropic,Nov.13,1880.29. Vredenburgh,DesertFever,throughout;Semi‐Tropic,June19,188030. RichardLingenfelter,TheHardrockMiners:AHistoryofTheLaborMovementinThe

AmericanWest,1863‐1893(Berkeley,1974),pp.29‐30;LosAngelesDailyHerald,May25,1881,clippingSanBernardino(Daily?)Times;WeeklyIndex,May27,June3,June10,June24,andJuly22,188l.

31. WeeklyIndex,Ap.1,Ap.8andNov.26,1881,andJan.21,1882.32. TheWeeklyIndexandWeeklyTimesfor1881andearly1882chronicletheriseofCalico;

GreatRegister,1879and1886;Mining&ScientificPress(SanFrancisco),Ap.2andSept.17,1887,andDec.13,1890;U.S.CensusReportforCalifornia,1890.

33. FrankWilliamsautobiography(typewrittencopy),FrankWilliamsCollection,SpecialCollections,University"ofNevada,LasVegas;profileofAndrewMcFarlanebyFredHolladayin“TheSilverKing,”Odyssey,March,1979,andofWilliamMcFarlaneinJ.M.Guinn,AHistoryofCalifornia...(LosAngeles,1907),II,1531;Vredenburgh,DesertFever,throughout;Frickstad,p.142.

34. Vredenburgh,DesertFever,pp.107‐109;Frickstad,p.142;LewisAubury,TheCopperResourcesofCalifornia,Cal.StateMin.Bur.Bulletin23(SanFrancisco,April,1902),p.254;DavidMyrick,RailroadsofNevadaandEasternCalifornia(Berkeley,1963),II,844·848;HoraceStevens,comp.,TheCopperHandbook...(Houghton,Mich.,1903),III,282;D.F.Hewett,GeologyandMineralResourcesoftheIvanpahQuadrangle...,U.S.GeologicalSurveyProf.Paper275(Washington,D.C.,1956),pp.136‐138;Searchlight(Nevada)Bulletin,Ap.10,1908.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Iamgratefultomyfather,MorrisHensher,FredHolladay,ArdaHaenszel,andLarryVredenburghfortheirencouragementandhelp.‐"AlanHensher.SOURCES

ThehistoryofIvanpahhadtobepiecedtogetherfromavarietyofsources,especiallybadlybrokenfilesofnewspapers:theSanBernardinoGuardian(weekly),theArgus(weeklyanddaily),ValleyIndex(weeklyanddaily),andColtonSemi‐Tropic(weekly),1870‐1881.Inexplicably,theMining&ScientificPresspublishedonlyoccasionalitems..

Thoughmorespeculativethaninformative,astock‐promotionbooklet,ThePiuteCompanyofCaliforniaandNevada(SanFrancisco,1870),containsbeautifullithographsoftheClarkMountaindistrict.

Avarietyofvisitorsmadeimportantobservations:“JottingsbytheWayEnRoutetoIvanpah,ClarkDistrict,”SanBernardinoGuardian,Sept.30,1871;FrederickDellenbaugh'sdiary,“RecordofaSketchingTourtoN.Arizona&S.Utah,1875‐1876”(originalheldbytheArizonaHistoricalSociety);GeorgeM.Wheeler'sAnnualReportUpontheGeographicalSurveysWestoftheOneHundredthMeridian(Washington,1876),pp,53‐54;WilliamVale'sdiary,“LogofTriptoIvanpah&RestingSprings”(typescriptcopyinCaliforniaRoom,SanBernardinoPublicLibrary);Frank

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William’sautobiography(typescriptcopyinDepartmentofSpecialCollections,UniversityofNevada,LasVegas).

ThreeoftheMcFarlanebrothersareseparatelyprofiled:IllustratedHistoryofSouthernCalifornia(Chicago,1890);J.M.Guinn,AHistoryofCalifornia...(LosAngeles,1907),II;andFredHolladayinOdyssey(CityofSanBernardinoHistoricalSociety,bulletin),March,1979.Moss’searlyyearsaretoucheduponinRomanMalach,AdventurerJohnnyMoss...(Kingman,1977).

KarlShutkagatheredthescantinformationonIvanpah'snewspaperanditsfoundersintwoarticlespublishedinJournaloftheWest(LosAngeles):“‘HumbugBill’Frazeeandthe‘Green‐EyedMonster,’”October,1962(v.1),pp,215‐218,and“‘HumbugBill’Frazee:His‘CanteenFish’andOtherTallTales,”July,1964(v.3),pp.369‐374.

D.F.Hewett,afederalgeologist,visitedtheminesduringthe1920's,whenonepioneerremained:GeologyandMineralResourcesoftheIvanpahQuadrangle,CaliforniaandNevada(UnitedStatesGeologicalSurvey,ProfessionalPaper275,1956).VredenburghthoroughlyresearchedthehistoryoftheClarkandadjacentdistrictsinDesertFever(citedearlier).TherevivaloftheCopperWorldarousedconsiderableinterest,asrecordedintheRedlandsCitrograph,1898‐1899;HoraceStevens,comp.,TheCopperHandbook...(Houghton,Mich.,1902),III;andintworeportsbyLewisAubury,bothentitledTheCopperResourcesofCalifornia(CaliforniaStateMiningBureau,Bulletin23,1902,andBulletin50,1908).

ThebrieflifeofIvanpahStation(I)istoldinDavidMyrick'sRailroadsofNevadaandEasternCalifornia,II(citedearlier),andtheNeedlesEyeandtheSearchlightBulletin,April,1908.

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WATERMAN,CALICO,BISMARCK

OroGrandeandWaterman

CALICOWASASILVERDEPOSITwaitingtobediscovered.FairroadsledfromSanBernardinoacrosstheMojaveDesert‐‐towardNevada,Utah,andArizona.Ranchesandsupplystationsdottedtheseroadslikethemotelsandservicestationsofalaterera.Nearlyeveryone,itseemed,prospectedontheside,fromsheriffstosurgeons.Bythelate1870's,muchofthedesertwasstakedoutinminingclaims.

Twoareasinparticularluredprospectorsintothedesert:OroGrande,ontheMojaveRiver,about45milesnorthofSanBernardino,andtheGrapevinedistrict,nearthelatersiteofBarstow.

OroGrandewastheresultofrediscoveriesofsilverandgoldoreinmid1880.Aminingdistrictwasorganized,atownsitelaidout,andapostofficenamedHalleckestablished,inJanuary,1881.OroGrandepresented“averypicturesqueappearance”toavisitorinApril.“...Onedrivingintotownatduskwillseetheminersreturningfromwork,whilethecampfiresareburningandsupperisbeingprepared....”Ageneralstore,twobutchershops,ahotel,alodginghouse,severalsmallhomes,acompanyofficeandassayoffice,anda10‐stamp,waterpoweredmillloominginthebackground“combinetogivethetowntheappearanceofabusyminingcamp.”

(SeveralMilwaukeecapitalists,whowouldfigureprominentlyatCalico,boughttheminesandmillinlate1881andformedtheOroGrandeMiningCompany.Thoughminingquicklyfaded,OroGrandesurvivedasanimportantfarming,railroad,andmillingcenter.ThepostofficewasrenamedOroGrandein1925.)

MOREIMMEDIATEwastherevivaloftheGeorgeG.LeeclaimsintheGrapevinedistrict.LeehadfoundwhathethoughtwasmercuryorefourmilesnorthofwhatisnowBarstowbutdiedin1879.RobertW.Waterman,aleadingfarmerintheSanBernardinoValley(andafuturegovernor)andgeologistJohnL.PortervisitedtheLeepropertyinmid‐1880.InDecember,theyfoundsilverinsamplestakenfromtheclaims,stakedtheareaoutforthemselves,andplannedamillingcamponahilloverlookingtheMojaveRiver.

Operationsbeganalmostatonce.“Doc”GeorgeYager,oneofthediscoverersoftheSilverKingMineatCalico,sawsacksoforeworthupto$3,000atoninsilverawaitingshipmenttoSanFrancisco.Duringthespringandsummer,WatermanandPorterboughtmachineryforamillandclearedamillsitewith15Indians.Theore,meanwhile,washauledoutbywagonforeventualmillinginSanFrancisco.ThesettlementthatwasbuiltincludedageneralstorerunbyE.J.Millerandageneralstore,hotel,and10‐stampmilloperatedbyWatermanandPorter.WatermanpostofficewasestablishedinOctober,1881,thoughthematerialfortheofficeandthepostmaster'scommission(forsonWaldo)failedtoarriveuntilNovember,whenthemillstartedup.Themillwassoonrunningdayandnight,processing18tonsoforeaday.

WatermanandPortermade“noloudcryabouttheirsuccess,”givingscantdetailsabouttheiroperations.ButtheheavybarsofsilverpassingthroughtheexpressofficeinSanBernardinomadequiteastir.Alargecrewwasworking'atthemine(January,1882)onorethatassayedupto$1,100aton.Inlessthanayear,theWatermanhadbecometheleadingsilvermineinSanBernardinoCounty.ThediscoveriesatCalico,lessthan10milesaway,sooneclipsednewsfromtheWaterman.Perhapsstimulatedbythearrivalofasecondrailroadin1885,aschoolwasbuiltat

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themillingcamp,infrontofthemill.ThisbecamethenucleusoftheBarstowschooldistrict.Themineproduced$1,611,429fromMay,1881,tomid‐March,1887.Atthemill,thepostofficeclosedafewweekslater,inApril.Thebuildingsatthecampremainedstandingforseveralyears.

TheDiscoveryoftheCalicoMines

CONSIDERINGTHESUCCESSoftheWatermanandPorteroperations,furtherstrikesintheregionseemedassured.PartiesofSanBernardinoresidentswentoutontothedesertalmostdaily,reportingtheirlucktoaneagerpressinColtonandSanBernardino.

Lessthan10milesnortheastofGrapevineStationroseamulticoloredmountainresemblinga“greatmassofburntvolcanicrock”whosesteep,ruggedsidesandsummit“arecoveredwithbroken,sharpstones.Inthecanyonthewallsrisealmostperpendicularandinmanyplacestheformationistwistedanddistortedasthoughithadatsometimebeeningreatagony....”That'showonepioneervisitordescribedCalicoMountain,alreadyknownbythatname.

Thefirstpersonstofileclaimsinthedistrict,inlateMarch,1881,wereM.LawrenceandHieronymousHartman.(HartmanandhiswifebecameprominentbusinessownersinCalico.)

ButofgreaterimportancewasthediscoveryoftheSilverKingclaimtwoweekslater,inearlyApril.ThediscovererswereagroupofSanBernardinoresidentsstirredbynewsreportsoftheWatermanandPorterclaims:youngFrankMecham,asonofLafayetteMecham,formeroperatorofFishPondsStation,ontheMojaveRiver;GeorgeYager,Mecham'suncle;andTomWardenandHuesThomas,sheriff'sdeputies.GrubstakingthemwereSheriffJohnC.KingandEllisMiller,theownerofGrapevineStationandranch.

TheCamp

ASETTLEMENTGREWUPonamesa‐likeridgeatthefootofWallStreetCanyon.Mostofthebusinessesflankedasingle,twistingstreet.Calicoexperiencedlittlegrowthatfirst.ThetownsitecontainednotonebuildingonJuly4,andWallStreetCanyoncontainedonlyacabin.Onlytwomenlivedinthedistrict.

NotuntilSamJames,afewdayslater,startedworkontheSilverKingMinedidthedistrictexperiencemuchactivity.Asthesummerof1881endedSheriffJ.C.Kingleasedthemine;theoreassayed$100to$2,000aton.Withinweeks,prospectorswereswarmingovertheregion,asaLosAngelesdailyreported:“...Noticesandmonumentsareplentifuleverywhere,andthenumberoflocationsmadeinallpartsofthedistrictareinnumerable,itappearingthatpartieshavelocatedeverythingthathasanyappearanceorresemblanceofaledge,waitingtoseewhatthefuturemaybringforth....Prospectingpartiesarebranchingoutinalldirections,north,south,eastandwest,prospectingineveryrangethatcanbereached,”limitedonlybytheirabilitytobringtheirownwater.

Meanwhile,Calico'sbusinessdistricthadcometoencompassthreestores,ahayyard,andanassayoffice.Townlotsweregoingfor“reasonableprices.”TenmenwereworkingattheSilverKingfor$4aday.Mrs.HieronymousHartman,thecamp'sfirstwoman,arrivedtoopenaboardinghouse.“...WallStreetbooming.Nobanksyet,”quippedonecorrespondent.

Promisingstrikesweremadeallthroughthefallandwinterof1881,butliferemaineddull.Residentswatchedfor“capitalists,andwaiting(likeMicawber)forsomethingtoturnup....”Thecamp

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wassoquietthatthesightingofamountainlion[!]becametheexcuseforahunt.Astheholidaysapproached,Hartmanbegan“agitatingthequestionofagrandChristmasdinner;butastheturkeyandchickenshavenotputinanappearancethereseemstobeapoorshowingforanythingbetterthantheregularbeansandbacon....”Sincemailwas“ratherirregular,”stagedriverAaronHarrisonofferedtobringmailforanyoneonhisweeklytripsfromSanBernardino,“sowewill,hereafter,beabletogetnewsfromthe‘inside’atleastsemi‐occasionally.”(“Inside”referredtosuchareasasSanBernardinoandLosAngeles.)

Thelackofarailroad,gales,andrecordsnowstormsthatblockedmosttravelfromSanBernardinofailedtodauntthepioneers.Afterall,sevenoreightmenwereworkingattheBurningMoscowMine,lumberwasonhandtoputupseveralbuildings,andthecampnowsupportedablacksmithshop,threestores,allsaidtobe“doingaverygoodbusiness,”Barber'sassayoffice,agoodlodginghouseanda“goodboardinghouse”keptbyMrs.Hartman,whowas“preparedtogiveagoodmealatalltimes,”andevenashootinggallery.Abovecamp,the“SilverKingboyshavethemaverycomfortablehouse.”

As1881turnedinto1882,thepressknewtherewas“nodangeroftheexcitementatCalicodyingout.”SheriffKingcalledupontheeditoroftheSanBernardinoIndex,“beamingwithsmilesandhavingmorerocksinhispocketthanusual.”AndaCaptainCovingtonlefttheeditor“twoveryfinespecimens”ofsilverore.“...WeesteemtheCaptain...andwishhimallsort[?]ofgoodluck...‐‐hedeserveseverybitofit.”

ThewretchedweathercontinuedthroughJanuary(1882).ButemploymentattheKinghadrisento10.“Judgingfromthenumberofboxesofminers'candlesunloading”atastoreinSanBernardino,theIndexconcludedthat“theremustbeagooddealofundergroundworkgoingoninourmines.”Buttheisolationcouldstillmakethedistrict'sresidentsanxious.TheSouthernPacificRailroadbeganbuildinganextensionfromMojaveStationtoNeedles,ontheColoradoRiver,inFebruary.YetmailforCalicowasstillbeingdeliveredalongaroundaboutrouteofseveralhundredmiles,throughRogersStationandIvanpah.Onecorrespondentfumedthatletters“aregenerallyamontholdwhenwegetthem;yettheypasswithintwomilesofcampbutaresecurelylockedinthemailsack.Wehavethemostpopulouscamponthedesert,yetcan'tgetaPostoffice,andsomeoftheboysindulgeincusswordswhentheyfindtheirmailwornoutintravelingbackandforthinsightofcamp....”

Otherproblemsplaguedthedistrict.Becauseofthecamp'sremoteness,thecostoffreightingwashigh‐‐$25atonfromSanBernardino‐‐andthemineswerestillnotproducingore.

Partofthecostoffreightingcouldbeattributedtothelackofnaturalresources.TheCalicoregionsupportedlittlegame,littleofthelandcouldbecultivated,andtheweatherunderwent“unpleasantextremes.”Asforfuel,thegreasewood(creosote)andcottonwoodsalongtheMojaveRiverweresparse.TheriverwassolowinMarchthatityieldedonly“steam.”TheveteranminerS.D.Bladeconcludedthatnothingcould“liveontheseplainswithouthaulinggrub,exceptlandturtlesorlizardsoranoccasionaljackrabbit....”

TheTown

THESEDRAWBACKSmusthavedismayedthefaithful.ForbyearlyMarch,thecountryhadbecome“alivewithprospectors,whogooutonthedesertwastesandsandplainstoprospect,with

34


buggiesandbuckboardsandtwo‐horsewagonstohaulgrubandwater....”Fiftyto100personslivedintown.E.Sommers,inthemeantime,wasshippinginlumber,fivetonsofmachinery,andasmokestacktobuildafive‐stampmill.Theminerswould“hailwithjoythespeedycompletionofthemill.”

Thebusinessdistrictwasworthyofanewtown.FifteenbuildingslinedthemainstreetinlateApril;theyincludedthreesaloons,twostores,twoeatingandlodginghouses,andahayyard.Witheightfamiliespresent,lumberwasreadyfortheconstructionofaschoolandbutchershop.Apostoffice,atlonglast,wasestablishedinlateMay,thoughabuildingapparentlywasnotreadyforservicerightaway.Then,inJune,aprintingplantwasreportedonitswayfromLosAngelestopublishapaper“undertheeuphoniousnameofCalicoPrint.”Astagenowbeganmaking62‐hourdirecttripsfromLosAngeles;thefarewas$10.Onewriterobserved18“heavilyladen”teamsboundforthetownonasingleday.Assummerbegan,Calicoembraced20buildingsandmanytents;atFishPondsStation,twopartnersweremakingadobebricks,formudhousesatCalico“willmakecoolandpleasantresorts....”Ahotelwasnowrising,andasaloonandanotherhotelwereplanned.

Theboomshowedtwofaces:therawnessofaminingcamp,thevigorofaminingdistrict.

ThegenteelMrs.Harwood,forexample,calledthedistrictoneofthemost“cheerless,desolate,uninviting”placesshehadseen.Theareawascrowdedwithaboutadozenwomenand300men,manyofwhomsleptintents,afewunderthestars,andothersunderoverhangingrocks‐‐anythingtoshelterthemselvesfromthefuriouswindsaridscorchingsun.Yetonly70menworkedinthemines,and30othersworkedtheirownclaims.

CalicoresembledTombstone,Arizona,orBodie,California,tosuither.“....NightsandSundaysthestreetsarethrongedwithmen,whoareofallgradesofintelligence,andallqualitiesofcharacter;someinpointofdecencybeingbelowthebrutes.Theyrunriotintheirlusts,andalreadysomeofthemostdisgracefulandaudaciousproceedingshaveshockedthesensibilitiesofrespectablemenandwomen....”

Trueenough.ButCalicohadcomealongwaysincethepreviousJuly(1881),asthePrintpointedout:“....Ifoneyearhasmadesodecidedachange,whatmaywenotexpectduringthenext12months?Frompresentappearanceswehazardtheopinionthatereanotheryearshallhaverolledaroundourlittlewoodenvillagewillhavegivenplacetoanactive,butbustlingminingtown,secondtononeinthisoranyotherStateorTerritory.Surelytherichnessandnumberofminesdemandit.”

ThePrintwasabitpremature.Summerbroughtintenseheat,asusual,andanepidemic.Thefoundersofthenewspapersrefusedtoleave.AndbyearlySeptember,thediseasehadrunitscourse,theweatherwaspleasant,andtravelwasagainincreasing,for“itislikelythatforsomemonthstocometherewillbeatremendoustidesettingthisway....”E.E.VincentoneofthePrint'sfounders,fannedtheboomwhenheshowedaLosAngeleseditorspecimens“sorichinsilverandsofreefromgritorothersubstancesthattheycanbewhittledwithaknifewithoutdamagingtheedge....(Theeditorwasreferringtosilverchloride,or“hornsilver,”whichhastheconsistencyofhardcheese.)Againthemineswereinoperation;againthetownwas“alivewithbusiness.”

WhenyoungHermanMellen,then15,arrivedwithhisfatherinlateSeptembertobuildmineworks,Calico,halfbuildings,halftents,made“quiteashowing.”Inarestaurant,thetalk“soundedasifatleasthalfthedinerswerewealthymentowhomafewthousandsofdollarswereamere

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bagatelle.Whileweate,millsandroadswereplanned,railroadslaidoutandnewcampsstartedasthoughsuchthingsweremereincidentsoftheday'swork....”

Thetownstillremainedfairlysmall,withperhaps300residents.Yetitsupportedaflourishingbusinessdistrict.AmongthebusinessesinOctoberwerethreehotels,anewpostoffice(partofastore),thenewspaper,atleastfourgroceryandgeneralstores,aliquor‐cigarstore,ameatmarket,asaloonortwo,threerestaurantsorboardinghouses,awoodandwaterdealership,besidesalawyer,notary,shoemaker,barber.

AreporterforthePrintwasproudofwhathesaw.LiningMainStreet(October)werethreehotelsandsevencottagesorothercomfortablehomes;theoccupantsranassayingofficesoutoftheirhouses.NearthelowerendofthestreetstoodtheCalicoHotelandarestaurantcalledTheThreeGraces‐‐itwasmorelikeaboardinghouse‐‐whichwasrunbythreewomen,includingthewifeofmerchantJosephM.Miller.Thetrioalsosoldbreadandpies.FartherupwasthenotoriousHyenaHouse.TheHyenaHousewasnoordinaryhostelry.Itwasbuiltinthehollowofalargerock.Theoutsidewascasedwithbarrelstaves,anditsroomswereholestherock.ItflewanAmericanflag“andharborsuntamablepatriots,includingtheunterrifiedDickHooper,whowasneverdefeatedinanargument,fromthediscussionoftheDarwiniantheorytothatofthelateOhioelection....”NeartheheadofMainStreetstoodthePioneerHotel,thefirstinCalico.Itwassaidtohavethebestlocationandofferthebestaccommodations.

Awidevarietyofretailersadvertisedgoodsandservices.ThePioneerGroceryStore,inthepostofficebuilding,offeredgroceries,miners'supplies,andmedicine.E.J.Miller'sPioneerMarketsoldfreshbeef,hams,andbacon.J.M.Miller,whoreceivedweeklyshipmentsfromSanFrancisco,offeredfinewines,liquors,andcigars,besidesfreshMilwaukeebeer.AlfredJames,anothermerchant,soldKernRiverflourandHerculesgiantpowder(dynamite),whichhestoredinapowdermagazinebuild“atconsiderableexpense.”AdjoiningtheJamesstorewasthetentstoreoftheJ.A.Kincaid&Company.Therearofthetent,22x44feet,wasoccupiedbythemanager'sfamily;thefrontwasfilledwithshelvesandcountersholdingtheusualgroceriesandminingsupplies.NowonderyoungMellenconsideredthepricesforfoodreasonable.G.D.Blasdel,acapitalistandfriendoftheMellens,rantheGlobeChopHouse,whereJohnDoylekepthisbarberchair.MichaelRedmanrepairedbootsandshoes.

Butwaterwasexpensive,aboutfiveto10centsagallon.Evans&Phelpssupplied“freshwateratreducedprices”fromwellstwomileseastoftown,nearthedrylake.Evenwithcarefuluse,Mellenrecalled,onepersoncoulduseonedollar'sworthinadayortwo.

CalicowascivilizingrapidlywhentheMellensarrived.TheReverendCharlesShillingconductedthefirstChristianserviceinlateOctoberattheJamesstore.Theaudience,numbering15to20men,fivewomen,andseveralchildren,listenedattentivelytothe“eloquentdivine,”whosawthemeetingasthestartof“anewerainthehistoryofCalico.”Moredowntoearth,politicsoccupiedtheattentionofmany,PostmasterW.L.G.Soulewasrunningforjusticeofthepeace;JohnOvershiner,publisherofthePrint,wasrunningforconstable.(Helost.)

EducationalsooccupiedOvershiner'sattention.When20childrenwerefoundtobelivingintown(October),thepaperdemandedaschool.Afteracensusfound93childrenofschoolage,probablyinearly1883,thecountysupervisorsestablishedtheCalicoSchoolDistrict.Instructionbeganfor58pupilsinasmallbuildinglackingfurniture,atleastatfirst.Still,itwasastart.Overshinerlaterservedontheschoolboard.

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Calicoinfactcouldbeafairlyhomey,family‐orientedcommunity.WhenChristmasof1882approached,ayoungstoreclerkasked.afriendoftheMellenstocookalargeturkeyhisparentswouldbesendinghim.Shecouldinviteasmanyfriendsasshewished.Buttheturkeyspentaweekintransitandtheweatherwaswarm.Notwantingtohurttheyouth’sfeelings,shecommandeeredallthecannedturkeyofftheshelvesofherhusband'sstore.Theturkeywasdelicious.Nobody,certainlynottheyouth,wonderedhowonebirdcouldhave12drumsticks.

ButtheseasononlybroughtmiserytoHermanMellen.Thewinterandspringof1883wereunusuallycoldandcruel.Flusweptthecamp;drugsranout;manyresidentsdied.Hislungsnearlyuseless,Mellencoughedandstrangledforendlessdays.TotherescuecameMrs.AnnieKlineTownsend(MellenmistakenlyrememberedherasMrs.BelleMurdock),awomanprospectorandmineownerwhosecabinstoodnexttotheirtent.Shesentoveracoughsyrupmadeofsalt,vinegar,butter,onionjuice,andhoney.Itworkedlikeacharm.ItwassopotentthatamisdirectedsquirtofitonceetchedthebarrelofashotgunownedbytheelderMellen.

Exceptforthisnewepidemic,Calicowas“fairlystartedontheroadtoprosperity,”declaredtheColtonSemi‐Tropicatthestartof1883.Miningwasincreasing,roadswereunderconstruction,amill‐‐theOriental‐‐wasalmostreadytorun,arailroadhadjustbeencompletedneartheMojaveRiverandadepoterected,buildingshadbeenenlargedandotherswereplanned,storesweregettingstock,travelwasincreasing,thehotelsandlodginghouseswere“doingagoodbusiness;andinshort,allthevariousbusinessenterprisesinthisvicinityaregraduallygrowinginimportance,andwemaysafelypredictthatbeforemanymonthstheminingoperationherewillbeextensive,andwillsupportalargeandflourishingtown.”

Indeed,thefrontierdaysweregettingtobeathingofthepast:governmentwaswellrepresentedonseverallevels.TheCalicoareawasaminingdistrict,schooldistrict,votingprecinct,andacourttownship.Asacourttownship,Calicowasentitledtoelectatleastonejusticeofthepeaceandconstable.Amonggovernmentofficials'weretheconstableandjusticeofthepeace,whocoulddoubleascoroner'sdeputyorschool‐censusmarshal,perhapsadeputysheriff,electionworkers,aminingdistrictrecorderanddeputy,apostmaster,adeputyU.S.mineralsurveyor,school‐boardmembers,andateacherortwo.Thechiefofficialsinacamptendedtobethepostmaster,justiceofthepeace,constable,andsecretary(administrator)oftheschoolboard.

Roads&Rails

THELOGISTICSforsupplyingevenasmallcamplikeCalicowerefairlyelaborate.Tworoutespassednearthedistrict:theoldwagonroadfromSanBernardinoandaSouthernPacific.RailroadlinebeingextendedfromMojaveStationtoNeedles;thelineopenedupCalicotothebusinessofLosAngeles,Bakersfield,andSanFrancisco.

Thewagonroad,whichwasoffairquality,waslinedwithsupplystations.Rogers,nearthelatersiteofVictorville,evensupportedapostoffice(Desert),oneofthefewintheMojave.NearthefuturesiteofBarstowwasGrapeVineStation,whereE.J.Millersoldminingsuppliesandgeneralmerchandise.FishPonds,ontheMojaveRiver,betweenthelaterfuturetownsofDaggettandBarstow,wasfranklyadelight.Theriverbottomwascoveredwithcottonwoodandmesquitetrees.Sloughsintheriverwerefilledwithsmallfishandwildducksinseason.

Travelovertheroadcouldbeheavy.AaronHarrisonwasrunningexpressandpassengerstagesfromSanBernardinotwiceaweekinlate1882;theymadethetripinadayandahalf.And

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theKingMinewouldhaulinallsupplies,feed,andhayfromSanBernardinoandsendout20tonsoforeadaytoamillatOroGrande.Thisimmensefreightingenterpriseemployed17menand130mules.

Consideringtheheavyamountoftraffic,theSouthernPacificlinearrivednonetoosoon.TheextensionwascompletedpastWaterman'sStationbyOctober.AndanagentoftherailroadbeganinterviewingCalico'sresidentsaboutthesiteofaproposeddepot.ThecomingofrailroadserviceelatedCalico'scitizens;they“hadthehonorofattendingaball”atWaterman's.Theballoffered“excellentmusicandafinecollation.Allenjoyedthemselvesinthemazydance;wewishwehadbeenthere,”wroteaneditorofthePrint.Thecitizenswouldnotbedisappointed:inNovember,trainsbeganrunningtothenewdepot,CalicoStation,ontheMojaveRiver,aboutsixorsevenmilesfromtheminingcamp.(CalicoStationwouldberenamedDaggettinearly1883;Waterman'sbecamethenucleusofBarstow.)

TheconstructionoftheSouthernPacificlineredirectedCalico'stradeforawhile,awayfromSanBernardino.Evenbeforetheline'scompletion,J.M.MillerwasbringingingoodsforhisstorefromSanFrancisco,aSanFranciscodealerwasofferingtobuyare,theJamesstorewassellingKernRiverflour,andtwoBakersfieldbusinesses,includingabank,wereadvertisinginthePrint.

RuggedIndividualists

DURINGHISTWO‐AND‐A‐HALFYEARSinCalico,youngMellenlearnedhowmuchhopefulmen,“withnoothercapitalthanstronghandsandthewilltodo,”coulddo.

Thelargestgroupoftheseindividualistswas“chloriders”or“tributers,”independentminerswholeasedthemanyclaimswithinfivemilesoftown.Theypaidfortheirownsupplies,sacking,hauling,andmillingandpaidthemineownersaroyaltyofaboutone‐fifththevalueoftheore.(Perhapsbecausesomanyminerslivedattheoutlyingproperties,thepopulationofCalicomadeuponlyasmallpartofthedistrict'spopulation.)

Twoofthedistrict'smaverickswerewomen.Onewasthe“ladyassayer,”Mrs.C.H.Cooke,thewifeofanassayer.AsMrs.Harwoodfound,Mrs.Cookehad“spentthegreaterportionofherlifeinthemines,andfeelsmostathomeamongthepreciousmetals....”EvenbetterknownwasMrs.AnnieKlineTownsend.Thoughwell‐educatedandraisedinluxuryinMississippi,Mrs.Townsendsupportedaneight‐year‐olddaughterbyprospecting;shesometimestraveledupto25milesaday.ShehadtobeginworkatCalicounderanassumedname‐‐perhapsthisiswhyMellencalledherBelleMurdock?‐‐for“shehasbeencensuredandcriticizedbynumbersofweak,dependent,effeminatecreatures,whocouldcompeleverywomantoconductthemselvesaccordingtotheirideasofpropriety....”Mrs.HarwoodconsideredMrs.Townsend“asuperiorwoman,whoseexampleisworthyofemulation.”

Mrs.Townsendwasalsoconsideredagoodminer,asareporterforthePrintlearnedwhilestrollingamongthemines,includingherGolcondainSeptember,1883:“....WhileenjoyingthehospitalityofMrs.TownsendinherneatandcomfortablecabininDeepcanyon,wewereshownanoresackfullofbeautifulspecimensfromtheGolconda,someofwhichcontainbrightparticlesofwiresilver.Mrs.Townsendcarefullyassortsallherownoreandhasbecomequiteapracticalexpertinminingbusiness.”

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TheCalicoPrint

Calico'snewspaper,thePrint,wasalmostasresponsibleastheminesforputtingthedistrictonthemap.ThechieffounderwasJohnG.Overshiner,31,anitinerantprinter.Overshinerwaswellprepared,arrivingwithtwotypesetters,twopressman,andajobprinternamedE.E.Vincent,hispartner.TheplantincludedtypeandaWashingtonhandpress.Becausethetypearrived“pied,”ormixedup,thefirstissuetotaledtwosmallpagesand,thoughdatedJuly8,appearedfourdayslate.Thepaperthengrewtofourpages,24x36inches.ThenamewasdisplayedinboldletterswithareproductionofthesealofCaliforniainsertedbetweenthetwowords.Thefirstpagewasdevotedtoadvertisements,boilerplatefeatures,andpoetrythesecondpagegivenovertostateandlocalnews,thethirddevotedtolocalnews,andthefourthtoads.One‐yearsubscriptionscost$4.

Overshiner'seditorialwasamodelofclarityandhumor:“....Apprehensivethatthecasualobserveroftheheadingofthissheetmightthinkthatitwasapieceofcommonfabricsoldatfourteenyardsforadollar....‐‐wesimplysay,‘ThisisaNewspaper.’Itisnotanorgan.Itwillnotbeusedtogrindoutsomefavoritetuneorhobby....Weshallendeavortofurnishoursubscribersapaperthattheywillbeproudof,andtakepleasureinsendingtodistantfriends...Wewillassureyouitscolorswillneverfadesolongaswereceiveageneroussupplyofthe‘color’thatisbeingdailytakeninabundancefromsomeofthemanyrichminesofthedistrict.”

Duringthenextfiveyears,thePrintwouldserveasthecommunitynewspaperoftheMojaveDesert,faithfullyreportingthenewsofIvanpah,Mescal,Providence,andotherdistricts.Forreasonsthatarenotclear,OvershinermovedthePrintseveraltimesbetweenCalicoandDaggett.ThepublicationdaywasalsomovedtoSunday.

BismarckCamp

CALICOGAVERISEtoanimportantsatellitesettlement:BismarckCamp.ThecampwasacreatureoftheBismarckMineandwaslocatedinanareadubbedEastCalico.DespitetheheatofAugust,1884,about250menweresaidtobeworkingaroundthemine,where“somewhereinOrientalcanyonweexpectatowntospringupthatwillviewithCalico....”Themineitselfwasemploying20menandsendingout10tonsoforedailytoHawley'smill.

About100menwereemployedatthecampinDecember,for“quiteavillage”wasinfact·springingup.Thesettlement's25buildingsincludedtwogoodhotels,astore“doingaprofitablebusiness,”andasaloon“underconstruction.”

Mines&Mills

AFTERLATE1882,thehistoryofthetownbecomessketchy:onlyafewissuesoftheCalico,Colton,andSanBernardinonewspapersexist,andothersourcesprovidelittleinformation.

Butotherpublications,wellpreserved,givedetailedaccountsofthegrowthofminingandmillinginthedistrict.

Allduringthefallof1882,asSouthernPacificconstructioncrewsnearedthedistrict,capitalistswerebuildinguptheirproperties.Awaitingtherailroadandorebuyers,onemine

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stockpiledoreworthupto$125aton.TheBismarckpackeditsoretotownonburrosforshipmenttoOroGrande.InEastCalico,adozenmenwerebuildingaroadupthecanyontotheOrientalandOccidental.AttheKing(December,1882),theMellensandtheircrewcompletedanenormoustramwaytrestlejuttingfromthehillsideandfinishedalongchutethatcarriedoretohugebins.WhentheMellensfinallydumpedsomeoredownthechute,“wehadeveryman,womanandchildoutinthestreetlookingupatthemountain.Afteramomentofsilence,theysalutedintrueAmericanfashion,withamightycheer.”

Throughoutearly1883,roads,tramways,chutes,andmillsweregoingupeverywhere.AboilerandenginewereinplaceatthesiteoftheOrientalmill,neartheriver.Thelaborforceswerestillfairlysmall,aboutfourto16,butthedistrictaboundedinsmallmines. Yetseveralofthesecompanieswouldbuildsubstantialworks.TheMammoth(May,1883)hada600‐foottramwayandacartrackrunningtoa200‐lionorebin;theSilverOdessa,meanwhile,hadagood,comfortablebunkhouseandboardinghouse.Underconstructionwerearoad,orebins,andturntable.AsthePrintreported,all“theboysinthecampareatwork....Thereisworkforallherethatwillwork,andwehavenouseforbums.”WorkwasadvancingsorapidlythatbyMay,the“roaroftheorecarsascendinganddescendingthechute,andtheloudreportsofblastscanbeheardatthemineatallhoursoftheday”asseveralcompaniesblastedawaybluffs.

TheSilverKingMinewasindeedmonarchofthedistrict.Onereporterpredictedthatitsoutputwould“eventuallyplaceitforemostamongthegreatminesonthePacificcoast....”TheKingwassendingout20tonsoforetoOroGrandedaily.Despite115‐degreeheatinJuly,1883,theworkforcerosefrom40to55inonlyafewweeks.TheOroGrandemillwasturningout$50,000inbullionamonth;the100thbarwascarefullypackedupandsenttoMilwaukee,thehomeofthelargestgroupofinvestors.Inearly1884,HuesThomasandJohnC.KingbroughttoSanBernardino18“immense”barsworth$31,570‐‐theresultofa14‐dayrunofthemill.TheIndexbraggedthatcitizenscouldview“thisimmensedepositofsilverbullion,”thelargestshipmentofbullionsentfromSouthernCalifornia,attheexpressoffice.Bymid‐February,theKing'sshaftwasdown600feet. Bynow,early1884,about300minersandchloriderswereatwork.

Thoughtheplantsweresmall,processingorewasasbiganactivityasmining.In1883,Hawley'smill,eightmilesfromtown,hadshippedout$300,000inbulliontoSanFrancisco,andtheOrientalmillhadsentout$200,000insilver.In10months,theOroGrandemillhadturnedout$400,000inbullionfromtheKingalone.

Noteventheburningofthebusinesssectionhinderedthedistrict'sadvance.ForasthePrintobserved,“thebusinessmenhadthefullestconfidenceinthestabilityofthecamp.Evenwhentheirbusinessplaceswereinashestheirconfidencedidnotslack,”andtheyrebuiltcompletely.“...Thetownisnowlookingsubstantial,livelyandprosperous....Calico'scolorsarenotthekindthateasilyfade.”Infact,familieswerepouringintothedistrict.

ThePrintwasevertheoptimist.ItmusthaveexpressedthefeelingsofmanyinMay,1884,whenitdeclaredthatatnotime“hasthecampappearedaslivelyasatthepresenttime.Alltheprincipalminesarelookingwellandworkingtheirfullcomplementofmen,whilethechloridingelementisdoingawonderfulworkinthedevelopmentofpropertythatayearagowasconsideredrelativelyworthless.Byslowdegreesourprospectorsarebeginningtorealizethateverysquareyardofgroundwithinthemineralbeltmustbeinspected....”

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Technologywasnowbeginningtospurtheboom.Theconstructionofseveralsmallmillsand

therailroadhadbeenastart.WhentheDaggettSamplingWorksstartedupinJune,1884,withgoodresults,thePrintpointedoutthattheDaggett‐Calicoareawasbecominganimportantbusinesscenter.“....Ourmerchantsandbusinessmenshouldawakentothesituationandbepreparedtomeetthedemandsofthetradethatwillbecenteredherefor150milesaround.Abankshouldbestartedhereatonce,forabusinessof$100,000monthlyrequiresit.Thesearesolidfacts,assolidastheponderoussilverbarsthataredailydumpedintoourExpressoffice.”

TheKingwasinthevanguardofmakingimprovements.ItconsideredaplantolayapipelinefromCalicodrylaketoareservoirinthehalls,fromwhereitcouldbepipedintotown.Assoonaspolesarrived,theKingwouldbuildatelephonelinefrom,Daggettanditsmilltoitsmine.ItalsoplannedtolayapipelinetocarryoilfromDaggetttoitsmillandinstallanenginetooperatelathesandothermachinerytomakerepairs.(Apparently,onlythephonelinewasbuilt.)

Certaintraitsofthedistrictrequiredlabor‐savingdevices.Foronething,miningdidnotslackenduringthesummers,asitdidinotherdesertareas.Inoneweekaloneduringthesummerof1884,Wells,Fargoshippedout$12,775inbullionfromtheKing,$5,287fromtheGarfield.Theshipmentsthatseasonnetted$155,470.

Then,too,chloriderswereaforcetobereckonedwith.Whentheleasesof20chloridersexpiredatonemine,“thelifeandactivityexistinginthatvicinityduringthesummer”diminishedgreatly.Thechloridershadtakenout$40,000worthofore,ofwhichtheypaidtheowner$9,000.Insomecases,theseindependents“threw$75rockoverthewastedump,asitwouldnotpaythemwagesaftertheyhadpaidalltheexpensesofmining,hauling,andmillingtheore....”

Chloriderscouldbenotoriouslywasteful.Onesolutionwasamillwheretheycouldprocesstheirorecheaply.AndthatmillwouldbeBarber'smill,builtjustbelowthetownsite.Afoundationandpartoftheframeworkwerebuiltinlate1884;aprivatehome,lodginghouse,boardinghouse,superintendent'soffice,andassayofficewereunderconstruction.AtestrunofthemachinerywasmadeinDecember“togeteverythingingoodrunningorderbeforecommencingonthehundredsoftonsoforepiledupontheplatform....”Twomonthslater,Barber'smillwasrunningallthetimeon“custom”(outsiders’)ore.Theplantwascalled“oneofthemostcomplete,bestarrangedandbestmanagedsilvermillsonthecoast,ofitssize.”Themillevenhadagood,abundantsupplyofwater.FivemorestampswereaddedinMarch.

Becauseofthedistrict'sruggedterrain,theminesweregroupedintoseveralcanyonsabovetown.Here'showthedistrictshapedupinlate1884:

THEWESTCALICOmineslayseveralmilesnorthwestofcamp.TheWaterlooandSuewerethechiefproperties.TheSueoperatednearthetopofthewallofadeepcanyon,500feetdeepinplace.Anarrowtramway,nearly300feetlong,rannearlystraightup;carsnamed“GoDevils,”poweredbyahandwindlass,carriedoretothecanyonfloor.There,buildingswereduetoreplacethetentsusedforlodgingandboarding.

THEEASTCALICOminesoperatedtothenortheastofCalico,inGarfield(sincenamedOdessa)Canyon.Includedwereseveralmoderateproducers:theGarfield,SnowBird,Odessa(SilverOdessa),Blackfoot,andBismarck;slightlytothewestofthecanyonlaytheThundererandOccidental.Theterrainwassoruggedthatoresweresaidtobe“virtuallyquarriedoutofthehills.”

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The(Silver)Odessamadeespeciallygreatprogressduringearly1885.Thenewlybuiltorebinscouldhold140tons;a300‐footchuteledtoasolidlybuiltorehouse,which“isverypleasantlysituatedonaprominentridgefromwhichpointtheoreassorters,onaferventsummer'sday,cangazeuponthehazylandscapebetweenCalicoandDaggett,andrelievetheireyeswitharefreshingviewoftheplacidsurfaceof‘DryLake.’....”Fromtheorehouse,where20menworkedsortingore,a600‐foottrackledtothemaintunnel.

TheEastCalicominessupportedlargeforces.Inearly1885,theBismarckemployed24men,theGarfield20to30,andtheOccidental34(March).

IMMEDIATELYNORTHOFTOWN,ontheslopesofWallStreetCanyonandonnearbyKingMountain,weretheOriental,BurningMoscow,andSilverKing,amongotherproperties.Itwassaidthatto“knowtheKingistoknowthedistrict....”Overlookingtown,attheheadofMainStreet,theKingwouldremainthedistrict'sleadingproducer.Itwaspayingasmuchas$30,000amonthindividendsinearly1885andhadproduced$702,650inbullionfromearly1884tomid‐1885.Thepropertyhadproducedsomuchore,ironically,thatseveralofits100workershadtobelaidofftogiveitsteamsachancetomove3,000tonsoforethathadaccumulatedonitsdumps.Onewriterpraisedthis“excellentmine”forhavingbeen“unceasingly,quietlyandunostentatiously”operatedbytheOroGrandecompanyfortwoyears;theminewasbeing“cautiouslyandsystematicallydeveloped,”thoughthedistrict'sdepositsingeneralweregougedoutmorethanmined.

TheKingwasquiteahiveofindustry.Themen,whoreceivedacustomary$3.50ashift(ofninehours),workeddayandnight,evenonSundays.Themenwerefreetoboardwheretheypleased,“promptnessandsobrietybeingonlyrequiredbythecompany.”Theoperationconsumedonetonofcandlesamonth,thecompanypaid$20,000amonthinwages,andwaterusedfordrillinganddrinkingandtimber(broughtfromArizona)costtheconcernheavily.

Workingconditions,however,werefairatbest.Thelowerlevelsweresowarmthatcandlesburnedrapidly.Dustfilledthemainandsidetunnels.Anorecarwouldraiseacloudofdust“thattheinitiatedwouldthinkmustbeunhealthful”tominers.

TownLife

CALICOPROBABLYCAMEOFAGEduring1884.ReminiscencesandscatteredissuesofthePrintandotherpublicationsrevealarichsocialandbusinesslife.

CONSIDERCALICO'SPOLITICS.Thecampgainedoutsiderecognitionduringthecampaignoflate1884.GroverClevelandwasrunningagainstJamesG.Blaineforthepresidency.Ontheregionalfront,R.F.DelValle,aDemocrat,wasrunningforCongressagainstRepublicanH.H.Markham,anofficialoftheOroGrandeCompany.

TheissueinCaliforniawasappropriateforaminingstate.Foryears,hydraulicminingintheSierraNevadawaspouringsiltintotheSacramentoValleyandruiningprimefarmland.Inthecourts,thefarminginterestswerewagingasuccessfulbattletoseverelyrestricttheminingoperations.DelVallesidedwiththefarmers,Markhamwiththeminers.

DelVallearrivedfirst‐‐alone‐‐inlateOctober.Hiswasthefirstappearancemadebyanymajorcandidateincampandwasitsbiggestevent.Abrassbandhadjustbeenorganized,andthe

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Democratshadspent10daysinpreparation,stringingChineselanternsoverMainStreetandattachingtorchestobuildings.

DelValle'sappearanceturnedouttobeastrangerally.The“excellentmusic”providedbythebandconsistedofonlypartofonelivelytunerepeatedseveraltimes‐‐itsentirerepertoire.AndchairmanLevi(Pa)Pennington,arestaurantownerandencyclopediaofDemocraticPartyhistory,wasrepeatedlyinterruptedbywags‐‐Republicans?‐‐demandingtoknowaboutsomeremotepoliticalevent.Happily,DelVallewastooseasonedacandidatetoallowthisroutinetocontinue.HefinallyinterruptedPenningtonandaskedhimtoexplainsomeobscurepoint.Penningtonwasonlytoohappytodeliveranotherlecture.TheresultwasthatPenningtonspokeformorethananhourandDelVallespokeabout20minutes,mostofthetimecomplimentingPenningtonandpraisinghisknowledgeofpartylore.DelVallenodoubtgainedmanyfriendsandvotes.

ButMarkham,whoarrivedafewdayslater,enjoyedagreateradvantage.Hefavoredhydraulicminingandspokeinaminingcommunity.Healsoarrivedwithaconsiderableentourage,includingalltheRepublicancandidatesinSanBernardinoCounty.Italsohelpedthatmostoftheregion'snewspapers,includingthePrint,werestalwartRepublicans.

Markhamwashailedasahero,accordingtoacorrespondentfortheLosAngelesTimes.Markhamspokefroma“tastefullydecorated”platformtoanaudienceof500,madeupofminers,theirwomenfriends,andvisitorsfromSanBernardino.“...Torchesandlanternsmadethenearvicinityoftheplatformoneblazeoflight.Abrassbandandfinegleeclubmadeenliveningmusic....”Theaudience“listenedpatientlyforthreehourstoRepublicanclaimsandlogic.ThecheersandapplausethroughoutthevariousspeechesforcesonetothinkthatDemocracyneverwassosolidhereasit’ssupportersclaimed.Onethingiscertain‐‐DemocracyhasbeenrunningacampaignofliesandmisrepresentationinCalico....”

Markhamwoneasily,butClevelandwaselectedpresident.CAfewmonthslater,theDemocraticClubgaveaballtomarkCleveland'sinauguration.TheRepublicanPrintconcededthatthere“wasalargeattendanceandeverybodyhadaroyalgoodtime.”).

Othervisitorsofnoteweremakingthetownitselfknowntotheworld.WhenFrederickW.Smith,anagentfortheMining&ScientificPress,traveledalongthesingle“narrowandserpentinestreet”inlateFebruary,1885,hewasatonceamazedandappalled.Smithwasnotthefirst‐‐norwouldhebethelast‐‐toremarkuponthetwo‐sidednatureofthecamp.“...Small,hastily‐builthousesaretheorderofbuildings,onlyafewtwo‐storyhousesgracingthecamp.Saloonsaremorethannumerous.Businessgenerallyisoverdone,andthenumberofblack‐legsandtin‐horngamblersthatinfesttheplaceisremarkedbythenewcomer....TheOccidentalandWhitfieldHousearetheonlyhotels,andtheyarepushedtotheirutmostcapacitytoaccommodatethetravelthatisarrivingdaily.Thecampisagoodone,butatpresentisoverestimatedandovercrowdedbymenoutofmoneyandwork.Capital,developmentandachanceisallthatthiscampneedstobeasecondeditiontotheComstockatnogreatdistantdate.”

Happily,thecostoflivingremainedmoderate.Coldbeercostfivecentsaglass;watercostthreetofivecentsagallon.Woodsoldfor$10acord.Boardcost$7to$8aweek.

AsSmithnoted,businesswasindeedoverdone.

Therewas,forexample,noshortageofsaloons.InDaggett,QuinnandSutcliffewerebuildingatwo‐story,12x16‐footadditiontotheirbreweryinFebruary,for“theirbusinesshasbeenbetter

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duringthewinterthantheyhadanticipatedandtheyarepreparingfortheexpectedboominthesummer.”InCalico,StockingandMartinwere“doingapavingbusinessretailingliquortotheminers,andmanyademijohnisfilledwiththeardentdaily.Theirliquor,100proof,issolddirectfromthebarrelandiswarrantedasrepresented.”Onlyweekslater,thepartnerswere“meetingwithsuccessintheirretailliquorbusinessbeyondtheirmostsanguineanticipations.Theydidnotexpectinsuchashorttimethattheirsampleroomswouldbethesceneofsomuchanimationasthecrowdsofminersfileinandout,showingbytheircountenancesthesatisfactiontheyfeel[by]partakingofliquorsthatareunexcelledinthelocalmarket....”DuringFebruary,theirsaloonhadtakenin$1,490,or$53aday,

Andsoitwent.Othersaloonsopenedorexpandedorreportedgoodbusiness.KirwinandFlynninMarchenlargedtheirsaloonagain,adding40feettothefront.“...Theysparenopainstomaketheirhallattractive,andfurnishofeveningfreemusicwithorgan,violinandotherinstruments.”

Thehotelswerealso“alldoingalivelybusiness.TheOccidentalhasbeenfulltooverflowingsincethedayitopened....anditstablefilledwithdayboardersbesides....”TheWhitfieldHousewentinforelegance.Thedoorswere“grained,”gemstoneswerepaintedonthebaseboards,andwallpaperandpaintlaidon.Averandahextendedfromthesecondstory,thefurnishingswere“excellentineveryway,”andtheroomswereconsidered“brightandcheerful"‐‐eachevenhadaropeand‐anchorfireescape.(Nottobeoutdone,theOccidentalsoonaddedaverandah,too.

Thecamp'sthreegeneralstoresfaredalmostaswellasthehotelsandsaloons.J.A.JohnsonboughttheJamesbrothers'storeinMarchandmovedinmerchandiseandpostofficefixtures,forwhicharoomhadbeenprepared.TheJ.M.Millerstorewasenlargedby20feet,andmerchandisewouldbemovedinfromitswarehouse.Thoughitwouldbetakenoverbycreditors,RemiOlivier'sJ.A.Kincaid&.Companyhadbeenexpandeduntilitwasnow75feetlong;itwas“packedwithgoodsfromoneendtotheother.”

Calicoalsosupportedaricharrayofsmallerbusinesses.AMrs.Elliottfurnishedicecreamforpicnics,balls,andotherentertainments.TailorA.S.Mettlermade“suitsthatfit,atpricestosuitthetimes.”AttheGlobeRestaurant,Mrs.M.F.Oswaldcookedmealsatallhoursfor100boardersaday.MillsuperintendentGodfreyBahtenandstageoperatorWilliamCurryownedbutchershopsinDaggett,Grapevine,andCalico.Duringlatewinterandspringof1885,Curryslaughtered279headofcattle,140sheep,and80hogs,allvaluedatabout$10,000.SouleandStacy,whooncekeptthepostoffice,soldwatches,clocks,jewelry,andsewingmachines.Twosaloonownersbuiltalargebathhouseformenandwomen.AtleastthreelawyersandfourdoctorspracticedinCalico.Thoughnearlydeaf,oldDr.A.R.Rheaturnedouttobethemainstayofthecamp'smedicalprofession,deliveringmostofitsbabiesandaidingthevictimsofmineaccidents.Onedoctoralsoownedadrugstore.

ItinerantbusinessmensupplementedtheofferingsofMainStreet.AphotographersetupalargetentinMarchtakingpicturesofthetown,school,muleteams,andmines.RepairstotheteethwereprovidedbyadentistfromSantaAna.

DAGGETT,MEANWHILE,wasflourishing.SchooldistrictswereorganizedthereandinNeedlesthatspring(1885).Overshinerservedasoneofthethreetrustees.Daggett'sresidentsandbusinessownerstookgreatpainstoenlarge,remodel,andpainttheirbuildings.PerhapsbecauseDaggettwasneartheMojaveRiver,treeshadbeen‐‐orwerebeing‐‐plantedinfrontoftherailroadhotel,asaloon,arestaurant,astore,andseveralhouses.NeartheQuinn&Sutcliffebrewery

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awningsandtreeswereaddedsothattheplace“willbeapleasantplacetositonasummereve'sandquaffthefoamingbeverage....”FreighterJosephLeCvr,whowasalsodeputysheriff,refurbishedhishome,builtapicketfencearoundtheyard,andplantedtreesandshrubs.AssoonasDaggett'strees“growtoconsiderablesizeandthegardensareinamoreflourishingconditionthetownwilllooklikeaverdantgarden,”thePrintpredicted.

THEENVIRONMENTinvitedsomemodification.ThePrintbelievedthattreescouldgrowinCalico;theyoungcottonwoodsinfrontofamerchant’shousewere“flourishingandbidfairtobecomesplendidsunshades.”Thetemperaturehit104degreesinlateMay.ThePrintquippedinJuly:“AsanexampleofhowhotitisinandaroundCalicowewillrelatethefactthattwolizardswererecentlyseenonthedesertintheactofstandingontheirhindlegsmakingashadefortheothertocooloffunder.Firstonewouldstandupandthentheother,spellingeachother.Next!”

(Still,thearidclimatehaditsadvantages,asthepaperremarkedthatspring.ThoughCalico“hashotsandcolds,herfeverandpneumonias,hersnakesandtarantulasandcentipedes,andnoendtoillsthatminingcampsareheirto,sheenjoysperfectimmunity”frombedbugs,atleast.)

CALICODEVELOPEDsomeinstitutionstomakelifemorepalatable,ifnotquitecomfortable.Afteranotherepidemicinthewinterof1884‐1885,asanitarycommissionwasorganized.Itapparentlyprovedtobeineffective.AslateasMay,1885,thecampremained“positivelyfilthyinsomequartersandtheaccumulationofnastinessisontheincrease.Onlyafewdaysagoweobservedadeadturkeyswelteringinthesun,butweknewhewastherebeforewecamewithinsightof‐him,forthebreezetoldournoseaboutit‐‐fumigate,fumigate.”

Self‐governmentprovedevenlesspopular.InFebruary,1885,thecitizens“satdownratherincontinently”onaproposaltoincorporateCalico.Thepropertyownersandtaxpayersseemedtofeelthatcityhoodwould“provetooexpensivealuxurytooffsettheadvantagesoflocalgovernment.”

ItwasnotthatCalico'scitizenswereapatheticaboutpoliticallife.Theyenthusiasticallysupportedallvarietyofcandidates,maintainedaschooldistrict,andcertainlyturnedouttovote.Duringanelectionforminingrecorder,396voteswerepolledforthreecandidates.

Butexceptfortheschool,thecamp'scitizenspreferredtoletafewprivateorganizationsandthecountyprovidebasicservices.InMarch,theboardofsupervisorsdeclaredthedistrict'schiefroads,includingMainStreet,publicroutes.AcountyroadsupervisoratoncebeganremovingrocksandbrushandwideningMainStreetandtheroadtoEvansWell.“...Byalittlecareonthepartofthecitizensthestreetscanalwayshaveatidyappearance,”thePrintpointedout.

Theroadswereindeedheavilyused.TwostagelinesmadedailytripsfromDaggett.H.E.Evans,thewaterdealer,begansellingcoal.(AphonelineranfromDaggetttoCalico,butitsusewasapparentlylimitedtotheOroGrandeCompany.)

Waterservice·wouldremaininprivatehands.SeveralmerchantsorganizedtheCalicoWaterWorksCompanyinMarch,1885,andsoonbegansinkingawell.Goodwaterwasreachedat92feet;apumpand60,000‐gallontankwerelaterinstalled.

POSTMASTERE.E.STACY,oneoftheorganizersofthewatercompany,wasresponsibleforalessorthodoxformofdelivery.Onemorningin1883,Stacyfoundastrayblack‐and‐white

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shepherdathisdoorstep.StacyadoptedhimandnamedhimJack(oneaccountgivesthedog'snameasDorsey).ThepostmastersoonfoundthatJackwouldwillinglyandreliablycarrymailinasaddlebag‐likepouchonhisbackandputhimonaregular,two‐orthree‐mileroutetotheBismarckmines,whereStacyhadapartner.At9everymorning,JackwouldleaveBismarckwithmailandtakeittoCalico,wherethepouchwasremoved.Until4:30intheafternoon,“Jackisadoglikeallotherdogs,rompingandplayingwithhisfellowdogs,andtakingpartwiththemintheiramusements....”Butwhenthemailbagwasputbackon,“thedogdisappears,andinhissteadstandsabeingofsuperiorintelligence'whoknowshisdutyanddelightsinthecorrectperformanceofit....whenlittlecursrunoutandoffertofighthimheonlylaughs.Jack'sdailyroutineteachesagreatermorallessonthanallthesagesbetweenhereandHalifax.”

OVERSHINERneedn'thaveworried.Calicowasacivilizedcamp.

ONEOFTHEINFLUENCESwasreligion.Caliconeverhadachurch,butserviceswereheldoften.ManyCatholicslivedaroundCalico.LecturesgivenbytheReverendFatherCookinearly1885“werelistenedtowithmarkedattention.Theeruditepriestseemedtosatisfytheaudience....”Weekslater,alargecongregationheardtheReverendCharlesShellingofRiverside,who“preachedaninterestingandpracticalsermon.”Oneclergyman,theReverendD.McCunn,wassoactiveinculturalaffairsthatwhenhepreachedhisfarewellsermoninJuly,his“friendsbadehimfarewellwithmanyexpressionsofGodspeedandwishes....”

ExceptperhapsforthePrintitself,theCalicoschoolprobablyhadthebroadestinfluenceonthetown'smorallife.Perhapsbecauseofthedistrict'sisolation,teacherswerehardtokeep.TeacherA.L.Hamilton,whostayedonlyfourmonths,reported65pupilsenrolledinMarch,1885,and65otherchildrenincamp.Perhapsnotsurprisingly,citizensvoteda$3,000bondissueinApriltobuildalargerschoolandorderedalibraryof60volumes;severalbookshadalreadyarrived,andtheboardwasexpectedtoletthepublicusethelibraryunderrulesitwouldadopt.ThePrintfeltthattheschooltrusteesdeserved“greatcreditfortheefficientmannerinwhichtheyconductedtheelectionandfortheirexcellentreportonthesubject...Calicowillsoonhaveasplendidbuildinginwhich'Torearthetenderthoughtandteachtheyounghowtoshoot.'“WhentheschooltermendedinearlyJune,about46childrenhadregularlyattended‐‐anexcellentrecordforaminingcamp..

Calicowasnohavenforweather‐beatenbachelorminers:youthsmadeupalargepartofthepopulation.AndthePrintdotedonthemandtheiractivities.Thepaperwashorrifiedtoreportthattheconstable'ssix‐year‐oldsonhadbeennearlycrushedtodeathwhenamuleknockedhimunderalargeorewagon.Happily,suchpainfulincidentswererare.Whenamansawtwoteen‐ager'splantingstakesandstretchingoldpiecesofwirearoundasectionoftrail,oneofthemtoldhimthattheywerefencinginalot.But,thegentlemanobjected,theboysweretooyoungtoholdrealestate.“Youbetwecan.Ifanybodytriestojumpmylot,I’llshoothim,surepop.”ThePrintgrewmistyeyedwhenitlearnedthatyoungBrunettLamountainwasbuildingaminiaturestampmill“thatworksperfectlyastheOroGrandeoranyothers....Suchprecociousnessshouldbeencouragedandassisted.”Afewweekslatercamethereportthatthe“miniaturequartzmillerectedandrunbytheJuvenileCompanyofLamountainandCo.,runningnicely.Twoadditionalstampshavebeensetupandalargerboilerplacedinposition.”

ATOWNHALLnurturedfamilylife.Spendingabout$760,thewomenhadthehallbuiltinearly1885.Byrentingthebuildingoutforlectures,dances,andentertainments,thetreasurerreportedinApril,thetownhallassociationwouldsoonbefreeofdebt.

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Thetownhallwaswellused,sometimesonceortwiceaweek.Severalleadingcitizens,includingoldDr.Rhea,organizedaliteraryanddebatingsocietyinFebruary.ThegroupusuallymeteveryFridayevening.SincethePrintconsideredsuchanorganization“abenefittoanycommunity,itishopedthatthepeoplewillgiveattendanceandhelptosustainit.Theladiesareespeciallyinvitedtoattendandtotakepartintheexercises.”ThesocietydebatedsuchtopicsasthevalueofacollegeeducationandtherightofIndianstovote.Thesocietysoonattracted20membersandcreatedacommitteetoorganizethefestivitiesforJuly4.

Butingeneral,thehallwasdevotedtoentertainment.ThetownhallassociationgaveamusicalandliteraryentertainmentinMarchtoraisemoneyforthehall.For50cents(25centsforchildren),membersoftheaudiencecouldenjoy16performancesonenight,includinganItalianhymnsungbyachoir,duets,readings,recitations,songs,andpantomime.Adancecappedofftheevening.Exceptforuncouthnoisesmadebyboysintherear,theprogramturnedouttobearesoundingsuccess.

Calico'scitizensknewhowtoenjoythemselves.Thewomengavea“bowieknife”entertainmentinJune.Afewweekslater,atravelingsoloist,girldancer,andimpersonatorperformed.

Butdancingwasthechiefpastime,asthePrintexplainedinMay,1885:“WhenCalicowantstodanceshedoesn'tgotoanygreatfussaboutsendingbellringersandtowncrierstoannouncethefact.Shesimplyhiresthemusic,plantsherselfintheTownHallandawaitscomingdevelopments.Developmentssoonmaketheirappearanceintheshapeofbroadcloth,diagonal,etc.DevelopmentsseemtolikeitaswellasCalico.”

Thatsameweek,theemployeesoftheSilverOdessaMinegaveaballinthediningroomoftheboardinghouse.Fromtown,“merrimentseekers”arrivedinbarouches,chariots,gigs,rockaways,buggies,andothercarriages,danceduntil3o'clockFridaymorning,“andeverybodyhadagoodtime.”

Daggettwasequallyfestive.Itevensupportedagleeclub.Calico'sresidentswouldflocktoDaggettlikefliestofood.Atalavishballheldattherailroadhotel,thedinnerfeaturedhalfadozenlargefrostedfruitcakesandotherpastry.Thedance,asusual,lasteduntiltheearlymorning,“andeverythingpassedoffsmoothlyandhappily....”

NexttoChristmas,July4wasthemostfestivedayoftheyear.Daggett'sresidentsheldapicnicpartyatHawley'sStation,whichofferedsports,adancingpavilion,beautifulshadetreesalongtheMojaveRiver,andgreenfields,“whereallthedenizensofthesunburnedhillsofCalico,anditssurroundingscanfindperfectenjoymentinaday'srecreationinthecountry.”AtCalico,thewomenoftheliterarysocietyputonacelebrationthatwould“eclipseanypreviousdemonstrationsonthatday.”Calico'scelebrationincludedthecustomaryoration,thereadingoftheDeclarationofIndependenceandpoetry,andmusic,dancing,games,exercises,andrefreshments“sothattheoccasionwillbeamostinterestinggaladaywheneverybodycanhaveagoodtime.”

TheJuly4celebrationstillfailedtosatisfymenandwomenlivinginableakenvironment.“Nowthatthe4thofJulyisathingofthepast,whatarewetodonexttoamuseourselves?Wewouldsuggestamoonlightpicnic,insteadofhavingoneindaytime:swelteringunderthehotraysofoldSol.”

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ENTERTAINMENTCOULDBEquitephysical.Ataliterarysocietymeeting,amateurathletesjumpedduringtheevening.Meanwhile,inMay,the“baseballhascomeforthfromitshidingplace,andispitchedandtossedpromiscuouslybythebaseballartists.”

CalicowasespeciallyexcitedbyaboxingmatchinMarch.Severalhundredpersonspaid$1ormoretowatcha“glovecontest,toafinish”betweenDanConnorsofBostonandFrankSmithofChicago.Afterskirmishingduringround1,theyfinallystartedthrowing“someverylivelygiveandtakeblows.”SmithclosedinandthrewConnors.ButConnorswasbettertrained.Duringthethirdround,itbecameclearthatConnorswouldexhaustSmith,who“cameupratherlow”duringround7.ConnorsthengaveSmith“astunningblowonthemuscleoftheleftarm,”renderingituseless.ConnorshitSmithonthejaw,knockinghimdownandoutin10minutes.Connorswonthegatereceiptsofabout$268,buttoshowhisgoodfeelingtowardhisfoe,hegavehim$25incash.

CALICOHADITSROMANTICSIDE,TOO.Asthedaysbecamewarmer,apartyofpicnickersleftforHawley'sStation,wherea“moonlightdancewillbe,nodoubt,asenjoyableasitisromantic....”Meanwhile,thatMay,severalmenandwomenvisitedacaveneartheOrientalMineand“spreadachoicecollectionofediblesbeneaththeroofofwhatonceprobablyisanancientmine.Someofthemalepicnicerssaythatatriparoundthehillsanda'romanticdinner....isthebestkindofamusementandrecreation.”

ThePrintwasnotabovemakinglightoftheromanticscene.“Time,midnight;scene,WallStreet;manandwomansoftlystealingupthestreet.Maninstockingscloselyfollowingbehindintheshadowoftheabruptside,unobservedbypartiesinfront.Partiesinfrontpause;manbehindstops;andherewedrawtheveil.”

Romancecouldleadtoonlythingone,asthepaperobservedinJune:“Nowthatthemarriageboomhasbeeninaugurated,itisinorderthattheboyskeepitgoingingoodstyle,(providingthegirlsarewilling).”

Twopersonswerewilling.AfterMissMollieTurnerandWilliamKirwingotmarriedinthetownhall,everyonemovedtoahouse,wheretheyateanddrankto“thehealthandprosperityofthehappypairin'avariedassortmentofcakeandwine.Congratulations,handshakings,andsomekissing,(bytheladies)wereindulgeduntilnearlymidnight,whentheguestsdeparted....DuringtheeveningKirwin&Flynn'sSaloonwasopentothepublic,andsowasalltheliquidrefreshmentsitcontained,everythingbeingfreegratisfornothing....”

BUTTHEDISTRICTcouldalsobefairlyviolent.TwoDaggettmenwerearrested,tried,convicted,andfinedforfiringtheirpistols.“Pistolsareapttolanguishpeacefullyinthepocketsoftheirownersinthefutureunlessintendedforeffect....”AtaCalicosalooninApril,JamesJordanstabbedPatOdayinthebackwithabutcherknife.Jordanhadbeendrinkingandtriedtosettleagrudge.JordanwastakentojailinSanBernardino.

Butvicewasaproblemtobewinkedat.Calico'sbestcitizenswereshockedtolearnthatJusticeE.S.WilliamshadorderedtheprostitutesoftheDanceHousearrestedagain.Theyquicklypetitionedthelocaldeputydistrictattorney,C.J.Perkins,togiveupprosecutingtheprostitutes.“...ItistheimpressioninCalicothattheabovecharactersarereceivingmorepunishmentthanisduethemandthatitisnoworseforthemtoplytheir'avocations'onthemainstreetofCalicothanitisforthedemi‐mondetoflourishonsomeoftheprincipalstreetsofSanBernardinointhemidstofrespectablefamilies.”

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Crimecouldsometimesbeamatterbetweenfriends.MikeSullivanandJohnBrowngotintoafightwhileplayingpokerinAndyLaswell'ssaloononeSunday.SullivanaccusedBrownofcheatingandgrabbedalltheirmoney,about$40,andstartedrunning.BrownovertookSullivan.Inthestruggle,Sullivanranhisarmthroughastorewindowandcutthemainarteryofhiswrist.Sullivanwastakentoadoctor'soffice,wherehiswoundwasbandagedthoroughly.Sullivangaveupmostofthemoneythenextday.“Illgottengamesaredearlywon,”thePrintmoralized.

ONEOFTHEMOSTBIZARREINCIDENTStookplaceattheMayDayBallandStrawberryFestival,heldatthetownhall.ThefestivitiesbeganpeacefullyenoughwithaMaypoledanceandthecrowningoftheQueenoftheMay.Thatnight,teacherA.L.HamiltonfoundhimselfsittingwithoneofMrs.Harwood'sdaughters,Rose,enjoyingrefreshments.AbouttwodozencouplesweredancingtothrobbingmusicwhileCupidwasmakinghisrounds.

Troubleloomedabout2o'clockinthemorning,whenminesuperintendentJamesPattersonwascalledoutside.Twofriends,JamesMarlowandW.E.Stoughton,accompaniedhim.Justoutside,thethreewerepeltedwitheggsandperhapsarockorsmallsandbag.

Pattersonsprangintoaction.Hechasedonedisheveledassailant,W.H.Foster,throughthehall,firingwildly.Dancersscattered,tableswereoverturned,themusicstopped.Areporterwrotethatthe“sceneinthehallwasoneofconfusionanddistress,severalladiesfainting,allofthewomenandchildrenbeinggreatlyalarmed....”Patterson'sbulletslodgedinthewallsandceiling,eveninanearbyChineserestaurant.

Thecitizenswere“greatlyincensed.”FosterandMarlowwerearrested,thenreleasedonbail.Injusticecourt,Fosterpleadedguiltytoassaultandwasfined$20;Marlowchangedhispleatoguiltyandwasfined$50;Stoughtonwastriedbyajuryonamisdemeanorchargeandacquitted.

BUTCRIMINALINCIDENTSwereminorcomparedtominingaccidents.Theytendedtobegruesome,ifnotfatal.Inmid‐July,minerJohnHalleyfellfromaleveloftheKingMineandwasseverelybruised;hewouldrecoverwithdifficulty.Dayslater,minerJohnMcDonaldwas.fatallyinjuredwhilecheckinganunexplodedcharge.Theblastthrewuprocksandblewoutbotheves,mangledhisarms,brokeoneleg.Doctorswerecalledatonceand“dideverythingintheirpowertoalleviatehispain.”Aftersuffering“untoldagonies,”McDonaldsoondied.

TheDecline

ITISDIFFICULTtofixadateforthebeginningofCalico'sdecline.Ominoussignswereappearingasearlyasthefirstmonthsof1885.Severalbusinesses,includingarestaurantandbothstagelines,changedhands.Otherbusinesses,suchasMr.Elliott'sfruitandicecreamstandandMissDerby'smillinerystore,closed.TheJ.A.Kincaidstorewasattachedbyitscreditors.

Bythen,themineswereextractingmostlylow‐gradeare.Sufferingfrom“hardtimes,”infact,thecompaniesbegancuttingtheirminers'wages,to$3aday.ThePrintatfirstagreedwiththemovebutlaterrealizedthatthecutswouldtendto“discouragegoodminers”andwouldforcethem“tostrikeoutforthemselves,hencemanyarebusyprospectingorchloridingonleases....inexperiencedmenemployedinthemineswillalsobeinfectedwithadesiretobettertheircondition....”InMay,Calicowas“becomingdullerandhottereveryday.Therearejustasmanymenatworkaseverbeforebuttheboysevinceadispositiontokeeptheircoinintheirpockets.”

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Thoughthepriceofsilverhadjustjumpedtoahealthy$1.09anounce,thePrintwasalarmedthatthe“friendsofsilver”mightbe“lulledintoindifference.”

Thedistrictcouldnotaffordtobecomeindifferent.Thisperiodofmaturityandearlydeclinecoincidedwiththeentryofasecondraillineintothedesert.ThelinewastheSantaFé‐backedCaliforniaSouthernRailRoad,whichhadrecentlybeenbuiltfromtheSanDiegoareatoSanBernardino.AnextensionfromSanBernardinotoWaterman'sstation,65miles,wassurveyedinearly1885.Then,workingsimultaneouslyfromthetwopoints,armiesofwhiteandChinesedugcuts,builtgradesandbridges,andlaidrails.NearWaterman’syard,roundhouse,depot,andhotelwereerected.ThisoperationbecamethenucleusofBarstow.TheextensionwascompletedinNovember.

ThecompletionoftherailroadcutthecostoffreightingtoandfromtheminesandprovedtobeaboonforSanBernardinoandLosAngeles.Butthefortunesofthedistricthadbecometiedupinthefortunesofahandfulofmines.Thefaintsignsofdulltimesweregrowinglessfaintas1885passed.TheKing'soutputof$302,000in1885wasdownsharplyfromthe$507,000producedin1884.TheninMarch,1886,20to30menwerelaidoffattheRedJacketMineandseveralotherswerelaidoffattheKing.Thesedismissalsdepressed“thebusinessoutlook,”sentmanymen“scouringtheadjacenthillsinsearchofprospectsonwhichtochloride,”andforcedotherstoseek“otherclimes,butthoseremainingherearenotofthekindtositcontentedlyuntilsomething‘turnsup,’”asacorrespondentexplained.

ThePrintwasbaffledbytheshutdownoftheKing.Thepaper'sfearswereallayedsomewhatwhentheKingquicklyrehired20men.Besides,alargereserveoforeattheKingwouldkeeptheWaterloomillrunningfulltime;superintendentDedrickBahtenevenpredictedthat15stampswouldhavetobeaddedtotheWaterloo.“....ThereseemstobeageneralimpressionamongbusinessmenherethattheliveliesttimesareyetinstoreforCalico....”

Then,too,othermineswerestillactive.TheKearsargeemployedthreemeninApril,1886,theBurningMoscowandJessieTaysixeach,theBlackfoot14,theSue18.Thesesmallerminesgaveteamingaconsiderableboost.TheBlackfootandSueeachemployedtwoteams.TheCalicoFreightingCompanyofDaggetthad10teamsatworkandwasstilltwoweeksbehindinhaulingouttheunusualamountoflow‐gradeorewaitingontheminedumps.

ThelessonsofefficientmillingwerenotlostontheOroGrandeCompany.Itbeganerectinga60‐stampmillinMarch,1887;itwouldcost$250,000.Thirtymenwereputtoworkgradingthefoundation.Nexttothesitewasthe15‐stampmill.ItservedtheWaterlooMine,thenemploying30men.ThetwoplantswouldprocessthemassivereservesoforeonthedumpsoftheWaterlooandhandleorefromtheKing,BurningMoscow,andothercompany‐ownedproperties.ThePrintwaselated,seeingthereturnof“thelivelytimesofseveralyearsago,”forbusinesswasalready“improvinginallquartersofthecamp.”Theschoolgrewslightly,to66pupilsinlateMay.

Afterallthemineshutdownshadbeenrationalized,afterallthepredictionsoflivelytimeshadbeenmade,thesignsofdeclinewerebecomingmoreevident.TheoutputoftheKingfellto$120,000during1886.Ascorporationscontinuedtotakeoverthechiefmines,regularminersbegantoturntochloridingorprospecting;othersdriftedaway.ThePrintfinallyhadtoconcedethat1886hadbeenthedullestinCalico'shistory.Thelayoffshad“causedagreatdepressioninthebusinessofthetown,butstilltherewerebutfewfailures,andmostofthosepartiesengagedinbusinessayearagoareyetconductingtheirenterprises....”True,thenumberofminershad

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increasedsince1886,deputyassessorH.B.StevensestimatedinMay,1887,butonlybecausethenumberofchloridershadoffsetthelossofregularminers.

Calicowasfullofsuchparadoxes,astherepresentativeoftheMining&ScientificPresshadlearnedseveralyearsearlier.AwriterfromtheOntarioRecordhadmixedemotions.Thoughathree‐footcottonwoodstoodoutastheonlytreeintown,Calicooffered“numerousopportunitiestoget'wet.'Thetownhasanexcellentpublicschool,butvariousattemptstoholdchurchserviceshavefailed;theminesandmillsrunonSunday,andtheCalicoPrint,anexcellentexponentofthemininginterests[,]isissuedonthatday....”Itwassaidthatitwouldtakeafour‐horsecarttocarryawayallthecardssweptoutofthesaloons,but“onthewhole,wethink,heprobablyexaggeratedalittle.WeshouldhardlyrecommendCalicoasthebestplaceinSouthernCaliforniatobringupafamily,buttheconditionofsocietyisnotatallwhatmightbeexpectedevenfromthefacts.wehavejuststated,”fordespitetheheavydrinking,“thereiscomparativelylittledrunkennessandanyseriousbreachofthepeaceisrare....”

...

“Theaverageminer,asyouseehimbytheuncertainflickerofhiscandle,looksalittlerough,butnoclassoflaboringmenisbetterinformed,readsmore,ortakesmoreprideintheirintelligenceandinterestinpublicaffairs.Thedaysofpoetsandphilosophersintheminingshaftsarenotpastyet.Thesaloonandthegamblingdenaretheminer'scurse,butdrunkorsober,flushorbusted,youwillusuallyfindshrewdsenseandkeenwitbeneaththeirrough[?]exterior.”

Likethecamp,themineswereaparadox.ThewriterfortheOntariopaperwasawe‐struckbytheimmenseworkingsoftheGarfieldMineinJune,1887.“....Thefirstsensationiscertainlyoneofcoolness,cominginfromanatmosphereover100intheshade.Thedistantrumbleoforecars,thefaintflickeroftheminers'candles,theclickofthepicks,andtheuncannyappearanceoftheminersinthedimlight,madeaweirdeffectthatwillstampitselfindeliblyonthememoryofthevisitor.Wethreadedpassages,exploredchambers,andwentdownshafts,untilthewritercouldhavebeeneasilyconvincedthatenoughrockhadbeendugoutofthisoneminetomakeasecond'OldBaldy.'....Wesaworethatyieldsthousandsofdollarstotheton,andamancouldmakeafortuneinafewdayscouldhehaveallhedugout.”

Happily,chloriding,thesalvationofmanysmallminers,sustainedmanyresidentsduringtheseleantimes.AttheVetoMine,chloriderswerenetting$6to$10aday.AftertheexpirationofleasesattheSue,itwassaidthatnoneofthe15chloridershadbeen“makinglessthanordinarywages,themajorityaveragingthreeorfourtimesthatamount....”AttheYoungWaterman,independentminerswerepayingout$250amonthinroyalties‐‐one‐fifththeirearnings‐‐enoughtoenabletheco‐ownertotakeatriptoEurope.Thesuccessofchloridingwasconsidered“anincentivetootherstotrytheir'luck.’”OnDecember,1886,thePrintwouldpointoutthatoften“oreisdiscoveredinplaceswhereminershavewalkedoverformonthsandyears,andrichstrikesmadeinmostunexpectedplaces....”

FewinthecampwereidleinearlyMay,1886.Theminerswerechloriding,workingforothers,orprospecting.Thebusinesscommunityforesaw“unusuallivelytimeswithinthenexttwoorthreemonths....”

Allthistalkwaswishfulthinking.Althoughitwasscarcelyrecognizedthen,thedistrictwasdividingintotwocommunities,thechloridersandlargeminingcorporations,onepoor,theotherrich.Severalmills,suchastheBarber,processedonly“custom”ore‐‐thatis,materialproducedby

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independentminers.TheWaterloo,incontrast,wouldprocessonlyoresfromtheminesownedbytheOroGrandeCompany,suchastheKing.

Chloridingkeptmanyemployed,butitcouldbeachancywaytoearnaliving.Custommillscouldchargeupto$20aton.Toprocessthemassivelow‐gradeorethatwouldnotpaychloriderstomill,twoleachingworksoperatedatthefootofMainStreetinlate1886.Itwasexpectedthatleachingwould“considerablyreducethecostofmining,andturnintobullionavastquantityoforethathasaccumulatedonthenumerousdumpsduringthepastfiveyears,”thePrintreportedinearly1887,foralready“astimulatingeffectisbeginningtobefeltthroughoutthecamp....”InMay,chloriderswere“swellingthebullionoutputtoaconsiderabledegree....”

Asminingbecamemorecorporate,theprocessingoforecametobeconsolidatedatthreemills.ThePioneerQuartzMill,soldtotheSilverOdessaMiningCompanyin1883,wasusuallycalledHawley'smill.WhentheOroGrandeCompanyboughttheOrientalandSilverKingminesinearly1884,theconcernenlargeditsmillatDaggettto15stamps.ThisplantbecameknownastheWaterloomillwhentheOroGrandecompanywasreorganizedandrenamedinearly1889.NearCalico,theGarfieldmill,of20stamps,becameknownastheKingwhenanEnglishcompanyboughttheplantandseveralgroupsofmines.

Theseplantsweremodernandefficient.Byearly1887,therevampedOroGrandeMillwasusinghotwatertoforcepulverizedoreoutofthebatteriesofstampsandintothepans,wheresalt,limestone,andmercuryseparatedoutthesilver.Twothousandgallonsofwaterwereusedtocrusheachofthe33tonsproduceddaily.AttheGarfieldmill,wherethevalueoforedroppedfromabout46ouncesofsilveratoninOctober,1886,to26ouncesinSeptember,1887,theplant'soperatorsstillmanagedtocutthecostofprocessingconsiderably,from$4.52atonto$3.10.Itproducedahefty417,215ouncesfromtheGarfield,Occidental,andotherminesbelongingtotheJ.S.Doe&CompanyofSanFrancisco.

Suchdescriptions,however,onlymaskedsignsofdecline.Calicoremaineddullthroughmuchofthesummerof1887,“insomerespectseversincethelargeforceofmenweredischargedandtheKingminecloseddawn.TheKingminewastheprincipalsupportofthetown....”

Perhapsitwasmerelyacoincidence,butonemineexperiencedamajorrobberythatyear.Afterpickingupthemonthlypayroll.$4,000incoin,thesuperintendentoftheRunOverMineandMilllefttheexpressofficeatDaggett.Hewasridingalone.AshenearedWallStreetCanyon,amancameoutofagully,pulledoutagun,andtookthemoneyandhishorse.Itwastoolateinthedaytoorganizeaposse.Therobberapparentlybecamelost,andasmallposseledbyanIndiantrackerfoundhimatadistantwell.ThepossehadastrangestorytotellwhentheyreachedCalico.MinerJohnAckerman,apossemember,contendedthatheshotandkilledtherobberinself‐defense,thebodywasburiedatthespot,andthemoneywasmissing.Thelistenerswereskeptical,butAckermanwouldneverdiscusshisstoryagain.

Buttherewasaworsefiendthanabandit.

First,afiredestroyedthenearlycompletedWaterloomillonAugust14.Thecompanylaidoff19miners,thenquicklyrehiredthemwhenitfoundthattheboilersandothermachinerycouldbesalvaged.TheWaterloowouldbuildanothermill.Thedecisiontorebuildwas“veryencouragingtothetown.”Meanwhile,themineswerenowsaidtobepayingwell,andthechloriderswereoften“makingmoneyfast.”

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AnotherfirehitCalicoafewweekslater,inSeptember.TheblazehadstartedonthedryshingledroofoftheGlobeRestaurant.Thefireatfirstseemedtobeoflittleimportance,butthewatersoonranoutandagustofwindcameup.Allbuttwobusinessbuildingswereturnedtoashesinlessthananhour.Thelosseswereputat$100,000.

Thoughstunned,thecitizensrebuiltatonce.Itwasagreedthateverythirdorfourthbuildingwouldbemadeofadobe.Thefirstadobecamefromthedrylake.Butthecitizenssoonwoundupexcavatingbasements,mixingthehardredclayofthetownsitewithwater,andpouringthemixtureintofarmstomakewalls.Cutrockwasalsousedtomakethefacadesofseveralbuildings.Business“ofallkinds”wasquicklyresumed.Thewatersystemwasalsoimproved,abucketbrigadewasorganized,andbarrelsofwaterwerestrategicallyplacedalongMainStreet.

Butoneimportantbusinessremainedapermanentcasualty:thenewspaper.ThePrintsuspendedpublicationrightafterthefire.ThepaperhadbeensoimportantthattheMining&ScientificPresshadtoacknowledgetoitsreadersthatitscoverageoftheMojaveDesertwouldsuffer,atleastforawhile.OvershinermovedtoSanDiego,whereayearlaterhewaspublishingatriweeklynewspaper.(Duringthenexttwodecades,OvershinerwouldputoutweeklynewspapersthroughoutthebackcountryofSanDiegoCounty,atRamona,Julian,andImperial.)

Itwaslatercontendedthatthefirehadhadasoberingeffectonthetown.Thedaysoffree‐and‐easyspendingwereover.Thecorporations,whichcontrolledthebestmines,senttheirprofitstostockholdersfarfromCalico.Familiesfled;theschoollostmorethanhalfitspupils,to30inmid‐1888.Thenumberofregisteredvotersalsoslipped,thoughitremainedastill‐respectable292.

Asthechloriderscontinuedtofeelsqueezed,thecorporationsadvanced.TheOroGrandecompanystartedworkonaseven‐milenarrow‐gaugerailroadfromDaggetttotheWaterlooMine'sorebinsinMarch,1888.Therebuiltmillandtherailroadwerecompletedlaterintheyear.TwosmalllocomotiveswouldeasecarsloadedwithoredownthegradetoDaggettandreturnwithsuppliesandtimbers.Thecompletionofthelinecutthecostofhaulingfrom$2.50aton(bywagon)toaslittleassevencentsaton.

TheWaterloo'soperationswereawesome.Onestategeologistconsideredthemechanismsforautomaticallyfeedingthepanssalt,limestone,andmercury“seeminglyperfect.”Fromaroughbuildingbrightenedby150electriclights,anotherwriterfortheOntarioRecordobserved(November,1888),came“alowrumble,likethedistantthunderofartillery;andinthepresenceofsuchweirdsightsandsounds,madedoublyintensebytheclearairandoppressivesilenceofthedesert,onemightimaginehimselfinthepresenceofoneofVulcan'sforges.Allthis,however,is‘thepeacefulhumofindustry;’...”A300‐horsepower,coal‐burningsteamengine,whichturneda20‐foot‐diameterdrivewheelandadynamo,madethewriterfeel“abashedinthepresenceofsomuchpowerthatseemsalmostpossessedofhumanreason.”Intheroomcontainingthe60thunderingstamps,the“noiseisterrificandthebuildinggroansandtrembleswiththejars....”Infact,“onewouldnosoonerexpecttoseesilvercomeoutofthesepansofwhirlymuddywaterthantopickorangesfromthestreetcornersignsinabustedboomtown.Itis'paydirt,’howeverand...themillgathersupquitealittlemountainofsilverinthecourseofayear.”

Thetrainridefromthemilltothemineswasathrillingexperience.Thetrainconsistedoffourcars,“binsweshouldcallthem,eachholdingninetonsofore.Perchedinoneofthesecars,withthewaterbarrelssplashinginfrontofus,weweresoonwhirledoverthedeserttothefewunpretentiousshantiesthatmarkthegreatestsilvermineonthecoast....”

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Perhapsnotsurprisingly,thecorporateinfluenceonCalico'sminingIndustrycontinuedtogrow.TheOroGrandeCompanywasreorganizedastheWaterlooMiningCompanyinFebruary,1889.TheconcernownedtheWaterloominesandmillandotherproperties,notablytheSilverKingMineanditsmill.TheWaterlooCompanybuiltabranchoftherailroadpastthetowntotheorebinsattheSilverKingMinein1889.Meanwhile,severaloftheDoeproperties,especiallytheOdessa,Oriental,andOccidental‐Garfieldmines,weresold.ThenewconcernwasconfusinglynamedtheSilverKingMineCompany,Ltd.,ofLondon.TheGarfieldmill,20stamps,wasrenamedtheKingmill.

Theactivitiesoftheseandothercompaniesledtoamodestrevival.Familieswerereturning;theschoolgainstudents,itsenrollmentrisingto40.Thecensustakercounted431men,women,andchildrenintheareainmid‐1890,ofwhomanestimated300livedintown.Thebusinessdistrictcontainedfivegeneralandvarietystores,foursaloons,threelodginghouses,andthreestables.Telephoneandtelegraphserviceandtwice‐a‐daystageservicecloselylinkedCalicotoDaggett.

Daggett

DAGGETT,ITWASREPORTEDwithsomeexaggerationinlate1888,comprisedseveralhouses,astore,and20saloonsliningasandystreet,“aconditionofthingsnotcalculatedtomaketheplaceexactlyaprohibitionstronghold.”YetthroughDaggettpassed$100,000inbullionfromCalicoeverymonth.

Daggett'slargebusinessdistrictmadeitanoutfittingpointforprospectorsroamingtheMojaveDesertandDeathValley.In1890,when277livedinthevotingprecinct,thebusinessesincludeda“splendid”freightandpassengerdepot,largeeatinghouse,postoffice,expressoffice,school,churches,andseveralgeneralstores.

Calico:Rally&Collapse

POLITICS,ratherthantechnology,providedthenextimpetusforgrowth.Asasoptothefarmersandsilver‐mineownersoftheWest,RepublicansinCongresscynicallypushedthroughtheShermanSilverPurchaseActinJuly,1890.ByrequiringtheU.S.Treasurytobuyalimitedamountofsilvereverymonth,theactgaveapsychologicalboosttotheindustry.Thepriceofsilverrosefrom97centsanounceto$1.05.TheWaterlooandSilverKingcorporationsreopenedtheirlow‐gradedeposits.TheKingMinewasshippingout100tonsoforeadaybySeptember,1891,theWaterloo50tons.Threemonthslater,theSilverKingcompanyenlargeditsmill(theoldGarfield)from20to30stamps.

Butpolitical‐basedprosperitywouldbeshortlived.Thepriceofsilversoonbegantodip,to88centsin1892.Consideringit“foolhardytoexhaustthegreatorebodieswhentheprofit...wasmerelynominal,”theWaterloocompanycloseditsmineandmillinMarch,1892;120to150menwereidled.

Butnoteveryonewasabouttogiveup.Afewchloridersremainedatwork(1892),theSilverKingmillcontinuedtooperatenightandday,andtheschoolremainedfullofyoungscholars.

Inthelongrun,though,continuingtominesilverorewouldbelikespittingintothewind.Europewasalreadysufferingfromadepression.Fearingthespreadofmonetaryproblems,the

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RepublicansforcedtherepealoftheShermanact.Monthslater,inmid‐1893,panicsweptthebankingindustryofthecountry.Railroadconstructionhalted.Thepricesofcommodities,fromwheattopigiron,slipped.AroundCalico,eventhechloridersvanished.Meanwhile,afteraprotractedsuit,theWaterlooandKingcorporationsmergedinmid‐1894.

Byalllogic,Calicoshouldhavediedthen.Butcapitalandlaborkeptuptheircourage.InspiteoftheheatofJulyandthelowpriceofsilverin1895‐‐65cents‐‐theKing(Garfield)millcontinuedtoreduce100tonsoforeadayfromitsgroupsofmines;thecompany'smineswere“lookingbetterthantheyhaveforseveralyears....”Thestagelinewasstillmakingtworoundtripsaday,andtheschoolhadjustfinishedthetermwith36childrenenrolled.ThoughCalico“boastsbuttwosaloons,”itstillencompassedabarber,stationerystore,fruitstore,druggist‐doctor,shoemaker,lodginghouse,machineshop,blacksmithshop,andaChineserestaurant.PostmasterH.R.GregoryhadlivedinCalicosincethepioneerdays.Undauntedbythehardtimes,Thanksgivingwascelebratedwithagrandballinthetownhall,a“fineturkeysupper,”andadanceuntildawn.

WhentheKingcompany'sminesandmillswereshutdownin1896,thetownstillclungtolife.Ahandfulofbusinessesservedanestimated100residents.ThepostofficefinallyclosedinNovember,1898.Finally,theschooldwindledtofourpupilsandclosed.AstheRedland'sCitrographnoted,Calico“longagofellintodecay,andhasnowpassedentirelyoutofexistence.Itisnolongerknownevenasaschooldistrict,owingtoalackofschoolcensuschildren.ThelibraryandotherbooksandrecordshavebeenreturnedtotheofficeoftheCountySuperintendentofSchools.”

Thoughthetownwasdead,thedistrictexperiencedalast‐minuterevival.Twoveteransoftheearlyboom,D.O.ConnellandMarcusPluth,leasedtheOrientalMillandWaterlooMineinApril,1899,andshippedoutoreonthenarrow‐gauge.Theiroperationlastedafewyears.Thentherailroadwastornup;ConnellmovedmanyofCalico'sframestructurestoDaggettandthenewtownofYermo.

Caliconowpassedintotherealmoflegend.Old‐timerswhohadmissedtheboomcouldrecallpeakpopulationsof2,000,2,500,even4,000.Thetruenumberneverreallymattered.

Withinafewyears,visitorswouldbeginvisitingtheruins,snappictureswiththeirboxvKodaks,andhavepicniclunchesbesideadobewalls.WalkingupMainStreetin1908,geologistW.H.Stormsrecalledthecamp'sheyday:“...Nightanddaythesoundofmusicandmirthcouldbeheard.Thecheerfulcallofthehurdy‐qurdymanagerminglingwiththerattleoftheIvorychipsofthegamblingtables....”

Stormscouldhardlybelievetheruinwroughtinonlyadecadeofdesertion.Adilapidatedpianostoodinacorneroftheolddancehall.“...Thesunstreamedintothedirtyroomthroughgreatholesintheroof.Theliningandgaudywallpaperwerehanginginfoldsliketapestrylongneglected.Inthestoreroomoftheleadingstore,largeaccountbooksrevealed“manyoldfamiliarnames.”JakeKinghadboughtaplugoftobaccofor50cents;CharlieBeckwithhadboughtasilkshirtfor$4.Severalsafeslayoutsidetheexpressoffice.Thedozenhousesliningthesilentmainstreet“areinpossessionofthebatsandowls.””SOURCES:RecollectionsofthediscoveriesappearinthePioneerCabinNews(SanBernardinoSocietyofPioneers,bulletin),1968,andinL.BurrBelden's“MechamsTellofCalicoSilverCampDiscovery,”SanBernardinoSun‐Telegram,Oct.26,1952,p,22.Thoughindifferentlyedited,theSanBernardinoValleyIndexcarriedinformative,oftenhumorousaccountsofthediscoveryand

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earlyboom,1881‐1882.InthefewsurvivingissuesoftheCalicoPrint,thewriterspaidconsiderableattentiontosocialandculturallife.MiningandmillingwerecoveredexhaustivelyintheMining&ScientificPress,1882‐1917,especiallythroughlate1887,whenthePrintsuspended.Thedeclinewascovered,somewhatsporadically,bytheRedlandsCitrographandtheSaturdayReview(SanBernardino)andbytheCaliforniaStateMiningBureau,Reports8(1888),9(1890),11(1892),12(1894),and13(1896).

ThemoreonegetstoknowCalico,themoreoneappreciatestheboyhoodreminiscencesofHermanF.Mellen,apparentlywrittenabout1940:HistoricalSocietyofSouthernCalifornia,Quarterly,June,1952(v.34),pp.107‐124;September,pp,243‐260;andDecember,pp,347‐367.

Severalvisitorsandresidentswrotevividaccounts:Mrs.D.M.Harwood,“InterestingLetter,”June9,1882,and“CalicoDistrict,”June16,1882,bothintheSantaAnaStandard;F.W.S.(FrederickW.Smith),“CalicoDistrict,”Mining&ScientificPress,March14,1885,pp,173and180;“OntheDesert,”June15,1887,“ADayintheMines,”June24,1887,and“ThroughtheWaterlooMillandMine,”November21,1888,allintheOntarioRecord;andW.H.Storms,“ALonesomeTown,”American(LosAngeles)MiningReview,November14,1908,pp,10‐11.

Thoughitcontainsafewerrors,thebestoverallaccountofminingremainsanextensive,abundantlyillustratedseriesbyastategeologist:F.H.Weber,Jr.,“SilverMininginOldCalico,”May,1966(v.19),pp,71‐80;January,1967(v.20),pp.3‐8;andafollow‐uppiece,“SilverDepositsoftheCalicoDistrict,”February,1967(v.20),pp,11‐15,allinMineralInformationService(CaliforniaDivisionofMinesandGeology).Fortheseries,Weberalsocompiledacomprehensive,unpublishedbibliographyforthedivision:“BibliographyoftheCalicosilverdistrictandvicinity,SanBernardinoCounty,California”(April,1966).

AlsoofinterestareseveralfeatureswrittenbyL.BurrBelden:“CalicoBoomsasCounty'sBiggestMiningCenter,”Nov.2,1952,p,24,and“LucyLaneHasVividMemoriesofEarlyCalico,”Oct.8,1961,p.D‐6,bothintheSanBernardinoSun‐Telegram.

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PROVIDENCE

IVANPAHFATHEREDOTHERBOOMS.AlongthesteepslopesoftheProvidenceMountains,southoftheClarkdistrict,partiesofprospectorsfromIvanpahfoundextremelyrichsilveroreduringthespringof1880.Someoftherockassayedupto$5,000aton.

TherichestclaimturnedouttobetheBonanzaKing.ThispropertypassedintothehandsofJ.B.Osborne,H.L.Drew,J.D.Boyer,andCharleyHassen,allveteranminingmenwhowouldfigureprominentlyinthecounty'smininghistory.

Thougharichveinwasfoundinearly1882,theownersoftheBonanzaKingsoldtheirintereststotheBonanzaKingConsolidatedMining&MillingCompanyofNewYork,whichpusheddevelopment.Toservethe100to150mendevelopingthemineroundtheclock,apostofficenamedProvidencewasestablishedthatJune.AndwhileSouthernPacificcrewswerebuildingatrackacrossthedesert,teamswerehaulinginahoistingplantandmachineryfora10‐stampmill.

Byearly1883,Providencehademergedasarough‐and‐tumblecampof300residents.Manyhousesweremadeoflocallyquarriedwhiterock[volcanictuff].Besidesthepostofficeandseveralmining‐companyoffices,thebusinessdistrictembracedtwogeneralstores,twohotelswithliverystables,asaloon,andacontractor,blacksmith‐wagonmaker,deputysheriff,andU.S.mineralsurveyor.Providencehadalsobeendeclaredavotingprecinct.

Meanwhile,theBonanzaKingwasbecominganinvestor'sdream.Themill,whichstarteduponJanuary1,1883,turnedout$61,744duringitsfirstmonthalone.Afew·monthslater,theplantwasturningout2,000ouncesofbullionaday!Oretakenfromshallowshaftsyielded$573,376inbullionbytheendof1883.BonanzaKingstockwassoonplacedontheNewYorkminingexchange,andregulardividendswerebeingpaid.Whentheoutputreachednearly$1millionin18months,superintendentThomasEwingexplainedthat“theBonanzaKingisbetteropenedup,betterworked,andwehaveobtainedbetterresultsfromtheorethananyothermineinthisgreatmineraldesert....”Infact,allthedistrict'sminescontinuedtoflourish.

FrederickW.Smith,arepresentativeofSanFrancisco'sMining&ScientificPress,wasamazedfromthemomenthesteppedoffthetrainatFennerstationinearly1885.HetookYoung'sstageandexpress‐‐thefarewas$4upand$3down‐‐laterjokingthatacanteenofwaterandalunchwereneededtoendurethedreary,24‐miletripacrossthedesert.Worse,driver“Font”Williamsenjoyedterrorizingtenderfeetwithhair‐raisingtalesofthefrontier.

AndwhatagoldenharvesttheBonanzaKingwasreaping!Throughan800footmainshaftcameorecontaining$100atoningoldandsilver.GrindingawayatCrowTown,amileandahalffromthemine,wasahighlyefficient10‐stampmill.About100menworkedatthemineandmill.Butthe$20,000spentonwagesandsupplieswasoffsetbythemill'smonthlybullionoutputof$35,000to$50,000.Bythen,themillhadproduced$1,500,000inbullion.

ButthecampremindedSmithofadullcompanytown.Besidesthepostoffice,thebusinessesinearly1885totaledonlytwogeneralstoresandthreesaloons.Therewerenosaloons,asSmithfound:“...Amattressonthefloororonastorecounterisfirst‐classaccommodations.”Woodwasplentifulbutcost$8acord;watertakenfromthecompany'swellcosttwotofivecentsagallon.Meanwhile,anattempttoorganizeaschooldistrictfailed‐‐notenoughchildren.

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Workingconditions,too,werenothingtobragabout.Thoughpaidpromptlyandincoin,themenreceivedonly$3.50aday;boardcost$8aweek.Itwaslittlewonderthattheworkerswereconsideredhardworkingandsober:theBonanzaKingwouldfireanymanfounddrunk.Oneworkerlateraccusedtheforemanandashiftbossofbeing“heartlesstaskmasters”whoforcedemployeestoworkmore“thantheirhealthandstrengthwillpermit.”

Allthistime,thepriceofsilvercontinuedtoslip.Afterpayingdividendsthroughearly1885,thecompanysuspendedoperationsinMarch.

Whentheminereopenedaweeklater,the15menjusthiredhadtoacceptonly$3aday,acutmade“withreluctance,”inthewordsofacorrespondent,“owingtotheverylowpriceofbullion....Itisquiteevidentthatitistheirintentiontopushtheworkingoftheminesmorethaneverbefore....Youmayconfidentlyexpecttoseealargeroutputofbullionthaneverbefore....”

Theretrenchmentworked,atleastforawhile.AdvertisingintheCalicoPrint,theBonanzaKingcompanyhiredmenasfastastheyarrived:40menatfirsttoworkinthemine,35morewhenthemillstartedupafewmonthslater.Whilethemillwasturningoutanaverageof$60,000inbullionamonth,thePrintenvisioneda“large,substantial,andflourishingcamp.”

Butanothercloudcametodarkenthissilverlining.Justafterturningout26barsofbullion,the“beautifulandthoroughlyequipped”millburnedonJuly31,“notavestigeofthestructureanditscontentsescapingdestruction.”Thecompanylaidmostofitsworkers,andthetown'sbusinesswasexpectedtosufferconsiderably.Thoughcompanyofficialsstartedtorebuildthemill,evenclearingawaythedebris,theBonanzaKingremainedclosed;onlyafewsmallmineskeptProvidencefromdying.

Finally,assuredthatthecoinageofsilverwouldcontinue,thecompanyreopenedthemineinearly1886.Assaysshowingexceptionallyrichorekept20to25menatworkdespitetheJulyheat.AtthenearbyKerrandPattonproperty,GodfreyBahten,awidelytraveledminingman,builtafive‐stampmill.WhentheplantstartedupinJanuary,1887,“fromthefirststrokeoftheengineitwasclearthateverythingwasinplace....”TherebuiltmillfortheBonanzaKing,however,remainedadream,foritwascontendedthatthe“ownersareallrichmenandtheyarelikelywaitinguntilsilverbecomesafixedstandard.”

Thattimenevercame.CalicoandothersilvercampshadeclipsedProvidence;pricescontinuedtofall.Thenumberofregisteredvotersplummetedfrom91to13inonlytwoyears.ThoughJuanDomingowasrunningastagetoFennerthreetimesaweek,allthatremainedin1887wereafewresidentsandbusinesses.TheKerrandPattonpropertyoperatedatleastuntil1890andreportedlypaidgooddividends.Thepassagein1890oftheShermanSilverPurchaseAct,intendedtogivetokenrelieftomineownersandimpoverishedfarmers,atoncepushedsilverto$1.05anounce.Butthepriceagainslippedtoitsearlierlevels.ProvidencepostofficeclosedinMay,1892.

Providence'sminesexperiencedseveralrevivalsduringthenextseveraldecades.TheTrojanMiningCompanybuiltagasoline‐powered10‐stampmillandworkedtheminefrom1906throughSeptember,1907.

Arousedbythisrevival,aMassachusettsfirmrebuiltthemillandputthemineintoproductionin1915.Thirtymenweresoonrunningtheoperationroundtheclock.Thepresenceoffivefamiliesgavethecamp“amorecharmingappearance.”Utilitieswereprovidedbyanelectric‐

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lightplantandawaterline.Twotrucks,meanwhile,madedailytripstoFennerstation.Theoperationwasequippedwithgasolineenginesandthemostmodernhoistingandmillingequipment.Withinafewyears,thecompanyhadreopenedshafts,to800feet,andwastakingoutveryrichore.ButtheArmistice(1918)soonbroughtadeclineinthepriceofsilver,to$1.01anouncein1920.ThecompanysuspendedworkinJuly.ThiswasProvidence'slasthurrah.SOURCES:ThebestoverviewcanbefoundinVredenburghandothers,DesertFever(alreadycited).TheColtonSemi‐TropicandtheSanBernardinoTimesandtheIndexreportedonthediscoveriesandpioneeryears,1880‐1882.TheMining&ScientificPress,usuallyquotingtheCalicoPrint,coveredtheoperationsindetail,from1882throughlate1887,whenthePrintfolded.ThehandfulofsurvivingissuesofthePrintfor1885describeworkingconditions.

Boom‐timephotosofProvidencearelacking.Fortunately,thecamp'sruinsremainedwellpreservedforyears,asshowninAaronDudleyandAlvinFickewirth,“GhostTownoftheMojave,”Westways,November,1941(v.33),pp.22‐23.

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MESCAL

IVANPAHWASNOTTHEONLYSETTLEMENTintheClarkdistrict.SixmilessouthofIvanpahwastheCambriaMine,variouslyknownastheMeskalorMollusk.TheCambriawasdiscoveredabout1879andwasproducingoreearlythenextyear.

Thesiteitselfhardlylookedpromising.Onevisitorlaterdescribedtheapproachtothemine:“...Thegreatmountainsoneitherhandwerebareintheirdrydesolation;...Occasionallyinsmallgulches,ordepressions,orchardsofyuccagrewlikestuntedtrees....”TheoperationremainednearlylifelessuntilWilliamA.McFarlane,apioneerofIvanpah,boughtthepropertyin1882.

TheMescalMinecamealiveinearly1885,whenMcFarlaneandhispartner,SimesA.Barrett,hadaforceofmenatwork.Waitingtobemilledwasalargelotoforeworth$100atoninsilverandgold.Meanwhile,duringashutdownatProvidence,severalminersandwoodcutterstrickledintoMescal.

Gladtoseeprogress,theCalicoPrintreportedinJunethat“Mescalminingcamphascommencedtoboom....”Withsevenoreightmenworkingatthemine,McFarlaneandBarrettstarteduptheoldIvanpahConsolidatedmill.About20packanimalsownedbyJohn(Juan)Domingo,aProvidenceteamster,madedailytripscarryingore.Afewweekslater,inJuly,Wells,Fargo&Companycarriedawaythefirstbullion,twobarsworthmorethan$2,000.“...Luckbewiththem,theydeserveit....”

MescalentereditsmostproductiveperiodwhenMcFarlaneandBarrettleasedout,thensold,theCambriatoacompanyof“shrewd”LosAngelesbusinessmeninJanuary,1886.Thecompanysoonhad10menatworkanddroveasecondtunnel;a350‐yardore‐cartrackledtoaroadbelow.UnderBarrett'ssupervision,thecompanygradedasiteforafive‐stampmillnearMescalSpring,whichproduceda“splendidsupplyofwater.”Domingo'sbigteamslaboriouslyhauledintimbersandlumber.Themachinery,madeinLosAngeles,wasmeant“toshowSanFranciscothattheycanerectasgoodamillasanyotherplaceonthecoast....”SupervisedbyMcFarlane,themillstartedupinearlyDecemberandturnedoutfourbarsofbullionweighing5,000ounces;theyieldshowedthatMcFarlane“keepsuphisreputationasafirst‐classmillman.”

Mescalhadbecomeacompact,well‐runcampbylate1886.AcorrespondentforthePrintobserved:“...Themillisathoroughlysubstantialoneinallitsparts.Theyhaveafineassayoffice,overseenbythepainstakingassayer,Mr.L.A.Blackburn.Theofficesarecomfortable,andtheboarding‐house,lodging‐house,etc.,showthattheylooktothecomfortoftheirmen....”Ahandfulofmen,severalwithfamilies,livedinwell‐builtadobescoveredwithgoodshingleroofs.“Good”minersreceived$3.50aday;“excellent”boardcost$8aweek.Asonevisitorwaslatertold,“wagesweregood,worksteadyandeverybodywashappy....”

ProsperitycontinuedtosmileuponMescalforseveralyears.Allthrough1886,superintendentL.A.Carruncoveredrichore.ThePrintremarkedthatthecompanycould“congratulateitselfonthewaythemineisopeningup....”Themillwasproducingsomuchbullion‐‐15,000ouncesinJanuary,1887‐‐thatCarraddedfivestampsafewmonthslater.ApostofficenamedNantan,awordapparentlyofIndianorigin,wasestablishedinMarch,1887.Meanwhile,DomingowasrunningaweeklystagefromFenner,andastorewasinoperation.

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Mescalapparently‐peakedin1887.Thepriceofsilverwasdeclining,fromanalready‐low97centsanounceto94centsin1889.Fromthemine'stwo300‐foottunnels,themillwasprocessingoreyieldingonly$20aton.Only12personslivedtherein1890;thepostofficeclosedthatDecember.AccordingtoMcFarlane'sson,theMescalhadbythenproduced$250,000ingoldandsilver.

...

Theeffectoffallingsilverpricesproducedwhatmayhavebeenoneofthemostbizarreincidentsinthehistoryofmining.Justasalongdepressionbegansweepingthenationin1893,asilverdollarcontainedonly40centsworthofsilver.AccordingtoastorypublishedintheLosAngelesTimesin1895,twoDenverbusinessmen,knownonlyasSpencerandDavis,soughttorecoupthefortunes'theyhadlostinthedepression.Thoughdiscrepanciessuggestthatthestorymaybeahoax,atleastinpart,SpencerandDavissupposedlyboughttheMescal.Theybuiltasmelter,broughtinahand‐pickedcrew,andinstalledspecialmachineryatthebottomofadeepshaft.

Themachineryhadonlyonepurpose:counterfeiting,thenanunusuallycommoncrime.SpencerandDavissoonbegantakingouteachday20tonsoforecontainingatotalof800ouncesofsilver,enoughtomint1,000phonydollars.Tightlypackedintohollowbarsofsilver,thecoinswouldbeshippedouttocitiesandfenced.

Althoughthesilverdollarsturnedouttobeexcellentimitations,theirdiscoveryinahollowsilverbarledJohnE.Bennett,aSecretServiceagent,onapainstakinghuntforclues.Bennettfinallyfoundhispreyinthesummerof1893andenlistedtheaidofadetachmentofsoldiers.Afterleavingtherailroad,Bennettandaguidefinally“turnedaroundasmallcone‐likehillandtherebeforeus,closeuponus,wastheMescalcamp.Itlayonaridgewhichmadeoutfromthemountainintothevalley....Aboveontheboldsideofthehighroaringmountainwasthemine,itsgreydumpmarkingwithalightsplotchthedarkslope....”Bucketssuspendedonanaerialtramwaycarriedorefromtheminetothesmelter.Runningdownasteepslope,apipefromtheminefedapoolofdeliciouswater.Thoughvisitorswereunwelcome,Bennettcontrivedtohavehimselfstrandedinthecamp.

OnemorninginAugust,BennettidentifiedhimselfasaSecretServiceagentandorderSpencerandhiscrewtosurrender.Spencermerelysneered.“Pooh,youtalklikeafool.I’llhaveyoutoknow,sir,thatitwilltakeabettermanthanyoutoarrestawholecampandshutdownamineonsuchafoolchargeasthat....”Spencerhadalreadypreparedforsuchanemergency.JustasBennett'smenwereabouttochargeoverthehill,Spencerblewawhistle,andthemountaininsidebegantorumble.AnexplosionblewBennettandseveralothersofftheirfeet;boulderswentflying.Onemanwasfatallyinjured.Undertherubble,toodeeptodigout,werethedies,roller,andcounterfeitingpress.TakentoLosAngelesfortrial,Spencer,Davis,andtheirsmeltermanwereacquittedforlackofevidence.Buttheydidnotreturntotheiroldways.

...

Thecampitselffinallydiedofneglect.Acattlemancontinuedtousetheboardinghouse.Butheavysnowcollapsedtheroof,andtheshakeswerereplacedwithsheetironin1911.Themillwasscrappedin1914.Themillmachinery‐‐thebuildinghadalreadybeentorndown‐‐wasscrappedin1914.Theassayofficeremainedinfairconditionuntilastoryinatreasuremagazinereported‐‐

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erroneously‐‐thatgoldcoinshadbeenhiddenintheadobewalls.Treasurehunters‐vandals,really‐‐soonfinishedoffthebuilding.EugeneMcFarlane,theowneroftheproperty,understandablydoesnotwantvisitorstothesite.SOURCES:QuotingtheCalicoPrint,theMining&ScientificPresscoveredtheMescal'sdevelopmentindetail,1885‐1887.D.F.Hewett,inhisworkontheIvanpahQuadrangle(citedearlier),describedthemine.JohnE.Bennettrelatedthefascinatingstoryofthecounterfeitingringin“TheMintAttheMescalMine,”LosAngelesTimes,Dec.8,1895,p.14.Discrepanciessuggestthatthestorymightbeahoax.AcheckoftrialsheldattheUnitedStatesDistrictCourtinLosAngelesforthatperiodrevealmanycounterfeitingcasesbutnodefendantsnamedSpencerorDavis.Thenamesmayverywellhavebeenchangedsincethecasesupposedlyresultedinacquittals.TheLosAngelescitydirectoryfor1895,meanwhile,listsaJohnE.BennettasemployedbytheAssociatedPress.

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BAGDADandtheORANGEBLOSSOMMINE

THECONSTRUCTIONOFTHESANTAFÉSYSTEMrequiredalengthysupplyline.Trainsroutinelyneededtotakeonwaterandcoal,changeandfeedcrews,andputonextralocomotives.Bagdad,asidingbuiltbetweenNeedlesandDaggettabout1883,provedtobeanidealsiteforastop.ItlayatthefootofasteepgradeupAshHill.

Amoreforbiddinglocalecouldscarcelybefound.Ancientcinderconesandlavaflowsmarkedavolcaniclandscape.BagdadwasinthedriestpartoftheMojaveDesert,therainfallaveraginglittlemorethantwoinchesayear.Temperaturescouldreach119degreesF.(Ironically,abundantwaterlaybelowthesite.)

InformationaboutBagdadisveryfragmentary.Adepot‐telegraphoffice,coalbins,watertower,andperhapsarestaurantmayhaveexistedasearlyas1888.ApostofficewasestablishedinMay,1889.About40to50personslivedatthestationduringitsearlyyears,mostofthemrailroademployees,suchasengineersandconductors;afewmenhadfamilies.Thetinybusinessdistrictin1892embracedageneralstore,arailroadeatinghouse,andthedepot,whichprobablyhousedthepostoffice,thetelegraphoffice,andaWells,Fargo&Companyagency.Thepopulationdoubledduringthenextfewyears,toanestimated80ormore.AtravelerfromSanBernardinocameacrossaless‐thangenteelsceneinJanuary,1896:“AtBagdadisafreightcarriggedwithadoubleroof.Inittheengineerlives.Hissweet‐facedlittledaughterstandsinthedoor,andhisdogliesonthedoor‐step.Notrees,noshade;‐‐coalbunker,watertrain‐‐aMexicanvillageofahundredinhabitants.”By1898,thetownalsocontainedastableandaHarveyHouse,arestaurant‐hotelservingmostlyrailroadcrews,thougharoomortwowouldbekeptvacantforminingmenandothertravelers.

Duringtheseearlyyears,thelackofwaterremainedaseriousproblem.Therailroaddrilledadeepwellin1902,reachingwateratonly150feet.Butthewaterturnedouttobetoomineralizedforusebythecommunityorrailroad,andthewellwassoonabandoned.Allwaterhadtobehauledindailyintankcars‐‐16carsadayin1919,or168,000gallons.Thewaterwasrunintoacisternandthenpumpedintoanelevatedwatertank.Locomotiveshadtotakeonplentyofwaterandcoalbecauseofthesteepwestwardgrade.

Still,theresidentsmanagedtoadapttotheirenvironment.Onefamilywouldsleepinwetsheetsonsummernightsandevenmanagedtoraisealushvegetablegarden.Astatelyrowofpalmsandatheltrees‐‐thelatteragiftfromavisitorappalledbythebleakness‐‐werealsoplanted.

Meanwhile,duringtheearly20thcentury,miningboomsbuiltupthestationsbetweenNeedlesandDaggett.FromAmboyandDaggett,roadsledsouthintotheDaledistrict.PostofficeswereestablishedatDanbyandLudlow;schooldistrictswerecreatedatBagdad(1904),Ludlow,andAmboy.

OfespecialimportancetothegrowthofBagdadwasthedevelopmentoftheOrangeBlossomgroupofclaims.TheclaimswerediscoveredbyanIndianintheBristolMountains,10milesnorthofBagdad.Todeveloptheproperty,JohnDenair,adivisionsuperintendentoftheSantaFéandthefounderofatownnearModesto,organizedacompanyandsetoutonavigorousstock‐sellingcampaign.WorkattheOrangeBlossomspeededupin1907,whenthemineshippeditsfirstore.

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Themainactivitycenteredontheadjacentclaim,theOrangeBlossomExtension.Inmid‐1908,thecompanybuiltaneight‐stampmillandacampmadeofpineandredwoodbuildings,wellpainted,furnishedwithrunningwater,lightedwithelectricity.Thesettlementcomprisedanassaylaboratory,well‐furnishedoffice,boardinghouse,roominghouse,twosnugcottages,astable,barn,andcorral.WaterwaspipedseveralmilesfromaBudweiserSpring.Belowthemineandmill,“justfarenoughsothatthemusicofthestampswillbesubdued.”theOrangeBlossomcompanylaidoutatownnamedHodgmaninearly1909.

Denairalsobuiltupmuchoftheregionalongtherailroad.AtAmboy,Denair'scompanyerectedaframelodginghouseforvisitorsandahugewarehouse.Anautomadedailytripstothemine.AtLudlow,Denairbuiltatwo‐storyconcretestore(stillstandinginlate1984).AtBagdad,hebuiltoffices,corrals,alargestore,powdermagazine,cottage,bunkhouse,powerplant,evenachickencoop.TheSantaFébuiltaspurtohandlesuppliesforthepowerplantandstore.AstagelineandpowerlineconnectedtheOrangeBlossom.Twootherminingcompaniesownedcorrals.Therailroadmaintainedthedepot,blacksmithshop,toolhouses,sectionhouses,pumpingplants,evenaniceplant.Roundingoutthetownweretheschool,postoffice,HarveyHouse(withitsownhogpen),andprobablyastore.(Afewyearslater,thecountyestablishedbranchlibrariesintheschoolandtown.)

ButatthesiteofHodgman,plansforcottages,alargehotelandgeneralstore,postoffice,andotherbuildingsnevermaterialized.Themineandthenthemillshutdowninearly1909,andtheOrangeBlossomcompanywentbankrupt.

ThesuspensionofworkattheOrangeBlossomdidnot“comeasasurprisetominingmenwhohadbeenkeptadvisedofdevelopments,”theLosAngelesMiningReviewcommented.“Itismerelyanothercasewhereexpensivemillingfacilitieshavebeenprovidedbeforetheextentandexactvalueoforebodieshadbeenascertained.Theworkofexplorationhadbeenallowedtorunbehindinamarkeddegreeand,asearlyassixmonthsago,itwaspredictedthatthemanagementwouldsoonerorlaterbecompelledtoacknowledgeitsmistake.....”Still,thepropertymayhave“realmerit,”andmoreintelligentminingmightuncover“largebodiesofpayore.”

ThecollapseoftheOrangeBlossomboomprobablysignaledtheendofBagdad'sheyday.Only80personslivedtherein1910.True,travelerscouldstillgetwater,gasoline,meals,andsuppliesatastorein1917,butLudlow,only20mileswest,haddevelopedalargecommercialdistrict.Inthemeantime,Route66,atfirstadirttrack,wasbeingbuiltthroughBagdadfromChicago.AfireburnedmuchofBagdadin1918.ThentheSantaFédoubletrackeditslineandreducedthegradeupAshHill;thereducedgrademadehelperlocomotivesunnecessary.ThepostofficefinallyclosedinApril,1923,justastherailroadcompanywascompletingtherealignment.Happily,Route66waspavedinthe1920's,andafewbusinessesgrewupalongthehighway.Theschoolmaintainedahealthyenrollmentuntil1937,whenitandthelibrarybrancheswereclosed.Travelerscouldstillfindaccommodationsin1939,butonlyabout20residentsremained,incontrastto150atLudlowandnearly100atAmboy.

DuringWorldWarII,theMarineCorpsestablishedanenormousbasesouthoftherailroadandclosedtheroadtoDaleandTwentyninePalms;inturn,theroadleadingsouthfromAmboywaspaved.

Bagdadcontinuedtoshrinkuntilitcontainedaservicestation,cafe,andtouristcampalongRoute66andthedepot,pumpingplant,andsectionhousealongtherailroad.ThentheSantaFéconvertedtoDiesellocomotivesandmotorizeditsmaintenancecrews.Thesectionhousewas

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closed;thehotelandwatertankweretorndown.In1960,thejournalistL.BurrBeldencouldfindonlyboarded‐uprailroadstructures,thepumpingplant,andthestatelyrowofpalmsstandingnearthefoundationsofthedepotandhotel.SOURCES:ThestoryofBagdadhasbeenpiecedtogetherfrombusinessdirectories,DavidThompson'swater‐supplypaperontheMojaveDesert(citedearlier),atravelarticleintheRedlandsCitrographin1896,DavidMyrick'sRailroadsofNevadaandEasternCalifornia(alreadycited),andarticlesintheLosAngeles(American)MiningReviewandPatriciaKeeling,OnceUponaDesert(citedearlier).TheonlycomprehensiveaccountofBagdad'shistoryisL.BurrBelden,“BustlingRails,MineCenterofBagdadFading,”SanBernardinoSun‐Telegram,April3,1960,p.B‐12.

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VANDERBILT

THEERAOFSILVERMININGwasfading.AllovertheMojave‐‐atCalico,Mescal,Providence‐‐theoldsilvercampsweredying.

Goldwasthenewmetalofchoice.InJanuary,1891,aPaiuteIndiannamedRobertBlackstruckapromisingmineraldepositintheNewYorkMountains,about40milesnorthofGaffssiding,ontheSantaFéRailway.AnassaymadeatProvidenceshowedittoberichingold.Toprotecthisinterests,BlackbroughtinrancherM.M.Beatty(namesakeofthetownnearDeathValley)tofileaclaim.

Thestrikecouldnotlongremainasecret.TwominingmenfromProvidence,RichardC.HallandSamuelKing,rushedintofileonseveralpromisingveins,whichbecametheGoldBronzeMine.

SeriousprospectinggotunderwayaftertwootherProvidenceminers,JosephP.TaggartandJamesH.Patton,joinedtheminJune.Thefourmensankseveralshaftsandtookoutseveraltonsoforerichingoldandsilver.AcampsprangupatVanderbiltSpring,inacove‐likegullyinthesideofahill.Withinashortwalkwerecopiousspringsandabundantscrubbytrees,piñonandnutpine,“sotherewillbenoroomforthecustomaryhowl....”Thoughsnowfallswheneverthewintersareharsh,thedistrict,lyingatabout4,500feet,tendstoescapethebruntofthesummerheat.

ThoughKingdied,Hall,Taggart,andPattonpushedaheadattheirGoldBronzeclaimduringthenexttwoyears.Theentiredesertregion,infact,wasattractingattentionby1892.About40milesnorthofVanderbilt,SamuelS.Godbewasopeninguplead‐zinc‐silverdepositsintheoldYellowPinedistrict.JustsouthwestofVanderbilt,theSagamoreMine,anoldlead‐zinc‐silver‐copperproperty,wasawaitingdevelopment.Hopingtoreapthewealthoftherisingdistricts,Isaac

C.Blake,aDenverminingmagnate,builtasmelteratNeedles.Inthemeantime,AllanG.Campbell,aSaltLakeCityinvestor,joinedBeattyindevelopingtheBoomerangproperty,evensinkingashaft100feet.AndtwoComstocklords,JohnL.MackayandJ.L.Flood,withpartnerWilliamS.Lyleastheirfrontman,werestudyingnearbyproperties.AstrikemadebyTaggartthatfallfinallytouchedoffarush.WhenyoungFrankWilliamsarrivedfromKansasinDecember,Vanderbilt“wasmostinterestingandIspenttheafternoonamidscenesandconditionsoflifealtogethernewtome....”Thecampconsistedofperhaps300menservedbyastore,boardinghouse,andseveralsaloons,probablyallhousedintents.ThoughWilliamssawsomedrunkenness,“Isawnobodyarmedandallwerewelldisposedandsociable....”

Blake,theDenverinvestor,turnedthissmallrushintoaboom.PlanningtodeveloptheSagamore,BlakeinDecemberbeganbuildingtheNevadaSouthernRailwayfromGoffs.JoininghimwasWarrenG.Purdy,aChicagorailroadofficial,thoughGodbemayhavepromisedBlakeshipmentsoforefromhisminesintheYellowPinedistrict.

Vanderbiltmushroomed.InJanuary,1893,itcontained50tentsand“fully”150residents.Twostoressuppliedthe“necessitiesoflife,”andasaloondispensed“theluxuries.”Theotherbusinessesincludedthreerestaurants,alodginghouse,ablacksmithshop,andahay‐and‐feedstable.Awaterworkswasplanned(butneverbuilt).Astagebroughtgold‐seekersthreetimesaweekfromGoffs,36miles.(GoffswasrenamedBlakein1894.)Onecorrespondentpredictedthat

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Vanderbiltwould“soonbeoneoftheliveliestandmostprosperoustownsinsouthernCalifornia....”ApostofficewasestablishedinFebruary.

Blake“fairlygluttedthemostsanguinewithhispromises.”Yethisconstructioncrewsmadelittleprogresseventhoughtheroutecrossedonlyabroad,gentlyslopingplain.Then,too,allwaterhadtobehauledfromNeedles.Meanwhile,asoureconomywasdryingupcapitalforrailroadconstruction.BytheendofJanuary(1893),60teamsand100menhadgradedonly12milesnorthofGoffs.Atownwaslaidoutattheend‐of‐trackandnamedafterLeroyBlackburn,aprominentrancher.

Butamonthlater,thegradeextended26miles,toapointsoonnamedPurdy.Jubilant“overtheprospectsofhavingacheapmethodoftransportation,”manyresidentswerepredictingaboom.WhentherailsfinallyreachedBlackburn,apostofficewasestablishedatacampfartheralongtherouteinMarch.ItwasnamedManvel,afterAllenManvel,thelatepresidentoftheSantaFéRailway.TheoriginalManvelwasprobablyaconstructioncampatthefootoftheNewYorkMountains.(Summitconstructioncampwasestablishedafewmilesupthegrade;thiswouldbethelatersiteofManvel.)

Asspringarrived,theNevadaSouthernwasbringingin10to15personsaday;150menwereworkingatVanderbilt.TheNeedlesEyecalledtheminesthe“mostpromisingandlivelynewgold‐miningdistrict”seeninsixorsevenyears.

Otherobserverswerenotsosure.ThePioche(Nevada)Recordwarnedthatthecamp“issaidtobebadlyoverblown.”Thenativenutpineandwaterweresaidtobedepleted(probablyanexaggeration).Lumbercost$90athousandboard‐feet.Only25menatmosthadjobsatVanderbiltinearly1893;theSagamoreMine,justoutsidethedistrict,employed80men.

Althoughthepopulationremainedsteady,atabout300,Vanderbiltthatspringbecamea“bustlingandlivelycamp,”whereeveryman“seemstobeonthego,andthatthisishislastchancetomakeastrike....”VirgilEarp,abrotherofWyattEarp,beganbuildingasaloon;itwouldremainthecamp'sonlytwo‐storybuilding.“Genial”WilliamMcFarlane,apioneerofIvanpahandMescal,soldgeneralmerchandise,miners'supplies,andprovisionsathisVanderbiltStore,wherehealsoranthepostoffice.Mrs.CharlieSmithsonkepttheVanderbiltHouse,andherhusbandsupplied“thechoicestbeef”fromanearbyranch.Abedcost50centsanight;boardcost$7aweek.Bythen,thebusinessdistrictembracedtwogeneralstores,thepostoffice,threesaloons,alodginghouse,andalumberyard‐‐allbutonehousedintents.

Thenacarloadoflumberarrived;railroadcrewswerenotfarbehind.Hopeseemedinfectious.TheformerownerofaNeedlesbakeryannouncedplanstoopenachophouseinVanderbilt,givinghispatrons“thebestinthemarket.”

TheLosAngelesHeraldforesawtheriseof“anexceedinglylivelyminingtown.Infact,itisnomisnomertocallitacity,atleast,itwon'tbeinthenearfutureifthecurrentaccountsaretobetrusted.”TheEyegushedthatthe“desertcountrywillsomedayopenwidetheeyesofpeoplewhonowscoffattheideaofmakingitanythingbutthehabitationofthelizardandthehornedtoad.”

Theairfairlytingledwithexcitement.OnJuly4,forexample,thedenizensofthedesertflockedtoBlackburn'sranch;theycamefromallpoints‐‐theSagamoreMine,Vanderbilt,eventherailroadcampofPurdy.AftertheDeclarationofIndependencewasread,Dr.E.A.Tuttle“delivered

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astirringaddress,”whichwasfollowedbyagrandbarbecue,horseracingandothersports,abigdance,“andtheusualorgyofdrunkenness,”asFrankWilliamsrecalled.

Theywouldsoonhavemoretocelebrate.RegularrailservicetoManvelapparentlybeganinAugust.ManvelpostofficewasmovedtoSummit,asdidthebusinesshousesofPurdy.AccordingtotheNevadaSouthern'sfirstschedule,atrainwouldleaveBlake(Goffs)dailyat7:30a.m.andarriveatManvelat9:45.ThetrainwouldleaveManvelat4p.m.andarriveatBlakeat6:15.FromManvel,thePioneerStagelinewouldcarrypassengersthelastfivemilestoVanderbiltfor$2.Anestimated14childrennowlivedincamp;theirparentswere“anxioustohaveaschoolestablished.”Aboutthen,W.A.Nash,thefirstjusticeofthepeace,establishedanewspaper,theNugget,butitlastedonlytwoorthreeissues.Afewweekslater,theautumnairbegantobuzzwiththetalkofpolitics.Duringtheelections,Democraticcandidateswerepleasantlysurprisedtofindnotthe60or70registeredvotersbut149;30menwereexpectedtoregister.

VanderbiltquieteddownsomewhatinDecember.ButWilliamsstillfoundit“aglow”withtheexpectationthattwomillswouldbebuilt.Indeed,ten‐stampmillsstartedupattheGoldBronzeandBoomerangminesinMarch,1894;theEyerejoicedthat“Vanderbiltisboomingandthosewhomaintainedfaithinthecampandstucktoitwhenitwasdecriedarereapingthebenefitoftheirexerciseofgoodjudgment.....”

Butonemillwasanoddity.Inthestandardplants,designedinCaliforniatocrushrelativelysoftrock,850‐poundstamps(pestles)wouldriseandfall60timesaminute.ThemillusedadesignfromGilpinCounty,Colorado,where1,850‐poundstampswouldlaboriouslydrop25to30timesaminutetocrushthegranite‐likeoreoftheRockyMountains.OneminingmanlatercontendedthattheColoradodesign“doesnotdotheworkthatcouldbeexpectedfromamillofmoremodernmake.”(Meanwhile,atIbexTank,20mileswestofNeedles,awellwassunkanda10‐stampmillstartedupinMay,1894.)

ThoughtheNuggetglistenedonlybriefly,thenextattempttopublishanewspaperturnedouttobemoresuccessful.Afterlookingthedistrictover,BenC.Jordan,ayoungcorrespondentfortheLosAngelesEveningExpress,beganissuingtheweeklyShaftinearlyDecember,1893.TheEyecomplimenteditscontemporaryonitsneatappearance,itsgoodbookpaper,anditsinterestingcontents,forthemerchantswere“givingthepaperagoodshareofadvertising....WewishBrotherJordanandtheShaftabundantsuccess.”

BrotherJordandeservedsuccess.Hiscolumnsofminingnewswerewrittenclearlyandquotedextensivelybyminingjournals.Jordanhadanespeciallycleargraspoftheregion'sconcerns.HefirstadvocatedtheconstructionofasmelterinNeedles,evendepositingaspecimenofrichoreattheofficeoftheEye,andlaterurgedtheformationofanassociationofnewspaperspublishedalongthelineoftheAtlantic&Pacific(SantaF€!).Bothprojectsucceeded.Asthesummerof1894approached,theEye'sco‐publisher,F.B.Marion,joinedJordanasapartner,thoughitwasanapparentlyshort‐livedarrangement,andtheShaftorderedaplantthatwouldbe“oneofthebestappointedofficesonthecoast.”

TheappearanceoftheShaftauguredwellforthedistrict.W.T.HolcombboughttheVanderbiltStoreinDecember,1893,andFredH.ThompsonclosedhisstoreinNeedlestoopenanoutletinthethrivingcamp.TheAlbuquerqueDemocratreportedinAprilthatVanderbilt“hasalreadytheappearanceofasmalltown,barringofcoursetheunstableappearancewroughtbycanvasroofsandwalls....”Thepopulationcontinuedtorise,to400.

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Meanwhile,onavisittothedistrictinApril,thecountysuperintendentofschoolscreatedtheVanderbiltSchoolDistrict,hiredateacher,andappointedWilliamMcFarlane,JordanandMrs.DaveCongdonasthedistrict'strustees.Servinganestimated25students,schoolbeganinMayforaone‐monthterm.Afewweekslater,residentsvoted88to1tolevyaspecialschooltaxof$150.

Vanderbiltinfactwassheddingsomeofitsrawness.HayandfruitbegantoarrivefromtheManseandPahrumpranchesinNevada.WhenthePowellbrotherscompletedtheirsaloon,adancewasheldasahouse‐warming.Jordanconsideredit“averyenjoyableevent.Messrs.Powellhaveahostoffriendswhowishthemabundantsuccess.”ThenNayandYountaddedbilliardandgameroomsto·theirsaloon.

ButVanderhilt;wasreachingitspeakbylate1894.About100men,laboredinitsmines;theyreceived$3aday.Thetrappingsofgovernmentincludedateacherandschoolboard,postmaster,mining‐districtrecorder,justiceofthepeace,whoalsoservedasadeputycoroner,andconstable.

Thebusinessdistrictwasfairlycompleteandcloselyknit.McFarlaneandapartnernamedMiller,FredH.Thompson,andHallandStillsonranthreewell‐stockedgeneralstores.McFarlanealsoranthepostofficeandownedtheVanderbiltDrugStore,whichDr.E.A.Tuttlemanaged.NayandL.O.Yount,AlPowell,andVirgilEarpfurnished“thelubricator”attheirsaloons.PeteMcNealandGusHamerstadtwerethebarbers.BesidesaChineserestaurant,theGoldBronzecompany,J.Morrel,andMrs.CharlieC.Smithsonraneatinghouses.NayandYountandSmithsonownedthemeatmarkets.J.Quinnsoldstationeryandfruit.AndyMcShaneandE.P.Tolanweretheblacksmiths.Mrs.McShaneranthelodginghouse.Thoughthecampsupportedaschool,ithadnochurch;serviceswereheldinthepublichallsofvarioussaloons.AboutallthatVanderbiltlackedwasashoemakerorcobblerandabank.

Butthedistrictdidnotlacknaturalresources.Besidesthenearbysprings,shallowmineshaftsprovidedplentyofwater,whichcosttwocentsagallon.Becauseofthehighelevation,wood(probablypiñon)wasplentiful;itsoldfor$5acord.Hayandgraincost$40aton.

WhetherVanderbiltwasboomingordeclining,itssocialliferemainedanalmostweeklywhirlyofwell‐attendedbanquetsandbarbecues,maskballsandhops,whistgamesanddancinglessons.SundayactivitiesmightconsistofBibleschool,services,andastereopticonlectureintheevening.TheBohemianClub,WhistClub,andespeciallytheSlimMen'sSocietywereunusuallymerry,evenholdingapillowcase‐and‐sheetdance.ToenjoyadanceatBlake(Goffs),Vanderbilt'smenandwomenevencharteredatrain.

Infact,thecamp'scitizensseemedtorelishtheunorthodox.Ministerswouldlectureinthehallsofsaloons.AtEarp'sbuilding,whichhousedasaloononthegroundfloor,theupstairswouldbeusedforapollingplace,churchservices,andSundayschool.OneearlySunday‐schoolsuperintendentdealtfarointhePioneerSaloonontheSabbath.

TheeventthatputVanderbiltonthemapwasa10‐roundboxingmatchstagedinAugust,1894.AwhiteboxernamedHankLorrainewaspittedagainstablackboxernamedJohnlee,thechampionofnorthernArizona.A20‐footringwassetupinEarp'sHall.About100personswatchedasthematchgotofftoaslowstart,for“onewouldsupposethecontestantswereacoupleofschoolboys....”

Thenintheseventhround,the“Dutchman”rushedacrossthering,pushedleeintoacorner,andbeganpoundinghimhard.Thoughbothmenwereaggressive,thebatteringonleebeganto

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show.Finally,inthetenthround,Lorrainegaveleeseveralblowsthat“causedthewhitesofhiseyestostandout”and“alas!onemorefromthelongarmoftheDutchmanreachedtheobjectivepointandpoorleewentdowninhiscornerandfailedtorespondatall.”Lorrainetookashowerand“receivedthecongratulationsoftheboys.”

ThoughVanderbiltwasneverawildtown,themixtureofgunsandliquorcouldmakerecreationabitrowdy.O.J.Fisk,thenayounghoisttender,recalledthenightwhentheWhistClubheldawell‐attendeddanceinEarp'sSaloon.Theorchestracomprisedonlyalittlereedorganandafiddle.Escapingfromapowdershaft,usedasatemporaryjail,adrunkenminerreturnedtothedanceandshotuptheorgan.“Hislifewouldn'thavebeenworthmuchbutitwasdiscoveredtheorgancouldstillplaysoonthepromiseofgoodbehaviortheminerwasnotbothered,”Fiskremembered.

Onanotheroccasion,rightbeforeadance,FiskwasgettingshavedinAllen'sbarbershop.“BloodAlley”Mose,atough,sharpgamblerwhoworkedforEarp,stormedintotheshopandstuckhispistolinthebarber'sribs,accusinghimofcheatingatcraps.Fisk,stilllathered,beatitoutthedoor.Afasttalker,thebarberpersuadedAllentohaveadrinknextdoor,andaroundofdrinksledtoafriendlyparting.Fisk,meanwhile,hadtoborrowarazortofinishthejob.

Someformsofamusement,however,weredownrightnasty.MinerswalkingalongthetrailtotheBoomerangMinelikedtothrowrocksatthehouseofQuenGee,alaundryman.Heretaliated,firstbyfiringapistolattwoofhistormentors,thenbygettingoutadouble‐barreledshotgun.“...Hemeansbusiness,too.”

AsFiskhadalreadyfound,drinkingcouldleadtonear‐fatalconsequences.AmannamedSmith,whohadtaken“toomuchbenzine,”wasthrownoutofMorrel'srestaurantforcontinuingtouse“foullanguage.”Smithreturnedwithaborrowedpistol.ThoughMorrelmanagedtonabthegun,thetwomenscuffledandthepistolwentoff;theballpassedthroughMorrel'sarm.Inthejusticecourtafewdayslater,Smithwasfined$20forassaulttokill,themanwholoanedoutthepistolwaschargedasanaccessory,andMorrelwasclearedofanassaultcharge.Perhapsnotcoincidentally,anironcagewasbeingerectedforuseasajail.

Meanwhile,asthemineswerepusheddeeper,thedistrictexperiencedseveralfatalities.Thefirstdeathoccurredwhenayoungminerwas“blowntopieces”inapowderexplosionintheBoomeranginMay,1894.Hewasburiedthatsameafternoon,withalargecrowdattending.Thenextmonth,aminerfelldownashaftattheGoldBronzeafterhiscandlewasblownout.ThoughDr.Tuttlewascalled,theminerhadapparentlydiedinstantly.Allminesandbusinessesclosedduringtheafternoonofthefuneral.

ItwascharacteristicofVanderbiltthatitsdeclinebeganearly.WilliamshadfoundquiettimesasearlyasDecember,1893.Thoughtheminesremainedactivethroughthesummerof1894,rotwasspreadingintothebusinessdistrict.Findingthat“businesswastoodullinthecamp,”HolcombclosedhisstoreinJulyandmovedhisstocktoNeedles.

Moreominously,JordansuspendedtheShaftamonthlater.AcorrespondentfortheEyeexplainedthat“EditorJordan,liketheArab,silentlystoleawayonhorsebackinthemiddleofthenight‐‐boundforUtah.Heleftthefollowingnoticepinnedontheofficedoor:'TheShaftissunk.Developmentworkhasclosed,fornosuccesshasattendedQUI'effortstofindthepaystreak.Toourenemieswesay:Ifyoucangetanycomfortoutofthefailureofonewhoseeffortsareandhavebeenentirelyforthegoodofthecampjusttakeitandmayyoubehappy.Toourfriendswesay:

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Goodlucktoyou,andpleaseacceptourthanksforwhatyouhavedoneforus.Toall,ourfriendsandourenemies,thoseweoweandthosewhooweus,wesay‐‐Adios.’”Aweeklater,anagentofaSanFranciscotypefoundrypackeduptheplantandshippedittothefarmtownofPerris,inRiversideCounty.

Thecomingofwinter,1894‐1895,broughtevendullertimestomainstreet.ThoughThompsonhadjustput“aknobbycoatofpaint”onthefrontofhisstore,HallandStillsoninDecemberhaddecidedtoclosetheirstoreandweresellingofftheirgoods.Andsoonafterenlarginghisbusiness,Earpsoldhisbuilding.Astheyearclosed,theNevadaSouthernwentintoreceivership;theSundaytrainwascutoutfromtheseven‐dayscheduletoManvel.

TheBronzeandBoomerangwerestillgoingsteadily.TheBronzehadbynowproduced$47,000intwoyears,andCampbell'smonthlypaydayswouldmakethetownlivelyforafewdays.

Evenso,miningtendedtobeerratic.FourteenmenwouldbeworkingattheSt.Georgegroupforawhile,50attheBoomerangatanothertime.TheshaftoftheBronzeseemstohavegonedown260feet,theBoomerang'sshaftnearly500feet.Yetstatisticsonthelaborforceandproductionaretoosketchytorevealacompletepicture.

Especiallydetrimentaltotheadvanceofminingwerethetwomills.Theyoperatedatafeverishpace,upto24hoursaday‐‐butonlyintermittently.Toooften,theywouldbeclosedbecauseofashortageofwater,orabrokenpart,orthelackofare.Becauseofthe.GilpinCountydesign,onemillwasunusuallyinefficient.Manysuspectedthemilloperatorsoflosingmuchofthegoldinthewasteduringprocessing.WhenWilliamshadaloadoforeprocessedattheBoomerang'smill,atleast$9ingoldhadbeenlost(inthetailings)foreachtonoforemilled.

Thedeclinecontinuedinto1895.WorkonextendingtheroadbedoftheNevadaSoutherntoVanderbiltwassuspended.SodullwasthedistrictthatwhenCampbellpaidhismentheirmonthlywages,onecorrespondentwrylynotedthatif“thereweretwoorthreemorecompaniesthatpaidoffasregularthiscampwouldbequitelively.”AvisitorinMayfoundthat“timeswereratherdullhere.”Inthemeantime,Smithson'spartnerinthemeatbusinesssoldout.

Belatedly,inMay,onemillwasmodified.“...Thesoundofthestampisquiteanimprovementontheoldslow‐motionGilpinCountymill.ItisequaltoaCaliforniafast‐dropmillnowandwillcertainlytreattwiceasmuchoreasheretofore.”

Butthechangesseemtohavecometoolate.TheBronze,whichemployed12,wasplacedinreceivershipinJune.Thereceiver,W.N.Crandall,aformercontractorontheNevadaSouthern,wasexpectedto“handlethemineinabusiness‐likeway....”AndthoughCampbellwasworkingalargeforceattheSt.George,fromwhichhewaslayingapipelinetotheBoomerang'smill,thefailureoftheprojecttoprovideanadequatesupplyofwaternearlycrushedCampbellandWilliamsalike.

Althoughnewsofminingbegantopeteroutinthesummerof1895,theschoolmanagedtoclosethetermwithahealthyenrollmentof22,andthetownwouldmaintainasemblanceofabusinessdistrictforseveralyears.

ThefortunesofWilliamsillustratetheplightofsmall,independentminersduringthe“boom”years.ThemilloftheBronzelostsomuchgold‐‐perhapsupto20percent‐‐thatWilliamsandfellowindependentsconsideredsuing.Thenthe“mererobbers”atthenewlybuiltKlinefelterMill,

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ontheAtlantic&Pacific,paidWilliamsjustenoughtocoverthecostsofmillingandfreight.ThoughCampbellfinallygotenoughwatertomillcustom(outsiders')ore,theplantremainedinsuchpoorconditionthatprocessingWilliams'sorenettedhimonlyamodestprofit.Finally,inthesummerof1895,amillingattheBoomerangbroughtWilliamsandabrother$600,enoughtopayoffallhisdebtsandenablehimtomakeatriptohisparentsinKansas.

Williamsrefusedtogiveup.“Iexperiencedconsiderablevicissitudeoffortuneandcertainlyunderwentavarietyofmentalthrills.Allthewayfromfeelingsofassuredrichestotroughsofdeepestdejection.AsIcanseenow,therewasnospecialoccasionforeither,butIwasinexperiencedandVanderbiltwasseethingwithsanguineexpectationsthatyear.Foratimeeveryonewhosawmymineinsistedthatitwasabonanza,justliketheyhadseeninGraniteMountain,Leadville,orsomeotherfamouscamp....”

Perhapsitwastheperseverance,thestubbornness,ofsuchhardymenasWilliamsthatkeptVanderbiltalive.Astategeologistin1896foundthattheboomtimeswere“nowlacking,butfewoftheminesarebeingworked,andthepopulationgreatlydecreased....”AlltheminesexcepttheBoomerangwerebeingleasedouttoindependentminers.Williamshimselfworkedtheminesonandoffuntilthedistrict'sdeath.

Butsmallminescouldnotkeepadistrictalive.Theschooldroppedfrom19pupilsin1897toeightin1898;thenitclosed.ThepostofficeclosedinMarch,1900.SOURCES:FredHolladayhaswrittenadetailedculturalandsocialhistory:“AsRichasVanderbilt,”HeritageTales(CityofSanBernardinoHistoricalSociety,AnnualPublication2,1979),pp,1‐16.DavidMyrickoffersacomprehensivehistoryofthedistrictanditsrailroadsinhisRailroadsofNevadaandEasternCalifornia,II(alreadycited).

Thepressfaithfullyrecordedthesocialandmininglife:NeedlesEye,1891‐.1894;SaturdayReview(SanBernardino),1895‐1896;andtheMining&ScientificPress,especially1893‐1896.Twoyoungmenrecalledthecamp'sbestdays:FrankWilliams,inhisautobiography(typescriptofcopyinDepartmentofSpecialCollections,UniversityofNevada,LasVegas),andO.J.Fisk,“TreasuresfromVanderbilt,”Westways,June,1952,pp,22‐23.

SeveralwritersinterviewedO.J.Fiskandphotographedseveralstill‐intactbuildings:O.J.FiskandPhilipJohnston,“TreasuresfromVanderbilt,”Westways,June,1952,pp,22‐23;NellMurbarger,“SleepingGhostsintheNewYorkMountains,”DesertMagazine,October,1957,pp.24‐28;andL.BurrBelden,“VanderbiltRanksHighonListofRich,WildCamps,”Nov.3D,1952,p,20,and“It'sGold:We'reRichasVanderbilts!”Jan.19,1964,p.B‐7,bothintheSanBernardinoSun‐Telegram.

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MANVEL(BARNWELL)

WHATDAGGETTWASTOCALICO,ManvelwouldbetoVanderbilt.ItwasnotVanderbilt'sgoldbutIsaacBlake'srailroadthatopeneduptheeasternMojave.GradingontheNevadaSouthernRailwaygotunderwayinJanuary,1893.

BylateFebruarythegradeextendedtotheBriggs8.Murphyranch,26milesnorthofGaffs,atthefootoftheNewYorkrange.AconstructioncampherewasnamedafterAllenManvel,thepresidentoftheSantaFéRailway.ApostofficeopenedinlateMarch,onlyamonthafterManvel'sdeath.

ThisearlyManvelcampwasneartheconstructioncampofPurdy,whereafewbusinesshouses(probablyintents)grewupaboutMay.ThecampwasnamedafterWarrenG.Purdy,aChicagorailroadofficialandapartnerofBlake.ThefirstrecordedviolencealongthelineoccurredatPurdywhena‐trampassaultedandrobbedadrunkenIndian.

ThegradewassoonpushedafewmilesuptheslopetoSummitcamp.Summitstoodonajuniper‐coveredmesaat4,800feet.Apassledfivemilesnorth‐toVanderbilt;agullyledeastwardintoNevada.ThefirstscheduledtrainarrivedaboutAugust,whenManvelpostofficeandthebusinesshousesofPurdyweremovedtoSummit.LeavingGaffsdailyat7:30a.m.,atrainwouldchuffintoManvelat9:45.ThePioneerStageLinewouldthentakepassengerstoVanderbiltfor$2.ThetrainreturnedtoGoffslateintheafternoon.

Dayslater,thedistrictexperienceditsfirsttragedy.Inaquarreloverwages,ThomasStevenspumpedfourshotsintomineownerF.A.FillmorewhiletheywereridingnearManvel.ThenStevensdismountedandshotFillmoreinthehead.Adeputysheriffquicklyorganizedapossebutlostthetrail.Afewdayslater,prospectorsfoundStevens'sbody:hehadshothimselfinthehead.

Assummerwaned,trafficovertheNevadaSouthernincreased.ThoughthepanicanddepressionhadhaltedworkinJune,crewscontinuedtocutagradetoVanderbiltthroughtherockythroughtherockyhillstoVanderbilt.AtManvel,

R.J.Halseywaskeepingagrocerystore.E.H.LeibeybuiltanotherstoreinOctoberandmovedhisstockofmerchandisefromtheNewYorkmines;Leibeywasnamedpostmaster.Manvelalsocontainedatelegraphofficeandthedepot.WhentheBriggs8.MurphyranchwasincorporatedastheRockSpringsLand8.CattleCompanyinearly1894,about50personslivedintown.InaregionwheretheNeedlesschooldistrictencompassed7,000squaremiles,Manvelservedasthedistributingpointforavasthinterland.GoodreportswerecomingfromtheminesatVanderbilt,Goodsprings,Crescent,Montgomery:thePotosimine,nearGoodsprings,forexample,contractedtoship100tonsoforeadaythroughManvel.OnecorrespondentaskedfordailyortriweeklymailserviceandastagelinetoservethehundredsofmenlaboringbetweenManvelandPioche,Nevada,severalhundredmilesnorth.Afterconsiderableclamoring,theresidentsinducedthecountytoworkontheroadleadingfromManveltoVanderbiltandtheNevadacampsinearly1895.OneshipmentfortheMontgomerymines,125milesnorthwest,totaled25tonsandtwosix‐horseteamscarryingprovisions.

OneeditorpointedoutthattheeasternMojave“doesnotaskformuch,anditseemsthataroadoverwhichlargefreightteamspassdaily,heavilyloadedwithvaluablemachinery,oreandmerchandise,shouldbeputinproperconditionatonce....”

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Byearly1898,Manvelsupportedaflour,grain,andlumberdealer,ahotel,ablacksmith,the

postoffice,ajusticeofthepeace,andageneralstoreandastagelinerunningtoMontgomery,bothownedbyT.A.Brown.Mailarrivedthreetimesaweek.Aschooldistrictwasorganizedin19.00.Manvelwasindeedbooming.

ManvellostsomeofitsimportancewhentheNevadaSouthernbuilta15‐mileextensionpastdesertedVanderbilttoservetherevivedCopperWorldMine.Whenthebranchwascompletedinearly1902,Ivanpahstationwasbuiltattheendoftrack.(Afewmonthslater,theSantaFéboughttheNevadaSouthernandrenamedittheCaliforniaEasternRailway.)

ThedailyarrivalofthetrainfromBlake(Goffs),“heraldedbysmokerisingoverthesouthernmesa,”wastheeventoftheday,recalledEdgarBrown,thesonoftheleadingmerchant.Withinminutes,EngineNo.1wouldsweep“majesticallyaroundthebendandhissedtoastopatthesmallunpaintedstation.Fromthesingledaycoachcamethewhite‐collared'drummers,'mackinawedprospectors,pompousminingpromoters,andtheever‐interestingpageantofgold‐seekersandsucker‐seekers.”

Thentothestationplatformcameaprocessionof20‐muleteamsgeneratingcloudsofdustandvolumesofcurses.Swamperswouldbreaktheirbacksloadingmassiveminingmachinery,casesofdynamite,tinwaterpails,evenrailsforthenarrow‐gaugerailroadatSearchlight.Withtoweringloads,afullwatertankfortheiranimals,andacaseortwooftomatoestoslaketheirownthirsts,theteamsterandhisswamperwouldsetoutforGoldfieldandGoodsprings,SearchlightandDeathValley.

ThencametheboomatSearchlight,Nevada,20milestotheeast.Thoughlargedepositsofgoldhadbeenfoundin1897,thecompaniesbegantodeveloptheirclaimsandbuildmillsonlyabout1900.Aweeklynewspaperandnarrow‐gaugerailroadrunningtotheColoradoRiverstartedupin1902.TheoutputofSearchlight'sminesrosefrom$388,000in1904toapeakof$530,000in1906.Bythen,thecampsupportedtwoweeklypapers,well‐stockedstores,morethanadozensaloons,achamberofcommerce,telephoneexchange,andschool.

Manvelenjoyeditsheydayfrom1902toabout1907.TheamountoffreightleavingManvelforSearchlightwasimmense;servingthefreightingbusinesswereastationandtelegraphoffice,freight‐forwardinghouse,andaWells,Fargo&Companyagency.Thepostoffice'sheavybusinessentitledittosellmoneyorders.AttheBrown‐Gosneystore,itwas“nothingunusualtohavethedailysalesamountupintothethousandsofdollars....”TheimportanceofManvelasanentrepotwasshownwhenafiredestroyedtherailroadfreighthouseinDecember,1904.Thelossesincludedanimmenseamountoffreight,severalcarsstandingonasiding,anddrumsofdistillate,whichexploded.(TopreventconfusionwithManvel,Texas,firsttheSantaFe,thenWells,Fargo,andfinallythepostoffice,inFebruary,1907,changedthenametoBarnwell.)

TheguidinglightofManvelwasT.A.Brown,theco‐founderoftheBrown‐Gosnseystorein1895.Inalow,ramblingbuilding,Brownandhispartner“builtupabusinessreputationandstandingwhichwasasstrongasthebuildingitselfwasweakanddisreputable....”Fromwell‐stockedcellars,Brownalsocarriedonawholesalewhiskeybusinessandrananinformalbankfromhissafe.Burninglyambitious,Brownovertheyearsorganizedaphonesystem,ranfreightlinesandastageline,andopenedbranchesinthecampsandtownsoftheCalifornia‐Nevadaborder:Vanderbilt,Searchlight,Sandy,Ivanpahstation,Leastalk,LasVegas,Calivada,Nelson,andHart.

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Hiswife,meanwhile,wouldorganizechurchmeetings,takecareofdrunks,andcounselthe

wayward.SinceManvel'sonlydoctorwasravagedbydrugs,hersonrecalled,Mrs.Brown“probablydoctoredmorecasesofcroup,mumps,fever,brokenbonesandlacerationsthansomemedicalmenundertakeinalifetime....”Theschool,too,flourished,neverfallingbelow15pupils..

ToyoungEdgarBrownandthe20to25otherboysintown,Barnwell‐‐thenameheknewthetownas‐‐"wasaworldoffabuloushunting,exploration,horsebackrides,andacompleteanduninhibitedsatisfactionofcuriosity....”AttheGreencorral,wheretheladswouldwatchworkingrodeos,thecowboysstoodoutlikecharactersinadimenovel.Theirleatherchaps,blackvests,black,narrow‐brimmedfelthats,redkerchiefs,andBullDurhamtagshangingoutoftheirvestpocketsmadethemcolorfulcharacters.

Earningspendingmoneyturnedouttobeabitmoredifficult.Theboyswouldhelpswampersloadcasesofdynamite‐‐ittookthemawhiletorealizethattheexplosivewasshockresistant‐‐andselldiscardedwhiskeybottlesforanickeleachatthereardoorsofsaloons.Custompreventedminorsfromentering.

Ironically,Searchlight'srisewouldhastenBarnwell'sdecline.AmajorraillinefromLosAngelestoSaltLakeCitywascompletedinearly1905.Itpassedonly20milesfromSearchlightand15milesfromtheCopperWorldMine.Inresponse,theSantaFébuilttheBarnwell8.SearchlightRailway,23mileslong.ItwascompletedinMarch,1907.TrainsrandailyexceptSunday.Theheydayofteamingwasover.Searchlight'soutputbegantoplummetatonce,probablyhastenedbytheonsetofthepanicanddepressioninOctober.AtManvel,bluepiecesofscripwereusedasmoney;familiesbegantodriftaway.

ThediscoveryofgoldatHart,afewmilessouthoftheBarnwell8.SearchlightRailway,atfirstpromisedtoreviveBarnwell.Butwithinmonths,bymid‐1908,HartsupportedabusinesssectionthatfarsurpassedBarnwell's.Hart'sdistributingpointwasHitt,asidingandfreighthouseneartheNevadaline.YetHartwouldwaneduringthenextfewyears,too.

Barnwell'sdeclinewasalsohastenedbyafirethatdestroyedmostofthebusinessdistrictinSeptember,1908.Thoughsmokehadalertedtheresidents,theylackedthemeanstofightfires.Theflamesturnedthestoreinto“aroaringmass”andspreadalongthelineofbuildingsuntilitreachedtheSantaFéstation.Theagentmanagedtoremoveallrecordsandbooksand“pluckilystavedwithhistelegraphinstrument”untilthewireswereburned.Thelossofthestorebuildinganditscontentsamountedto$15,000.

Insurancecoveredmostofthedamage.TheBrown‐Gosnevstorebeganrebuildingthenextmorning,andaboxcarwasturnedintoan'officefortherailroad.

Barnwellessentiallygaveuptheghostin1910.TheBrown‐Gosneystore,whosemainofficehadmovedtoSearchlight,closedinFebruary.BranchesoperatedonlyatHartandSandy,Nevada.InMay,justaftermidnight,stationagentW.J.ConnorobservedafireatthecorralandbarnoftheRockSpringscompany.Inhisexcitement,hefailedtoreattachhisartificialfootbutstillhobbledaround“atalivelyratespreadingthealarm.”Itwastoolate:thecorral,barn,feed,andhayweredestroyed;sixhorseswerekilledandtwocriticallyburned.Thelosswasputat$3,000.

ThedulltimeswerebrokenbyaquarrelinGusHamstadt'ssalooninearly1911.Duringacardgame,JohnCarterpulledagunonGeorgeRoss.Constable

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F.Clementsarrived,disarmedandarrestedCarter,andtookhimtoSanBernardinofortrial.

TheemergenceoffarmingcoloniesatLanfair,12milestothesouth,pushedBarnwell'sschoolenrollmentupforseveralyears.Buttheoutlookremainedpoor:theoutputatSearchlight'sminescontinuedtodrop,to$23,000in1911.TheBrownfamilymovedawayin1912.

ButwhenareportappearedinSanBernardinoinearly1913thatBarnwellwasa“townofthepastwhereinhabitants,businessandfuturehavedeparted,”aNeedlespaperonlyscoffed.Nearly100personslivedintown,itcontended,eightpupilswerestillenrolled,andthebusinessdistrictstillcomprisedageneralstore,saloon,twoblacksmithshops,andafeedcorral. WhennewlywedsBertandMaudSharpmovedtotheLanfairareain1914,afewpersonsstillremained,includingtheranchownerandhissons,thepostmaster,aprospector,thesectionforemanoftherailroadandhiscrew,andthelegendaryDickDiamondandhiswife,Matilda.TheDiamonds,thecommunity'sonlyblackresidents,livedinaneatlittlecottage.Diamondwasaprospector,cook,andjack‐of‐all‐trades.

Afewscatteredbuildingsmadeupthetown.Thecattlecompany'sbuildingsincludedthemainhouse,twosmallbunkhouses,thebarn,corral,andslaughterhouse.Acrosstherailroadtothesouthstoodthehousesoftherailroadworkers.ThestationandloadingplatformstoodintheangleformedwheretherailroadbranchedofftoSearchlight.Northofthecattlecompany'shousewasalargetwo‐storybuilding,perhapstheformerhotel.Acrosstherailroadtotheweststoodtheabandonedsaloonandseveralsmallhouses.

Meanwhile,Searchlight'snewspaperfolded,itschiefmillburned,andtheCaliforniaEasternbegancuttingbackservice.ThepostofficeatBarnwellclosedinApril,1915.Theschoolclosedabout1918,thoughthetrainstillrandailyandtravelerscouldgetwateratthedepot.ButrailservicetoSearchlightwassooncutbacktotwiceaweek.Thentheentiresystem,allthewaytoGaffs,wasshutdowninlate1923andtherailstornup.SOURCES:Asasupplycenter,Manvel(Barnwell)attractedlittleoftheattentionthat,miningcampsdid.Brief,lavishlyillustratedaccountsappearinDavidMyricksRailroadsofNevadaandEasternCalifornia,II(citedearlier),andinStanleyPaher’sGhostTownsandMiningCampsofNevada(Berkeley,1970).EdgarA.Brown,thesonofthechiefstoreowner,recalledhisboyhoodingeneraltermsin"TheManvelIKnew,”Westways,October,1956,pp,22‐23.TheSearchlightBulletinandNeedlesEyeprintedoccasionalnewsitems,1902‐1911.

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BORATEANDMARION

GOLDANDSILVERwerenottheonlymineralssoughtbytheminingworld.

Aborateoflimeknownas“colemanite,”with“prismaticcrystalsthatsparkleinthesunlikediamonds,”wasfoundin1882inMuleCanyon,atwistingdefilewith“morecrooksandpitchesthanthestreakofchainlightning.”Theveinswereonly12milesfromthenewlyestablishedstationofDaggett.InwhatwasprobablythefirstdevelopmentofanonmetallicmineralintheMojave,WilliamT.Coleman,aSanFranciscobusinessmagnateandthenamesakeofthemineral,boughttheclaimsandbeganworkingthedeposits.

AfterColeman'scompanyfailed,FrancisMarion(Borax)Smithboughtthepropertyin1890.Developmentbeganinearnest.Outofthreedeepshaftscame12tonsofcolemaniteaday‐‐"sufficienttomeettherequirementsofthemarket”‐‐whichwashauledbya14‐mule"teamtoDaggettandthensentnorthtoAlamedaforrefining.“

Mininginthisbarren,isolatedsitewasdifficult.AllwaterhadtocomefromDaggett,aday‐and‐a‐halfjourneyforwagons.Smithreplacedthecoal‐eatingsteamenginesatthemineswithgasolineengines,butanattemptin1894toreplacemuleteamswithamonstroussteamtractornamedOldDinahfailed.Thoughfewminersreceivedanyletters,eachpaidonedollaramonthforthepleasureofhavingagirlbringmailfivemilesfromCalicotwoorthreetimesaweek.

TheexperiencewithOldDinahillustratedthegrowingimportanceofborateminerals.Theboratesgeneratedmorerevenuein1895thanallthecounty'ssilvermines.About75menworkedinthemineinearly1896,thoughemploymentwouldfluctuatewiththedemandforborax.Smallgasolineengineshoistedtheboratestobins,fromwhichthree20‐muleteamswouldhaulthemineraltoDaggett.TheactivitywassogreatthatapostofficenamedBoratewasestablishedinJuly,1896.

ThecampbythencomprisedasimpleclusterofcabinsjammedbetweentheroadandthewallsofMuleCanyon.Althoughmanyminerspreferredtoliveindugoutsduringhotweather,thecompanyprovidedabunkhouse,astore,whichlaterhousedthepostoffice,anunderstockedreadingroom,andhousesforthesuperintendentandstorekeeper,whohadfamilies.Onasteephilloverlookingtheminestood“TheSmithHouse,”whichwasusedbySmithandothercompanyofficials.Thehousehadtobeattachedtotherockswithguywirestokeepthearea'shighwindsfromblowingitover.

ItwasawonderthatSmith'sconcern,PacificCoastBoraxCompany,wasabletomaintaineventhissimpleoperation.Thedemandforboraxhadfallenduringthedepressionofthe1890's;viciouscompetitionkeptpriceslow.Managementhadalreadycutthemeagerwagesofitsminersfrom$3adayto$2.50,thoughthepriceofboardwascutfrom$1adayto75cents.

Smithhadtofindanotheroutletforhisproduct.Thatsummer,1896,SmithsailedforEurope,wherehewasintroducedtotwoyoungmenwhoweremakingfoodpreservatives.Theyneededasteadysupplyofborax.Withoutdelay,Smithengineeredamergeroftheirtwocompaniesand,thenextyear',theybuiltamodernrefineryatBayonne,NewJersey,tofendoffcompetitionintheEast.Then,inearly

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1898,thenewregimebuiltan11‐milenarrow‐gaugerailroad,theBorate8.Daggett.Overitrolledtwolocomotives,theFrancisandMarion,andflatcarsthatcouldbeconvertedintomineralcarriers.FourmilesnorthofDaggett,atMarionsiding,acalciningplantwasbuilttoroastlow‐gradeores.High‐gradeoreandtheroastedproductwereshippedtoAlameda(latertoBayonne)forrefining.Inmid‐1900,exactly100residentslivedatBorateand17atMarion,includingseveralwomenandchildren.

ButtroublecontinuedtohauntSmith.Thoughlarge,themineraldepositsatBoratewerebecominglesspureandhardertorefine.Thehighcostofminingandprocessingmadeboraxminingamarginallyprofitablebusinessatbest.Meanwhile;smallbutwell‐establishedrivals,notablytheSterlingBoraxCompany,werepressingthePacificCoastCompanyhard.

Smithdevisedastrategytorescuehisholdings.Inlate1902,hesentprospectorstoColeman'soriginalclaimsintheFuneralRange,justeastofDeathValley,andevenconsideredtheconstructionofasteam‐tractorroad.SpurredbythegoldandsilverstrikesinwesternNevada,Smithbeganworkin1904onarailroadtoDeathValley,theTonopah8.Tidewater.ThesummerwassohotthatheclosedtheMarionplantandreducedtheforceatBorateto25men. Therelocationofboraxminingwasnosmallmatter.Onlyayearbeforetheshutdown,250menworkedinthemine'stwo600‐footshafts.TheBayonneplantbythenwasprocessingalltheore.

ButBoratewouldsoonbehistory.EvenbeforethearrivaloftheTonopah8.TidewaterRailroad,acrewwastakingoutorefromthenewlydevelopedLilaC.Mine,oneofColeman'soriginalclaimsintheFuneralRange.RailsfinallyreachedtheLilaC.inAugust,1907.Tokilloffhisrivals‐‐orsohethought‐‐Smithcutthepriceofhisrefinedproductfromsevencentstofiveandahalfcents.

SmithshutdowntheBorateoperationsthatOctober,thoughthepostofficelingereduntilDecember.Thebuildings,machinery,andemployeesweremovedtotheLilaC.TherailsoftheBorate8.Daggettweretornupandthelocomotivesandtherollingstocksold.SOURCES:OneoftheearlyrusheswascoveredbytheCalicoPrintin1885.TheearlyoperationsunderSmithwereobservedbyJohnSpearsinhisIllustratedSketchesofDeathValleyandOtherBoraxDesertsofthePacificCoast(Chicago,1892)andbytheStateMiningBureauinReport11(1892).

Becausetheboraxindustrywasintenselycompetitive,onlyafewitemsleakedouttothepress,suchastheMining&.ScientificPress,NeedlesEye,SaturdayReview(SanBernardino),andRedlandsCitrograph.Oneofthefewfull‐lengthdescriptionsoftheoperationswaswrittenbyDayAllenWilley,“BoraxMininginCalifornia,”Engineering&MiningJournal,Oct.6,1906(v.82),pp,633‐634.

FullphotographicaccountsappearinRuthC.Woodman,comp.,TheStoryofthePacificCoastBoraxCompany(LosAngeles,1951),anauthorizedhistory'DavidMyrick'sRailroadsofNevadaandEasternCalifornia,II(citedearlier);PatriciaJerniganKeeling,ed.,OnceUponaDesert(alreadycited);andGeorgeH.Hildebrand,BoraxPioneer:F.M.Smith(SanDiego,1982),athorough,well‐balancedbiography.

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MINNEOLA

THEANTELOPEVALLEYwasnottheonlypartoftheMojaveDesertthatseemedripefor

farming.

TheMojaveRiverValley,windingthroughthecentraldesert,wasanespeciallypopularlocaleinwhichtostartranchesandfarms.

ThemostunusualandambitiousattempttocolonizethevalleywasmadebytheSouthernCaliforniaImprovementCompany,organizedintheearly1890's.Theconcernplannedtodriveawoodenbarrier,orsubmergeddam,intotheusuallydryriverbednearDaggettanddredgeoutaditchtoaproposedfarmingcolony,namedMinneola,threeorfourmilestotheeast.Besidesbuildingupatown,thecompanyhopedtoprovidehydroelectricpowertotheminesandmillsofCalico.

Workapparentlygotofftoanenergeticstartin1895.AcorrespondentfortheSanBernardinoDailySunreportedinDecember:“Withourbrightsunshineandbalmyweatherweareabletocombineanticipationofthesettlementofthisdesertwhichisasfertileascanbefoundanywhere,provideditcanbeirrigated,theaccomplishmentofwhichisapparentlynearathand.”Employing80menand34teamsofhorses,thecompanywaspushingwork“withgreatvigor.”A“finehotel”wasscheduledforconstruction,largecropsofgoodfruitandalfalfawereassured,and“Allfeelthatabrightfutureforthedeserthasdawned....”Infact,backedbyrailroadofficialsandextravagantlypromoted,MinneolawasenvisionedasamajorcenterofagricultureandindustryinSouthernCalifornia.

YetMinneolawouldneverdevelopbeyondamodestcolony.IthadtobeconcededinMarch,1896,that“notmuchsettlement”hadtakenplace.Fortyacresofbarleyplantedbythecompanywas“comingupnicely,”a50‐footwellwasproducing“reasonablycold”softwater,andworkonthedam,oncesuspended,wasabouttoresume.Meanwhile,petitionssoonledtotheestablishmentofapostoffice(April)and,with22.childreninresidence,aschooldistrict.Theconstructionofadepot,blacksmithshop,evenaplant‐fiberfactorywereplanned.Atitspeak,Minneolacontainedthehotel,areal‐estateoffice,theschool,thepostoffice,andseveralhouses.

Butthemid‐1890'sturnedouttobeapoortimetostartafarmingcolony.Aprolongeddepressionanddroughtdrieduptheprospectsforinvestmentandcultivation.ThepostofficeclosedinMay,1897.Thoughthecompanycompletedthelongditch,thedamandflumewerelefthalffinished,theriverbedyieldedonlyone‐quartertheexpectedwater,andtheconcernwentbankruptin1898.Stimulatedbyafewsmallrevivals,theschooldistrictsurviveduntil1924.SOURCES:Informationisscant.Thestoryofthecolonypulledtogetherfromoccasionalpiecesinavarietyofpublications,especiallytheRedlandsCitrograph,DavidThompson'swater‐supplypaperontheMojaveDesert(citedearlier),andJ.B.Lippincott,“WaterSupplyofSanBernardinoValley,”inU.S.GeologicalSurvey,NineteenthAnnualReport(1898),pt.4.

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DALE

WHENTHEVETERANTRAVELERJ.SmeatonChasestoppedatamineintheDaledistrictin1915,helookedattheprecariouslifelinethatconnectedthedistricttothenearestrailroad,atAmboy:“Theviewtothenorthwasmemorableasanexampleoftheultra‐desolate.Beyondtheraggedbrownforegroundlaythepalegrayexpanseofadrylake,whitenednearitscentrebythealkalinedepositfromitsvanishedwater.BeyondthatrosetheashywalloftheSheepholeMountains,quitelunarintheirlookofgeologicageanddreariness.Athread‐likelinethatskirtedthelakebedandfadedinagapofthehillsmarkedtheroadtoAmboy....”

Whowoulddaretomineinsuchanarea?AnuntoldnumberofhardylonersandsophisticatedinvestorsfromthecitiesofCalifornia.WithinmilesofChase,whowasstayingattheSupplyMine,werehalfadozenproducingminesandadozenortwothatoccasionallymadenews.

Theearliesthistoryofthedistrictismurky.TheVirginiaDaleMinewasdiscoveredin1885,reportedlybyTomB.LyonsandJohnny(aliasQuartz)Wilson.Theclaimlayabout35milessouthofCadiz,astationontheSantaFéline,andnearadrylakenamedafterprospectorJohnBurt(sincerenamedDaleLake).LyonsandWilsonorganizedtheVirginiaDaleMiningCompanyandbuiltafive‐stampmill‐‐thefirstinthedistrict‐‐atawellnearthelakebedin1887.(Alas,“oneofthesandstormsforwhichthedesertisfamous”laterburiedtheplant.)Yetevenwithsuchafavorablestart,miningremainedstuntedfornearlyadecade.

Startingin1895,strikesofmoderate‐andhigh‐gradeorestirredtheregion'sminingcircles.TheowneroftheGypsyMinepersonallybroughtin16men,atrainofthreewagonsand12horses,machinery,campequipment,andenoughsuppliestolasttwomonths.Byearly1896,thedistricthadbecome“overrunwithminersandprospectors.”Twocountysupervisorscameacross20teams“heavilyloadedwithprospectors'outfits.”TheRedlandsCitrographgushedthatthe“nextrushinminingcircleswillbetoVirginiaDale.Marktheprediction....Soonmillswillcommencetheirceaselessclatterandthenmoneywillbegintogooutinstreams.KeepyoureyeonVirginiaDale.”

Aboutthen,asettlementofadobesgrewuparoundawelldugbyLyons(Burt'sWell),neartheVirginiaDalemill.Apostoffice,servedbydailymaildeliveriesfromCadiz,wasestablishedinNovember,1896;suppliesandlumberwerestillteamedbyWaltersStation(thepresentMecca),ontheSouthernPacificRailroad,tothesouth.Weekslater,thecountysupervisorswereaskedtoestablishafull‐fledged“court;township.“...Nowwhentheygetajusticeofthepeaceandacoupleofconstables,togetherwithadeputysheriff,VirginiaDalewillblossomoutintoaregular,oldfashioned,flourishingminingcampwithallthenecessaryconcomitants.”

Thesewordswerehardlyanexaggeration.About600to700menweredoing“agreatdealofwork”ina12x16‐miledistrictinearly1897.DaleCitywasplattedinMarch.“ThingsoutinVirginiaDalearelively,very....”DaleCitysupportedtwostores,thepostoffice,ablacksmithshop,wagonandstagelinesrunningtoarailroad,and“otherconcomitants.ofcivilizationwillveryshortlymaterialize....everythingislovely.”

Thedistrictwasapoorman'sdream.Eightto10dry‐washingmachineswereatworkinJune,1897.Thatfall,15menweretakingout$1,000inplacergoldaweek.Despitetheheat,40to50menworkedinthedistrictduringthesummerof1898.Anestimated$25,000hadbeentakenoutoftheplacersin15months.

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Thelodeminers,too,weredoingwell.Bythefallof1898,foursmallstampmillswere

running,andthemineswereturningout$1,000aweekbyearly1899.Twoofthemweresoondownseveralhundredfeet.

Butthisboombegantofizzle.Theplacerswerepeteringout,andthelodemineswereslowtodevelop.Norwastheweather“whollyinvitingtothetenderfoot.”Withtemperatureshitting125degreesF.,mostoftheminessuspendedworkduringthesummer,althoughrichdepositsattheCapitol(Capitola)groupkeptoperationsgoingyearround.

Thedistrict'sisolationremainedagreaterproblem.FreightandmailwerecarriedalongroundaboutroutesthroughthepresentJoshuaTreeNationalMonumenttoWaltersStation(Mecca),Banning,andPalmSprings,about60to80milessouth.TheDale‐Walterscircuit,ofabout150miles,requiredfivedays:theDaleBanningroundtriptooksixdays,Itmighttakeuptofourweeksforareplacementparttoarrive.Once,aftertheO.K.haddrilledholesforblasting,itwaslearnedthattheminelackedtheexplosivestofiretheshots.“...Itisbutanotherillustrationof'sonearandyetsofar.'...”

Itwaslittlewonderthatfreightusuallycost$20aton.Tocrossthe4,600‐footsummitofPushawallaCanyon,oneteamsterwouldlocktherearwheelsofhiswagonwithchainsandabrake‐log,thenhalfdragthewagon,chainsgratingandwheelsscreechingagainsttheboulders,20yardsupthegrade,restafewminutes,andrepeatthisroutineeightto10times.

Thelackofwater,however,remainedthemostserioushindrancetomining.Fromthedistrict'sscatteredspringsandwells,placerminershadtobringwater10miles.TheIvanhoemineandmillbroughtwaterfourmiles,theO.K.nearly10miles,andtheBrooklynarecord23miles.

Thesedrawbackstooktheirtoll.Only63personslivedinthedistrictinmid‐1900,whenmineownerCharlesB.Eatonassertedthatanyonewith“capitalandgritenough”toinvestinapowerfulpumpingplantcould“bringthecampoutwitharushandmakemoneyforallinterested....”

Eatondidnothavelongtowait.First,theminingthatstillwenton‐‐lodemining‐‐hadshiftedsouth‐‐five,10,even15miles‐‐intothePintoMountains.Andfullydevelopedlodeminingrequiredmassivesuppliesofwater.

ThecompanythatownedtheBrooklynandLosAngelesminesinstalledapumpnearDaleinthespringof1901andlaidaneight‐milepipelineoveradividetotheBrooklynandotherproperties.Thoughtheplantwasconsideredasuccess“asfarasitgoes,”itsdailyoutputof5,000gallonsofwarm,heavilymineralizedwatercouldbarelysupplytheneedsoftheBrooklynandtheO.K.,eachwithitsownthirstymillsandthirstymen.

Otherchangesfollowed.TheVirginiaDaledistrictwasreorganizedinJanuary,1902,astheCitrographjoked:“TheminersoverintheVirginiaDaleminingdistrict'gatthemselvestogether'theotherdayanddeclaredthat'Virginiamustgo.'Andsheincontinentlyvamoosed.Whichallmeansthatthenameofthedistricthasbeenshortenedto'Dale.'...”Meanwhile,thecountybuiltawagonroadfromAmboy,35milesaway,incontrasttothe75milestoWalters.Afewmonthslater,thetownandpostoffice(May)movedeightmilessoutheast,toaflatbelowtheup‐and‐cominglodemines.SinceDalehadno.hotel,overnightvisitorswouldsleepinthestore.MailstillarrivedfromPalmSpringsonceaweek,butawell‐circulatedpetitionledtomakingAmboythejumping‐offpointbyearly1903..

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AsChaselaterobserved,thisshortcutprovedtobeaformidableroute.Travelerspaid$5to

rideinabuckboardstagefromAmboy;thebarrenlunchstopwashumorouslynamed“LakeviewHotel.”Passengersfoundthey'couldmakebettertimeupthegradefromtheAmboysaltflatsbywalking.

OutsidenewDalewasatinygraveyard.Foryears,awoodenheadstonemarkedthegraveofCharlesThomas,aminerfromtheO.K.InJune,1903,Thomas,whowassaidtobedrunk,wentaftera$400goldbrickabouttobesent“inside"‐‐tothecoast.Brandishinghissix‐shooter‐,hemarchedthepopulationofDaletothepostoffice,whereconstableJoeWagnerhadlefthisgun.Wagner“wastoldtogethisgunandgetitquick....”Wagnersteppedinside,pickeduphispistol,andshotthroughthewindow.Thomasdiedinstantly.Wagnerreceived“theheartythanksoftheDalepeopleforriddingthecampofadesperadoandwould‐bethief.”

Nearbystoodtheheart‐shapedmarbleheadstoneofCarlP.McCabe.ThesonofsaloonkeeperPercyMcCabeandhiswife,Adaline,CarldiedinJanuary,1904.Hewas10weeksold.

Evenold‐timerscouldbecomevictims.Actinguponabet,MattRileysetoutonfootforMecca(formerlyWalters)onesummerday.Hecarriedonlyabottleofbourbon.Rileydiedwithinsightofanoasis.AndSamJoiner,whoregularlycarriedlong2x8‐inchtimbersoverhisshoulder,wasfelledbyheatstroke.Hisloadpinnedhimuntilthesunset,whenitbecamecoolenoughforhimtorecover.

ThoughDaleservedabouttwodozenmines,twowereespeciallyimportantinbuildingupthedistrict.

Thoughonlyasmallproducer,theIvanhoebuiltatwo‐mileroadtoDale,broughtincrushingandcyanideplants,andlaiditsownpipelinefromFerguson'sWell,nearthedrylake,totanksatthemine.ThecompanybroughtthedistrictclosertotheoutsideworldwhenitjoinedtheBrooklyninbuildingatelephonelinetoAmboyinlate1903.Upto25menworkedattheminethen.BesidestheBrooklynandIvanhoe,thelineconnectedtheLosAngeles,O.K.,andSupplyminesandthetown. TheBrooklyn,however,wasconsideredtheidealof“legitimatemining.”Asearlyasmid‐1902,itsmineandmillwererunningnightandday,anditspumpwasfurnishing“splendidwater.”TuckedinapocketofahillinthePintos,thecampinApril,1906,consistedofhousesandquartersforthemen,diningroomandakitchen,andstables.Arecentlymodernizedsix‐stampmilloverlookedthecamp.

ComingintoprominencewastheSupplyMine.TheSupplycontainedthelargestorebodiesandmostextensiveworkingsinthedistrict,asix‐stampmill,crushingandcyanideplants,and25employeesinlate1903.ButlitigationbetweenH.A.Landwehr,along‐timemineowner,andhisfellowstockholdersclosedtheSupplyafter1908.

WhenyoungFredVaile,freshoutofPomonaCollege,arrivedduringthespringof1909,thetownwasaboutdead.OnlytheBrooklynMinewasactive.TheTheonlyplacesstilldoingbusinessweretheShamrockandDalesaloons,astore,andthepostoffice;thebarbershopandblacksmithshopwereempty.Highonahillstoodtheredlight“district"‐‐oneshack.For$50,Vaileboughtafullyfurnishedcabin‐‐oneofonlytwointown‐‐thatcontainedabedroom,livingroomkitchenette,andtheonlyscreendoorincamp.ItwaseasytoseewhyVailecouldgetineasily.Thepopulation

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ofthetownandminecampsdippedto41ayearlater,early1910.Monthslatercamethisreport:“NoelectionwasheldatDale‐onceabigminingcamp.LikeCalicotheoldcamphasgonebacktothedesert.”

Daleexperiencedonemoreimportantrevival.Landwehr,whofinallywonbacktitletotheSupplyanditssister,theO.K.,leasedthetwominestotheUnitedGreenwaterCopperCompanyinthefallof1911.UnitedGreenwaterhadfleecedinvestorsatDeathValleyafewyearsearlierandwasnowawashincash.UnitedGreenwaterwasworkingabout30meninlate1912,thendeepenedthemainshafts,to1,100feet,andfinallyinstalledacyanideplantandalargermill.TheSupplybecamethemostimportantproducerinthedistrict.ThepropertyproducedsomuchgoldthattwoworkmenstoleabucketofprecipitatesandtookoffforIndio.Buttheprecipitatesleakedthroughaholeinthebucket,andapossecaughtupwiththematCottonwoodSprings,awell‐knownoasis.ButpostmasterIsaac(Ike)Reedwasmoresuccessful.Thoughaformerjusticeofthepeace,Reedfledwith$1,075inpostalfunds.ABlythepaperjoked:“PerhapsReedgotthirstyandwentouttoSaltonSeaforadrink,aswaterisscarceatDale,thesupplyforthecamphavingtobebroughtfourmilesuphill.”Perhapsnotsurprisingly,thepostofficewasmovedtotheSupplyMine'scampinearly1915,andDalewasabandoned.

Thevariousboomshadcreatedthreesettlements:theoriginalDaleCity,nearthedrylake;“NewDale,”tothesouth;and“DaletheThird,”attheSupplyMine.Anotherveterandeserttraveler,J.SmeatonChase,foundthisstringofsettlementsofinterestwhilemakingahorsebackjourneyinJuly,1915.

First,atLyons'(Burt's)Well,onlya“fewscrapsofadobewall”remainedtomarkthesiteofDaleCity,wherehe“couldbarelyfindshelterfromthewindinwhatwasleftofVirginiaDale.Thehistorianofaminingcampmustbeearlyonthesceneifheistofindanythingmorethanthegroundonwhichitstood.”

NewDalehaddegeneratedinto“arowoflittlebuildings”thatservedas“blindpigs,”orspeakeasies,“asortofparasitewhoseonlyreasonforbeingwastohelptheminersofDaletogetridoftheirmoney....”Awatertroughandwarymanremained.

Ridingupthestairway‐likestreetattheSupplyMine'scamp,Chasefoundamorewelcomereception.That“friendlychap,”thecashier,“atoncetookchargeofmeasanunexpectedguest;insistedonmytakinghisroomformyown,andquarteredKaweahinthe'Company's'stables.Otherconvenienceswereofferedbytheresidentdoctor,andineffectIwasmadefreeofthecamp.”

Chasefound50to60men,halfadozenwomen,about10children,andone“badlyspoiledbaby.”Theminingoperationwas“ahighlyorganizedaffair”withelectriclightsinthebuildingsandwaterpipedsixmilesfromthelake.“...Dayandnightthewhirrandcrashofenginesgoesonunceasingly.Itwasstrangetowakeatnightandheartheroarofmachineryinthatremoteplace....”

Besidestheminestructures,thevillageconsistedof“ascoreorsooftemporarylookinghousesandcabins,spottedaboutwithoutanypretenseoforder.Astore,withkitchenanddining‐roomattached,andacashier'sofficeofstoneareallthebuildingsofanysize.Thepost‐officesharesquarterswithaClub‐roomcontaininganantiquepool‐room,thefeltworntoacuriosityandthepocketsashopelessasabachelor's.RelicsoftheFourthremainedintheshapeofawirecablestretchedacrossthestreetwithfag‐endsofrocketsandRomancandlesstillattached.”

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ThiswastheSupplyMineatitspeak.Itwasthenemployingabout80men.(Incontrast,eight

to10menworkedattheBrooklyn.)Butthecompanywasrunningintowaterandhard‐to‐workoredeepintheshaft;Landwehrreportedlywasbecomingmoredifficulttodealwith.Thecompanycutbackitsoperations;thepostofficeclosedinOctober,1915;thestagelinetoAmboywasdiscontinuedin1916,aboutwhenallworkat,theSupplyandBrooklynwashalted.

Forseveralyears,newDaleremainedintact.Agovernmentgeologistfoundadesertedtownin1918.Onlyeightresidentslivedintheareain1920,thoughtheveteranminerSamJoinerstillinhabitedthefewbuildings.WhenDaveandAnnaPostearrivedtoreworktheVirginiaDalein1923,theDaleSaloonremainedinimmaculatecondition‐‐eventothecuesandchalklyingatthepooltable.InwhatmusthavebeentheDaleSaloon,awriterforTouringTopicsin1928sawapooltable,watercooler,andsafe.Bottlesstillstoodonthepooltable.Envelopesandoldpapersgathereddustinthepostoffice.

Butasroadscontinuedtopenetratetheregion,Dalewasignominiouslytornapart.Campers‐shotapartthethousandsofbottlesbehindthesaloon,whichwasburned.MickeyThornton,whomovedtothedistrictin1930,tookapartthepostofficeandusedthelumbertobuildashackandburnedtwosacksofmail,thoughhelaterhopedtoseearevivalofthecamp.ThePostessawacarfromLosAngelescarryawayadresser,completewithdrawersandasun‐warpedmirror;anotherautohadapacksaddleonitshood.

Afinalrevival,(duringthe1920'sand1930's,considerablyaddedtothedistrict'soutput.Butbecausegoldminingwasconsiderednon‐essentialtothewareffort,apresidentialordershutdowngoldminesthroughouttheUnitedStatesin1942.TheBrooklynhadproducedmorethan$150,000ingold,theCarlylemorethan$125,000,theGoldCrown$385,000,theO.K.$200,000,andtheSupplymorethan$500,000.

...

...Dustuntodust;ashesuntoashes.NotevenvandalscoulderasetheromanceoftheDaledistrict.Ridingsouthonhishorsein1915,Chasecouldonlymarvelatthedecrepitudeofthatnarrowcanyon“whereeveryhillsidehadametalliclook....Everywherewereprospectholes,ordeeperworkingswherethemountainhadspewedoutpilesofglitteringgrayrock.Hereandtherewerescrapsofmachinery,oldwindlassesandboilers,draggedhereatenormousexpense,nowmererustymonumentstotherulingpassion;thoughtobefair,onemustsaytoman'senergy,hardihood,anddetermination,aswell.”SOURCES:TheminingandmillingoperationswerefullyreportedintheMining&ScientificPress,1894‐1905,andtheLosAngelesMiningReview,1899‐1904,andtheRedlandsCitrograph,1895‐1907.Twomodernminingoperations(theBrooklynandSupply)impressedGeorgeWhartonJames,TheWondersoftheColoradoDesert(Boston,1906),andJ.SmeatonChase,CaliforniaDesertTrails(Boston,1919).PhilipJohnstonvisitedtheghostlyruins:“DerelictsoftheColoradoDesert,”TouringTopics(Westways),February,1928,pp,14‐18,37,39,and41‐42.

ThebestmodernaccountisinLuluRasmussenO'Neal'sclassichistoryoftheTwentyninePalmsarea:APeculiarPieceofDesert(LosAngeles,1957),whichhasrecentlybeenreprinted.

Interviewsformthebasisofthreepopularaccounts:HaroldandLucilleWeight,eds.,“GhostTownWithRestlessFeet,”CalicoPrint(TwentyninePalms),June,1951;RonaldDeanMiller,Mines

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oftheHighDesert(Glendale,1965);andJohnsHarrington,“FlightfromNewDale,”Westways;March,1943(v.35),pp.14‐15.TheseaccountsallcontaininterestingphotosofDaleII.

WilliamClark'sGoldDistrictsofCalifornia(citedearlier)containssomewhatgeneralfiguresontheoutputoftheleadingmines.

ThedistrictseemedtobeafavoriteofL.BurrBeldenintheSanBernardinoSun‐Telegram:“DaleDistrictLongProducerofRichGoldOre,”Feb.21,1954,p,20;“$100OreFromDaleNotedbyMint'sDirector,”June23,1957,p24;and“ValleyLeadersAreOwnersofBrooklynGroup,”June30,1957,p.20.

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COLUMBIAMINE

THEMACEDONIAMINE.Oneofthepioneerdiscoveriesoftheearly1860's,wouldsufferacheckeredexistence.ThepropertylayintheProvidenceMountains,about20mileswestofthefuturetownofManvel(Barnwell).

Miningrevivedbrieflyabout1871,whentheMacedoniaareawasrenamedtheNewYorkminingdistrict.Asmallmillwasbuiltatthemineinmid‐1872,andalittlerichsilverorewasshippedoutafewmonthslater.

Informationonthedistrict'shistoryremainssketchy.TheMacedoniawasreactivatedastheColumbiaMineabout1897,whentheworkingswereextended.Employing12meninDecember,1900,aLosAngelescompanycompleteda10‐stampmillandawellafewmonthslater.Theoreonthedumpwasexpectedtoyieldabout$180atoningoldandsilver.Apostoffice(ColumbiaMines)wasestablishedinSeptember,1901.Animprovedsourceofwateraidedthemill'soperations.TwentymenwereworkinginMarch,1902whentheSanBernardinoCountysheriffshutdownthemineatleastforawhile.ThepostofficeclosedthatNovember.Tosatisfyalargeclaim,thesheriffattachedthemineafewmonthslater,inJanuary.1903.Themillwasremovedin1905.

Severalshort‐livedrevivalsfollowed,mainlyin1910,whentheminewaspumpedoutandanothermillbuilt.SOURCES:LarryVredenburghandothers,inDesertFever,giveaconcisehistory.WhatlittleelseisknowncomesfromoccasionalitemsintheLosAngelesMiningReviewandRedlandsCitrograph,1897‐1903.

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COPPERCITY

COPPERCITY,30mileseastofRandsburg,wasthemostprominentofseveralspeculativecopper‐miningventuresaroundBarstowandRandsburg.J.IrvingCrowellofLosAngelesbegansinkingshaftsandwellsasearlyasSeptember,1898.Theoreyieldedcopperandgold.CrowellsoldouttoaBostoncompany,whichemployedabout20meninlate1899.

WhatkeptCopperCityonmapsfordecades,however,wasnotitsorebutitswater.ThedeepestwellsunkbyCrowellwentdown94feet;ashallowwellproduced3,000gallonsadayin1900.

Theheavypromotionalactivityseemedtowanebyearly1900,butworkattheclaimscontinued.TheJuanitashaft,thedeepestatCopperCity,reached212feetby1902.Asmallminingcampstillstoodin1909,butthehouseswerefoundtobedesolateandinruinsin1917.SOURCES:DesertFever,byLarryVredenburghandothers,summarizesoperations.TheJuanitaandotherpropertiesareprofiledbyLewisE.AuburyinTheCopperResourcesofCalifornia(CaliforniaStateMiningBureau,Bulletin23,1902).TheboomwascoveredbytheMining&.ScientificPressandtheLosAngelesMiningReview,1898‐1904.

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COOLGARDIE

THECOOLGARDIEDISTRICTwasaboontomanysmall‐scaleminers.Thedistrictcomprisedastringofdry‐washingcampsabout20milesnorthofBarstow.

ThefirstplacergoldwasfoundinshallowgravelsaboutMay,1900.ThediscovererwasDickT.Duncan,oneofthediscoverersatKramer,whonamedhisclaimstheBlackNugget.AfewmilesawaylaytheCoolgardieplacers.Meanwhile,tippedoffaboutthestrikes,J.W.MurphyandJackHarrisonrushedinfromJohannesburgandclaimedalargeareaafewmileseastofCoolgardie.(Murphywouldsinkawell,stillshownonmaps.)

ThenewsofthestrikessetRandsburg“agog,”for“miners,prospectors,speculatorsandallkindsofmenarepullingtherebythedozens....”Thenewshadtraveledsorapidlyandtaken“suchaholdonthosewhosemainobjectinlifeseemstobetochaseupeverystoryofarichdiscovery,thatatleast200peoplearenowenroutetothe.groundfromallpointsofthecompass....”

ButCoolgardiewoulddisappointmany,Waterwaslacking:ithadtobehauledinfromspringsandwells10to15milesaway.Then,too,prospectorsfromRandsburg,Mojave,andelsewheresnappeduptheplacerpropertiesinjustaweekortwo.AtBlackNugget,forexample,thefirstprospectors,includingMurphyandHarrison,claimed800acres.Andstilltheprospectorsflockedin,75arrivingfromRandsburginlateMay.

MiningrevivedbyAugust.Theminerstendedtorecover$5to$25aday.Afewmenstruckbonanzas:inOctoberalone,threeminerstookout91ouncesofgoldinthreeweeks‐‐"...BetterthanaprintshopinRedlands,”jokedtheeditoroftheRedlandsCitrograph‐‐andDuncansoldalotweighing90ounces.Meanwhile,onegrouphadtakenout$6,000ingoldinonlyafewmonths.

Perhapsbecausethemineownersrefusedtosellorleasetheirclaims,thepopulationstavedfairlysmall.About10menwereworkingatBlackNuggetinlateAugust;thedistrictcontainedatmost30meninearlySeptember.

MiningremainedactiveatleastthroughNovember,1900,butrainthatwintershutdownmostoftheoperations.

Still,limitedworkcontinuedfordecades.Onecompanyin1907claimedtohaveinstalledahighlyefficientdry‐washingsystemthatcouldprocess100tonsofgold‐bearinggraveladay.Aslateas1909,Coolgardiewasfoundtobeasmallminingsettlement,withcabinsscatteredoverseveralsquaremiles.By1911,thedistricthadproducedareported$100,000.

Bythen,however,theplacerswereprobablyalmostexhausted.Onlyoneortwominerswereseenatworkin1917.SOURCES:TheLosAngelesMiningReviewcoveredtheboom,1900,1907‐1908.OccasionalitemsappearedintheMining&ScientificPress,Engineering&MiningJournal,RedlandsCitrograph,andPatriciaKeeling,OnceUponaDesert(citedearlier).Vredenburghandothers,DesertFever,describetheboom.

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STEDMAN(CAMPROCHESTER)

Ifonemineralinthedesertsurpassesthemall,itiswater.WhilesearchingforwaterfortheSantaFéRailwayabout1898,roadmasterJohnSuterfoundapromisingdepositofcopperandgoldintheparchedhillssouthofLudlowstation.HisBagdadandRooseveltclaimsandtheadjacentpropertyofJohnH.GentrybecamethenucleusoftheBuckeyeMiningDistrict.

Thoughbothmenvigorouslyworkedtheirclaims,thedistrictamountedtolittleuntilSuterinearly1901soldtheBagdadgrouptoasyndicatecomposedofmembersoftheNewYorkCentralRailroad.ThefirstshipmentofBagdadorewentoutthatDecember.Processedinthesyndicate'smillatBarstow,ityieldedmorethan$17,000.Withinmonths,47menweretakingout125tonsaday.Bullionreturnsaveraged$600adayinearly1903,andthecompanypushedtheoutputto200tonsaday.Meanwhile,directorBenjaminE.ChaseboughtGentry'sclaimsandorganizedtheBagdad‐ChaseMiningandMillingCompany.

Thelackofcheaptransportationlimitedshipmentstotherichestore.UnderthewatchfuleyeofStagg,thesyndicatestartedworkonastandard‐gaugerailroadtoruneightmilessouthfromLudlow.NamedtheLudlow&SouthernRailway,thelinewascompletedinJune,1903.WaterforthecampwashauledintankcarsfromNewberrystation,nearDaggett.

ThoughsmallcampsclusteredaroundtheGentryandRooseveltgroups,themainsettlementwasattheBagdad.ItwasnamedCampRochester,inhonorofthehometownofseveralsyndicatedirectors.While100mentoiledattheBagdadandChaseminesinOctober,1903,Staggletcontractsfortheconstructionof40spaciouscottages,tobepaintedand“madethoroughlymodern.”A10,000‐gallontankperchedonahillprovidedwaterfordomesticuseandfire‐fighting.TelegramscouldbesentbytelephoningLudlow.Aschoolhouseand10‐stampmillswerelaterbuiltattheRooseveltandBagdad‐Chase.ApostofficenamedafterdirectorJ.H.StedmanwasestablishedinMarch,1904,probablyinthecompanystore.Bythen,theBagdademployed50men,theChase25,andtheRoosevelt40.

Staggbelievedinefficiency,hardwork,andcleanliving.Onewriterinearly1903accusedStaggofbeingaczarwhocontrolledthecamp'swatersupply,requiredthecompanystoretosellonlytoemployees,andkeptoutsaloonsandgambling.ButStagglatermaintainedthat“theeraofarip‐roaringold‐timecampispast,andthatintoxicationshouldnomorebeafeatureinaminingcampthaninanyotherwell‐regulatedcommunity....”Minerswhohadbeenspendthrifts,Staggsaid,nowhadcomfortablebankaccounts.

Happily,Ludlowwasnearby.ThestartofworkontheTonopah&TidewaterRailroadtotheboraxandgoldfieldsofDeathValleyandNevadain1904transformedLudlowfromastationtoacompletetown.Aschooldistrictwasorganizedtoservebothcommunities;Staggevenservedbrieflyasitsadministrator.Mary(Ma)Preston'sstore,restaurant,hotel,saloon,andpoolroomofferedrelieftothemenchafingunderStagg'srestrictions.Shrewdandfeisty,shewouldnothesitatetopunchoutdrunksandrowdies.Buttothosedownontheirluck,shewouldbegenerousandwarmhearted.

Theminessettledintoaperiodofsteadybutunspectacularproductivityduring1904.Regularnewsreportsceased;thepostofficeclosedinNovember,1907,thoughtheLudlow&Southernwasstillmakingregulardailytrips(45minuteseachway!)in1909.About40menwereatworkinearly1910,whentheBagdadChaseGoldMiningCompanysolditsoperations;themines,railroad,

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andmillinBarstowwereallowedtodecay.ThechiefsourceofcopperandgoldinSanBernardinoCounty,theminesbythenhadproduced$4,500,000.

ThecompanysolditsrailroadandminesinOctober,1910,tothePacificMinesCorporation.PacificMineswasheadedbyJohnHaysHammond,aworld‐renownedminingengineer.Thepurchaseprovedtobeatonictothecamp.Therailroadandbuildingswererepairedandtheoperationsmodernized.Airdrillsreplacedhanddrills;lanternsandcandlesgavewaytoelectriclights.Thelaborforcerosefrom15mento75inlessthanayear.

PacificMinespulledoutin1916;themineswentintoreceivership.YetStedmanwouldnotdie.Miningcontinuedinto1917,andeverythingremainedingoodcondition‐‐themachineshopandroundhouse,electric‐powerplant,phoneline,eventhebigwatertankonthehill.Thecamp,accordingtotheBarstowPrinter,wasbeing“keptinasanitarycondition,andcontentmentisfoundamongtheemployees....”

Although1917mayhavemarkedStedman'slastyearasaviablesettlement,occasionalminingcontinuedinaverylimitedwayfordecades.TherailsoftheLudlow&Southernwerepulledoutabout1935.Becauseofthesilicainitsores,thepropertywasonlyoneoffourgoldminesinthestateallowedtooperateduringWorldWarII.Theminesfinallyclosedin‐1954,havingbeensunkto450feet.Themineshadproduced$6millioningold,orhalfthecounty'soutput.SOURCES:TheMining&ScientificPress,LosAngelesMiningReview,andRedlandsCitrographextensivelycoveredtheearlyyears,1901‐1904,andtheBarstowPrintercoveredthelateryears,1910‐1917.DavidMyrick'sRailroadsofNevadaandEasternCalifornia,II(citedearlier),containsasumptuouslyphotographedchapterontherailroadandcamp.

AlsoofinterestaretwofeaturesbyL.BurrBeldenintheSanBernardinoSun‐Telegram:“EasternersGet$10MillionFromBagdadChase,”Nov.23,‐1952,p,18,and“MillionairesHadBonanzaOreinBagdadChase,”March27,1960,p.B‐8.

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ATOLIA

FivemilessouthofthegallowsframesofRandsburg,weatheredbuildingsspeckleaslopeofalluviumpockmarkedwiththecavernouspitsofmines.Thewarm‐huedmoundcalledRedMountainloomsovereverything.

ThisisthesiteofAtolia.Forseveraldecadesinthiscentury‐andespeciallyduringWorldWarI‐‐thiswasthechiefcenteroftungstenminingintheUnitedStates.

Theoriginsofthisdistrictarenotclear.Whileplaceringforgold,prospectorshadtroublewithawhite‐bluemineraltheycalled“heavyspar,”whichwouldclogpansfullofgold.Analysisshowedthespartobescheelite,themainsourceoftungsten.

Tungstenwasarelativelyunknownmetaljustcomingintouseinthemodernworld.Theelementwasscarcelyknownuntilthe1860's.Bythe1890's,tungstenbegantoreplacethefibrousfilamentsinlightbulbs.Atthesametime,GermanywasabouttochallengeBritain'ssupremacyasanavalandmilitarypower.TungstenwasputintousetotoughenthearmorplateonGermany'sgrowingnavalfleet.

ImportantdepositsofscheelitewerefoundintheStringerdistrict,agoldareajustsouthofRandsburg.ButthebiggeststrikesweremadeatthePapooseandUnionlodes,nearthefootofRedMountain,in1904and1905.Onlyyardsawaywasthe“spudpatch,”animmenselyrichgroundwheresmall‐timeminerscoulddrywashoutlargenuggetsofscheelite.Happily,theRandsburgRailwaycrossedthedistrict.

Large‐scaleminingbeganwhentwopartners,knownonlyasAtkinsandDeGolia,boughttherichestclaimsinJanuary,1906,andalmostatoncebeganshippingoretoGermany,thenBritain.Employingonly30men,theirAtoliaMiningCompanyquicklyprosperedandbeganpayingdividendswithintwoyears.(Thefirmwouldeventuallycometoproduce95percentofthedistrict'stungstenconcentrate.)

"Quiteaminingcamp”grewupneartheclaims.Thebuildingsflankeda100‐foot‐widestreetrunningeastfromtherailway.MinesuperintendentCharleyTaylorsuggestedthe“smooth‐soundingname”ofAtolia‐‐acontractionofthenamesoftheowners.AtoliapostofficewasestablishedinMarch,1906,andaschoolwasstartedaboutayearlater.TheRandsburgMinercalledthesettlement“oneofthemostactivelittleminingcampsinthispartofthedistrict.”

Themineowners,inthemeantime,weretiredofshippingtheiroretoEuropeorhavingitconcentratedatBarstowforreshipment.Theybeganputtingupasolid,80x39‐footmillbuildingin1907.Risingfromthebuildingwasamakeshift100‐footflagpole,fromwhichanAmericanflag“wassimplyawaitingthecompletionofthemilltobeunfurledtothedesertbreezes.”(Waterfortheoperationshadtocome30milesbytankcarfromKramer.)

Despitetheapproachingsummerheat,“thegeneraloutlookforthatsectionisverybright.”TheAtoliacompanywashiring.CharlieKoehn,apioneeroftheRandsburgboom,tookout$1,350intungstenoreintwomonths‐‐fromagoldmine!C.GrantIllingsworth,Randsburg'sleadingmerchant,mined$2,000intungstenorefroman8O‐footshaft.

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ThisearlyboomendedwiththepanicanddepressionofOctober,1907.TheAtoliaminesclosedonNovember1because,asAtkinsexplained,“oftheimpossibilityofthefirmtogetsufficientcurrencytopaytheirmenduringthismoneystringency....”TheboardinghouseclosedonSundaymorning,andmostofthemenleftthenextnightforothercamps.Adozenmenwithfamiliesremained,havingbeenpromisedworkforamonth.Onepaperlamentedthatit“seemstoobadthatapropertysogoodasthetungstenminesshouldhavetostopandthemenscatteredsimplybecauseofthestringencyofthemoneysituation.Itistobehopeditwillonly.beofshortduration.”

Afteralonglull,productionfinallyshotupfrom5,000unitsin1908to30,000unitsin1909;itremainedhighforseveralyears.(Aunitis20poundsoftungstenconcentrate.)TheAtoliacompanywasturningoutnearly25percentofthetungstenconcentrateinAmericaby1910,puttingthedistrictjustbehindtheminesofBoulderCounty,Colorado,indomesticproduction.Thecompanynowmadeplansforanelectric‐lightplant.

Despitetheindustrialization,Atoliawasahomeycommunity.ThearrivalofthetrainfromKramerwastheeventoftheday.Thewhistleblowingfaroutinthedesertsignaledadultsandchildrenalike.Theconductorwouldtossthechildrenrolled‐updailynewspapers‐‐asmallchocolatebartuckedinsidewouldassurethedeliveryofthepaperstotheparents.ThatThanksgiving,thewomengaveafreedancewithrefreshmentsforthe100minersandfamiliesofthis“livecamp.”

Yetprosperitywouldremainelusiveforseveralyears.Inearly1911,forexample,arecession,slackeningdemandfortungsten,andlabortroublesforcedashutdownoftheAtoliaMineandthelayoffof100workers.Worksoonresumed,however,andbyDecember,40minerswerebackatworkandthemillwasoperatingontwoshifts.TheBarstowPrinternowadvocatedtheformationofavotingprecinctforAtolia“sothecitizensofthiscountywon'tbecompelledtogoovertoKernCountytovote.”(Atoliawaswithinwalkingdistanceofthecountyline.)Actinguponapetition,theSanBernardinoCountysupervisorsestablishedtheprecinctinearly1912.Meanwhile,thecompanyinstalledamoderntelephonesysteminitsworkings.

Afteradecadeofup‐and‐downactivity,Atoliabegantoboomagain.Itwasthesummerof1915.ThewarinEuropehadbeenescalatingforayear.Afloodofordersformunitionsgeneratedademandforhigh‐speedsteelsusedincuttingtoolsandriflebarrels.WhentheBritishembargoedexportsoftungstenoresfrom“itscolonies,buyersscrambled;withinmonths,thepriceofconcentratebrieflytopped$50aunit.InColorado,thetungstenmineswereproducingfarlessorethanexpected.

Atoliaturnedintooneofthefastest‐growingcampsintheWest.TheAtoliaMiningCompanyputupdozensoflargewood‐and‐canvastentsandframebuildingslaidoutinaneatgrid;thefirm'semploymentrosefrom30inearly1915to300neartheendoftheyear.AfterthefirmstartedupasecondmillonJanuary1,1916,thepayrolljumpedto400.Thepopulationofthetownhit600.

Noteventheaccidentalburningofthemillafewweekslatercoulddampentheboom.Insurancecoveredthe$40,000loss.TheAtoliacompanyatoncestartedupitsoriginalmillandputcarpentersandothertradesmentoworkroundtheclock.Thenewplant,runby25electricmotors,couldturnout700unitsaday.Themainshaftoftheminewasalsoelectrified.

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Now,inearly1916,Atoliawasdescribedas“ametropolitancity,evenifitstents.”Thecountysupervisorsmadethedistrictacourttownship,givingitajusticeofthepeaceandconstable.A40‐acretownsitewaslaidout,andlots“arebeingsoldeveryday....”Apoolroom,stationery‐cigarstorewithaclubroomattached,generalstore,bakery,andcountylibrarybranchopened.Asspringapproached,thenineregularboardinghousesandtworestaurantsandchophouseswerebeing“rushedtodeath.”TheoverflowwenttoRandsburgbyjitney.TheAtoliaRestaurantCompanyopenedNo.2,“andyetthecrowdscome....”Thetwoeatinghouseswerefeeding300personsaday.OneAtoliamineoperatorboughtahotelinRandsburgtofeedandlodgehisworkers.

Randsburgcertainlybenefitedfromthisspillover.Itsstoreswerefilledwithgoods.TheRandsburgandMojaveStageCompanywasmakingfourtripsadaytoMojave.AndtheMinerinstalledaLinotype.

Becauseofthiscrushofbusiness,AtoliawasprobablythefirstdistrictinCaliforniatobenefitfromafullrangeofmodernconveniences.InexpensiveelectricpowerfromBishopCreek,telephoneandtelegraphservice,anddailymaildeliveriesbecameavailable.Twodomesticwatersystemsreplacedthedeliveriesbyrailwaytankcars.Autotrucksandupto30jitneysspedmail,express,ore,andpassengerstoJohannesburg,Randsburg,Mojave,Kramer,andRandstation,eventoBakersfieldandTaft.

BytheendofMay,1916,1,200men,women,andchildrenwerelivingin500dwellings,mostofthemtent‐housesandportablestructures.Sincefamilieswereconsideredasimportantastransientsinthecamp'slife,thepopulaceshoweda“desiretokeeptheplacedecent.”Theschool,forexample,enrolled51pupils.

Businesseshadsproutedeverywhere.Theyincludedfourgeneralstores,twostationerystoresandnewsstands,threebutchershops,twolumberyards,threegarages,twotheaters,threeshoemakers,threebarbershops,threepool‐halls,adrugstore,twodoctors,ashootinggallery,anenlargedbowlingalley,ablacksmith‐machineshop,halfadozencommodioushotelsforthetransienttrade,nineboardinghousesforregularminers,abathhouse,threeproducedealers,asecondhand‐furniturestore,threeicecreamparlors,asawmill,asamplingandreductionplant,andtwoweeklynewspapers,theNewsandTungstenReview,whichapparentlywereeditionsoftheBarstoworRandsburgpapers.

Themines,too,weredoingwellbeyondallexpectations.TheshaftattheUnion,themainpropertyoftheAtoliacompany,approacheditsultimatedepthof1,050feet;itsworkingswouldsoontotal20,000feet.Withtungstenconcentrateaveragingnearly$35aunit,thecompanyproducednearly109,000unitsin1916.

Theboompricesforconcentrateinfectedeverylevelofthecommunity.Severalbuyerswerepayingupto$2.50apoundjustforlow‐gradeore.Storeswerepayingchildrentobringinscheelitenuggets.Businesspostedsignsoffering

"CashforHigh‐Grade,”“GroceriesforHigh‐Grade,”“MealTicketsforHigh‐Grade.”Inanearbyplacergolddistrict,100menwerepaying$1asquarefeetfortungstenleases.Themaingulch.alongtheAtolia‐Randsburgroadwascutupby“placerworkerswitheverymannerofcontrivance,bothwetanddry,forsavingthegold,tungsten,andblack‐sandconcentrates.”

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Theresultofthisfrenzywashigh‐grading‐‐thetheftofrichore.Orevanishedfromdumps,warehouses,andcars.Twosacksworth$400weretakeninthepresenceofacareless‐‐orconniving‐‐watchman.Minerswithspecialpocketssewninsidetheirshirtsandpantswouldstaggerundertheweightofstolenoreastheygotoffwork.

Tensionsranhigh.ThefrequentlayoffsbytheAtoliaMiningCompanyhadalreadywipedouttheregularlaborforce,especiallyafterthefirmbegancontractingwithItalianfloatdiggers.TheItaliansreceived$3adaytodigupaproductworth$6apoundintheEast.Whenlocalorebuyerscombinedtopushdownprices,independentminerswouldmerelyreburytheirtreasures‐‐placerscheelite‐‐toawaitbetteroffers.

Themineoperatorstriedtobringsomeorderoutofthischaos.Topreventhigh‐grading,theAtoliaMiningCompanyinstalledroomswhereitsminershadtochangetheirclothesunderguard.WhencivilauthoritiesarrestedseveralItalians‐‐thebulkoftheforce‐‐onsuspicionofhigh‐grading,thecompanyfired100Italianworkerssuspectedoftheft,muchtothedelightofmanyAmericans.Butthelossescontinued,asdidthearrests.Meanwhile,smallloadsoforeweresometimessentoutbyexpress‐·at$190aton.

Buttheboomsoonsubsided.Atoliasettleddowntoamoreworkadaywayoflife.Thepopulationdippedtoabout900,andthemajoreventsof1917includedastereopticonlecturebyaministerandaRedCrossparadethatsnakedthroughalltheminingcamps.Thoughthepriceofconcentratesdroppedto$16aunit,America'sdeclarationofwarandmobilizationpushedproductiontoapeakof116,000unitsin1917.Theschoolenrollment,too,peakedat71.

TheArmisticeofNovember,1918,markedtheendofthesecondboom.Theschoolplungedto12pupils.TheAtoliacompany'soutputdroppedfromanalready‐low61,000unitsin1918toamere5,000unitsin1919.Thenthemineandmillclosedforthreeyears.Blamingcheapimportedtungstenforthedecline,acorrespondentfortheBarstowPrinterinFebruary,1920,calledAtolia“adesertedminingcamp”withonly79men,women,andchildren.Thetownhadonlyonetelephoneandnotelegraphservice.Mailarrivedonlythreetimesaweek.ThepostofficeclosedinAugust,1922.

ThediscoveryofalargedepositofsilverthreemilesnorthofAtoliainearly1919,ongroundtroddenuponbytungstenprospectorsfor15years,injectedsomelifeintotheregion'seconomy.AgroupofcampsunderthenameofOsdick(soonrenamedRedMountain)morethandoubledtheAtoliaschool'ssicklyenrollment(to30);theschoolboardevenopenedacampusatOsdick.

ThentheAtoliaMiningCompanyreopeneditsminesin1923.Productionsoonreached27,000units,andthepostofficereopenedinNovember,1927.

Butasatown,Atoliawasfinished.Theoutputoftheminesbegantoslipatonce.RedMountain,however,wasthriving.TheAtoliaschoolclosedabout1930;thebranchlibraryclosedafewyearslater.Though250menleasedAtoliacompanyclaimsduringaflurryin1937,decliningtungstenpricescutthenumberofindependentminersto40.Althoughtheorebodieswerenotexhausted,afederalreportexplained,“theeasilydiscoveredandrichestorebodieshaveprobablybeenmined....”Infact,therevivaloftheminesandmillduringWorldWarIIfailedtobringlong‐termprosperity:in1944,theleadingmineshutdowninFebruaryfollowedbythepostofficeinJuly.

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SOURCES:Consideringthegrowingimportanceoftungsten,theearliestdiscoveriesatAtoliawerepoorlycovered.OccasionalarticlesappearedintheLosAngelesMiningReviewandotherperiodicals.Butonthe1915‐1918boom,unusuallydetailednewsitemsandfeaturesappearedintheMining&ScientificPress,RandsburgMiner,BarstowPrinter,MojavePress,andLosAngelesTimes.TheMojaveRecordandtheArizonaMiningJournal(Phoenix)sporadicallycoveredtherallyandfinaldecline.

TheoperationswereputinperspectivebytheCaliforniaMiningBureauinReports15(1915‐1916),pp.830‐839,and17(1920),pp.370‐373;byJ.W.Glasgow,travelingfreightagentfortheSantaFéRailway,in“TungstenMiningAtAtolia,California,”Mining&OilBulletin(LosAngeles),January,1916,pp,31‐32;andbytwofederalgeologists,D.M.LemmonandJ.V.N.DorrII,TungstenDepositsoftheAtoliaDistrict,SanBernardinoandKernCounties,California(U.S.G.S.Bulletin922‐H,1940).ThelastpublicationcontainsexcellentmapsandtheproductionrecordoftheAtoliaMiningCompany.

TwohistoriesoftheRandsburgdistrictofferafewglimpsesintolifeatAtolia:RobertaStarry'sGoldGamble(ChinaLake,1974)andMarciaRittenhouseWynn,DesertBonanza(2nded.,Glendale,1963).Wynn'sfatherownedanimportantminenearRandsburg.

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THEVONTRIGGERCAMPS

INDECEMBER,1906,awriterfortheRedlandsCitrographtookheartthatatleastoneminingdistrict,Vontrigger,had“escapedtheblightofthefakepromoter.Itsnamehasnotbeenconnectedwithworsethanquestionableminingenterprises....”

Thewriterwasonlypartlyright.TheVontriggerdistrictoperatedinthetwilightbetweenhonestdevelopmentandshadypromotion.

Aftersomefitfulstartsduringthe1890's,mineswerebeingdevelopedthroughouttheVontriggerdistrictby1904.AboutsixmilesnorthofBlakestation(Goffs),thePentagonMiningCompanyfoundeda“permanent”camp,consistingofanassayoffice,abunkhouse,andashafthouse.Meanwhile,todeveloptheCaliforniaMine,ninemilesnorthofBlake,intheVontriggerHills,AlbertH.CramorganizedtheCaliforniaGoldandCopperCompanyandbegansinkingthreedeepshaftsandinstallingmodernminemachinery.

Themine,however,wasknownlessforitsorethanforitsowner,Cram.Cramwasthemostprominentmining‐stockpromoterinRiverside.Hewoulddevelopaclaimjustenoughtoholdtheinterestofprospectiveinvestors.Cramhad25menatworkbythesummerof1906.Strikesbeingmadeelsewhereinthedistrict,accordingtoareportinlate1906,provedthatVontriggerwas“amongthemostpromisingnewcopperfieldsoftheSouthwest.”

Theminesitewasdevelopedintoalargecampin1907.Crambuiltalargebarn,storecarryinganamplestockofgeneralmerchandise,areservoir,andanine‐milepipelinelaidtoHackberrySprings;waterbeganflowingonJuly4.About40menwereemployed.Then,inOctober,Crambeganinstallingaleachingplant.Theoperationturnedout5,400poundsofcopperthatyear.

Ashippingpoint,meanwhile,wasestablishedontheCaliforniaEasternRailway,lessthantwomilesaway.VontriggerpostofficewasestablishedthereinMay,1907.Bytheendof1908,thestationcomprisedawatertank,loadingplatform,siding,andacombinationstore‐postoffice‐restaurant.Amonumentmadeofcopperoregreetednewcomers.

Developmentatthemineprobablyslowedthen,perhapstogiveCrammoretimetosellstock.Heresumedhispromotionalcampaigninearly1909.InJune,thecampcontained20buildings,includingthestore,aboardinghouse,aroominghouse‐hotel,andcabins.

Would‐beinvestorscouldgazeuponamagnificentoperationattheendof1909.Themainshafthadreached317feet,17,000gallonsofwateradaywereflowingthroughthepipeline,andCramwastoutinganewlydeveloped“electrochemical”systemthatextractedgoldandcopperfromthearea.A96x100‐footbuildinghousedawell‐equippedleachingplant.

Neveronetoquit,Cramkickedoffafinalpromotionalcampaignin1911.Theelectrochemicalplantwasleachingoutcopperore“onacommercialscale,”andafullyequippedrollermill,withcyanidetanks,startedupaboutJune.Everonthemove,CramseveraltimesvisitedGoldfield,

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Nevadatobuyequipment,evenshowingoffan18‐inchslabofcopperproducedathisproperty.Infact,hisoperationproduced4,000poundsofcopperthatyear.

Cram'sactivitiesprobablylessenedafter1911.AtVontriggerstation,thepostofficeclosedinOctober,1913.Allthatremainedin1917wasasiding.

AnotherVontriggergrewupatthenewlydiscoveredGetchellMine,afewmilestothewest,intheHackberryMountains.ByMay.1925,thecampcomprisedastore,restaurant,cold‐drinkresort,and30tents,withothersrising“everyotherday.”A30‐roomhotelwasreportedlyunderconstruction.WorkattheGetchellprobablyhaltedaboutthen,althoughthemineexperiencedrevivalsformanyyears.

SOURCES:LarryVredenburgh,inDesertFever,sortsoutthevariousoperations.D.F.HewettlistedtheoutputoftheCaliforniaGold&CopperCompany'smineinhisworkontheIvanpahQuadrangle(alreadycited).Themanyminesinthedistrict,includingCram's,werecoveredintheRedlandsCitrograph,1906‐1908,andintheLosAngelesMiningReview,1906‐1911.,

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THECIMADISTRICT

StandardCamp,Toeglcity,CampDawson

EvenfairlysmallminesintheregionaroundCimacouldsupportsubstantialcamps.MeadesvilleandCampPekingareonlymemories,butseveralsmallsettlementsachievedsomeprominence.

TheStandardNo.1Mine,about11milesnorthofCima,onStripedMountain,fortunatelyproducedoreofhonestinvestorsratherthanthehotairofpromoters.Inthesummerof1905,theStandardMinesCompanyofLosAngelesrevivedtheoldExcelsiorMine,begansinkingadeepshaft,installedmodernequipment,anderectedastoreandotherbuildings.Thecompanyshippeditsfirstoreinearly1906.ThoughasuitbystockholdersforcedtheStandardtocurtailoperationsinlate1906,thepropertystillmanagedtoproduceaphenomenal455,000poundsofcopperand9,360ouncesofsilverbytheendoftheyear.Whenfulloperationsresumedinthesummerof1907,theshafthadreached340feet.ByMay,1908.,thecampincludedabunkhouseandboardinghouselargeenoughtotakecareof100men,asmallstore,andanassayoffice.Butproductionsoondeclined.Themineshutdownin1910.AlimitedrevivaltookplaceduringWorldWarI.

Toeglcity,atinycamp,sprangupafterCharlesToeglbeganreworkinganoldgroupofsilverclaimsafewmilesnorthofCimainmid‐1905.HenamedhisclaimstheTeutoniagroup.ToeglandaPennsylvaniainvestororganizedacompany,whichboughtotherproperties,builtwagonroads,andputupthecampattheTeutonia.InOctober,1907,thesettlementincludedageneralstoreandablacksmithshop,whichalsoservednearbycamps.Homes“ofabetterclass”wereplannedforcompanyofficials.Allthisdevelopmentwaswellfounded:theTeutoniaproduced112tonsoforecarrying100to150ouncesofsilveraton.

ThetwinDeathValleyandArcalvadamines,threemileseastofCima,intheMidHills,stoodoutasalegitimateminingoperationinaneraofspeculation.

Richsilver‐lead‐goldorewasfoundthereinmid‐1906;asettlementnamedCampDawsonemergedbySeptember,whentheDeathValleyMineshippeditsfirstore.Theworkforceinthedistrictstabilizedby1907:45inMarch,52ormoreinNovember.InJune,framestructuresbeganreplacingthetentsthatmadeupthecamp'shomes;theArcalvadaMinehadashafthouse,enginehouse,and41‐roombunkhouse;andtheDeathValleyMineownedan“artisticallyfinished,”seven‐roomresidence‐‐toutedastheonlycompletelyfurnishedbungalowonthedesert‐‐whichwasusedbyvisitorsandthesuperintendentsandmanagersoftheDeathValleyandArcalvadamines.(ThefirmsmergedinSeptember.)Thenewlyformedcompanyproducedarecord74,600ouncesofsilverin1907.TheoutputoftheDeathValleyMinedeclinedafterlitigation‐‐andperhapstheprevailingdepression‐‐curtailedworkinmid‐1908.

Theoutputneverreturnedtotheearlierlevels,thoughthemineoperatedonandofffordecades.TheDeathValley,forexample,employed40minersand20teamsin1912.Theplantandanewmillburnedin1927.Yetaslateas1930,thecampcouldfeedandhouse100menandcontainedasix‐roomhouseandaconcentratingplant.ThebunkhousewastorndownafewyearslaterandthelumberusedtobuildaVeteransofForeignWarshallatClarkMountainstation.

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SOURCES:TheLosAngeles(American)MiningReviewreportedontheminingoperationsandtheircamps,1905‐1912.InhisworkontheIvanpahQuadrangle(citedearlier),D.F.Hewettprofiledtheleadingminesandgavetheirrecordsofproduction.InDesertFever,LarryVredenburghdescribeseachoperation.

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THECRACKERJACKDISTRICTCrackerjack,Avawatz,andCopperCity(II)

OneofthemoremysteriousregionsoftheMojaveDesertistheAvawatzrange,a6,500‐footseriesofmountainsbisectedbyoneoftheearliestroadsfromBarstowtoDeathValley.JohnnyMoss,themountain‐mandiscovererofrichoredepositsintheWest,reportedlyfoundsilverintheAvawatzMountainsabout1870.ThoughtheSanBernardinoArgussaidthatMoss'sstrikeswere“yieldingtherichestoresonthecoast,”intruthonlyatrickleoforecameoutofthedistrictfordecades.

TheAvawatzdistrictdidn'tamounttomuchuntil1906.DiscoveriesofgoldmadeearlierintheyearbroughtarushofminersfromthecampsofsouthernNevadainthefall.TheyorganizedtheCrackerjackMiningDistrict,30X30miles.AfterFrancisMarion(Borax)SmithorderedhisTonopah&TidewaterRailroadtobuildadepotatSilverLake,25milestotheeast,autostagesbeganrunningtoCrackerjack,FivePoint,andAmosBrotherscamps.AstheLasVegasAgewouldcometopredict,“theTonopah&TidewaterhassoimprovedthesituationthattheCrackerjackcountryisenteringonaneweraofdevelopment.”

TheCrackerjackdistrictsooncametosupportthreetent‐and‐shackcamps:Crackerjack,Avawatz,andCopperCity.Builtatanelevationofabout4,000feet,thesettlementsclusteredwithinamileortwoofoneanotherjustsouthofAvawatzPassandCaveSprings.

Crackerjack,theoriginalcamp,waspromotedalmostasafantasyland.FlamboyantadsintheLosAngelesdailiesoffered“choicelotsforsale”inadistrict“destinedtobetherichestcampofold.”ApostofficewasestablishedinFebruary,1907;aweeklynewspaper,theCrackerjackNews,beganpublicationafewmonthslater.‐ Butnewcomerswereboundtobedisappointed.Thoughminersreceivedagoodwage,$4aday,andthoughChinesewerekeptout,thecampremainedlittlemorethanaclusteroftents.Onlytwomineswereactive,andthoseemployedfewmen.Eventheboostersadmittedtheneedforawell,forwaterhadtobehauledinsevenmiles.WhentwotoughsseizedDrinkwaterSpringsanddemanded$1abarrel,membersofawell‐armedgangfromCrackerjackappearedand,withthreatsofviolence,filledtheirbarrelsandleft.Theweatherwasespeciallyharsh.FivefeetofsnowreportedlyfellatCrackerjack,presumablyduringthewinterof1906‐1907.Theminersspentawretchedseason,eitherinminetunnelsorleaving.

RivalingCrackerjackwasAvawatz.PromoterH.E.NeedhamplattedthecampfourmilesfromCaveSpringsinMay,1907.Itoffered“suitable”hotelaccommodationsandreceivedasemiweeklyfreightservicefromSilverLake.TheTurnergeneralstore,whichhousedtheCrackerjackpostoffice,wasmovedtoAvawatzinOctober,1907,for“outfitsarecomingintothisplacedaily,fromwhichpointtheywillconvenientlyprospectthroughoutthesurroundingterritory....”SuppliesandmailwerearrivingregularlyfromSilverLake.TheCrackerjackpostofficewasfinallydiscontinuedinAugust,1908,anditsnamedchangedtoAvawatz.

AmileandahalffromAvawatzstoodCopperCity,nottobeconfusedwithacampofthesamenamenorthwestofBarstow.ThisCopperCitywasthechildofpromoterC.H.Southworth,who

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laidouta“promisingyoungtown”aboutFebruary,1907,andadvertised:“IfyouhavefailedtomakegoodinTonopah,GoldfieldandBullfrog[Nevada],tryabrandnewdistrict.”

Southworthboasted:“TheCrackerjackdistricthasrichercoppershowingsthanGreenwater[aDeathValleyboom]andwedonothesitatetotellyouthatCopperCitywillbeonthemapforyearstocome.Itcannothelpbutgrowwhengreatledgesofcopperareexposed....”Surroundingthetownsiteweregoodcopper,lead,andgoldveins.Oneshaftwentdown80feet.EvenF.M.(Shady)Myrick,anotedgemprospector,hadclaimsatCopperCity(whichhesold).Acorrespondentreportedthatall“prospectorsarehardatworkandarefullofenthusiasm.”

Despitetheneedforadeepwell,CopperCitydidshowsomegrowth.InMarch,1907,thetownsitecontainedagoodlodginghouseandanup‐to‐datesaloonserving100residents‐‐orsoitwasclaimed.Ageneralstoreandrestaurantwereduetoopensoon.

Ifthedistricthadaleadingmine,itwastheCrackerjack‐Bonanza,12milessouthwestofSilverLakeandabout20milessoutheastofCrackerjack.Actually,theminelayjustoutsidethedistrictproper,inRedPass,alongtheoldMormontrail.Theowners,acompanycomposedofenergeticbusinessmenfromLosAngeles,sankadouble‐compartmentshaft175feetanddrovetunnelsintorich,easyto‐millore.Thesettlementthere,calledBonanzaCamp,includedawell,boardinghouse,andotherbuildings,andlateramill.AnautostageconnectedBonanzaandothercampswithSilverLake.

EighteenmileswestofCrackerjacklaytheDesertKingMine,asecondaryproducer.Littleisknownofthismine.Afive‐stampmillhadapparentlybeenbuiltasearlyas1903.(Majorworkprobablydidnottakeplaceuntil1911,whenthedistrictwasindecline.Afewyearslater,thecampincludedacabin,blacksmithshop,andtwo‐stampmillnearDesertKingSpring.)

Themineswerenotedfortheirerraticoutput.TheCrackerjack‐Bonanzawasproducingrichoreata“steadilyincreasingrate”inJune,1907.Thepropertysoonmadeitsfirstshipment‐‐threecarloadsoforeaveraging$100aton‐‐followedbyseveralshipmentslaterintheyear.Closertothecamps,theAvawatzCrown,whichhada2oo‐footshaft,madeasmallshipmentinMay,1909;meanwhile,25menworkedattheBlueBucket.Butthatwasaboutalltheactivity.

Itwassurprisingthatthedistrictsurvivedmorethanayear.Anationwidedepressionthatbeganinlate1907driedupfundsforinvestmentwellinto1909.TheCrackerjackNewswasmovedtoSilverLakeearlyin1908andwasre‐establishedastheMiner.Themajorminingjournalsrarelymentionedthedistrict.

Exceptforoccasionalrichpockets,apparentlymostoftheorewastoopoortosustainadistrict.TheconstructionoftheT&T‐‐andthelowerfreightrates‐wasconsideredaboontothemines.ThoughtheT&Tsurveyeda12‐milebranchtoanirondepositwestofSilverLakein1908,trackswereneverlaid.Nomineinthedistrictpropereverputupamill.AvawatzpostofficeclosedinDecember,1910.Thedistrictreportedminoractivitythrough1911,thenfadedaway.SOURCES:OccasionalarticlesandadvertisementsappearedintheMining&ScientificPress,LosAngelesMiningReview,LasVegasAge,NeedlesEye,andRhyoliteHerald,1906‐1909.Aninteresting,thoughsomewhatgeneral,reminiscencebyrancherDixVanDykehasbeenreprintedinPatriciaKeeling,ed.,OnceUponaDesert(citedearlier).DesertFever,byLarryVredenburghandothers,offersagoodoverview.L.BurrBeldenattributedthedeclinetothe1907depression:

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“TownBornOnlyAFewMonthsPriortoPanicof1907,”SanBernardinoSun‐Telegram,Jan.24,1960,p,B‐8.

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SILVERLAKE

“...ThetownofSilverLakewasmirroredinbluewaterasshiningandasheavenlyasthevisionwhichwaslost.Thehouseshadweatheredadeeporangeandburnedinthesun.Thewhitetanksetuponstiltsabovethewellwasdazzlingtolookat.Treesgrewbesidetheglisteningdream‐water.Itwasbrighterthanan‐ytownorlakecouldpossiblybe;itwasmagical.”

SowrotetheEasternauthorEdnaBrushPerkins.OnatourthroughthedesertsofCaliforniaabout1920,sheconsideredSilverLaketheessenceoftheMojaveDesert.SilverLakewasslumberingthen,butonlyadecadeearlier,ithadthrobbedwithlife.

TheconstructionoftheTonopah&TidewaterRailroad‐‐theT&T‐‐northfromLudlowgaverisetothetown.TherailroadprojectspurredworkattheRiggssilver,totheeast,andreawakenedinterestintheAvawatzMountains,tothewest.

ThefirstsignsofasettlementappearedwhenT.T.BrownandOscarHibbardopenedastore18milessouthoftheend‐of‐track,apparentlyattheedgeoftheshimmeringclaybedofSilverLake,inOctober,1906.TheLasVegasAgesawthe“prospectofaverylivelycampbeingstartedthere....”Withminingexcitementsmakingnewswithfeverishfrequency,asmalltownbegantoemergeafewmonthslater.FrancisMarion(Borax)Smith,thefounderoftheT&T,orderedtheconstructionofadepot,andstagecoachesbeganrunningtotheminingcampsintheAvawatzrange,notablytothenewcampofCrackerjack,25mileswest.Charging$15,theCrackerjackAutoTransitCompanyalsobeganmakingdailyrunstoSilverLakeinearl‐y1907.

ApostofficewasestablishedinMarch,1907.Saidtobe“inprogressofbuilding,”SilverLakeembraceda“creditabledepot”withoutsidetelephoneandtelegraphconnections,tworestaurants,bothrunboyboomersfromNevada,astoreortwo,andaliver‐ystable.RowanandCourtwright,whooperatedthestableandcorral,providedfreewaterto“manandbeast”andranastagethatcouldreachCrackerjackinfivehours.Afewmonthslater,theSanBernardinoCount‐ysupervisorsdeclaredSilverLakeatown(plattedwithagrandiose63blocks),votingprecinct,andcourttownship.BecomingacourttownshipentitledSilverLaketoajusticeofthepeaceandconstableandperhapsadeputysheriff.

Duringtheboom‐years,especially1907and1908,theRose‐Heath‐Fiskstorewascentraltotheregion'sgrowth.ThestoresuppliedtheCrackerjackdistrictwithgeneralmerchandise,hardware,lumber,feed,andha‐y;thestoregrossed$150,000inone‐yearalone.Oneofthestore'sowners,OliverJ.Fisk,wasapioneerofseveralminingboomsintheMojave,servedasSilverLake'sfirstjusticeofthepeace,andhelpedplatthetownsite.

ExcitementsatRiggs,Avawatz,Bonanza,Harper,AmosBrothers,FivePoint,and17Milecampskeptbusinesshummingforseveral‐years.TheowneroftheCrackerjackNewsmovedtoSilverLakeinearl‐y1908andfoundedtheweeklyMiner;itapparentlylastedonlyafewmonths.About65menwereregisteredtovoteintheSilverLakeandAvawatzareasinlate1908.TheT&T,meanwhile,surveyeda12‐milebranchtoirondepositsatthefootoftheAvawatzrange.(Thespurwasneverbuilt.)Theareaheld135personsin1910.

Abouttheonlyoutbreakofviolenceoccurredwhenasectionforemanwasstabbedtodeathin1910whiletryingtobreakupafight.

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Silverlakenowwentintoaslumber,awakenedonlybythenoisesofoccasionalmining.ArrivingfromLosAngeles,GustaveBrauerandhisfamilyboughttheHeathstoreinearly1911,thensnappeduptheJ.A.Thomasstoreafewmonthslater.

Thoughpioneermotoristsenjoyedracingoverthebedofthedrylake,itcouldoccasionallyflood.WhendownpoursfilledtheshallowbasininJanuary,1916,theT&ThadtorerouteitstrainsthroughLasVegas‐‐a170‐miledetour‐andthenrebuilteightorninemilesofroadbedontheeastsideofthelake.Composedofsimpleframebuildings,thetownwaseasilymovedtothehigherground.WhenanartistfromSanFranciscoboastedoftheprogressthathiscityhadmadesincetheearthquakeandfireof1906,Brauercouldonlychuckle:“Well,SilverLakeain'tsobad.Wepulledherupoutofthewateroncealready.”

Thepopulationofthevotingprecinctdwindledto35in1920,buttoPerkinsandacompanion,SilverLakestoodoutas“alittleoasisoflifeinthesolitude.”Thesunwassettingwhentheyspiedeightor10“portablehouses,brightorangebesidethepurpledarknessofthebaked‐mudlake....”GreetingthemweretheBrauers,“akindlyGermancouple”whoownedthestore,soldthemgasoline,andboardedthefewtravelersboundforthemines.Alistofvotersnailedtothedoorofthestorecontainedonlysevennames,luredbythetown'swateringtrough,burroswanderedamongthelittlehouses.A6x2‐footpatchofgrasscarefullytendedbytheBrauersstoodoutastheonlygreenthingintown.

NoteventhelonghootoftheT&T'strainsinthestillairdisturbedthetorporoftheinhabitants.“...Inaboutfifteenminutesanungainlylineoffreight‐carswithapassenger‐coachortwointherearcomesswayingalong.Mrs.Brauergathersupthedishesleisurely.Shehopestheyhavebroughtthemeat.Thelasttimeshehadboarderstheydidn'tbringanymeatfortwoweeks.IftheybringitshepromisestomakeyouafineGermandinner.Shenevergoesouttolookatthetrain.Nobodydoes,exceptyou,whostandinthedoorwayandwonderatit....”

SilverLakefadedawaylikeamirage.Onlyastationagentandsectioncrewremainedin1927.TheconstructionofthehighwayfromLosAngelestoSaltLakeCitybypassedthetowninfavorofBaker,eightmilessouth;apavedbranchwasbuiltalongtheT&TtrackstoDeathValley.WhenboraxdepositsweredevelopedinKernCounty,theminasnearDeathValley‐‐thelifebloodoftheT&T‐‐wereabandonedin1933,andtherailroadcurtaileditsoperations.Silverlake'spostofficeclosedinFebruary,1933,andwasmovedtoBaker.ThefewbuildingslefthousedthestationagentandsectioncrewuntiltheT&Twasabandonedin1940.SOURCES:DavidMyrickhasabriefbutbeautifullyphotographeddescriptioninhisRailroadsofNevadaandEasternCalifornia,II(citedearlier).OccasionalitemsappearedintheMining&ScientificPress,LasVegasAge,SearchlightBulletin,andBarstowPrinter.EdnaBrushPerkinseloquentlydescribedthetowninTheWhiteHeartofMojave(NewYork,1922).

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GOLDPARKANDPINONCAMPS

Severalsmallbutwell‐developedcampsgrewupattheminessouthofTwentyninePalmsoasis.

About11milessouthofTwentyninePalmslaytheGoldParkdistrict,justinsideSanBernardinoCounty.WhenGeorgeWhartonJames,theinveteratetraveler,rodeintothecampattheGoldParkMineabout1906,itwastemporarilydeserted‐‐almost.Itscaretaker,knownonlyasSullivan,wasawaitingthearrivalofwagonsbringingmenandsupplies.SullivanmadeJamesawelcomeguest:“,..Whennightcomesandourpleasantfirelightsupthesurroundinggloomhebringsforthfromsomehiddenrecessaviolin,fromwhichheplaysanumberofpopularpieceswithbothskillandprecision....”

TheTwentyninePalmsregionsoonbegantostir.Ofthe10minesin1907,theGoldParkcompanyemployedthemost‐‐18men.Mineswerebeingbuiltup,millswerestartingup.Theminersattheoasissorelywantedastoreandapostoffice.

MostoftheminingtookplaceintheGoldParkdistrict,wheretheGoldParkandTipToppropertiesadjoined.TheGoldParkwasfullyequippedwithmodernminingmachinery;itscampincludedbuildingsfortheman,ablacksmithshop,andalaboratory‐assayoffice.ApostofficeoperatedfromJanuarytoJuly,1908..

Fartothesouth‐‐andalongday'sjourneyforJames‐‐stoodthecampatthePiñonMine,whereJamesspentthenight:“...There.areafewcabinsandastampmillsituatedinacozynookinthemountains,and‐‐pleasantfact‐‐thehomesoffamilies,wherethevoicesofwomenandchildrenareheard.”

Byearly1908,millswereoperatingatthePiñon,Hexahedron("Hexie"),andLostHorsemines.Ashortageofwater,however,hinderedoperations;onlytheLostHorsewouldleavearecordedoutput:$350,000.SOURCES:TheobservationsofGeorgeWhartonJamesappearinhisbookTheWondersoftheColoradoDesert(citedearlier).Sporadic,butdetailed,newsstoriesonminingappearedintheLosAngeles(American)MiningReview,1907‐1908.

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HART

Thefallof1907wasapoortimefortheminingindustry.Adepressionwas"rakingthenation'sbanksandsqueezinginvestors.EspeciallyhardhitwasGoldfield,Nevada,whereonebankhadfailed,the.miningcompanieswerebroke,andtheminerswereonstrike.

ItremainedforthreeprospectorsfromGoldfield‐‐JamesHartandthebrothersBertandClarkHitt‐‐torecognizethepossibilitiesofarhyoliteformationthatresembledthegold‐bearingoutcropsofwesternNevada.IntheruggedCastleMountains,thetriofoundpocketsofrichoreandrefiledonlapsedclaimsduringthelastweeksof1907.TheirclaimsbecametheOroBelleandBigChiefmines;piecesoforefromthelatter“fairlyglistenedwithgold.”

Tippedoffbythediscoverers,GeorgeA.Foster,ayoungGoldfieldbroker,snappedupagroupofclaimsandlaidoutatownsiteinabasinbelowtheproperties.HenamedthesiteHart.(AsidingandfreighthouseontheBarnwell&SearchlightRailroad,aboutfourmilesnorth,wouldsoonbenamedHitt.)Fosterlaterexplainedthattoo“muchcreditcannotbegiventheoriginaldiscoverers.Theycertainlyhavegiventheminingworldanotherbigcampandmyselfandfriendsareindebtedtothemfortheadvanceinformationwhichletusinonthegroundfloor.”

ThenewsofthestrikeelectrifiedthedesertregionsasearlyasJanuary,190B.TheNeedlesEyereportedthatmany“peoplehaveleftNeedlesandSearchlightinautomobiles,buggies,andwagons,andonbicyclesandburros.”“AndoncemorethemagicnameofGoldfield!”exclaimedtheSearchlightBulletin.“SoassociatedwithsuddenwealthandricheshasthenameGoldfieldbecomethatitistheopensesameoftheuptodateprospector.”

Atownbegantoemergeonlyaweeklater.Halfadozententswereontheground,andmorewererising.TwoSearchlightstoresopenedbranches.

M.L.CookandStone&Brownopenedsurveyors'offices.J.B.Flanagan,thepublisheroftheSearchlightNews,beganissuingasmall,four‐pageweekly,theHartEnterprise.Telephoneline5"W8rebeingstrungtotheWesternUnionofficeat.Barnwell.Thoughwoodwasscarce,waterwasbeinghauledfromBarnwell;itsoldfor$8abarrel.Apetitionsoughttheestablishmentofapostofficeandamailroutetotherailroad.

Inthemeantime,theFosterbrotherswerevigorouslypromotingthenewtownsite.TheyhiredM.L.Cooktomakeasurvey,and“indicationsarethatalivelycampwillspeedilymaterialize,”onepaperwrote.TownlotswereputonsaleonJanuary14.

But“blindingstormsofrain,sleetandsnow”failedtodampensalesorthespiritsofthe100ormoremenatthesite.At$25alot,saleswerebrisk:60lotsweresoldinoneday;onepartyevenbought20.Aweeklater,whenlotsweresellingfor$150,theEnterprisecommentedthat“thecamphaseveryindicationofpermanency.”

Visitorsbegantopourin,atfirstfromNeedles,Searchlight,andGoldfield,thenfromSanFranciscoandDenver.MostgotofftheBarnwell&SearchlightatBurntStumpstation,whereastagewouldtakethemthefewmilestoHart.FromtheSaltLakerailroad(thepresentUnionPacific),passengerswouldarrivebyautostagefromLeastalk(laterrenamedIvanpah).Travelerscouldusuallybeaccommodatedatlodgingtentsandrestaurants.ButH.A.Perkins,thepublisherof

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theBulletin,advisedthat“theforesightedwillendeavortopackalongapairofblankets[to]insurecomfortinstormyweather....”

OnewomanconfessedtohavingmixedfeelingsaboutHart.“Well,atfirsttheplacegavemethecreeps.MyfirstimpressionwhenIsawallthosewhitetentsinthedistancewasthatIwasapproachingagraveyard.NorcouldIthrowoffthisimpressionforsometime‐‐infactnotuntilthenextdaywhenIsaweversomuchgoldpannedandhadboughtalot.ThenthelifeandbustlewakenedmeupandIwasdelightedwithallIsaw.IhadafinetimeandwanttogotoHarttolive.Ithinkitisgoingtobealovelycamp.”

Newcomerslikehercontinuedtoswellthepopulation.TheEnterprisereportedattheendofJanuarythatonehundred“tentsarescatteredabout,andthenumberisfastincreasing.Wheretwoweeksagotheeyebeheldnothingbutjoshuasandcactithemountainside[teems]withlifeandprogress.”

Whilethedistrictawaitedthearrivalofitsfirstlumber(January31),tentslinedthemainstreetforhalfamile;othertentsspilledontosidestreets.Housedinthemwereanestimated400persons,severalminingengineersandbuildingcontractors,andtwodozenbusinesses.

Atownbegantoemergefromthecocoonofacamp.DuringabreakinthebadweatherinearlyMarch,Perkinsmadeaneasyone‐hourdrivetoHartandfoundanattractivelyplacedsettlement.“Onedrivesupthemainstreetandfindsitquitewellfilledforadistanceofthreecityblockswithalternatingtentsandsmallframestructures.Acloserobservationwillshowsomeverysubstantialone‐storybuildings.Foratwomonths‐olditmakesaremarkableshowing.”

AmongthemoreconspicuousbusinessesliningthemainstreetweretheNorthernClub,ownedbyGusHamstadtofNipton;theSmith,McCarthy&Bradleyhardwarestore;thegeneralstoresofC.L.Buckler,N.P.Funk,andtheBrown‐GosnevCompany:severallodginghouses;andMesmer'sbakery‐restaurant.Gradingwasunderwasonthe38x60‐footNortonHouse.Meanwhile,afour‐milewaterlinefromMalapaisSpringswascompleted;watersoldfor$10abarrel.

Themineswerealsodoingwell.Ahard15‐minuteclimbbroughtPerkinstotheHartandHittproperty,theOroBelle.Hitt“extendedeverycourtesy”inshowingPerkinsa60‐foottunnelwithveinsassayingupto$20atoningold.Upanothersteephillwasthe60‐foottunneloftheBigChiefMine,ownedbytheFostercompany.Lyingneartheminewerefour100‐poundsacksofareworth$2apound.

Allthatspringandsummer,Hartmaturedintoafull‐fledgedminingtown.Aftertheintroductionofdailymaildeliveries,apostofficeopenedinlateApril.ASearchlightdeveloperbroughtinaseven‐passengerThomasFlyerandbegancarryingpeople,beer,andicetoHartandEIDoradoCanyon,Nevada.Acrewheemployedputthe20‐mileroadtoHartin“fineshapeforfastrunning.”

InSearchlight,FlanaganclosedtheNewsandmoveditsplanttotheofficeoftheHartEnterprise.Andabanquetandballmarkedtheopeningofthetown'sonlytwo‐storybuilding,theNortonHouse:itsfurnishingswere“firstclass.”:Asecondtwo‐storyhotel,theMartinHouse,openedinJuly.

Hart'sestimated400residentshardlyneededtoleavetheirhomes.Thebusinessdistrictthatsummerincludedthetwohotelsandaone‐storyroominghouse,twogeneralstores,abookstore,a

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real‐estateoffice,acandystore,twolumberyards,abakery,andeightsaloons.Theutilitiesembracedthewaterline,thepostoffice,telephoneandtelegraphservice,andstageandautolinestoSearchlightandHitt.

Harthaditshumanside,too.Whenthefirstchild‐wasbornin·camp,itsparentswerepromisedalovingcupmadeoflocallyminedgold.Thenearestschool,however,wasatBarnwell.ThechildrenoftheSnorffamilywouldwalktoBarnwellonSundaynights,setuphousekeepinginanabandonedcabin,andwalkbackhomeonFridayafternoons.Onagrimmernote,Harthadacemeterythatwouldeventuallyhavefivegraves.

HelpingtheboomalongwastheEnterprise.Flanagan,itsfounder,wasapparentlyhardpressedbythenationwidedepressionandbytherivalSearchlightBulletin,anewsysheetofsixpages.WhenFlanaganclosedhisweeklyNewsinApril,anagentforthebuilding'sownersattachedtheloadedplantforbackrent.ItcostFlanagan$110tofreehisequipment,andmoveittoHart.

HartcouldhavenobetterboosterthanFlanagan.AsearlyasJanuary,hewascrowingthat“HartisdestinedtobecomeoneofthelargestproducersofgoldintheUnited'States....”WhentheEnterpriseadvisedexcursioniststo“enjoythefresh,balmybreezesofthemountains.IftheBulletinscoffed:“...Unfortunately,theoldestinhabitantcannotrecallamoredisagreeabledaythanthatwhichgreetedthevisitors,andthe'fresh,balmybreezes'wereyoungtornadoesladenwithblindingdust....”

Despiteitsboosterishtone,theEnterprisetendedtoplayitsminingnewsstraight.MiningjournalsinSanFrancisco,LosAngeles,NewYork,andChicagoquotedthepaperoften.

Butallthisgrowthstrainedthefabricofaneasygoingfrontiersociety.TheBulletincomplainedinJanuary:“Six‐shootersaremuchinevidence,anditwillnotbesurprisingifleadenmessagesareexchanged.Manysharppracticesarereportedinthematterofmakinglocationswhichmayresultintrouble.”Thenextmonth,threeSearchlightmencontestedwiththeFosterbrotherstheownershipofanareanearthetownsite.Butuntilcertainmattersweresettled,theSanBernardinoCountysupervisorsrefusedtoestablisha'courttownship,whichwouldentitleHarttoajusticeofthepeaceandconstable.

Suchchaoscouldnotbetolerated.Hartorganizedaformofprovisionalgovernment.To“encouragelegitimatemining,”theleadingcitizensformedaBusinessMen'sLeague,whichlimitedthesaleofliquorandenforcedpoliceandfireregulations.HartinfactwasoneofthefewminingcampsinCaliforniatomaintainavolunteerfiredepartment.Theleagueinturnformedalaw‐and‐ordercommittee“toassistinthemaintenanceofaquietcamp.”Wheneveragambler,tough,orwildcatpromoterarrived,thecommitteewouldadvisehim,“inlanguagethathedoesnothesitatetoheed,”toleaveonthenextstage.

Afewwell‐developedclaimssupportedthedistrict.TheOroBelle,ownedbyHartandHitt,hada1,000‐foottunnel,a200‐footshaft,andextensiveworkings.TheBigChief,ownedbyFoster,hadashaftofseveralhundredfeetandthedistrict'sonlymill.InthirdplacewastheHartConsolidated,ownedinpartbyHarryS.McCallum,thetown'sleadingspirit,whoheadedtheBusinessMen'sLeague.Themanyleasesthesemengrantedaddedconsiderablytothedistrict'soutput.Infact,onelease‐holderinlateJuneshippedthearea'sfirstore,atestrunofundisclosedvalueprocessedbyamillinSearchlight.

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RepresentingmostmineworkerswastheHartMiners'Union,abranchoftheWesternFederationofMiners.Theunionwasorganizedduringearly1908andbyJuly1counted44members,apeak.Duringthemostproductiveyears,1908and1909,laborersandsurfaceworkersgenerallyreceivedacomfortable$4aday,andshaftworkersreceived$4.50.Carpenterswerepaidaprincely$6.

Millingturnedouttobethemainproblematthemines.InMay,a10‐stampmillboughtbyHart,Hitt,andFosterarrivedfromGoldfieldandwasinstalledneartheBigChiefMine.Buttheheavymachineryshookapart,thepoorlylaidfoundation.Despitemodifications,themilldidnotstartupagainuntilNovember.ASearchlightmillendedupprocessingmostofHart'sbestore.ShippingfromHarttoSearchlightcost$3aton.

ThoughHart'sminesweremostactivethrough1909,theEnterprisereportedmoredevelopmentworkthanproduction.Thoughmanysmallerdiscoveriesweremade,theveinsattheBigChiefandtheOroBelleremainednarrowandbroken;theamountoftheirhigh‐gradeorewaslimited.InNovember,1909,theEnterprisesuspendedpublication.(FlanaganwasseenagainasthepublisherofweekliesinParker,Arizona,andBlythe,California.)Andafewmonthslater,inearly1910,thecensustakencountedonly40residentsinthearea.

Then,inJanuary,1911,afirethathadstartedbehindtheMessmerbuildingdestroyedhalfthe“littletown,”includingtheofficeoftheHartTownsiteCompany,Messmer's·storeroom,Martin'spoolroom,andtheAmesstore‐‐allabandoned.TheonlyoccupiedbuildinghitbythefirewasMiltonMaundy'sstore,whichcontainedgeneralmerchandiseandthepostoffice.

Still,Hartwouldnotdieeasily.Amonthafterthefire,Maundyopenedarestockedstoreacrossthestreet.GeorgeFosterstillattendedtotownsitebusiness.AndtheOroBelle'smanager,W.B.Andrews,broughtinseveralcarloadsofsupplies,lumber,anddrillingequipment.Andrewsplannedtodrillforwatertouseinaproposedmill.TheBulletinrejoicedthatprospectslookedfavorableforwhatitstillcalled“thetownofHart.”

AndrewswasmakingsteadyprogressbyNovember.Thewaterlinewasready,andAndrewswasgettingestimatesfortheconstructionofamill.Expectedtocost$45,000,theplantwouldbeanimprovedtubemilldesignedtorecover96percentofthegoldandsilverintheOroBelle'sore.

Afterintermittentproduction,theOroBelleandBigChiefsuspendedworkin1913.Theminers'uniondisbandedayearlater.ATonopah,Nevada,firmworkedtheOroBelleforawhilein1915;thepostofficeclosedthatDecember.TherailtoBarnwellandSearchlight,inthemeantime,steadilycutbackservice.

AsurveyorfortheGovernmentLandOfficefoundaghostlytowninearly1919(spellingkeptintheoriginal):“ThenowdesertedtownofHartgivesevidenceofaoncethrivingandprosperousminingtown,evidencedbynumerousbuildings,consistingofthreesaloons,withfurnitureandbarintact,a10stampmill,hotels,restaurants,laundry,printingofficeandnumerousdwellingstructures.Theconditionofthetownbearswitnesstothefactthatitwasdesertedinahurry,probablyattheterminationofthegoldexcitementinthisvicinity....”SOURCES:TheboomanditsdeclinewasfullyreportedintheMining&ScientificPress,LosAngelesMiningReview,SearchlightBulletin,andtoalesserextenttheNeedlesEye,1908‐1913.HewettdescribedtheminesinhisreportontheIvanpahQuadrangle(alreadycited).Interviewing

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aformerschoolboy(JohnSnorf,whodiedin1985),L.BurrBeldenwroteaconcisehistoryintheSanBernardinoSun‐Telegram:“Hart,GoldCampOnNevadaLine,Foldedin1918,”Sept.30,1956.AlsoofinterestisRonaldDeanMiller,MinesoftheMojave(Glendale,1976).

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THELANFAIRVALLEY

Lanfair,Ledge(Maruba),Dunbar

BY1910,MININGMENcouldonlywonderabouttheprospectsintheeasternMojaveDesert.FirstIvanpahandVanderbilt,thenCopperWorldandBarnwell,finallyHart‐‐allhadfailedtolast.TherailsoftheCaliforniaEasternRailwaywererunningthroughanemptyland.

Theironywasthatconditionsoutsidetheregionwerefavorable.Thedepressionofthe1890'shadrunitscourse,cropandmetalpriceswererising,andtheU.S.governmentwasopeningmorelandtohomesteading. OnelikelysiteforhomesteadingwasthebrushyplateaubetweenGoffsandBarnwell,abasin20mileslongand10to15mileswide.CattleownedbytheRockSpringsLand&CattleCompany,thesecond‐largestspreadinCalifornia,fattenedthemselvesonthelushgrasses.Tothenorth,smallstandsofpiñonandjunipergrewintheNewYorkMountains.Tothesouth,intheHackberryHills,PiuteandVontriggerSpringsabundantlysuppliedranchers,farmers,andminers.Foryears,theSearchlightBulletinnoted,“peoplehavehadtheireyesonthisinvitinglookingsection....”Andtoonelaterarrival,thevastfieldsofJoshuatrees,Spanishbayonet,bloomingcactus,mesquite,andgreasewood(creosote)made“anever‐to‐be‐forgottenpanorama.Theairwassocleanandcrispitmadeusgladjusttobeabletobreatheit.”

OneofthosewhotookaninterestinthebasinwasErnestL.Lanfair,aSearchlightmerchant.LanfairhadminedintheHackberryHillsin1907,whenhomesteaderswerebeginningtosettlealongthestateline.Itwasbelievedthatwheatcouldberaisedwithaslittleasfourinchesofrainayear,and“withupto‐datemethodsthereisnoreasonwhydryranchingcannotbecarriedonsuccessfullyinthissection.”

ThenCongresspassedtheEnlargedHomesteadAct,whichledtoanunprecedentedrushtofileclaimsforgovernmentland.

Sinkingadeeptestwell,Lanfaircreatedthenucleusofacolonyabout17milesnorthofGoffsinlate1910.Lanfair'sprojectwasatfirstsaidtobe“fastassuminglargeproportions.”ButtheBulletinhadtocautionthatoverblownreportsofalandrushandbumpercrops“givestrangersawrongimpressionandsometimesworkaninjury....”Infact,only20settlerswerelivinginthevalleybythesummerof1911.

Thecolonybegantoboomby1912.Lanfair'sranch,fullyimprovedfromthebeginning,wasyieldingabundantly.Carloadsofmachinery,lumber,andsupplieswerearrivingbyrailalmostdaily;theCaliforniaEasternreporteda“considerableincreaseofbusiness”thatsummer.Apostoffice(Lanfair)wasestablishedinSeptember.Meanwhile,aschooldistrictwasorganized;itsenrollmentsoonshotuptoapeakof29.

Meanwhile,onlyonemilenorthofLanfair,twoblacks,G.W.HartsandHowardFolke,laidoutatownsite,tobenamedDunbar.Theircolonywouldexperimentwiththecultivationofcottonand“bringfreedomtothecoloredrace,”astheBulletinexplained.Hartsbroughtinacolonyofblacksinearly1911,thoughmanyreturnedafterafewmonths,apparentlytoLosAngeles.Ayearlater,inthesummerof1912,Dr.C.H.Duvall,“talkingfreelyandenthusiastically,”establishedahomeandschoolforblackorphanson40acresofdonatedland.Acarloadofsupplieswasready

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fortheconstructionofbuildings,forwhich$40,000hadbeenpledged.(DunbarpostofficewasestablishedinOctober,1912,operatinguntilMay,1914.)

Ofmoreenduringimportancewasthefar‐flungcolonyestablishedaroundLedgesiding,fivemilesnorthofLanfair.AstorewasopenedandapostofficeappliedforinJune,1912.“Almosteverytrainbringsinsomenewmembersofthecolony,”theBulletinreported.“Quitealittletenttownhassprungupattherailroad,”whereanestimated100personswereliving.Suppliesforfarmingwerebeingunloadeddaily.

CecilBarbourwasthechiefpromoterofLedge.Hewouldgetintouchwithprospectivesettlersand,forasmallfee,informthemaboutunclaimedlands.TheBarbour'sranchhouse,justeastofthesiding,wascomposedofthreelargetentsplacedendtoend,framedwithlumber,andfittedwithdoorsandwindows.Anoverhangingdoubleroofprovidedinsulationandspaceforaporch',TheBarboursownedLedge'sonlygoodwell;theysoldwaterfor25centsabarrel.

Duringtheseearlyyears,theCaliforniaEasternRailwayservedasthearteryofthevalley,thoughfairautoroadsfannedouttoGoffs,Ivanpahstation(Leastalk),andCima.ToattendschoolinBarnwell,childrenwouldcatchthetraininthemorningandreturnontheafternoontrainheadingbacktoGaffs.WhennewlywedsBertandMaudSharparrivedatLedgeinFebruary,1914,thetrainconsistedofanengine,combinationpassenger‐mail‐baggagecoach,twoorthreefreightcars,andacaboose.Arefrigeratorcarcarryingfreshfruit,vegetables,andotherperishableswasaddedeveryMondayandFriday.ThoughLedgehadnodepot,thetrainwouldstopfor15minuteswhilesettlersflockedintopickupmail,freight,andexpresspackages.Unclaimedmailwouldbeleftinalargelockerandthekeyhiddenfromtransients.

"Trainday”wasonlyoneofmanydown‐to‐earthsocialevents.ErnestLanfairheldamemorableJuly4celebrationfor300or400guestsin1914.Theguestscouldhavetheirfillofthreesteersbarbecuedovernightinarock‐and‐earthlinedpit,besidesbeans,salads,trimmings,pies,cakes,andicecream.Apianoplayedatopanewlyerectedpavilion.Harmonicas,fiddles,andotherinstrumentsprovidedlivelymusicforeverythingfromsquaredancestowaltzes.AndnoJuly4wascompletewithouthorseracing,sackandpotatoraces,roping,andgames.

WhentheJuliusAlexanderfamilyinvited20gueststoa“HomeProductsDinner”inPintoValleylaterthatyear,mostofthefood,fromthechickentothepeanutbutter,camefromtheirranch.

Thevalleywasahomeyplace.Nearly130menandwomenwereregisteredtovoteinlate1916.Threeschoolswereinoperation:PleasantValleyatLedge,Lanfair,andPintoValley.ThePleasantValleySchoolenrolledupto25pupils.WhenMrs.ElanorJ,JacobyboughttheBarbourranch,heroldhousewasturnedintoapart‐timeclubhouse.Whilechildrensleptoncotsinthebedroom,theirparentswoulddanceandenjoyrefreshments.Forawhile,aminesuperintendentevenpreachedthereonSundays.Acrossthetracks,abuildingwasputupforapostoffice;namedMaruba,itopenedinAugust,1915.Nearhisranch,ErnestLanfairranastore;ithousedthepostofficeandsoldgroceries,supplies,andgasoline.Nearbystoodtheschoolandaboxcarthatservedasthedepot. Severalfarmsbecamefairlyproductive.Thecolonistswoulddryfarmmilomaize,corn,andbeansduringthespringanddryfarmsmall‐graincropsduringthefall.Oneranchirrigatedgrapesandobtainedgoodfruitfrom140trees.

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OldMillardF.Elliott,withexperienceinAlaska,California,andMexico,turnedouttobethebestfarmer.Goodbarbed‐wirefencesandpoultrynettingkeptoutcattleandjackrabbits.Usingonlyone‐horseimplements,Elliottplantedalargeorchardandraisedawidevarietyoffruitsandvegetables;hisespeciallydeliciouswatermelonsdrewbuyersfromasfarawayasNeedles.

Thoughthevalleycontainedonlythreegoodwells,thewaterprojectswereambitious.ErnestLanfairownedtwo550‐footwells,oneofwhichproduced50,000gallonsaday";aspringfeda15,000‐gallonconcretereservoirthroughaneight‐milepipeline.ThedeepestwellinthevalleyoperatedattheformerBarbourranch,nowownedbyMrs.ElanorJ.Jacoby.Itwentdown879feetandproducedabout25,000gallonsaday.Mrs.Jacobychargedonly15centsabarrel.

Butominouscloudsbegantodarkenthevalley.AftertheArmisticeofNovember,1918,thepricesofcropsandmetalsplummeted.TheSantaFe,meanwhile,cutitsservicetotwotrainsaweek,latertojustone.Cloudburstscouldgenerate50‐foot‐widetorrentsthatwouldcarryawayJoshuatrees,railroad‐ties,andboulders;astormin1916washedawaypartoftheraillineforsixweeks.Occasionaldeepsnowwouldhampertravelbyroad.Hail,coyotes,andrabbitswouldwreckcrops.Tramps,too,mightmenaceresidents,perhapsevenburglarizinghomes,thoughMrs.Sharpalwaysgavethemameal.

Still,afewfamiliescontinuedtomoveintothevalley.BertSharpandElliottfinallyopenedasmallgrocerystoreandgasolinestationintheMarubapostofficeinearly1919.Sharpbuiltacounter,shelves,andstoragerooms.WholesalersinNeedlesandColtonsuppliedthemwitheverythingfromgasolinetocornmeal.(Gasolinewaspricedatacostly42centsagallon,thoughtheexpenseofshippingitfromLosAngelesleftthepartnerswithonlyameagerprofit;sugar,too,sometimesrosetoasteep26centsapound.)

ThoughtheMarubastorewouldbeopenedonlyeightorninedaysamonth,ontraindays,itbuzzedwithactivity.Homesteaderswouldcometopickuptheirmail,perhapsbuysupplies,andtradegossip.TheSharpsandElliottwouldtakebutterandeggsfromthecolonistsandsendthemtoSearchlight.Theirhensalsolaidafewdozeneggsaweekforoutsidesale.ThestorewouldsellsomeofElliott'smelons,apricots,peaches,andgrapes.Mrs.Sharpwouldcanothersurpluspeachesandsellthemfor75centsaquartandturnhisConcordgrapesintojellyandselldozensofpintsfor75centseach.

TheSharpsthrivedonthishardylife.Forawhile,theywereabletoinduceaSantaFéconductortoleavethemusedblocksoficefromtherefrigeratorcar.Mrs.Sharpwasabletogrowdeliciousvegetablesfordinnerinasmallgarden.Thoughacropofwheatwashitbyhail,severalturnipsshetriedoutgrewtofivepoundsapiece.EveryotherSaturday,thefamilywoulddrivetothePintoValleySchoolanddancethenightaway,sometimesarrivinghomeatdawn,fornobody“seemedtohaveacareintheworld.”

Butnoamountofresourcefulnesscouldstaveofffate.AmbitiousattemptsraisecattleandconverttheleavesofSpanishbayonetplantsintoropeandsoapfailed.Full‐timejobsinthevalleywerealmostunknown.TheSantaFécutitsservicetoonetrainaweek.Ontraindays,theSharpswoulddriveupfromGoffs,theirtemporaryhome,helpbringinfreightandmail,openforbusiness,andreturnthatsameday.

Theplainfactwasthattherainfallwas“apparentlynowherenearsufficient,”asonegeologistlaterdeclared.Speculatorsseemedtohavetheonlymoneywithwhichtosinkwells.Assettlersgainedtitletotheirhomesteads,theybegantotrickleaway,mostofthemtoLosAngelesandLong

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Beach.Thougheveryoneenjoyedthefellowshipandmountainsoffoodatonefarewellparty,Mrs.Sharprecalled,“therewasanoteofsadness,too,atthethoughtofthefamilyleavingthevalley....”

Thecoloniesdidnotdieeasily.TheLanfairschoolclosedabout1922.BusinessatMarubaslackened;theSharpsgaveElliottthestore,itsamplestock,anditsaccountsandleftinearly1922,asdid15otherfamilies.Onlythreefamiliesremainedin1926.ElliottfinallyclosedthestoreandthepostofficethatMarch;theLanfairpostofficeclosedinJanuary,1927.

Theschoolreopenedbrieflyafewyearslater,andtheSharpsevenreturnedforafewmonths.Buttheeraofcolonizationwasover.Sadly,oldMillardElliott,theonlysettlerabletomakealivingfromtheland,diedafterafreakaccidentin1932.SOURCES:TheearliestyearsweredescribedintheSearchlightBulletin,1910‐1913,andbyDavidG.Thompson,GroundWaterinLanfairValley,California(U.S.G.S.Water‐SupplyPaper450‐8.1921)andTheMohaveDesertRegion.California...(WSP578,1929.citedearlier).MaudMorrowSharpvividlyrecalledherhomesteadingdaysatLedgesidinginMaruba(Norco,1984);thisisaremarkablereminiscence.

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BAXTER

Happily,somemineraldepositsarelarge,rich,andaccessible.SuchweretheBaxterandBallardieQuarries,inawhitishhilloflimestonenearBaxterstation,sevenmileswestofCrucero.(BaxterhassincebeenrenamedBasin.)Thelimestonewasusedtoornamentbuildingsandtoprocesssugarbeets.

A3,600‐footspurtrackwasbuiltfromBaxterabout1910.Butlittledevelopmentprobably‐tookplaceuntil1914,whenatrackwaslaidalongthehillandapostofficeestablishedatthestation(June).About1916,theSugarLimeRockCompany,whichleasedpartofthedeposit,installedamodernplant,includinga110‐footsteel‐boomderrickandapumpingplant,andbuiltbunkhousesandaboardinghouseforits60laborersandmechanics.Moretrackswerelaidin1917.Butthequarriesprobably‐shutdownattheendofWorldWarI;BaxterpostofficeclosedinMarch,1919.

Thequarriesenjoyedamajorrevivalafewyearslater.Thepostofficewasre‐establishedinJune,1923.Ironically,justwhenBaxterschooldistrictwascreatedin1926,thequarrieswereshutdown,thepostofficewasagainclosed(June),andthedistrictwasdissolved.Thequarryingmachinery‐wasdismantledthatsummerandmovedtoanewlimestone‐miningoperationsouthofCadizstation.Thislimestoneminebecamethesiteofthecompany‐townofChubbuck.SOURCES:DavidMyrick'sRailroadsofNevadaandEasternCalifornia,II(citedearlier),containsabriefsection,withphotographs,onthequarries.Theonlyimportanteyewitnessdescriptionoftheoperations,withphotosandamap,canbefoundinCaliforniaStateMiningBureau,Report15(1915).

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GOLDSTONE

IFATFIRSTYOUDON'TSUCCEED,try,tryagain.Thiswasgoodadviceinthe'Goldstonedistrict,thesiteofoneofthelastgoldrushesintheMojaveDesert.Thediscoveryofgoldinearly1910onthegentleslopeoftheGraniteMountains,30milesnorthofBarstow,sparkedaflurryofexcitementandgaverisetothecampofWideawake.Alittleworkcontinuedthrough1913.

Thedistrictrevivedinthefallof1915,whenW.B.(Bob)Redfieldandhisbrother,Benjamin,foundaledgeofgoldassayingupto$3,000aton.TheiremployerpromptlysentwordtofriendsintheBostoninvestmentcommunity.Fivedayslater,aBostoncapitaliststeppedoffthetrainatBarstow,boughttheclaim,andorganizedtheGoldstoneMiningCompany.TheRedfieldbrothersandPhilipBridgmanstruckoffontheirownandorganizedtheRed‐BridgGoldMinesCompany.

Arushbegan.NewcomerswhofloodedintoBarstowfounditimpossibletorenthousesorfurnishedrooms.“...Thehotelsarehavingtheirfullquotaofguests,andbusinessingeneralisontheincrease,”oneminingmantold'theweeklyBarstowPrinter.Oneformerskepticfoundthat“thecampisallandmuchmorethanisclaimedforit....”

Asthewinterof1915‐1916turnedtospring,Goldstonegrewfromacampwithsixminerstoavillageof150residents.Thevillagecomprisedninetentand‐framehousesbyearlyMayandwouldsoonoffer“suchcomfortsasadesertcampaffords,”includingMrs.DellaMiles'sGoldstoneHotel,boardinghouses,sleepingtents,andalargegeneralstore.Mrs.Mileshadfurnishedherhotelwith25newspringbedsandcouldfeed100atherboardinghouse;boardcost$1aday.MailandsuppliesarriveddailyfromBarstow;waterwassuppliedfromIndianSprings,ninemilesaway,for11/2centsagallon.

Gonewerethedustydaysofthestagecoach.For$10roundtrip,atwiceweeklyautostagemadetheLosAngeles‐Goldstoneruninonlyeighthours,thoughtrainsreachedBarstowinfourhours.FromBarstow,mostautoscouldmakethetripoverafair,33‐mileroadinlessthantwohours.BobRedfieldandapartnercharged$5fortheroundtrip.

Theheatofearlysummerfailedtodauntthedistrict'sguidinglights.PromotingthevillagewastheGoldstoneTownsiteCompany,headedbyJohnA.Pirtle,aformerLosAngelesbanker.Thecompanylaidoutan80‐acretownsite,advertisedforsuchbusinessesasabakery,drugstore,andbarbershop,andpushedrealestate;lotssoldforasmuchas$350.InJuly,theRed‐Bridgcompanywassinkingashaftroundtheclockandhadhigh‐gradeoresackedforshipment;theGoldstoneMiningCompanyopenedahandsome,five‐roombuildinginBarstow.

Althoughthedistrictapparentlyslumberedthroughtherestofthesummer,byOctober,sharesoftwominingcompanieswerebeingtradedontheNewYorkCurb(American)Exchange.Meanwhile,MalcolmN.SmithofSanBernardinoopenedthewell‐stockedGoldstoneStore,whichofferedeverythingfromgroceriestomedicines,andPirtleopenedanofficeforthetownsitecompany.

Asteadystreamofpublicitywentouttoboostthedistrict.DickMansfieldputoutaweeklyminingbulletinfromhisBarstowMiningBureau.Alreadychurningoutnewsitemsandpuffpieces,thePrinterstartedaweeklyeditioncalledtheGoldstoneMiningNewsaboutDecember;afewweekslater,itbeganpromotingthedistrictintheorganoftheNewYorkexchange.

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Employingsmallforces,thetwoleadingminingcompanieswerenottheonlyfirmssparkingtheboom.ThePrinterremindedbig‐cityinvestorsthatthe“littlefellowmaynotbedesirableforthecamp,butwenoteonething;theyhaveshoveddownshafts,havemadeGoldstonelooklikeacampwiththeirmanytentsandbuildings,havefurnishedthefirstoreforthenewmillandareemployingeverylegitimatemeansintheirpower,chieflymuscle,tomakethecamponeofthebestinthecountry.”

Itwasn'tuntilthisperiod,late1916,thatsubstantialminingbegan.TheGoldstoneMiningCompanystartedupasimplebutefficientmillthatcouldcrushupto25tonsaday.Callingit“agrandthingforthecamp,”thePrinterurgedthe“boysinthehills”togivethemillampleore.ThenthediscoveryofabodyofglisteningoreintheGoldstone'sshaftinearly1917“prettynearlyassuresthedistrictofatleastonemine,”generalmanagerDanGreenwaltreported.

Thisprosperitywasalmosttoogoldenforitsowngood.When31guestsfilledthehotelafewweekslater,Greenwaltpredictedthattherush“willmeangroundfloortentlifeclosetonature.”ThoughimprovementshadshortenedtheroadtoBarstowbyfiveorsixmiles,allteamsandtrucksweretakenup.(Orecost$6to$8forthehaultoBarstow.)Onesix‐horseteamcarrieduptoseventonsofgoodsfortheGoldstoneMine.Butinhistwo‐tontruck,D.Risleyhandledmuchofthecamp'sgeneralfreightbusiness,includingatonofsuppliesforthehotel.

TheGoldstone'sstrategywastosinkitsshaftdeep,perhapsto800feet.Allduringearly1917,trucksandteamshauledinfuel,lumber,andmachinery.An11.manforce,workingtwoshiftsaday,jackhammeredtheshaftdownto201feetbysummer,forwhichthemenreceivedaraise,to$4.50aday.FromSuperiorValley,12milesaway,rancherscouldeasilyseetheglowofthehugeair‐fedgasolinelightatopthemine'sgallowsframe.

Thisandotherminingactivitysparkedabuildingboomthatspring.Houseswereplanned,painted,andenlarged.TheMansfieldfamily,forinstance,broughtin50cratesoffurnitureandhouseholdgoodsfortheirrefurbishedcottageandtookoverthestoreandofficebuildingsofthetownsitecompany.

ThoughasubscriptiondrivefailedtobringinaphonelinefromBarstow,apostofficenamedGoldbridgeopenedinearlyJuneintheGoldstoneStore.ThenamewasanalteredcontractionofthetitlesoftheGoldstoneandRed‐Bridgcompanies.ThePrinterfearedthatthenewnamemightconfuseinvestorsbutconceded:“....Well‐‐aGoldbridgebuiltofGoldstoneoughttoattractsomeattention,andfromthepresentoutlookthecampshouldfurnishmaterialtobuildseveralofthem.”

AsGoldstonegrew,itcametoenjoymanyofthecomfortsoftownlife.Thehotelwasnotedforitsfood,plentifulandwellcooked,asduringThanksgiving,1916,whenMrs.Mileshadservedan“unsurpasseddinner”with“turkeygalore.”Afewmonthslater,theAuslinbrotherswerebringinginfreshmilkdailyfromaherdofcowsgrazinginalushfieldofryeinSuperiorValley.Andatrioofminingmenweredevelopingacopiousspringaboutfourmilesfromcamp.

Nordidthevillagelackatasteofcityculture.ThenightengineeroftheGoldstoneandhiswifebroughtbackaVictrolaandrecordsfromLosAngelesinmid‐1917;afewweekslater,thecamp“greatlyenjoyed”theviolinmusicofthecouple'svisitingson,William.“...Wehopehewillstayallsummer.”

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Therecordofthelastyearissketchy.ThoughthegeneralmanageroftheGoldstonewaspleasedwiththemine'sprogressin1918,thevalueoftheore‐$30‐‐ranwellbelowtherichesof1916and1917.Miningapparentlyceasedthatyear.ThepostofficeclosedinAugust.SOURCES:TheMining&ScientificPress,LosAngelesMiningReview,andBarstowPrinterreportedthediscoveryof1910andtheboomof1915‐1918.ThePrinteralsoissuedaspecialweeklyedition,theGoldstoneNews.L.BurrBeldeninterviewedapioneeroftheearliestyears:“GoldstoneHasThreePeriodsOfGoldActivity,”SanBernardinoSun‐Telegram.Oct.6,1957,p,26.

TheLosAngelesTimespublisheddetailedfeatures,withphotographs,onthesecondboom,asdidseveralminingengineers:LeroyPalmer,“NewStrikeatGoldstone,California.”Engineering&MiningJournal.June10,1916(v.101),pp,1040‐1041;A.E.Rau,“GoldstoneDistrict.SanBernardinoCounty,California,”Mining&OilBulletin.June,1916(v.2),pp,149‐155;andtheCaliforniaStateMiningBureau,Report15(1915‐1916),pp.804‐807,whichexpandsRau'saccount.

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KINGSTON

ITMUSTHAVETAKENANOPTIMISTtolookupontheMesquiteValleyasprimefarmland.Inthis400‐square‐milebasinstraddlingtheCalifornia‐Nevadaline,theoften‐abundanttendstobetoomineralizedforpeople,livestock,orcrops,thesoilsalsotendstobepoor,‐andthedustandheatcomedownwithfullforce.Twoattemptstocolonizethevalley,onemadejustbeforeWorldWarI,havefailed.

Ironically,justascroppriceswerefalling,anothermajorattempttohomesteadwasmadeduringtheearly1920's.MostofthecolonistswereCalifornians,andsomewereveterans.Becauseofthevalley'sisolation,severalvineyardswereplantedtoservethebootleggingtrade.

AnembryonicsettlementgrewupinthefarnortheastcornerofSanBernardinoCounty,aboutamileinsideCalifornia.ApostofficenamedafterthenearbyKingstonRangewasestablishedinMay,1924.Duringthenextfewyears,Kingstoncametosupportagrocerystore,whichhousedthepostofficeandagovernmentweatherstation,acommunityhall,anemergencyschool,andtwotinycountylibrarybranches.Onebranchservedtheschool,theotherservedthecommunity.

Thevalleyshranktotwofamilies'by1929.ButduringtheearlyDepressionyearscameatrickleoftheunemployed,whotriedtodryfarm.Adozenchildrenattendedschoolabout1932,'whenthevalley'spopulationpeakedat50to75.Avotingprecincthadalsobeencreated.YetKingstonwouldremainstunted.Therainfallwasneithersteadynorabundant,rangingfroma1.4inchesto9.5inchesayear.Kingston'slibrariesrankedwiththecountyjailandhospitalinreceivingthebestdiscardsfromthesystem;theschoolremainedattached'toanotherdistrict.Boththeschoolandlibrariesclosedandreopenedseveraltimes.WhentheDepressionfinallybegantoebb,thepopulacebegantoleave.ThepostofficeclosedinMay,1938.Theweatherstationshutdownin1941,apparentlywiththestore.SOURCES:TheonlyaccountsofKingstonaretobefoundinStanleyPaher'sNevadaGhostTownsandMiningCamps(Berkeley,1970)andinL.BurrBelden's“PlatinumStrikeTouchesOffBigButBriefBoom,”SanBernardinoSun‐Telegram,June2,1957,p.26.TheenvironmenthasbeendescribedbyD.F.HewettinhisworkontheIvanpahQuadrangle(alreadycited)andbyGeraldA.WaringinGroundWaterinPahrump,Mesquite,andIvanpahValleys,NevadaandCalifornia(U.S.G.S.Water‐SupplyPaper450‐C,1920).

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KRAMERHILLS

EVENTHOUGHMININGturnedmorecorporateduringtheearly20thcentury,theexcitementandhopethatprospectingofferedindividualspersisted.

TheKramerHills,southeastofthepresenttownofBoron,wasthesiteofoneofthelastold‐fashionedrushesinCalifornia.Inthesehills,aboutfourmilessouthofJimGreysiding,betweenMojaveandBarstow,theHerkelrathbrothers,EdandJohn,foundpocketsofrichgoldoreinearly1926.Thestrikesweremadenearthescenesofshort‐livedrushesabout1885and1900.

WhenwordofthestrikeleakedoutaboutMarch,thousandsrushedintothedistrict,stakingoutclaimsalloverthehillsandfillingupBarstow'shotels.“Theminingmensaythatnotinthelastquarterofacenturyhastherebeensuchagoldrush...,”theBarstowPrinterreportedinlateApril.Samplesoforeassayedupto$10,000atoningold.Whilediggingaholeforanouthouse,forinstance,oneearlyarrivalfoundorethatpanned75centsto$10.Tooneveteranprospector,thediscoverylooked“likeasteamshovelproposition.”AWhittierservice‐stationownercalledtherush“thekickofalifetime.Kramerisbackinthedaysof'49,andtheexcitementin[the]airquicklygetsintoyourblood.Thetripisworthanyone’swhilejusttoseewhat'sgoingonthere.”

Othershadsimilarideas.Happily,gooddirtroadsledintothedistrict.Uponarrival,however,newcomershadtobepreparedtoroughit,thoughitwasdeniedthatbusinesseswere“holdingupthepublicforthenecessitiesoflife.”

Asimplecampwasthrowntogether.Housedinshacksandtent‐houseswereseveralrestaurants,anassayoffice,aninformationbureau,manyofficesofminingengineers,ahotel,andmakeshiftstores,refreshmentstands,andproducestalls.AnemergencyschoolandbranchoftheSanBernardinoCountylibrarywereestablishedthatveal'.

Thefirstburstofexcitementsoondieddown.Evenfromthestart,thePrinterwondered,“howlongtheserichvaluesholdoutremainstobeseen....”Infact,mostofthedepositsturnedouttobelow‐gradeare.SomanymineoperatorshadfledthatinMay,1927,theMinersandProspectorsOrganizationhadtopassaresolutionremindingabsenteeownerstoperformtheirannualassessmentwork.TheHerkelrathpropertyhadonitsdumpthen4,000tonsoforeworthamodest$5to$15aton;ontheAmesproperty,a200‐footshaftledtooreaveraging$8aton.

ThoughtheschoolwasstillactiveenoughthatMaytoenjoy“playday”atnearbyAdelanto,itandthebranchlibrarywereprobablyclosedlaterthatveal'.Amillwasbuiltandacostlywellwasboredinearly1931,butthelackofwaterforcedtheoperationtoshutdownafterseveralmonths.SOURCES:TheBarstowPrintersporadicallycoveredtheboomanddecline,1926‐1931.DesertFever,byVredenburghandothers,offersanoverview.

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CHUBBUCK

CHARLESINGLESCHUBBUCKhadn'tintendedtogetintomining.AftermovingfromCanadaintheearly1900's,Chubbuckbuiltupabuilding‐materialsbusinessintheSanFranciscoarea;theearthquakein1906gavehisbusinessabigboost.Togetacheapsourceoflime,Chubbckalsobeganprocessingtheslurrycreatedasaby‐productinacetylenegeneratinginUnionCarbideCorporationplantsonthePacificCoast.(Acetyleneisagasusedinweldingandlighting.)Butflecksofcalciumcarbide,thebasisofthegas,gavethelimeabluishtint.

Chubbuckneededawhiteningagent‐‐almostpurelime‐‐toaddtotheoffcolorby‐product.Intheearly1920's,twoBarstowminingoperatorsbeganopeninguparidgeoflimestonesoutheastofCadizstation,intheKilbeckHills.

Therecordisnotclear,butChubbuckapparentlyboughttheproperty,builtashortspurfromtheSantaFéline,andthenputupacampandmill;themachineryhadcomefromtheBaxterquarriesin1926.Chubbuck'smillproducedrawlimestoneasfoundryrock,processedlimestoneasawhiteningagent,andpebblelimeaschickengrits.

Majoroperationsapparentlydidnotgetunderwayuntilabout1930.Bythen,Chubbuck,asthecampwascalled,wasasimplesettlementof30to40buildings,includinghousesfortheworkersandtheirfamilies,acompanystore,severalmills,andapowderstorehouse.Afewtreesbrokethebleakness.With17childrenattending,anemergencyschoolwasestablishedabout1932inacanyonwestofcamp.Theteachers,books,andfurnishingshadcomefromtherecentlyclosedschoolintheghostcolonyofLanfair.

Thecampdidenjoyafewamenities.Dieselenginesandgeneratorsprovidedpower,butwaterhadtocomeintankcarsfromtherailroadswellsatCadiz,17milesnorth.Perhapsnotsurprisingly,salesofthepopularEastsideBeerequaledthecombinedsalesoftheothergoodssoldinthestore.ArailroadlineandagravelroadlinkedChubbucktoCadiz,thoughvisitorswouldsometimeslandplanesontheroad.

SocietyatChubbuckwashighlystratified,typicalofcampsthen.MostoftheworkerswereMexicans,whoreceived25to30centsanhour.AbouttheonlyAmericanwasthesuperintendent,whosehouseoverlookedthecamp.Despitehisposition,thesuperintendenthadserveasajack‐of‐all‐trades:therewasnotimetobringinarepairman.

TheheydayofChubbuckcamewiththeconstructionoftheMetropolitanWaterDistrict'saqueducttotheColoradoRiver.Borrowing$100,000fromtheReconstructionFinanceCorporation,theChubbuckLimeCompanybeganturningoutawhite,heat‐reflectingcoatingin1937tolinethechannelsofthewaterway.Apostoffice,housedinthestore,wasestablishedinMay,1938.CharlesChubbucklatermarketedthecoatingforuseondesertroofs.Meanwhile,attendanceattheschoolrosesteadily,toapeakof40in1940.Threeyearslater,24menworkedinthemineandmill,wherea50‐foot‐Iongrotarykilnroastedlimeat2,000degreesF.Theplantcouldcrushandscreen60tonsoflimeandlimestonedaily.

Butevenin1943,thecamp'sbestdayswereover.Theschoolwaslosingpupils.Afterthewar,aVirginiacompanydevelopedaslickplasterlimethatprovedeasiertoworkwiththantheproductsmadebyChubbuckandotherconcerns.AndwhentheUnionCarbidecompanystoppedproducingacetyleneintheWest,Chubbucklostavitalsourceoflime.Thecompanystopped

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payingbackitsloantotheReconstructionFinanceCorporation.Productionbecameintermittent.In1948;twoyearslater,thecompanystore,schoolandpostoffice(August)wereclosed.Duringitsquarter‐centuryofoperation,Chubbuckhadproduced500,000tonsoflimestone.

Repossessingthesite,theReconstructionFinanceCorporationin1951soldthepropertyandequipmenttoasubsidiaryoftheHarmsBrothersConstructionCompanyofSacramento.Butthepresenceofsilicainthelimemadefurtherminingimpractical.HarmsBrothersauctionedofftheproperty,includingthekilnsforscrap,about1954,thoughmostbuildingsremainedatthesiteforatleastanotheryear.Whilerelayingitstracks,theSantaFéremovedthesidinginthemid‐1970's.Afewyearslater,allthatremainedwerealargeconcretefoundationandasmallhexagonalexplosivesstorehouse.SOURCES:Thewrittenrecordisscanty.MostoftheinformationforthischaptercomesfromnotesofaninterviewbetweenLarryVredenburgh,anauthorofDesertFever,andDixonChubbuck,thesonofthetown'sfounder.TheoperationsweredescribedinCaliforniaDivisionofMines,Report39(1943)..

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CAMPSINBRIEF

CaveSprings,inthecentralAvawatzMountains,wasanimportantstopforboraxwagonstravelingfromDeathValleybetween1882and1887.FrancisMarion(Borax)Smithbuiltastonecorralattilesprings.Oneearlyentrepreneurputupastonehutandbrieflysoldwaterfor25centsamanorbeast.ItwasabandonedwhenthejournalistJohnSpearspassedthroughtheareain1891.WaterfromthespringswashauledtocampsintheCrackerjackdistrictfrom1906toabout1909.AdrianEgbert,aveteranprospectorsettledtherein1925,putupseveralbuildings,includingaprimitiveservicestation,andlaidoutastringofemergencywaterstations.Egbert'sworkattractedtheattentionofjournalismErniePyleduringthe1930's.TheUnitedStatesgovernmentevictedEgbertin1941tosetupCamp(Fort)Irwin.

HarpersSouthCamp,atSheepSpring,wasthemillsiteforthenearbyA‐.C.MorrisMine,ofwhichJohnHarperwasthesuperintendent.Thecamp,northofironminessoutheastofSilverLake,in1909consistedofaboardinghouse,assayoffice,andstable.Theboardinghousestillstoodin1983.

FrankDenningfirstfoundgoldin1884nearwhatwouldbecomeDenningSpring,northwestofAvawatzPass.Buthisclaimsneverpaidwell.Thengoldandsilverdepositswereuncoveredintheearly1900's.Upto60minersandprospectorsinApril,1905,wereworkingnearthespring,whereacampwastakingshape;meanwhile,anautolinefromChinaRanch,nearTecopa,wasunderdiscussion.In1907,fivemenstakedoutamillsiteandtownsiteattheWhiteSwanproperty.DuringWorldWarI,GeorgeRoseandhiswifeandchildrensettledinthearea.Scroungingmaterialthroughoutthedesert,Roseerectedamillandmaintainedamineandsmallcamp.

Arrastra(Arrastre)Spring,inthenortheastendoftheAvawatzMountains,wasahideoutforsmall‐timecriminalsduringpartofitshistory.Thearrastrawasbuiltbyhigh‐gradersabout1894toprocessstolenorefromtheKeystoneMine,intheYellowPine(Goodsprings)districtofwesternNevada.AsmallcampwasestablishedatthespringduringtheCrackerjackrush.Thiswaveofminersdiscovered.theabandonedarrastraandacrumblingadobe.AndduringProhibition,bootleggersproducedliquorinatunnel.Aquarrelbetweentwoofthemoonshinersleftoneofthem(NickGegg)dead.

InthenorthwesternSodaMountains,thecampandminingdistrictofFivePoints,namedforaridge,wasestablishednearrichcopper‐silverdepositsin1885.TheAmosbrothersrediscoveredthedepositintheearly1900'sandbuilttheAmosBrothersCamp.ItandothernearbycampswereservedbyastagelinefromSilverLake.ThecampwasalsonamedDayBreak,aftertheBreakofDayMine.TheAmosbrotherssoldtheirminein1910toacompanythatopenedupthepropertyandeventookoutsomeare.Inthelate1970's,amajorminingcompanydrilledseveralholesinsearchofasuspectedporphyrycopper‐molybdenumdeposit.

SoloCamp,onJoeDandyHill,inthesouth‐centralSodaMountains,wasestablishednearsilver‐leadmineswestofthepresenttownofBaker.Aminingdistrictwasorganizedinthemountainsin1889;thecampcontainedtherecorder'soffice.Miningcontinuedhereintermittentlyuntilthe1950's.TheBlueBellMinehasbecomefamoustocollectorsforitsrichdiversityofminerals.

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CopperfieldcampwasfoundedaboutfivemilesnorthofHorseSpring,intheKingstonRange,inearly1907.Althoughshallowprospectsweresunkintocopperdeposits,theprospectingfailedtouncoveranycommercialare.

MiningwasespeciallyactiveontheeastsideoftheIvanpahMountainsduringthesummerof1907:AttheCasaGrandeMine,Dr.J.S.MeadandhissonestablishedthecampofMeadsville.TheirmineandcampwerenamedtheKewaneebymid‐1908.Between1907andlate1909,Dr.Meadandhiscompanyerectedamillandemployedabout50miners.Thesmallquartzveinsprovedextremelyrichingold.Theminewasactiveonandoffuntilabout1912.Meanwhile,RobertWilliamsfoundgoldsilver‐leadoreaboutonemillnorthwestoftheKewanee.Williams'sstrike‐‐andtheresultingcamp‐‐werecalledtheSunnyside.Theminewasactiveonandoffuntil1912,whenthePalmHillMiningCompanyofLosAngelestookovertheproperty,sankashaft,putupahoistandbuildings,andplannedtoinstallamill.

ArrowCamp,locatedperhapsnearArrowSpring,servedasthecenteroftheArrowMiningDistrict.Thedistrictwasestablishedin1878,atthesoutheasternendoftheProvidenceMountains.In1895,onerichpocketofgoldareyielded$25,000.Limitedactivitycontinuedfordecades.In1914,acompanywasincorporatedtoworktheHiddenHillMineandbuiltroadsandacamp.Anotherpocketoforeyielded$13,000ingold.

Gannon'sCamp,namedafterthemineowner,wasestablishedintheArrowDistrict,attheContentionMine.Amodestcampandathree‐stampmillstoodatthepropertyin1902.TheContentionreportedlyproduced$100,000ingold.

NearGoldstoneSpring,inthesouthernProvidenceMountains,twoNeedlesmenlaidoutthetownsiteofGoldstone(I)afterPatrickDwyerfoundrichgold‐silverare.TheGoldstoneMiningDistrictwasthencreatedoutoftheArrowdistrict.Theboom,however,soonfizzled.Inearly1902,theProvidenceGoldandCopperCompanybuiltaroadfromGoldstoneSpringstoFenner,gradedasitefora20‐stampmill(neverbuilt),deepenedoldshafts,andbuiltacamp(GoldstoneII).Thecampconsistedofanoffice,cookhouse,storehouse,andthreebunkhouses.Thoughneitherthemillnoraproposedrailroadspurwasbuilt,themineremainedactivethrough1907.Now,eventheshaftshavebeenfilledin,andcattlegrazeonthesiteoftheGoldstonecamps.

CopperKingCamp(1),southofBalchsiding,onthepresentUnionPacificlinetoLasVegas,existedasearlyas1911;governmentssurveyorsthenfoundatent‐houseandshaftattheCopperKingMine.Inmid‐1916,whenP.H.Lietznowincorporatedacompanytoworkagroupofmines,thecampcomprisedfourbuildings,includingalaboratory,ablacksmithshop,andseveraltent‐houses.Limitedworkingssupposedlypenetratedanenormousmassofhigh‐gradegold‐copperore‐‐aclaimthatwasconsideredabsurdeventhen.

SeveralcampsclusteredaroundtheStandardMine.AsmallsettlementservedtheCopperKingMine(II),twomilessouthoftheStandard,asearlyasmid‐1906,when25menwereemployedtosinkshafts.Byearly1908,thedeepestoffourshaftsreached700feet.Asmallamountoforewasshippedduring1906‐1909. Meanwhile,acampwasestablishedattheSextetteMine,nexttotheStandardMineNo.2.Ashaftwassunk,ahoistwasinstalled,andasmallamountofhighgradecopperorewasshippedin1906,butthemineapparentlydidnotpay.ButthecampwasespeciallywellphotographedbyRichardBayleyGill,oneofitsco‐discoverers.Gill'sphotos,ofthispartoftheeasternMojave,makeuponeofthebestrecordsofaminingcamptobefound.(Gilldiedin1954,attheageof94.)

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ArichdiscoveryofgoldfourmilessouthwestofIbex(Ibis)Sidinginlate1889resultedinthe

usualrush.ButlittleminingtookplaceuntilPeterK.KlinefelterofRiversideboughtthepropertyin1892.AftershippingoretoamillinNeedles,KlinefelterdrilledawellatIbexandbuiltasmallmillduringtheVanderbiltboom;themilllostsomuchgoldinprocessingthatminerFrankWilliamsconsideredtheoperators“mererobbers.”Klinefelter'smineapparentlyfellintoidlenessafter1897.Theareaexperiencedarevivalinlate1902,whenaminingcompanybeganworkonadaminSacramentoWash.TheplanwastotapanenormousundergroundflowandpipethewatertoNeedles.Duringtheconstructionofthedam,arichdepositofplacergoldwasdiscovered,leadingtoarushinearly1903,andpumpswereinstalledtodrainthegravels.Butthepumpsprovedinadequatetoallowmining.Thecompanydismantledtheequipmentandleft.

Arichdepositoffree‐millinggoldorewasfoundonemileeastofKlinefelterstation(nearIbex)inMarch,1896,settingoffarush.ThetownsiteofSmyzervillewaslaidoutintheDeadMountains,northoftheSantaFéline.Butnothingmorecameofthestrike.

TurtlevillecampservedtheTurtleDoveMine,fourmilessouthofGoffs,asearlyas1903.TheTurtleDovewasownedbytheWesternNationalMiningCompany.TheTurtleDoveandnearbyGoldFlatMinewereshippinghigh‐gradeoretotheNeedlessmelterin1907.Butneitherminedevelopedbeyondaprospect.

TheExchequerMiningDistrictwasorganizedeightmilesnorthofGoffsin1883,shortlyafterthediscoveryofrichplacergolddeposits.CashierCampwasthecenterofthedistrictintheearly1890's.Ofthethreeleadingmines,theCashierstoodout:froma150‐footshaftcameoreassaying$25atoningoldand$75atoninsilver.Lackofwaterhinderedseriousdevelopmentuntil1902,whenthePentagonMiningCompanyfiledon35claimsattheCashierMine,sankthreeshafts,andbuiltamill.ThesettlementwascalledCampSignal;itconsistedofanassayoffice,shafthouses,bunkhouses,andeventuallyamill.ThisactivityledtotheformationoftheSignalMiningCompanyinlate1905(arenamingoftheExchequerdistrict).In1908,theLeiserRayCompanyboughttheproperty.Meanwhile,theExchequerMineanditsmill,halfamilesoutheastoftheLeiserRay,wereespeciallyactive.ThediscoveryofvanadiumattheLeiserRayandExchequerminesin1911stimulatedanotherboom.TheLeiserRaybuiltanothermillandcarriedoutfurtherexplorationwork.Buttheminedidnotpayandsoonclosed.Theminewasreactivatedin1936and1937;30menwereemployed.ButthemilldidnotrecoverenoughmetalandwasprobablysalvagedduringWorldWarII.

Leadvillecampwasfoundedatapromisingsilver‐lead‐copperprospectfourmilesnortheastofPiuteSpring,inearly1908.Thoughthepropertywasworkedonandoffuntiltheearly1950's,itamountedtolittlemorethanaprospect.

ArichgolddiscoverybyC.H.McClureinthebarrenhills16milessouthwestofNeedlesinearly1906touchedoffastampede.BVtheendofFebruary,astheareabecameblanketedwithclaimsforaradiusof17miles,McClureCampsprangup.McClure,whohadjustboughttheGoldDollarclaim,wassoonrewarded:his25‐footshaftyielded$1,000ingoldore.Astheyearended,theCaliforniaHillsMiningCompanyboughttheGoldDollar,laidoutthetownsiteofGoldbend,andlaterputupaboardinghouse,office,andotherbuildings.“...Thestreetsarefilledeverydaywithstrangers,”mostofthemprospectorsandminers,onenewspaperreported.FifteenmenworkedattheGoldDollarinlate1908,sinkingtheshafttoaneventualdepthof250feet,throughoreworthupto$150aton.Eventhoughthepropertywasheavilypromotedin1909,asuccessor

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companyfailedtogetadequatefinancingandleftitsplansunfinished.Itsoldouttoathirdconcerninlate1912,butnodevelopmentseemstohavetakenplace.

Theprominentgold‐bearingcalcite‐quartzveinsonthenorthslopeoftheClipperMountainswerefirstfoundbyAndyWoodsin1896.Severalyearslater,'hebegansinkingashaftthateventuallyreached100feet.TragicallyWoodswasfounddeadatthebottomoftheshaftin1915.

TheGoldReefMiningCompanysoonboughttheholdingsofWoods,andtheClipperMountainGoldMiningCompanyandtheTomReedMiningCompanystakedclaimsandbeganoperations.TheLosAngelesTimesinMarch,1916,reportedthebirthofthe“town”ofGoldReef,withseveralbuildingsunderconstructionandalumberyardestablished,followedbytheconstructionofastorenearlyayearlater.

Encouragedbypromisingoutcropsthatyieldedaboutone‐thirdofanounceofgoldaton,thethreecompaniesannouncedambitiousplansfordevelopment.TheGoldReefcompanyintendedtosinktwo1,000‐deepshafts;theotherconcernseachplannedtosink500‐footshafts.TheTomReedinearly1917wasemployingthreeshiftsofmen,theClipperMountaintwoshifts.

Butat140feet,waterwasstruckintheClipperMountainshaft.At300feet,thewaterbecameunmanageable;thefloweventuallyforcedworktohaltatallthreeproperties.TheGoldReefcompanysoonboughtoutitstworivals.RenamedtheGoldReefConsolidated,thecompanyinstalledlargepumps.Newsreports,however,suddenlyendednearthecloseofWorldWarI.

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INDEX

AmosBrothersCamp,122Arrastra(Arrastre)Spring,122ArrowCamp,123Atolia,90–94Avawatz,99Bagdad,62–64Baxter,114Borate(Marion),76–77Calico,30–55CampDawson,97CampSignal,124CashierCamp,124CaveSprings,122Chubbuck,99–101CimaDistrict,97–98ColumbiaMine,85Coolgardie,87CopperCity,86,99CopperKingCamp,123CopperKingMine(II),123CopperWorldMine,27Copperfieldcamp,123Crackerjack,99–101Dale,79–84DayBreak,122DenningSpring,,122Dunbar,110FishPondsStation,32FivePoints,122Gannon'sCamp,123GoldPark,104GoldReef,125Goldbend,124Goldstone,115–17Goldstone(I),123HarpersSouthCamp,122Hart,105–9Ibex(Ibis)Siding,124Ivanpah,19–30Kewanee,123Kingston,118KramerHills,119LanfairValley,110–13Leadvillecamp,124Ledgesiding,111Manvel(Barnwell),71–75Maruba,111

127


McClureCamp,124Meadsville,123Mescal,59–61Minneola,78OrangeBlossomMine,62–64OroGrande,31PiñonMine,104Providence,56–58RestingSprings,21,22,23,26,28,30Rosalie,27SextetteMine,123SilverLake,102–3Smyzerville,124SoloCamp,122StandardCamp,97Stedman(CampRochester),88–89Sunnyside,123Toeglcity,97Turtleville,124ValleyWells,27Vanderbilt,65–71Vontrigger,95–96WatermanMine,31Wideawake,115

Documents

Ghost Towns of the Upper Mojave Desert - …vredenburgh.org/mining_history/pdf/UpperMojaveDesertHensher1986.pdfGHOST TOWNS of the Upper Mojave Desert Volume I: San Bernardino County