CENTEAL AND EASTEEN NEVADA. 309 



its caiioiis are well watered and its slopes bear a moderate supply of nut-pine 

 and cedar, suitable for fuel. The mining region, of wliicli Unionville is now 

 the center, was the scene of great activity in the years first succeeding the 

 advent of prospectors and miners into this part of the State. The discovery 

 of silver-bearing lodes in these mountains was made not long after the earlier 

 developments of the Comstock lode, and for a season was the occasion of 

 great excitement. The range, for many miles of its length, was visited by 

 explorers, who have left abundant evidence of their industry in innumerable 

 prospecting holes that dot all the hillsides. Many mining districts were 

 formed, thousands of locations made, towns built, and large amounts of 

 money expended; and when the extravagant hopes of speculators or their 

 victims met with the disappointment that was inevitable, nearly the entire 

 population, only excepting a few who were determined to persevere and a few 

 more who, for want of means to get away with, were forced to remain, deserted 

 the country. The depressed condition of the mining interests of the region, 

 that naturally followed this revulsion of feeling, prevailed until the approach 

 of the Pacific railroad gave a fresh impulse to those districts lying within its 

 influence, when the influx of men into the country, the easy communication 

 with the markets, and the cheapening of supplies brought about a more 

 hopefid state of affairs. In the neighborhood of Unionville some degree of 

 mining activity has been kept up from the outset, and it is there that the 

 industry of the West Humboldt range is now chiefly centered; while, within 

 a year or two, other districts in the same range, and in the ranges further 

 east, have been attracting increased attention, and are growing steadily in 

 importance. 



For a more detailed description than will be given here of the several 

 mining districts in this range and in Humboldt County generally, the reader 

 is referred to the report of R. W. Raymond, esq.. United States Commissioner 

 of Mining Statistics, who has noticed the more important localities at consid- 

 erable length. The writer will confine himself here to a few notes concern- 

 ing some of the points that came under his personal observation. 



The general geological structure of the West Humboldt range will be 

 more particularly described in another volume of this report. The rocks are 

 chiefly metamorphic, consisting of highly siliceous porphyry or quartzite. 



