N 38.9942° W117.88031° Downeyville, NV Quad

Head east on US-50 E for 47 miles to Middlegate Station; turn right and head south on SR 361 towards Gabbs for 34.9 miles; turn left and head north east for a little over 8 miles.

From Fallon: 90 miles

This property has certainly had its ups and downs, triumph and tragedy. Here is one version:

The property consists of a group of mining claims, known as the Illinois Group, with a compete Lead smelting plant, water system, Ore stock and surface equipment, constitute the property holdings of this company. The Illinois group consists of five patented mining claims known as the Sand Mound, Silver Link, Illinois, Nevada, and White Pine. The mine was discovered in 1875 by Alfred Welsh. The first work was done upon the Illinois vein. Welsh was poor and during the years 1876 and 1877 only the assessment work required by law was done. In the latter part of 1877 he made an agreement with Raymond and Ely of Pioche, Nevada, whereby they undertook to drive a tunnel on the vein until is should reach a depth of 100 feet, and whereby they agreed to buy the property. They erected a small ten-ton smelter on the property, which was operated for about two years, during which period a body of ground of small lateral extent on the Illinois vein was worked to the depth of about three hundred feet. All of this was hand work, the ore being hoisted by hand windlasses; but the exceeding richness of the mine enabled it to pay handsomely, even against such obstacles, and about $500,000 worth of bullion was disposed of during these two years. At this time Raymond and Ely were also operating heavily at Pioche where their operations were not profitable. They became involved and their creditors wiped them out. A balance was due Welsh on the purchase price of the property, for instead of paying for the mine out of the proceeds of it, Raymond and Ely had been investing in their Pioche operations the money they were securing from the operation of the Illinois vein. Welsh, therefore, put in his claim for the balance due him on the purchase price, and in the final settlement of the affairs of Raymond and Ely. Welsh came out of the settlement with a two-fifths interest in the Illinois group, and Messrs. Booth and Company, wholesale grocers of Sacramento, California, got the remaining three-fifths. The smelter had not been paid for so that the people who had erected it came and took it away. The property then closed down and remained closed until 1889. Welsh, penniless, borrowed $250 from an ore purchasing firm and secured a lease on his interest. During the following 18 months, he sold them $130,000 worth of ore. He made further shipments to other smelters exceeding $250,000. He then purchased the three-fifths interest from Booth and Company for $10,000 cash and agreeing to make further payments of $5,000 a month. Just at this time when the mine was producing royally and prospects seemed bright, Welsh decided to visit his family back east. He found all his kin hard up, so he paid off all their mortgages. One brother, however, had no mortgage, and therefore did not receive any money, and began to make threats about what he would do unless Welsh equalize him with the rest of the family. Welsh brought that brother back to the mine. The friction between the brothers increased until one day in 1891 the younger brother placed a double-barreled shotgun against Welsh's stomach and blew a hole through him as a final argument and fled. There was no one to continue the work in the mine so all operations stopped. Booth and Company enforced their mortgage and took over ownership. Ownership passed into the hands of T.G. Phelps, a member of the Booth firm. He died shortly after this, and the property lay unworked until 1905. At this point the mine was dismantled, buildings destroyed, and old workings wrecked. A new owner brought in a small steam hoist and drove a shaft down through the old workings. Ore was struck in 1906, and since that time the property has produced approximately $325,000 in ore. Thus, the production of the mine to date has been something over $1,000,000. The mine was closed down on April 1st, 1914, on account of encountering water in the Illinois shaft; not, however, until the continuance of the ore body had been demonstrated, as the last samples taken from the shaft had shown a great increase in the gold content of the ore. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES
The property prior to 1914 was again equipped with the following:
Complete lead smelter containing a lead blast furnace 48" x 108" capable of processing 100 tons per day
Machine shop with steam power plant, lathes, drill presses, blacksmith shop
Surface plant with steam power plant, steam hoist, gasoline engine, air compressor, power rock drills, ore cars, blacksmith shop
Water system from spring producing 15,000 gallons per day, conveyed to mine by four miles of 3 inch pipe to 68,000 gallon storage tanks located above all working places.
Complete steam power plant
Ore bins, sampling plant, fully equipped laboratory
-Report on the Illinois Mining Group, May 1, 1914

A little research reveals that a few details of the death of Mr. Welsh are missing from the above description. Writing styles of the day don't seem to presume innocence. Apparently Alfred's brother came West and worked for him for a while, and worked at other mines as well.

THE LODI FRATICIDE
The preliminary examination of Emanuel Welsh, who murdered his brother Alfred, at Lodi, on the 15th instant, was commenced in Ione, last Friday, before Justice of the Peace E. Craine, and occupied two days. The defense was represented by P. M. Bowler, Jr. District Attorney of Esmeralda county, and the please of self defense entered. Emanuel stated the mission that brought him back from Candelaria was to obtain settlement with his brother for $1,600, and when he presented his claim he was informed that he could have one pretty quick; that Alfred then and there made an attempt and reached for the shot gun that has stood behind the door, for months,and that he (Emanuel) fired the shot which proved fatal, in self defense. The evidence disproved the statement that the gun has been touched which was carefully examined by several immediately after the shooting occurred, and not a finger mark was discernible, which could easily have been detected, since it was covered with dust. The office was always swept by a little niece of the deceased, and through fear of touching the firearm, that portion of the office was always evaded, consequently the dirt and dust that had accumulated around the stock of the gun was undisturbed until after it was examined by witnesses, and the gun found to be empty. The revolver used by the assassin was an English bulldog, and from the course of the bullet, a downward one, and Alfred being the tallest of the two, it is conclusive that he (Alfred) must have been about in the act of descending the steps. After the murder and previous to the examination, Emanuel was, apparently, happy. He labored under the impression that he would be exonerated of the crime; that he would obtain possession of his brother's valuable estate, and would immediately commence operations, which goes to show the crime was premeditated. For lack of evidence to his please, self defense, he was committed to the custody of Sheriff McGregor, who took him to Belmont last Sunday, where he will await the action of the Grand Jury, which does not sit until next April.
-Weekly Independent, December 6, 1891

The Grand Jury concluded that there is insufficient evidence to indict the accused, and returned a “no bill,” to the dismay of some.

Raymond and his buddies got a significant amount of ore out of the Illinois, but used the profits to support other, failing enterprises.

Illinois Silver Mine.
From a friend at Ellsworth, Lodi District, Nye county, Nevada, we learn the following particulars of the Illinois mine. This valuable mine was bought last October by Mr. Raymond of Oakland. Mr. H. C. Church, the former Superintendent, retained his position and work was continued with renewed vigor. At the present time the company are taking out about 100 tons first-class ore and from 50 to 100 tons second-class per month. The first-class is shipped to Melrose or San Francisco, via Wadsworth. This ore averages $200 per ton in silver. The second-class ore is set aside for future reduction by smelting. The necessary smelting works have not as yet been constructed by the company but will be erected in a few months. The company employs 35 men. The tunnel is in 475 feet and winzes are down over 100 feet or 200 feet below the surface. This company forms an exception to the rule in Nevada. It is resolved to work the mine as economically as possible and to spend its money in the honest development of the mine. There will be no fine offices and residences—all embellishments it justly considers useless. We trust that our trustworthy friend will again remember us, and that in a few weeks we shall be able to give our readers much additional information of the Illinois mine and of any others in the Lodi District.
-Reno Evening Gazette, August 1, 1877

Wonder what his motive was? Probably to get at some gold.

Work on the Illinois mine at Lodi has again been resumed, and a considerable quantity of supplies has within the past two months been freighted from here to that mine. As it will take about $15,000, or hard work, to put this mine in shape again, some parties conjecture that Raymond has some ulterior motive in view.
- Reno Evening Gazette, September 29, 1879

He couldn't keep up the payments, and it ended up back in Alfred Welsh's hands.

The Belmont Courier says: A L. Wilkerson informs us that Alfred Welsh is extracting rich rock from the Illinois mine at Lodi district. He shipped 52 tons of silver and gold ore to Reno during last month. Ore from the new strike goes as high as $500 to the ton.
-Nevada State Journal, April 16, 1889

With the homicide of Alfred Welsh and silver prices, mine activity paused.

The mines at Lodi, Nye county, have been shut down on account of the discount on silver.
-White Pine News, May 28, 1892

With rich mines strikes happening all over Nevada, interest in the Illinois returned.

LODI DISTRICT
The Lodi district s showing quite a lot of activity these days. The Illinois mine owned by the Chamberlain Investment Company of Denver, Colorado is employing ten men and straightening the shaft preparatory to getting out a shipment. The adjoining country is filled with prospectors and good strikes are reported in silver, lead, copper, gold, and tungsten ores.
-Goldfield News and Weekly Tribune, October 13, 1905

BOOM TIMES AHEAD FOR LODI SECTION One of the places in this section of Nevada that will join the ranks of the producers on an important scale during the year 1909 will be the Lodi district, lying southeast of Rawhide, in the same range of hills. Already the old Illinois mine, under the management of the Lodi Mines company has made numerous shipments of high grade ore to the smelters via Luning, this route requiring a wagon haul of about fifty miles. At the deeper levels high grade ore is now being broken down, varying in values from $150 to $450 to the ton. On the dumps there has accumulated a vast tonnage of what in Lodi is termed low grade, but which will yield handsomely to local treatment. The Lodi Mines company is meeting the situation in a business like manner. A smelter is in course of erection that will when completed handle 100 tons of ore daily. The foundation for this plant is in place and most of the machinery is on the railroad siding at Luning. The company is installing one of the completest machine shops in the interior of Nevada. They have the best talent in the land in charge of these installations. A huge steam traction engine is now hauling ore to the station front the mine and taking in machinery and lumber on the back haul. The road over this distance of fifty miles has been put in good condition by the company and water stations have been established at intervals of every few miles. People going into the camp via the Luning route will find as good roads as those going in from Austin or via lone. The present operations give employment to 75 men and the place is assuming all the aspects of a settled and prosperous community. A townsite near the Illinois mine workings has been laid out. Good roads, especially through Main street and the principal cross avenues are being laid out to accommodate the company's heavy traffic as well as the public. A water plant, costing from $12,000 to $15,000 has been planned for the new town. Pipe, which to lay down at Lodi will cost $9,000 has been shipped from the factory. This will bring in an ample supply of water for the town, mine and smelter. And this work will be well under headway before a single lot is offered for sale.—Reese River Reveille.
-Goldfield News and Weekly Tribune, December 19, 1908

LODI MINES IN NYE COUNTY MAKING GOOD
Mammoth Ore Bodies Ready for the Big Smelter Now Being Built.
(Special to the Bonanza.) BOB (Nev.) March 9.—A mammoth shoot of rich ore has recently been developed in the Illinois mine of the Lodi Mines company, which will soon rank with the big deposits of high grade that made Eureka and Pioche famous in the old days—mines that have produced from $50,-000,000 to $70,000,000 each. On the seventh level the rich fissure known as the Welsh vein, has been developed for a distance of 130 feet and three lenses of high class ore have been disclosed for the entire length of the stope. During the past few days these lenses have been making together, finally uniting, at each end of the stope into the gigantic bodies of high grade which breaks an average of $360 per ton.
SMELTING PLANT IS BUILDING. A 100-ton water jacket furnace of the latest type was purchased from the Colorado Iron works and shipped to Luning, the shipping point of the mine. Here the machinery has lain, awaiting the completion of a water system which required the laying of a four-mile pipe line. That work completed, construction of the smelter was commenced and the work will he finished within sixty days. A large force of men is employed under ground working two shifts in the development of the property, and work has commenced on a new compartment shaft, through which ore will be hoisted for the smelter. The furnaces are but a short distance from the mine, and will be connected with the shaft by means of a tramway. It is the intention of the company to install a second furnace before the close of the year, and when conditions justify the plant will again be increased to a daily capacity of 300 tons. The workings on the Illinois claim, which have given to the mine its local name, have developed but one of half a dozen rich ore shoots which outcrop on the surface. Besides extensive development work on its own account, the company plans to lease a considerable portion of its ground, which covers more than a mile on the two veins, treating the leaser's ore at the smelter.
-Tonopah Daily Bonanza, March 10, 1909

I still think "Bob" is a dumb name, and my name is Bob.

SMELTER AT BOB IS NEARLY COMPLETED
C. F. Stillman is down from Bob, Nye county, on a business mission, and reports good progress there in the construction of a 100-ton smelter, which is being installed by the Lodi Mines company, which owns the Illinois mine. The brick and stone work at the smelter is practically finished, with the exception of the arches and the dust flue, and the 10-horse teams and traction engines are now hauling the machinery from Luning, the railroad point. The management expects to have the furnace ready to blow in early next month. The ores of the Illinois mine are lead carbonates running high in silver and lead, and the mine has been developed to a depth of 800 feet. The company's engineers estimate the value of the ore already developed at $2,000,000. The town of Bob, of which Mr. Stillman is the agent, is growing rapidly. Arrangements have been made to secure water from the pipe line of the Lodi Mines company, from Marble canyon, which has been completed. Aside from providing an abundance of good spring water for domestic purposes, the town has a good fire system. W. G. Adams & Co., of Tonopah, are building a business house and will put in a complete stock of merchandise and mine supplies. Gilbert C. Ross, public instructor for that district, has authorized a school, which will commence April 1. An auto service has been established from Luning, forty-five miles distant and a car can be secured three times a week.
-Goldfield News, March 13, 1909

FORCE OF MEN PUT TO WORK AT LODI MINE
Old Property In Nye County Will Be Made to Produce Once More---Located In 1875.
W. 0. Van Arsdale, president of the street railways of Wichita, Kansas: E. D. Richer, president of a bank in Kansas City; J. H. Eaton, a well known mining lawyer of Denver, and S. Lehman. a wheat man of Newton, Kansas, left this morning for their homes. The gentlemen came to Tonopah two days ago after buying in the property of the Lodi Mines company, which was sold at sheriff's sale May 24 at Marble, Nevada. The mines brought $30,000 under the sheriff's hammer the title of the property now in the names of the above-named gentlemen. A force of 25 or 30 men was put to work immediately under the supervision of H. L. Eaton, a mining man of Denver, and the old property will once more be opened up and put in the producing class. The Lodi mines were located in 1875 and produced for many years. A 1200-foot shaft is on the property and a smelter of 100 tons capacity. A complete water system is installed and everything is at hand to resume operations on a large scale. The estate of the Mines company is in Nye county and the property was sold by Sheriff. Last evening the party of Kansas men were escorted through the underground workings of the Belmont by Ed Malley and they pronounced it the greatest mine they ever saw.
-Tonopah Daily Bonanza, May 27, 1911

The mine continued to produce.

OLD ILLINOIS MINE COMES TO THE FORE
Rich Strike Made at Lodi and Thirty Miners Are Employed
Reports from Lodi, in northern Nye county, states that the richest strike in years has been made on the old Illinois claim of the Lodi Mines company. H. S. Schoonover, superintendent for the company, informs us that a ledge five feet in width has been opened up between the 300 feet and 900 feet levels, carrying values in silver and gold of $259 per ton, with a lead value of 23 per cent. Work is going ahead on the sinking of the new double compartment working shaft of the same property. A big air compressor has been installed and a force of about thirty men is employed. —Miner.
-Reno Evening Gazette, September 7, 1911

Dr. Burt owns the mine now.

ILLINOIS MINE AT LODI WILL RESUME
PROPERTY HAS SHOWN ORE OF GOOD GRADE EARLY WORK
Dr. C. I. Burt of San Francisco was in Reno this week en route to Lodi in Nye county, where he is operating the old Illinois mine. The Illinois is one of the old time mines of Nevada. around which is the glamor of romance and tragedy. Almost 50 years ago Raymond and Ely, then large operators in Pioche and enjoying an international reputation, secured a lease on the which had created something of a sensation through the discovery of very rich silver ore. Raymond and Ely were in financial difficulties at the time and used the proceeds from the Illinois mine to bolster up their finances. They built a small furnace and smelted the ore, shipping the bullion. Financial difficulties finally caused them to abandon the work. From that time on the mine had a checkered career, culminating in the shooting of one of the owners by his brother. In 1909 Dr. Burt secured the Illinois and several other locations along the big contact fissure, organizing the Lodi Mines company, which developed the Illinois to a depth of 950 feet. Several carloads of rich ore were shipped and in 1910 a smelter was built and run for a short time. The Lodi Mining company had reverses and the property passed into the hands of another company, which finally was taken over by George Wingfield. who did considerable work, which was superintended by A. I. D'Arcy, now in charge of the Wingfield properties at Goldfield. Water came into the Illinois shaft just as it was entering an ore body and work was discontinued. Some of the ore which was brought to the surface assayed high in gold. Dr. Burt. whose confidence in the Illinois never has waned, secured a bond on the property and has installed a pump to unwater the shaft and investigate the strike. Charles Grill and H. J. Schoonover. who served the Lodi Mining company as superintendent and engineer, are in charge of the work. Both are capable men and there is a. mighty good chance that they will restore the old glory to the Illinois and incidentally make the mine highly profitable.—Nevada Mining News.
-Goldfield News and Weekly Tribune, October 30, 1915


Leasers continued to work the mine, and would for decades.

OLD ILLINOIS MINE AGAIN BEING WORKED
The old Illinois mine is again operating at Lodi, northeast of Mina, and it is planned to increase the capacity of a small reduction plant. The mine is reported to be in excellent condition and it is said that the increased price of silver has put it on a profitable basis.
-Goldfield News and Weekly Tribune, July 19, 1919

Kindly notice the above report is dated May 1, 1914, since which time the smelter has been replaced by a mill, as it has been found that the ores will concentrate and cyanide to better advantage. The ore stock around the old smelter has been disposed of, and the steam hoist replaced by a gasoline hoist. The other conditions remain practically the same except the machine shop and other equipment not necessary to smelter maintenance.
-Update on Report on the Illinois Mining Group, September 23, 1925

Gus Judgens, until recently in charge of work at the Illinois mine near Lodi tanks, is taking a rest in Reno. The Illinois mine is being operated under bond by Gorin & Duffy, of Los Angeles. Work is being done chiefly on the White Pine claim at present and the showing is reported to be good.
-Reno Evening Gazette, August 6, 1926

THOMPSON SMELTER GETS NYE COUNTY ORE
Another carload of was recently shipped from the Illinois mine to Luning by Gorin and Duffy, who have been leasing the ground for the past year and a half. The shipment was made to the Mason Valley smelter, says the Tonopah Times. Gorin and Duffy took over the lease on the Illinois mine from a Francisco man who has controlled it for many years. The mine paid out over two million dollars during the early part of this century. At one time a $45,000 pipe line and a $75,000 smelter were installed. Before taking it over, Gorin went over the mine thoroughly, and found that it had been worked only within a radius of about 50 feet from the shaft on all the levels but two. The shaft was sunk to water level at 1000 feet, and there was ore of some value in every drift face.
-Mason Valley News, January 14, 1928

The crookedest shaft in the State.

ILLINOIS MINE IS UNDER LEASE
George Lerchen and John Berlin, said to be financed by a Reno and Goldfield mining man, have secured a lease on the old Illinois mine near Lodi, and they have started work on ore in the two hundred foot level. The Illinois mine is one of the pioneer producers of the state, and has been in the hands of many leasers since operations were suspended by the owners, with varying success. It is claimed that it possesses probably the crookedest shaft in the state.
-Reno Evening Gazette, October 1, 1929

Don't believe everything you read.

Report Is Branded `Promotion Stuff'
Reports of a rich strike near the old Illinois mine near the Churchill-Nye county line, reported to have developed shipping-grade ore, were given flat denial in a communication to the Nevada Mining Journal yesterday. The reports of rich ore, without analysis and inconclusive as to location or other details, were said to have been circulated and "released" by Reno promoters.
-Nevada State Journal, February 25, 1935

David Ponton starts digging.

Illinois Mine Is Again Operating; Lessees Find Ore
A lease on the old Illinois mine at Lodi, in northwestern Nye county, has been acquired by David Ponton and his brother, who were reported last week to be developing a new ore-shoot at the north, on the strike of title main Illinois vein and beyond any former development. The report stated that sinking was in progress on six ft. of good ore and the Lessees, had received smelter returns from a small car-load shipment giving metal contents of 0.35 oz. gold, 115 oz. silver, 9 5 per cent lead and 0.45 per cent copper. The main shaft of the lessees was reported to be down 50 ft. and drifts were being extended north and south in the vein. Sinking will continue shortly to the 100-ft. level. All material taken from the shaft has been pay ore, it was stated, and the second-grade ore was sampling around $30 per ton. The lessees also have located the outcrop of a parallel vein of promise.
-Nevada State Journal, November 4, 1935

Try not to annoy Mr. Ponton, please.

LODI TANKS MINER FOUND GUILTY OF ASSAULT
TONOPAH. Aug. 9—David Ponton, northern Nye county miner who was found guilty on a charge of simple assault at a justice court hearing Tuesday, was given a six-month suspended jail sentence Wednesday by Judge Walter Bowler. Ponton was accused in a complaint signed by Noel G. Phillips, a former partner in a lease at the Illinois mine near Lodi Tanks, of assault with intent to do bodily harm, but at Tuesday's justice court hearing the charge was reduced in the verdict handed down by Judge Bowler. In pronouncing the sentence, Judge Bowler warned Ponton that any infraction of the law will automatically revoke the suspension and he will be required to serve the full jail sentence. The affair broke into the open on July 28, when Ponton assertedly at the point of a gun, commanded Phillips and Edward Phillips, nineteen-year-old son of the complaining witness, to accompany him to Lodi Tanks to reload a quantity of mine rails. The rails, according to the testimony at the hearing, were taken from a wash by M. Minick, who had written Sheriff W. H. Thomas of the find. Ponton established ownership of the rails and was allowed to claim them by Minick. Phillips in his testimony claimed that he was forced to aid Ponton in reloading the rails against his wishes. Phillips, Ponton and A. G. Lawry had been working a lease on the Illinois mine which is owned by C. I. Burt of San Francisco. The property is now under bond and lease to other interests.
-Reno Evening Gazette, August 9, 1940

Different leasers, still digging.

Shipments once a month are reported from the old Illinois mine fifteen miles east by south from Broken Hills, where B. Hicks and Noel Phillips were said at Broken Hills to have a lease from C. I. Burt of San Francisco, owner. Three shipments have gone out. The bulk of this ore is being hauled by rail from Fallon to Pittsburg, Calif.
-Reno Evening Gazette, September 27, 1941


Does Mr. Burt need some cash?

Maybe He's Facing Economic Problem
C. I. Burt, owner of the old Illinois mine near Lodi, Nye county, is selling the mill equipment on his property and at the same time is offering the mine on a lease arrangement with responsible parties, according to word received here. The Illinois mine, located about 45 miles northeast of Luning, is an old producer and is said to yet contain quantities of good ore.
-Nevada State Journal, December 19, 1946

Apparently he's going to give it another go. I can't find any reference anywhere to any post office named "Bob," though. See the Lodi page for more info on that.

ILLINOIS MINE TO BE REVIVED
Early Producer Has New Equipment
C. I. Burt, owner of the old Illinois mine, 10 miles north of Gabbs, is reported to have purchased some new equipment for the property, which is to be re-opened and turned over to lessees, Idle since before the war, the Illinois mine, first worked in 1864, Is credited with the production of $1,200,000, chiefly gold, There is said to he considerable ore remaining in the mine. Burt is said to be preparing the property in hope of making it attractive to lessees. At one time the district boasted a post office under the name of "Bob."
-Nevada State Journal, June 26, 1947

Looks like things are coming to a halt.

About all equipment purloined; smelter and mill disposed of or stolen in parts. A mine without equipment instead of equipment without a mine.
1948 June 23

None

Lots of interesting ruins, rock walls, and the remains of mills and such. Some deep, deep holes, so be careful. Road is a bit washed out and a short-wheelbase vehicle will be very handy.

See also Marble / Lodi.