Olmsled on the Gold Mines of J\orih Carolina. 7 



stratum of gravel and tenacious blueclay, which is at once 

 recognized as the repository of the gold. The stream it- 

 self usually gives the first indication of the richness of the 

 bed through which it passes, by disclosing large pieces of 

 the precious metal shining among its pebbles and sands — 

 such was the first 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 

 inspired. On inquiry it was ascertained that part of the 

 land was not held by a good title, and parcels of it were 

 immediately entered,^ but it has since been a subject of 

 • constant litigation, 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, w^ere obtained the 

 first specimens of gold that were found in the formation. 

 A large piece was found in the bed ef a small creek, which 

 attracted attention by its luGts^c 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 be- 

 tween two hillocks, which rise on either side of the creek, 

 affording 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 distance of 

 one fourth of a mile on both sides of the stream. The sur- 

 face of the ground and the bed of the creek are occupied by 

 quartz and by sharp angular rocks of the greenstone family. 

 The first glance is sufficient to convince the spectator that 

 the business of searching for gold is conducted under nu- 

 merous disadvantages, without the least regard to system, 

 and with very little aid from mechanical contrivances. 

 The process is as follows. Durii^g tiie dry season, when 

 the greatest part of the levol above described is left bare, 

 and the creek shrinks to a small rivulet, the workman se- 

 lects a spot at random and commences digging a pit with a 

 spade and mattock. At first he penetrates through three 



'■' A piece of Ir'kI is saitl not to bo euieredwhexi it remains the property 

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

 books whatever Innd he can lind in this situation, the land beins^ secureil 

 to him nu his becoming' responsible for the taxo?. 



