Prof. Olmsted on the Gold Mines of North Carolina. 377 



or so comminuted as to form gravel ; these ridges have an aj> 

 pearance oF great natural sterility, which, moreover, is greatly 

 aggravated by the ruinous practice of frequently buining over 

 the forests, so as to consume all the leaves and lUKler-growth, 

 giving to the forest the aspect of an artificial grove. 



The ])rincipal mines are three — the Anson mine. Reed's 

 mine, and Parker's mine. 



The Anson mine is situated in the county of the same name, 

 on the waters of Richardson's creek, a branch of Rocky River. 

 This locality was discovered only two years since by a "gold 

 hunter," — one of an order of people, that begin already to be 

 accounted a distinct race. A r vulet winds from north to 

 south between two gently sloping hills that emerge towards 

 the south. The bed of the stream, entirely covered with 

 gravel, is left almost naked during the dry season, v.hich 

 ]ieriod is usually selected by the miners for their operations. 

 On digging from three to six feet into this bed, the workman 

 comes to that peculiar stratum of gravel and tenacious blue 

 clay, which is at once recognised as the repository of the gold. 

 The stream itself usually gives the first indication of the rich- 

 ness of the bed through which it jxisses, by disclosing large 

 pieces of the jtrecious metal shining among its pebbles and 

 sands — such was the lirst hint afforded to the discoverer of 

 the Anson mine. Unusually large pieces were found by those 

 who first examined the place, and the highest hopes were in- 

 spired. On inquiry it was ascertained that part of the land 

 was not held by a good title, and parcels of It were immedi- 

 ately enta-ed* : but it has since been a subject of constant liti- 

 gation, which has retarded the working of the mine. 



Reed's mine in Cabarrus is the one which was first wrought; 

 and at this place, indeed, were obtained the first specimens of 

 gold that were found in the formation. A large piece was 

 ibund in the bed of a small creek, which attracted attention 

 by its lustre and specific gravity ; but it was retained, for a 

 long time after its discovery, in the hands of the proprietor, 

 through ignorance whether it were gold or not. This mine 

 occupies the bed of Meadow creek, (a branch of Rocky 

 River,) and exhibits a level between two hillocks, which rise 

 on either side of the creek, afibrding a space between from 

 fifty to one hundred yards in breadth. This space has been 

 nearly all dug over, 'and exhibits at present numerous small 

 pits for the disUmce of one fourth of a mile on both sides of 



• A piece of lun.l is said not to be cntncd when it remains the property 

 of tlie public, without taxation. Any one is at liberty to enter on the State 

 l)ooks whatever land lie can find in this situation, the land being secured 

 to him on his In-coming responsible for the taxes. 



Vol. 65. No. y25. i»% 1825. 3B the 



