A History of the Comstock Silver Lode & Mines

by Dan De Quille

"A HISTORY OF THE COMSTOCK SILVER LODE & MINES" by DAN DE QUILLE The book provides a comprehensive history of the Comstock silver lode and mines in Nevada and the Great Basin region. It covers the mineral and agricultural resources of "Silverland," including towns, settlements, mining and reduction works, railways, lumber flumes, pine forests, systems of water supply, great shafts, and tunnels. The author, Dan De Quille, gives an overview of the discovery of silver in the region, starting with placer mining in Gold Canyon and the subsequent rush over the Sierras. The fate of the discoverers, including Henry Comstock and Patrick McLaughlin, is also detailed. The book delves into the physical aspect of Nevada, its rivers like the Humboldt, Truckee, Carson, Walker, Owyhee, and Reese, and its agricultural resources. It highlights the mineral treasures of the state, with mines of gold, silver, lead, copper, and other valuable metals in every county. The narrative provides insights into the early days of mining in Nevada, the challenges faced by miners, and the eventual development of the Comstock Lode into a major mining site. The author's detailed descriptions and historical accounts offer a fascinating glimpse into the mining industry and the economic significance of the Comstock Lode in shaping the region's history. The middle of the book describes the process of ore milling in detail, focusing on the Chollar Mill and the amalgamation process. The book explains how the ore is ground in iron pans with heavy steel pieces, mixed with chemicals like quicksilver, salt, and sulphate of copper to extract the precious metals. The amalgamation process is crucial in converting the ore into metallic form, especially for gold. The thinned pulp from the pans flows into agitators and blanket sluices to separate out valuable materials like amalgam and quicksilver. The amalgam collected is then pressed to remove excess quicksilver, heated in retorts to drive off mercury, leaving behind silver and gold in a rough mass known as "crude bullion." The book also delves into the Nevada Mill, which uses water and electricity to power its operations. The Pelton water wheels generate electricity for the mill, showcasing a blend of traditional and modern technologies. The book highlights the efficiency of the Nevada Mill in processing ores from various mines like Hale and Norcross, Chollar, and Potosi. It mentions the use of Pelton wheels, dynamos, and electric motors to drive the milling process, emphasizing the innovative approach to ore processing. Furthermore, the book discusses the California stamp and pan-mills in Virginia City, focusing on the amalgamation process similar to the Chollar Mill. It describes the continuous process of passing pulp through a series of pans and settlers to extract valuable metals like silver and gold. The book also mentions the use of the Rae electrical process of amalgamation, showcasing advancements in ore processing techniques. Overall, the book provides a detailed insight into the intricate processes involved in ore milling and amalgamation in the mining industry. It highlights the technological advancements and innovations in ore processing, showcasing the blend of traditional methods with modern technologies to extract precious metals efficiently. The narrative also touches upon the historical significance of mining towns like Virginia City, Gold Hill, and Carson City in Nevada, portraying the rich mining heritage of the region. The end of the book provides a detailed account of the Carson and Colorado Narrow Gauge Railroad, starting from Mound House and passing through various towns and regions in Nevada and California. The narrative describes the thriving towns of Dayton, Wabuska, Hawthorne, Luning, Belleville, Candelaria, Benton, Bishop Creek, Independence, Keeler, Eureka, Palisade, Austin, and Battle Mountain, highlighting their unique characteristics and indu

142 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 5, 2024

About the author

William Wright (1829–1898), better known by the pen name Dan De Quille, was an American author, journalist, and humorist. He was best known for his written accounts of the people, events, and silver mining operations on the Comstock Lode at Virginia City, Nevada, including his non-fiction book History of the Big Bonanza (American Publishing Company, 1876).

De Quille was on the staff of the (Virginia City) Territorial Enterprise for over thirty years, and his writings were also printed in other publications throughout the country and abroad. Highly regarded for his knowledge of silver mining techniques and his ability to explain them in simple terms, he was also appreciated for his humor, similar in style to that of his associate and friend Mark Twain, and of a type very popular in the United States at that time, now referred to as the Sagebrush School literary genre.

(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org)