OCR Text |
Show 180 LEADING FACTS OF NEW MEXICAN HISTORY MINES The oldest gold mining district in the United States was discovered and worked by the Mexicans beginning in the year 1828, It was incorporated as the Real de Dolores, OLD AND NEW PLACERS but was familiarly known as El Placer. The district was discovered by a citizen of Sonora, who was herding some cattle in that vicinity . He found, while in the mountains, some rock which resembl ed that in the gold regions of his native state. A careful examination revealed particles of gold and the news of the discove ry occasioned great excitement. Great numbers flocked to the locality and washing was carried on with good success, The winter season was the favored time for operations, owing to the faciliti es afforded for obtaining water from Snow, which was thrown into a sink and melted with hot stones. The washing was done in a round wooden bowl, called a batea, about eighteen inches in diamete r, which was filled with earth and then immersed in a pool and constan tly stirred until nothing was left but the gold.12? The quantity of gold extracted heavy black between sand the years and grains 1832 and 1835 of amounted to from $60,000 to $80,000 per annum. Up to the time of the American occupation the output was approximately three million dollars. Not long Subsequent to the discovery of the gold bearing sand and gravel district called E] Placer, a vein of gold ore was found on the property of a Mexican by the name of Ortiz. ‘This mine,”’ Says Dr. Gregg, ‘different from the rest of the Placer, consisted of a vein of gold in a stratum of rock, which it was necessary t0 grind and separate with quicksilver; and as it belonged to a native named Ortiz, who knew nothing of this operati on, the latter formed & partnership with Don Damasio Lopez, the Gachupin (a term used to designate European Spaniards in America) Suasive, at least, that the Cibolans had a knowledge them for certain purposes. before alluded of copper bells and used The bells discovered near Phoenix are very similar in appearance to ordinary sleigh-bells, but are heavily corroded. They still have a musical quality, are made of copper , and J., Commerce iny cobble-stone inside, instead of a metal ball. of the Prairies, i, p. 167: ‘‘Although the these mines, was, for the first two or three years, very insignificant, yet it answered for the purpos e of testing the quality of the metal, which was found to be of uncommon purity. A market was 122 Gregg, amount s00n procured opened with from foreign merchants. therefore very AND MINING 181 to, who had some experience and skill in mining operations and the extraction of metals. The partners went vigorously to work, and at the close of the first month found that their net profits amounted to several hundred dollars, consisting of a few balls of gold. At the sight of these Ortiz was so overjoyed that he must needs exhibit his valuable acquisitions to the governor and other officers and magnates of the capital, who, with characteristic cupidity, at once begrudged the Gachupin his prospective pos A compact was thereupon entered into between the oficiales ane acquiescent Ortiz, to work the mine on their joint account, an . exclude Lopez altogether. This they effected by reviving the Oo decree of expulsion (spoken of in another place), which had virtually become obsolete. The unfortunate victim of this outrageous conspiracy was accordingly ordered to the frontier, as the patriotic officers alleged that they ‘could no longer connive ” his residence so near the capital in contravention of the laws.’ A new re pany, including several officials, with Ortiz, then proceeded nee the wealth-producing work; but from lack of knowledge did ah obtain a grain of gold. Subsequently an order was made prohibi ing any capital but natives and necessary energy from working were prevented developments. The at the mines ; from greater and taking part thus piece any of the part a work was e done by poor men working on their own account; these were known as Gambusinos; and satisfied if they could realize a few reales per day. Each miner was allowed ten paces in all directions from ci pit, as his claim, and no new-comer could interfere with the a ; thus acquired, unless the place was abandoned for a = re period, when the ground again became open to location. T . was mainly in dust, but occasionally large nuggets were rigs : e most valuable being worth $3,400, although it was sold by its finder for $1,400. In 1839, the ‘‘New Placers’’ were discovered a short distance to the southwest, and the miners speedily deserted their old diggings for the greater charms of the new. The little town of Tuerto rose into large importance as a business point. In 1845 this town contained twenty-two stores, transacting more business in the aggregate "128 The Ww ho in visited isi than the establishments of Santa F'é.1?8 first American possessing any scientific knowledge worth mentioning thisI district 1 i July ’ "1846 ’ before the was j Dr. coming islizenus, W isli of the who fi American made troops. a tripi His to Une the description Placers" of his |