14 



the southeast, then southwest, Meadow Valley is reached after a march of eighteen miles over a very 

 good mouutaiu road. 



I had remained at the camp in Eoso Valley to take observations till 2 p. m., and then rode 

 rapidly forward, joining the camp at a largo warm spring, about a mile above Panacea — the Mor- 

 mon settlement in Meadow Valley. 



At all times, when near the Utah boundary, greater care has been taken in the astronomical, 

 observations, as it soon became apparent to me that quite a large number of settlements, supposed 

 by the Mormons and every one else to be in Utah, would prove to be in Nevada. The present recon- 

 naissance determines beyond a doubt that seven or eight settlements, varying in size from one hun- 

 dred to five or six hundred souls, will come within the Nevada line. 



The next daj' the Meadow Valley mines, (Ely Mining District,) were visited, with only a small 

 party and a scarcity of time, as great delay had been experienced in passing Pioneer Canon, and had 

 still before us one of the hardest marches in the country before reaching the Muddy, which point 

 it was desirable to gain by the 15th, as at that time the rations of Lieutenant Lockwood's party 

 would be exhausted ; and on the morning of the 9th September, we are only at the 



ELY MmiNG DISTRICT, 



which is situated among the high and broken foot-hills of the Schell Creek range, at the head of 

 Meadow Valley, to the northwest of the settlement, and about twelve miles distant. 1 was told by 

 Mormons in Panacea that these mines had been known for a long time to them, but that neither 

 their church doctrines nor their habits had encouraged the develoiimeiit of mining enteri)rise. They 

 -were located by a scouting party sent out by General Connor from Camp Douglas, some years ago, 

 but were never worked till afterwards located by prospectors, among whom was Mr. Ely, from 

 whence the name. A San Francisco company have started work upon some of the locations, appar- 

 ently on quite a large scale, while Mr. Ely and some others were engaged in developments of many 

 of the leads. The slight examination made of these mines left a very favorable impression upon 

 my mind as regards their extent, permanence, and richness. The country in close proximity is 

 very rough, from irregularities of rock structure and erosion, and covered in great part 

 by nut-pine and cedar. No water within six or seven miles, except a small spring, affording 

 but a few gallons daily; but to the westward, and at the distance above mentioned, is a line spring 

 running at its minimum eight inches of water, and, at certain seasons, as high as from thii ty to 

 thirty-five inches. This can easily be brought to the immediate vicinity of the mines. The bulk of 

 the ore is argentiferous galena, intermingled, however, with both lead and silver in other forms. 

 The Pioclie is one of the princii)al mines, and judging from the showing, is a part of the mother 

 vein of the district. A shaft has been sunk to a distance of forty-live feet, showing a wide vein of 

 ore with well defined walls, which is undoubtedly a true fissure. 



A return by night is made to our camp, which has been changed to a spring three miles below 

 Panacea, which is reached a little after midnight. Every one is in camp, except two men absent 

 after stock. So far only two animals have been lost, but strenuous and continuous exertions have 

 been necessary to keep them from straying away or being stolen. The Indians especially are fond 

 of such games. 



We are now in the country of the Pah-utes, but they also keep away from our sight. The old 

 Indian, Adabe, who had accompanied us to Preuss Lake and return, also to Spring Valley, was 

 sent from the latter jilaco after stock, and has not shown himself since. This has caused some 

 little uneasiness, as the character of the Indians following our march to the Muddy is known to be 

 treacherous, and this fellow has been at one time the captain of from two to three hundred of them. 

 Most of the Pah-utes profess to be friendly to the whites, but they will steal and lie, like all true 

 Indians, to a fearful extent. The Mormons stand in considerable awe of them, and treat them 

 very well, giving them a great deal to eat. We learn of the massacre of two men in the cation 

 below by Indians within twenty days of our arrival, and the place is not looked upon as safe for 

 parties of two or three men. We remained in this camp over one day, as all of the professional 

 members of the expedition were sadly worn out. 



All reports were unfavorable with regard to a route leading to the Muddy. The shortest line 



