The Argonauts of California: being the reminiscenses of scenes and incidents that occurred in California in the early mining days

by Charles Warren Haskins

I have before explained that the chief and only machine used for the washing of pay dirt were the cradles, toms and sluices, although other kinds of machines were often brought into the mines for which it was claimed that they were of superior character, and warranted to save more gold than any other kind. They were, however, in nearly all cases, invented or constructed by persons who had little knowledge of gold mining, and were, therefore, ignorant of what was really needed, it being the general impression among them that gold existed among the dirt in great quantities, and that some superior process was necessary to separate it. All miners of any experience are well aware of the fact that the great difficulty or drawback to gold or placer mining, is not so much how to save the gold, but how or where to find the dirt or gravel that contains gold enough to pay for the working. That is the main question in mining, and the manner of washing or saving the gold is of course a secondary consideration. When the richest placers were worked out by the use of a pan and cradle, and it became necessary to wash a much greater amount of dirt, the “tom” came into use, and answered a good purpose for a time. But the time soon arrived when a tom was found to be inadequate for the emergency, for the reason that it was necessary to wash still larger quantities of dirt or gravel, and to accomplish this the sluices were used; they, in their turn to be superseded by the hydraulic pipe, by which large bodies of earth and gravel could be washed with good profit that could not be made to pay by the sluicing process, and which again in its turn will be superseded by some peculiar electric process, by which means whole mountains will be melted, and the liquid gold will flow out from the bottom of the huge furnace in pipes arranged for the purpose.

There are at present in California, as well as in Oregon, large bodies of black and common river sand containing gold in paying quantities, only awaiting the ingenuity of some mechanic or miner to invent a quick process for separating it, as no means or method is at present known whereby this can be accomplished with any profit.

Upon the Columbia River, for a distance of at least 150 miles, there are numerous sand bars that contain gold in paying quantities if any process can be devised for separating it. Many efforts have been made, and many ingenious mechanics have taxed their brains in the vain attempt to solve the problem. A company is now engaged upon one of the sand bars near the head waters of the Columbia in experimenting with electricity in the attempt to separate the fine float gold from the sand. If this proves to be a success, the sand bars upon the Columbia will be valuable mining properly.

CHAPTER XI.

The Indian War—A Change in the Social Conditions—The Desperado—The Sailors—The Mines Worked Out.

IT was during this season that an event of the greatest importance to the State and to the mining interest occurred. I refer to the subjugation of the Digger tribe of Indians, a warlike and savage race, who seemed determined to exterminate, if possible, the American race of gold hunters; that is to say, in the opinion of the business portion of the community who had something to sell. These Indians were in many cases very badly treated and abused, and many had been killed for mere sport by the border-ruffian element from the East. The consequence, a very natural one, was that in a spirit of revenge they resented such outrages by taking the lives of a few of those who abused them. But this was deemed a sufficient cause for a war of extermination, and a demand was made upon the Government for assistance. No regulars were necessary, for the “Irregulars,” who were ever ready to volunteer when an Indian is to be butchered, were numerous.

A small army was soon formed, commanded by Col. William Rogers, and when all was ready, or nearly so, they marched for the front, if it could be found. A fine spot for the purpose was discovered near at hand, but a little out of range of the arrows. They went into camp and waited for something to turn up. If any attempt was made by the Indians to charge upon their works, reinforcements were sent for at once, and a change of base ordered immediately. Such was the nature of this ferocious, warlike regiment of Irregulars, however, that a change of conditions was absolutely necessary.

The Indians were hidden behind the rocks upon the opposite side of Brush Cañon, a few miles above the town, and, unconscious of danger, were with their families engaged in various amusements. The older members were seated around in groups discussing the current events of the day, and indulging in reminiscences of the happy springtide of youth when engaging in the pleasures of the chase after grasshoppers, when the Colonel of the Irregulars, from a high commanding position, the top of a stump, took a view of the situation with his field glass, leaped to the soil below and ordered a charge at once.

The poor Indians, taken by surprise, fought with valor, disputing the ground inch by inch; but, being overpowered by numbers, and it being also nearly lunch time, they very precipitately vamoosed the ranch, and the United States Government of America remained master of the field.

The ambulance train was ordered up, and the dead and wounded were carefully handled when found. But one Irregular, however, lost his life during the conflict, this unfortunate being Mr. W. McKinney, of Cold Springs.