–M. Whiteman starts for the White Oaks again today. He has a letter direct from the camp stating that free gold has been struck in the mountain at a point opposite the Homestake. It is the same mother vein of wire gold which runs through the mountain and crops out upon the opposite side. This is sufficient evidence as to the richness of this true fissure and goes far to prove the assertion of the GAZETTE, made the first time; the ore was ever exhibited on the streets of Las Vegas, that this was the richest mine of the world. (Gazette, Oct 7, 1880)
— Mr. Wise the projector of the new journal at the White Oaks started yesterday for Kansas City for the purpose of purchasing a printing outfit. He proposes to get the new paper on its feet at the earliest practicable day. (Gazette, Oct 8, 1880)
–A.M. Jane is in the city for the purpose of stocking up. He has extensive interest at White Oaks and will return there in a few days. He says two men can make 50 or 60 locations a day down in his country. He brought 500 location notices here. (Gazette Oct 8, 1880) — A. M. Janes will probably return to White Oaks on Saturday. He is doing a thriving business down at the Oaks, and is a man who thoroughly understands the wants of
–Socorro has a route to the White Oaks which travelers pronounce too sandy, waterless and barren to be a success (Gazette Oct 15, 1880)
— The stage started out to White Oaks day before yesterday and had to turn back because of a broken pole. It made another start yesterday. Dr. Mably, Mr. Whiteman and the fanatical spiritualist who formerly owned the town site of Topeka were passengers. (Gazette Oct 16, 1880)
— I would respectfully call the attention of all persons going to and from White Oak mines, and the public in general to the fact that I have removed our store from Tecolote to Antor Chico, where I keep a complete assortment of general merchandise; and make a specialty of miners supplies, provisions ect. Anton Chico is on the direct route to the mines and I sell goods at the lowest rates.
David Winternitz Anton Chico, N.M. (Gazette Oct 16, 1880)
— Lewelling’s hack got off for the White Oaks yesterday with Mr. Whiteman and several other passengers on board. (Gazette Oct 16, 1880)
— The following is an order from the Post Office Department establishing a daily mail to the White Oaks via Socorro. This order it will be seen takes effect the 15th inst{ In pursuance of an order from the Post Master General to, first resume service, second change to begin at Socorro instead of Santa Fe and run by White Oaks to Fort Stanton and back and increase to seven times per week. This order to take effect October 15th, 1880. By order of the Postmaster General. (Gazette Oct 17, 1880)
— Capt. Davidson returned yesterday from the White Oaks, with a wagon load of mineral specimens. We examined some very fine appearing rock, the celebrated white carbonates, carrying silver. (Gazette Oct 17, 1880)
– Prof. Robertson and Capt. Hutton are back from their trip to the White Oaks. They recommend that another well be sunk on the route as it will be necessary in order to render this place easily accessible and convenient for travelers and freighters. They were most favorably impressed with the prospects and the mines and are convinced that by spring it will be the most booming camps in New Mexico. (Gazette Oct 20, 1880)
— Capt. Wilkinson showed some ore from the Homestake at a depth of 80 feet below the original discovery. From the amount of free gold in the quarts shown, it does not look as though the mine was a blowout. Such incrustations of gold from such a depth goes far to show that this is not a blow out or a blow in, but a veritable bonanza. From our knowledge of mineralogy, and any first class newspaper publisher in a mineral country, is supposed to know as much as anybody, we would pronounce this without hesitation the richest gold mine in all the world and challenge a show down. (Gazette Oct 22, 1880)
— Mr. Slonecker, when in White Oaks, will investigate the propriety of putting in machinery for reduction of ores and report at once to a company of capitalists whom he represents. (Gazette Oct 22, 1880)
— White Oaks is becoming a veritable city. Over fifty houses have been constructed there this fall. (Gazette Oct 22, 1880)
— The people from White Oaks are well represented in town. Quite a number of gentlemen are up from the mines and Lincoln county. (Gazette Oct 22, 1880)
— J. G. Slonecker, a live young attorney of Topeka, is in the city, on his way to direct some work on the mines in which he is interested in White Oaks. (Gazette Oct 22, 1880)
— A whole hack of plug-hatted gentlemen will pull out for White Oaks in a few days. (Gazette Oct 22, 1880)
— A few days ago 1000 pounds of Homestake ore was run through the Arastra . The ore was taken out from the tunnel dump without reference to quality. The sun of $41 was obtained from the 1000 pounds of ore, thus showing a yield of $80 per ton. This test establishes the character of the Homestake mine and foreshadows a prosperous future for the camp of White Oaks. (Gazette Oct 24, 1880)
— A special train of four coaches conveying General Manager Strong and a party of officails of various railroads, passed south yesterday to the front. They are investigating the resources of New Mexico, and before going East a portion of them will visit White Oaks and report upon the expediency of extending a branch into that rapidly developing mineral country. (Gazette Oct 24, 1880)
— Mr Wise, who soon commences the publication of a newspaper at White Oaks, will start for that young and flourishing city tomorrow. (Gazette Oct 24, 1880)
— Col W.P. MeClure is back from Topeka and will go to the White Oaks tomorrow. (Gazette Oct 24, 1880)
— A large amount of freight is on the road to White Oaks. (Gazette Oct 24, 1880)
— Moses Burk, formerly of East Vegas, came up from the White Oaks yesterday, where he is established in business. He will lay in a large stock of goods before returning. (Gazette Oct 24, 1880)
— Horse stealing is now being carried on at a lively rate, in the southern part of this country and the northern part of Lincoln county. Six horses were stolen at the town of White Oaks last Sunday night. (Gazette Oct 24, 1880)
— Capt. Hutton has taken the contract to haul the smelter, which is now on the road, to the White Oaks mining camp. As soon as this piece of machinery is put in place, a lively boom will be seen at the gold fields. (Gazette Oct 26, 1880)
— Mr. B.F. Gumm, of Fort Scott, Kansas, came up from the White Oaks yesterday and took the train est. He left his signature on our list for the Gazette for a year. (Gazette Oct 28, 1880)
— F.A. Blake came up from White Oaks yesterday. He is on his way east to be gone several months. Mr. Blake is an energetic gentleman and has done much for the camp of White Oaks.(Mr. Blake had the only saw mill in town and provided the most all the building material for the town and most likely sold his mill to B.F.Gumm)
— Among the arrivals from WHite Oaks yesterday were Messrs. Sweet, of Great Bend Kansas, Judge C.C. Brenham, Columbia, Mo., Sam Williams, Utah, Joe Cohn, Las Vegas, Mr. Blake,. Dr. Morley, Colorado; and B.F. Gumm, Fort Scott, Kansas.
— James McDonald, Tramperas, C.C. Branham, Columbia, Mo,: F.A. Blake, White Oaks;
J.H. Sweet. WHite Oaks; W.G. Unloster and G. Lindser, Lawrence, Kansas; M.M. Johnson, Denver; Geo. Lindner K. C. H. Gray, N.J.; are registered at the St. Nicholas. (Gazette Oct 28, 1880)
—
The Following was the first long description regarding White Oaks New Mexico in 3 part series in the Las Vegas Morning Gazette 28 – 30, Oct 1880
WHITE OAKS,
This much talked of, heard of and read of place is one of the most beautiful town sites in America. The town, for that is what it should now be called, and not a camp as it has previously been known, is situated on a bench or table as it were, about a quarter of a mile wide and three quarters of a mile long. The table or bench is as level as an incline plane and admirably situated for the business portion of a city. Two arroyas form two lines of demarcation between it and the surrounding hills. One comes down from the direction of Lone mountain and enters the town at the north-east and skirts along the north and finally cuts across on the west portion and goes out at the southwest. The other comes down from the Canon del Ojo, skirts the town on the south and flows out at the south-west in conjunction with the other arroyo. All around the entire extent of the town there is a level tract of land several miles in width, which is only a few feet higher than the present town. This land is covered with a heavy growth of pinon timber and is a splendid place for dwellings. A residence built at any point on this elevation will command a view of the entire city. Then as a finishing touch to this panorama of beauty, the Patos mountain rise up on the south, Baxter mountain on the west, Cariza mountains on the south, and Lone mountain, the highest of all the surrounding peaks, on the north; thus giving the whole place a kind of pot shape, with the bottom reversed. More magnificence of situation can hardly be imagined than that possessed by the little town of White Oaks. Several gulches or canons cut the mountain in various directions, the most noted of which is Baxter Gulch on which is situated the Home Stake, Black Prince, Silver Cliff, Little Nell and a number of other valuable mines. A number of springs are to be found about two miles from the town along the Canon del Ojo, several of which are large and will afford an abundance of water for a very large city. White Oaks spring, from which the district derives its name is a very large one one and is surrounded by a grove of large white oaks. The spring is walled up and the water is clear and pure. There is a clear line of demarcation between the carboniferous deposits and the igneous rocks. The former are not mineral bearing further than the coal, which is among its deposits. It is in the latter in which all the precious metals are found. The town is situated wholly on the carboniferous age, therefore water can, and has been found in abundance by digging wells. The springs are also found on the south and east of the town in this deposit. The igneous rocks seem to have been forced up and over the later formations, therefore much care has been exercised by prospectors so as not to get over on the carboniferous rocks and lose their labor as no minerals is found in them. Lack of time prevented examining the numerous mines in the vicinity of this interesting little town as carefully as we desired, however we had the pleasure of seeing some of them. (Gazette Oct 28, 1880)
(Continued)
The Homestake mine is about one mile from the town of White Oaks, up Baxter gulch. This mine has been considerable worked and development is being carried forward under the efficient management of John A. Walters. A tunnel has been drifted in and intercepts the original vein at a depth of about 60 feet from the top. The mineral where the tunnel intercepts the vein shows as well as it does on top; thus establishing the character of this important mine. An air shaft is being put down from where the first strike was made to the tunnel. While there we secured several very beautiful specimens of free gold ore. One thousand ounces of ore were taken from the dump and crushed in the arastra. This ore did not show any signs of gold, but when the cleanup was made the retort developed and amount of wealth unexpected by the owners. From the one thousand pounds of ore $41 of gold were obtained. The mine is in an easy position to work. The only thing that is lacking is water, but that can be piped from the springs in the Cariza mountains only two miles distant. This system of piping will also carry the water through the town which will be a great saving of expense as the same pipes will furnish water for both.
This valuable mine is now owned by La Rue, Dolin, Lieut. Wilkinson & Co. Machinery is now on the road to work the ore. John A. Wilson, an old miner, is making an extension which is called South Homestake. He is drifting a tunnel and has already obtained free gold. Between the South Homestake and the town, along the same gulch, the Silver Cliff, Black Prince and several other mines are situated. A shaft 60 feet deep has been suck on the Black Prince and a tunnel drifted in to intersect it. The ores of this mine show up well and are undoubtedly very rich. To the northwest of the Homestake the Little Nell, belonging to Will Hudgens, is situated. A tunnel was also being drifted in on this mine. The first free gold was reached while we were there. The ore in this mine is very similar to that of the Homestake and is likely a continuation of the same lode. The Little Nell will be inferior to no mine in the west when properly developed. These mines are all rich in gold as is indicated by the placer diggings in Baxter Gulch. Mexicans are washing gold there all the time and are making good wages — clearing from $2 to $3 per day, and having to haul their water a distance of two miles at that. A number of old fashioned rockes are to be found along Baxter Gulch. Out time was too limted to permit us to visit the other mines in the vicinity or the carbonate beds, yet enough was seen to satisfy us as to the future of these mines, at least in a mineral point of view.
The town of White Oaks is growing so fast that its own citizens hardly know it from time to time. About 150 houses have been built, some of which are very good ones. Moses Burk and Chas Starr do the restaurant business of the town. Both of them have a good run of business. A.M. Janes, formerly of this city, has a well filled store and is doing a thriving business. M. Whiteman is putting in a stock of goods that is in entire keeping with his energy and enthusiasm. Mr. Whiteman never believes in doing anything unless he does it in the right way. Frank Lea has a well filled grocery and a splendid trade. Mr. Lea can’t help but do well as he is a careful business man and also owns a large tract of land on the North Spring River, which is a bonanza in itself. West & Dedrick have a well stocked livery stable. They are doing a big business. Wm. Hudgens and James Patterson are the principle saloon keepers. Mr. Hudgens is enlarging his building by making it two story. Mr. Sweet has a large and well selected stock of dry goods and groceries. There are three butcher shops kept in town. James Reynolds owns one and out friend Chas. Herbet is in charge of one of the others. Harry Durgis, formerly in the employ of Wm. Shupp, of this place, is driving a good trade in the blacksmith business. Dr. J.A. Tomlinson has a well stocked drug store and were it not for the universal healthfulness of the climate, he would have a good trade. However he has all the trade in that line in the community and is therefore doing well. Mr. Lawson has a news stand that does credit to his energy. He is also postmaster. Dr. W.G. Mitchell has a business office in the same building. He is dealing extensively in real estate and mines. C. Ewing Patterson of this city does the legal business of the place. He is building up a substantial practice. S. E. Wilding, formerly of Watrous has all the work he can attend to in the carpenter business. The o’d adage that “a man’s faith is shown by his works,” is aptly illustrated by Fletcher A. Blake, who has the only saw mill in that district. Mr. Blake is cutting lumber night and day. The little town is built with the lumber cut at his mill, yet when the mill was taken in there it was at a time when everything looked the gloomiest for White Oaks. The expense too was no small affair, but time and a steady nerve brought its reward and it is a rich one. The mill is situated in the Canon del Ojo, three miles from town. John A. Brothers is building the first stone house in town. It will be used as a residence. The Nogal country also contains many rich mines, as also does the Jicarrillas. Lack of time prevented me from visiting either of those camps, therefore we are unable to give them as minute a description as they deserve.
J. H. Mosely and Lloyd M. Schell report very favorable on their mines in the Jicarrillas, and we have no doubt but that they have a good thing. Mining stocks are firm and on the rise. Mines are not selling at fictitious prices. As yet there are no newspapers in the town, but the material for one is now on the way. This paper is to be edited by Mr. Wise.
White Oaks, situated as it is, in the very center of the several mining districts, with plenty of good water, and an abundance of timber, and backed by all the rich coal, silver and gold mines, the rich pasture lands and the fertile agricultural districts on the Pecos: blessed too with climate unequaled in the world for its magnificence, is soon destined to be one of the first cities of New Mexico. (Gazette Oct 29, 1880)
Continued
So much ground has been passed over and by the time we are so far from the Pecos river, that the above heading is hardly suitable, but as the whole trip connected it will make no difference.
White Oaks is about 6,400 feet above the level of the sea, and is so splendidly sheltered by mountains and forests that the climate is excellent. A good school has been arranged for the winter and a good attendance is anticipated. While we are on this subject we can honestly say, that a more beautiful school site cannot be found than is afforded at White Oaks. Any eastern man who desires a pleasant place to live and remunerative employment for his surplus capital cannot do better than to go to this young and flourishing district.
Compare for example the positions of Leadville and White Oaks. The former is nearly eleven thousand feet above the level of the sea with a rigorous climate, unhealthful, long weary winters and almost perpetual snow. While the latter is at least 4,000 feet lower, with beautiful forests, magnificent plains and mountains. Scenery that cannot be surpassed in Alpine regions or smiling Italy. Flowers bloom almost the year round, in summer the rose, in winter the fern. Winter is one continued round of sunny days and as President Hayes said in his address at the depot, “The people never think of robust health, for that is a matter of course.”
Desiring to see the freight route from White Oaks to Las Vegas, arrangements were made with a gentleman by the name of Ellis who was coming through, and early Tuesday morning, October 17th the party consisting of five gentlemen in all, pulled out of White Oaks. The route taken runs nearly east until the old Fort Stanton freight road was reached, which is about ten miles out: from the junction of the two roads the course of the traveler is almost north and passes almost directly through the center of the group of mountains known as the Jicarrillas. These mountains are known to be full of gold. They were prospected and these mountains and has secured sufficient water for all ordinary purposes by making artificial lakelets by means of a succession of dams across a large canon. From Hecradles to Alkali wells it is a distance of 44 miles. During this entire distance there is not a dwelling to be seen. Nothing but one wild waste of plains covered with a heavy growth og gamma grass, pinon and cedar timber.
The first days travel brought us to a small lake just east of the Manzano mountains where the camp was struck for the night. The next morning our line of march was resumed, with nothing more to relieve the monotony than had occurred the previous day. Just at sun down, Alkali wells was reached. There is a little plaza here and considerable stock is kept. Quite a large lake lies to the east, which at present is full. The boarders of the lake are covered with a deposit of alkali which gives the shore a white appearance and which sends up a cloud like smoke with every gust of wind. This little camp is one of the principal stopping places on the road to or from White Oaks. The well at this place always affords an abundance of water, which is very good though a little brackish to the taste. For about three miles north of this place, the road is quite sandy. Between alkali wells and the Pedernals, several large herds of antelope were seen. They however, sniffed danger afar and lit out at a lively rate across the rolling prairies. Pedernal is a cluster of three or four barren peaks composed entirely of flint rock, as the name indicates. Water was found here but it partook of the sheep, sheepy and was not relished by either man or beast. It was a pool of water caught by a solid basin of rock.
A large flock of several thousand sheep were using it for their head drinking quarters. The fourth day’s travel lay between Pedernals and the Pecos river. One of the heaviest bodies of pinon timber covers this expanse of country is quite rolling and is quite frequently intersected by deep canons.
This is one of the finest portions of New Mexico and a better sheep country could not be had. About 18 miles before reaching the Pecos river we came to Lewellings ranch. Here a well has been dug and an abundance of water obtained. Mr. Lewelling, of east Las Vegas, is stocking this ranch and before long will have one of the most desirable pieces of property in the country, as the well was dug during the terrible drouth and will therefore always afford an abundance of water for a large amount of stock. Here we also came across one of the many Buckeye mowers sold by O.I. Houghton during the past season.
From Lewelling’s ranch to Las Vegas there is nothing special to attract attention with the exception of the Pecos river, where a tole gate is kept.
This road is good throughout its entire length and is much nearer than any other, being only about 165 miles by it from this city to the White Oaks. It is a long ways between neighbors on this road, the ranches being from 30 to 40 miles apart.
Water can undoubtedly be found in many places along it. Several new wells in addition to the old ones already established greatly tend to concentrate the entire trade of White Oaks at Las Vegas. This trade is important and is worth looking after. It is growing and other cities will strive to turn it in other directions. It is ours now and will always remain so, if a little effort is put forth. The lower Pecos and the White Oaks are rich and growing countries. It will be but a few months or a few years at least until the freight carried to that country will be simply immense and the first railroad that runs into it will reap a rich reward.
It is a magnificent field, and the citizens of Las Vegas should make an unanimous effort to have the A.T. & S.F. road or the narrow gauge to build a line of road into that country. A line could easily be constructed as the grades are easy and tie timber is plenty. There would be large amounts of freight both ways, as it would be much cheaper for the people of Las Vegas to ship the grain and hay produced by the fertile agricultural lands of the lower Pecos, from that country instead of from the States. Then too, the money produced by the mines would be kept in the country nd not shipped away as at present. This is a matter that the business men of Las Vegas and northern New Mexico should take in hand at once and push with energy. Every influence possible should be brought to bear, to secure this desirable end, for no other enterprise would so effectually settle the future status of this city.
We have thus attempted to give a description of the country passed over during a three week’s trip down the Pecos and return. It has necessarily been very much condensed, as there was so much seen and so much worthy of note, that had it be given in full.several articles the length of the present would not have sufficed to give the facts in the case. We have simply this to say in closing, that the lower Pecos, Spring Rivers and Hondo valley and the White Oaks countries, in fact, the whole northern portion of Lincoln county and southern San Miguel is the richest, finest, and fairest portion of New Mexico.
GO TO WHITE OAKS MINING CAMP MIGRATION NOVEMBER 1880
CONTINUE TOWHITE OAKS MINING CAMP MIGRATION NOVEMEBER 1880