40°44'30.24"N 117°55'23.29"W DUN GLEN Quad

DUN GLEN was among the earliest settled places in the county, its settlement dating back to 1862. D, P. Crook was the first person who ventured into this section of country as a settler. He was soon after followed by Angus Dunn, D. McLarkey, J, Slade, A. J. Elsey, D. P. Crook, R. Monroe, Thomas Ewing and James A. Banks. A company of United States soldiers were stationed here in 1863, to keep the Indians in check. At this time and for two or three years after, the population reached 250, but since then has dwindled down to about fifty. Nearly the whole industrial interest is stock-raising. The hamlet is surrounded by high mountains, partially covered with stunted cedar trees, which furnish the wood of the settlement. It has a post-office called Dun Glen, but no telegraph or express office. It has one ten-stamp mill for extracting the gold from the quartz. The total amount of bullion so far is about $100,000. It is believed by many that thorough exploring would develop profitable mines. Supplies are obtained from San Francisco and Sacramento by way of Mill City, on the line of the Central Pacific Railroad, distant nine miles; freights being about nine dollars per ton. Winnemucca is about twenty miles away. The houses are mostly adobe and wood. The most noted homicide was the killing of a German merchant by a man by the name of Jackson, with a pistol shot. He escaped and was never apprehended.
-Extracted from the History of Nevada, 1881. Thompson and West Publishers

A more recent overview, this from the 1930's.

The Sierra, Dun Glen, or Chafey district is at the north end of the East Range 12 miles northeast of Mill City. It was organized in 1863. The town of Dun Glen, settled in 1862, ranked next to Unionville in importance in this part of the State. At one time is had a military post garrisoned by a company of regulars.

Both placer and lode gold were discovered in the 1860's by prospectors from Unionville, and a number of mines were opened. The important early mines were the Tallulah, Auld Lang Syne, Munroe, Mayflower, and Auburn. These properties have been worked intermittently up to the present time. The greatest activity was from 1862 to 1880. The placers occur over a large area and include Auburn, Barber, Wright, Rock Hill, and Dun Glen Canyons on the western slope of the range and Spaulding Canyon on the easter slope. The bulk of production was produced by Chinese miners.

The Auburn Mine near the head of Dun Glen Canyon had a 10-stamp amalgamation-concentration mill that operated for several yeas during the 1880's. It had a jaw crusher, an Ellis ball mill, a 2 x 7 foot amalgamating plate, and a small concentrating table. The Auld Lang Syne had a mill erected in 1931 below the mine, consisting of a 8 x 10 inches Dodge jaw crusher, an Challenge feeder, a 5 foot Huntington mill with a 40-mesh screen, a 4 x 10 foot amalgamating plate, and two Wilfley tables. Power was supplied by a 25 hp. Fairbanks-Morese semi-diesel type Y engine. The capacity of the mill is ten tons per day.

The White Bear Mining company in Munroe Canyon is 1.5 miles east of Dun Glen. They started to erect a milling 1932 but it was not completed until 1935 owing to financial difficulties. It only operated several weeks in 1935 before it was shut down. The mill equipment consists of a Blake crusher (10 x 12 inches) two sets of 16 x 16 inch rolls with a vibrating screen between them, a Challenge feeder, a Marcy 43 ball mill in closed circuit with a Door Simplex classifier, two amalgamating plates 4' x 18' long, and three Wilfley tables. The capacity of the mill is 30 tons a day. Power for milling comes from two Muncie oil engines of 40 and 70 hp, and water is obtained from a tunnel above the mill.

-USBM District Summary, late 1930's, William O. Vanderberg

Lode mining versus placer mining. Very simply, there are two kinds of gold mining, placer mining and lode mining. Lode, also know as "hard rock" mining, means you're carving tunnels out of moutain-sides, blasting and crushing rock. Placer mining is getting at gold on or near the surface, typically in a stream or an alluvial fan. Here is an article regarding placer mining in this area:

Extensive placer deposits have been worked in Auburn and Wright Canyons (unlocated) and Barber Canyon, and Rockhill Canyon on the west flank of the East Range. Less extensive placers have been worked in Spaulding Canyon on the east flank of the range and in Dun Glen Canyon at the north end of the district. Willow Creek, lies between Spaulding Canyon and Rockhill Canyon but is considered to be a different district, more because of mining history than because of location. The placers were discovered in the 1860's, and most of the mining was done during the period 1870-90 in Auburn and Barber Canyons, and during the period 1880-90 in Rockhill Canyon by Chinese miners. Little is known of the depth and value of the gravels mined at that time. In the 1930's most of the placer-mining activity was concentrated in Dun Glen, Barber, and Spaulding Canyons. The gravels in these canyons are deep, ranging from 18 to 40 feet in Dun Glen Canyon and averaging 30 feet in Barber Canyon. The gold is generally found concentrated on bedrock and in some benches on the canyon sides. The placers in the Sierra district are among the most productive in the State, the production being estimated at $4 million before 1900. This estimate represents the amount of gold thought to have been recovered by Chinese miners, who reportedly recovered $2 million from Auburn and Barber Canyons a recovered $2 million or more from Rockland Canyon. There is some doubt that the actual production was as high as the estimated. Placer mining during the 20th century was small scale and intermittent. So far as I know, no large-scale operations were successful, though a dryland dredge worked a short time in Dun Glen Canyon 1931 and bulldozers and carryalls were used in Spaulding Gulch in the 1940's. Most of the placer gold was recovered by small-scale methods, such as sluicing, hydraulicking, and drywashing after drifting or stripping to the richer gravels near bedrock.
-PLACER GOLD DEPOSITS OF NEVADA , 1973

Anyway, and so it begins.

Dun Glen is the name of a new town in the Humboldt Mining region.
- Daily Alta California, Volume 15, Number 4916, 13 August 1863


The word is getting out.

A New Town. Dun Glen --the principal town in the East Range—is situated in one of the finest cañons in the county. It is perhaps three miles in length, and the mountains on either side are not as high nor as abrupt as they usually are where our towns are located. There is a goodly quantity of wood—but more water would bo decidedly acceptable. All the lots in the town proper have been sold—the major part for $25 each ; some of them are now valued as big as $5OO.
-Marysville Daily Appeal, Number 35, 12 August 1863

Things progress...

Sierra District— Last January Sierra District was organized, and a code of mining laws adopted under which we now operate. In the following May the town of Dun Glen was surveyed on a portion of Ragan & Dun's ranch, but up to the 20th of June there was not a house in the town, except the little stone cabin in which the proprietors of the premises resided. Now we have over thirty good houses, such ones as would be a credit to any place in the Territory, and all occupied by families, with the exception of a few business houses; besides several of the largest size in course of construction. We have four grocery and provision stores; one stationery and dry goods store; one drug store and two doctors. The town, generally, presents a busy, thriving appearance. Since January over five hundred Companies have located as many claims, recorded them, and worked the assessments according to the laws of the District. Some of these claims have proven to be immensely rich, both in gold and silver: and all prospect sufficiently rich in the cropping to warrant a speedy development. The only thing wanted at present is capital to develop the vast mine of wealth that lie beneath our mountains. We have already some fifteen tunnels well under way, although our District was unknown eight months ago. Among the most prominent is Eclipse Tunnel, running into the Eclipse Series, embracing Lady Washington, Lady Madison, ' Lady Franklin, Eclipse and Eclipse No. 1, under the supervision of Charles Barber, late of Grass Valley, California, an able and experienced miner. Rock is being taken to the Sheba mill to be practically tested, with a view of building a mill at the mine this fall or spring. Neptune Tunnel is being rapidly driven ahead to the Neptune Series. — Humboldt Register
- Daily Alta California, Volume 15, Number 4977, 14 October 1863


Trouble convincing the native Americans to accept government subjugation resulted in the stationing of troops at or near Dun Glen on occasion.

SACRAMENTO DAILY UNION.
LETTER FROM DUN GLEN, NEVADA
[Correspondence of the Union.] Dun Glen, Humboldt County, Nevada, ) September 8, 1865. )
Scout After Indians.

Being on our return into California after quite a successful tour through this section of country in quest of hostile Indians, and having just made (as we imagine) our final scout, I have thought proper to give you a few outlines in reference to it, which you can publish should you think fit. We arrived in this place some ten days ago, in accordance with an order which reached us at our camp upon the headwaters of the Humboldt, fully expecting that immediately after muster day (the 31st of last month) we would start for our old home — Camp Union [Originally a training ground established in 1861 for California Volunteers, Camp Union at Sacramento became California's most prominent provider of troops for camps in the West throughout the years of the Civil War A third of the state's 15,000 volunteers trained here. Toward the end of the conflict, the camp became a discharge or separation center for returning troops. "Historic California Posts, Camps, Stations and Airfields Camp Union by Robert B. Roberts]

We were, however, again doomed to meet with disappointment, in consequence of an intimation from some citizens of the town of Unionville that our services would be required in that vicinity. Our commanding officer, Lieutenant R. A. Osmer, who has been with us since we left Camp Union — than whom a better soldier does not hold commission in one regiment — received a note from Unionville upon muster day, stating that some forty or fifty miles from that place there was an encampment of Indians (gathering pine nuts for Winter use, and who belonged to a party which had been committing great depredations upon the Humboldt during the entire season, having been engaged in more than five different attacks upon citizens and soldiers. This information was derived from an Indian called Captain Son, of the same tribe (Piutes), but who has always been very friendly with the whites. Acting upon the information thus received, a detail of Sergeant Van Mater, Corporals Baker and Plunkett, with fifteen men, under the command of Lieutenant Henry C. Penwell, were ordered by Lieutenant Osmer to proceed immediately to the aforesaid town, and there, placing themselves under the guidance of the Indian, who together with his two sons and two citizens were to accompany us, we were to make as speedy a march as possible upon their camp. After a dusty ride of five or six hours, across a sage brush plain, between the two mountain ranges, we reached the town, where we found the people awaiting our arrival. The two citizens were already provided with horses ; but we were compelled to dismount three of our men in order to mount the three Indians. After a few hours rest, having fed our horses, as well as ourselves, we again commenced our march, and in a three hours ride reached the Overland station, a distance of twenty miles, where we again fed our horses. An hour's delay, and we were once more upon the road, or rather trail, over and across mountains and canyons almost inaccessible to any animal other than the mountain sheep or Indian. We found it a very serious undertaking to reach the mountain spring at which the Indians obtain water, situated about eighteen miles from the Overland station. We were fully six hours in traveling this distance, the greater portion of the time dismounted and leading our horses. We arrived at the spring about an hour before daylight, and although exceedingly tired, having made a forced march of over seventy miles, preparations were soon made for an attack upon the camp, which was in plain view from our position, it lying situated immediately above us, upon a small flat projecting from the main range, and surrounded by a dense growth of scrubby cedars. We were as near equally divided into three parties as possible, it falling to my lot to be under the command of Sergeant Van Mater, who, with four others, were ordered to make a circuit of some four miles around the points of the mountain, so as to strike the camp from the rear and to gain as near a proximity to it as possible, before he commenced the " ball," which he was to do as soon as dawn had fairly broke. The other parties, under charge of Corporals Baker and Plunkett, were to advance, by direction of lieutenant Penwell, to the right and left, keeping in communication with him, who, with the citizens and Indian guides, formed the center.

The Surprise and Return.

Thus properly arranged, everything 0. K., we only awaited the attack of the Sergeant's party to open the ball on all sides at once. A clear streak soon appeared over the mountain top, and at the same time gave us a full view of the camp and occupants, together with the parties below, eagerly watching our motions. We did not detain them long, for just then the head of an Indian was seen peeping at us through the little brush corral that was around their camp, whom Van sent to his final hunting ground at the same time that he opened the frolic. We were all in their midst in a moment, and found them so completely surprised that even the arms they were possessed of were useless in their hands. Still, some few clubbed their guns, and seemed to contest the strife "muchly." They, however, with the rest soon paid the "debt of nature, while we canceled a debt of theirs. The firing having now ceased from all sides, we first counted noses among ourselves, and finding all present, with not even a scratch, saving what our clothes received while clambering through the sage brush, we counted the unfortunates upon the ground, and were almost as much surprised as the Indians to find only nine bucks and ten squaws. The squaws were accidentally shot whilst firing into a hut in which two or three of the bucks had taken refuge. The Indian scouts who were with us reported twenty-live or thirty men and about fifteen squaws, the majority of whom must certainly have left the previous day, as not one escaped during our attack. After destroying everything in the shape of food or shelter, we started toward the spring where we had left our horses, mounted, and having daylight to travel by, we were compelled to dismount but once on our march back to the station. We came immediately through to Unionville, and received the hearty thanks of its citizens for our successful adventure. I must not forget, in the name of the command, to thank them for their bountiful supply of eatables and drinkables which met us upon our return. We were compelled, through their urgent entreaties, to remain some hours longer than intended, but finally started for headquarters at this place, which we reached early enough to receive the congratulations of our comrades upon our safe return ; thus ending (in all probability) the final scout of B Company, Second Cavalry, California Volunteers, amongst the fastnesses of the Humboldt Mountains. Company D, of the Sixth Infantry, California Volunteers, has also arrived in this place, and will, it is thought, remain here during the Winter. Company I of the Sixth, also Company I of the Second Cavalry, C. V., are still upon Queen's river, but will probably make this place their headquarters also. The troops are generally well and in fine spirits, which, I am sorry to say, cannot be said of our horses, many of them being entirely used up, scouting through the mountains. Were it not for the fact that your ever-welcome paper reaches us regularly, through the kindness of Lieutenant 0smer, we would indeed be at a " non plus " for news ; but as long as the old Union can be found, it, with its interesting columns, will lend a charm to any place — yea, even Dun Glen. Old "B" sends her united thanks to you for the many hours of interest you have occasioned her members since their advent in this most desolate of all countries, and hoping soon to be in our old quarters at Camp Union. Wishing you and your paper continued prosperity and success, allow me to subscribe myself your constant reader, Veteran."

-Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 29, Number 4521, 18 September 1865



The Native American situation must have calmed by May of 1866 if they let Austin have their cannon.

A Big Gun. The Lander Guard received last night a brass twelve pounder, brought from Dun Glen Humboldt county, where it had been taken by the United States troops for service against the Indians.
-Reese River Reveille, May 15, 1866

Still some trouble now and then, though.

INDIAN TROUBLES ON THE OWYHEE MAIL ROUTE- The following telegram was received on the 24th ult. from Star City, by the Humboldt Register:
The Idaho Mail rider from Dun Glen to this place arrived here at midnight bringing no mail. Brought news that the Indians had killed one man, either a mail rider or station keeper, at Summit Springs, on the Owyhee road, twenty-five miles beyond Camp McDermmit. They had also attacked the station at Rebel Creek, thirty miles beyond Willow Point Station, Paradise Valley, and had the station keeper corraled in cabin, where he was defending himself at last accounts. The Indians were trying to smoke him out by filling chimney with hay, setting fire to it, and then covering the top. THe station keeper was cooking at the time of the attack. Hill BEachy writes from Willow Springs on the Owyhee road, under date August 23d: J.D. Carr-- Dear Sir: The Indians have killed one man at Summit Springs; are raising hell generally below WIllow Springs, and Camp McDermit. -Hill Beachy.
-Reese River Reveille, September 1, 1866

Even the criminals were polite.

AN UNDERSTANDING ABOUT A HORSE
A young fellow who gives his name as George Freeman stole a horse in Dun GLen, belonging to Jas. T. MacLean. He was pursued in the direction of Queen's [probably Quinn] River, and overhauled by Tom McCann. He acknowledged the theft and came willingly back. He was allowed opportunity to escape, because your people, Like Dogberry, wish to have nothing to do with such people, and it is expensive; but the fellow would not quit his captor till handed over to the Sheriff. He is now in the keeping of Constable Cole, awaiting the selection of a Grand Jury. -Humboldt Register
-Carson Daily Appeal, September 28, 1866

A local adventurer describes his walking tour of the area, including Dun Glen.

LETTER FROM REV. A. F. WHITE
Unionville, June 16, 1868
THE DESERT AND FIRST RANGE OF MOUNTAINS EAST OF STAR
Editor Appeal: On the morning of 11th instant, Mr. Watson and I determined that we would explore the desert and mountains east of Star range. Our course the first day was south-easterly. Towards the center of the valley we passed a ranch belonging to a Swiss by the name of Creadiger. There is some degree of fertility in the soil and vegetables are grown successfully. There is an air of neatness about Mr. Creadiger's ranch and residence highly creditable to him as a farmer. We had not proceeded a mile from Mr. Creadiger's before we were fairly upon the opening of an extensive alkali flat, which continues south for about twenty miles filling the whole plain. A large part of this flat is covered with water and soon our mules sunk above their knees and then mired down. FOr a mile and a half or two miles this swamp continued almost impassable. By leaving our saddles and carefully picking our way we at last succeeded in getting our mules across. We brought up our saddles on our shoulders. We were well covered with alkali mud, and were glad to find a clear stream of water soon after, flowing from the mountains east of us, in which we did our ablutions with great satisfaction. A little before sunset we entered a broad canyon and soon came upon Senator Hutchin's mining cabin. There was no one there, but we found ample provisions, took possession and made ourselves at home generally. The next morning after breakfast we examined a curious rock which stands two or three hundred yards southeast of the cabin. It is perfectly balanced on a small pedestal and weighs twenty or perhaps thirty tons, and stands on the brow of a hill which has evidently been worn away leaving the rock in its present position. It's length is about fifteen feet and its height about the same, with no other projecting rock in the vicinity. It looks as though a breeze might topple it into the depth below. Senator Hutchins is opening a mine near by which promises well but needs development before its real value can be estimated. We found the mountains covered with the finest bunch grass. There are three or four varieties. The prevailing rock in the vicinity is quartzite. We past northerly a little to the east of the main summit and explored the whole range to Dun Glen a distance of nearly sixty miles. We found but four Indians, saw much that was curious and interesting in geology and botany, and natural history, descended twice into the valley eastward, and reached Dun Glen about dark on Saturday evening. We rested on the Sabbath. It rained constantly all day, the night following, and Monday until about 10 o'clock. The air was disagreeably chilly and the mountains covered with snow. We visited several mines, and the Essex mill erected by Mr. Fall at this place. It runs ten stamps and is working ore from the Essex and Ophir mines. A great amount of capital has been invested about Dun Glen and it is to be hoped that rich return may be realized. Dun Glen is situated much as Unionville is, in a cañon. It is on the west side of the mountain and not far below the summit. It contains at most about two hundred inhabitants and has a small school, but neither a house of worship or church organization. It may be a matter of interest to state that our bill at the hotel ran as follows:

For five square meals and a bed two nights....$5.00
One mule, hay two nights......................$3.00
Total........................................ $8.00
Received payment (signed) D.P. Crook

It rained in showers during the afternoon, but we crossed the valley and reached Unionville about dark. Found all our party well. The soldiers, under the command of Sergeant Schwartz, arrived yesterday and are camped in upper Unionville and we are all awaiting the arrival of Mr. King. I have expected letters from Carson but have been disappointed. I hope my friends have not forgotten me. I am doing all I can to keep them informed of our movements and adventures and shall feel sadly disappointed not to hear from Carson at Austin on the 4th of July.
Yours truly, A.F. White
- Carson Daily Appeal, June 24, 1868

ORE FOR THE MILL -- Hon. John O. Twiss, of Dun Glen, Humboldt county, has been in Reno a couple of days. He came in from that district with a lot of ore from his Lost Chance mine, which he intends having worked at the Auburn Mill. This rock will work over $300 a ton, and we are glad to know that Mr. Twiss has plenty more of the same sort that he intends shipping to Reno for reduction.
-Nevada State Journal, August 10, 1874

A DUN GLEN GOLD MINE
The Thomas and Hendra mine at Dun Glen is shut down for repairs. A cross-head of the engine broke last week, and they had to send to San Francisco for a new one. The owners of the mine and several miners were in town yesterday and say they have a five-foot vein of ore, every pound of which they put through the mill. With more extensive reduction works, Dun Glen would be the banner gold-producing district of Nevada. - Silver State
-Reese River Reveille, September 7, 1887

DUN GLEN - The Winnemucca Silver State says James Morsehead arrived in town Monday from Dun Glen. He says the Lang Syne mine looks well, and the mills are running to their full capcity. About fifty men are employed at the mine and mill, and everything is running in good style.
-Nevada State Journal, April 26, 1888

Chafey

The town of Chafey is basically Dun Glen renamed. According to Ghosts of the Humboldt Region, it was named for founder Edwin Smiith Chafey in 1908, and the town's fortunes followed that of his Black Hole mine. By early October, the population was somewhere around 1,000. Four daily stages carried passengers and freight between Chafey and Mill City, and two daily stages ran to Winnemucca. Meals average fifty cents while beds ran from fifty cents to $1.50. Things went well for a couple of years, but the mines never could keep up, and the town of Chafey faded away. Chafey himself stayed in the mine business and ended up in Arizona, where he died in 1941.

At the town, there are five saloons, a restaurant, a boarding house, and a general store.
-Nevada State Journal, August 3, 1908

People were impressed with the amount of gold the Black Hole seemed to be spitting out, and the usual comparisons were common.

BLACK HOLE AT CHAFEY GREATEST STRIKE SINCE MIZPAH DISCOVERY STARTLED WORLD
Camp Promises To Be One Of the Richest
Langley Says Dun Glen Now Has Population of 1,000 and Will Have 3,000 By End of Year-- Was Once Center of a Wonderful Mining District
"I have seen all the new discoveries in Nevada during the past six years, and the showing at the Black Hole property at Chafey comes nearer being another Mizpah than any strike made in the state since Jim Butler awakened the world to the fact that Nevada was still on the camp. The Chafey camp, formerly known as Dun Glen, has been a spasmodic producer for forty years and being located o the old overland trail from Montana to California, via Virginia City, it seems strange that more attention has not been given and though pratelenlly (?) surrounded by former mining excitements at Humboldt, Unionville, and Rye Patch, the district has suffered from neglect, but the day of fruition has come and come to stay," said J.W. Langley of the Langley-Cushman company on his return from the Chafey section yesterday afternoon. "The district, which includes the camps of Tip Top, Sierra, and Chafey, has a combined population of perhaps 800 to 1000. There are now over 200 men at work in the mines and perhaps nearly 100 men in the town of Chafey who are doing carpenter and building work. The town is building up rapidly and solidly. The business houses all report good times. Two miles southerly a big strike was reported on ground owned by Mr. McBee, which was formerly bonded to Peck & Sample of this city. The vein was reported to be over four feet wide and the ore I saw was sprinkled with free gold."
-Reno Evening Gazette, September 23, 1908

The only "Pueblo" I can find is an mining camp entry for a post office, but the location is so mangled and convoluted its impossible to say where it might have been. Guessing in the northern part of Humboldy county, near the Oregon border, near the site of Vicksburg. This first part of this "look back in history" story left me a little bit creeped out.

THACKER AND RICHARDSON TELL OF EARLY INDIANS
Detective [John N.] Thacker, formerly chief detective for Wells-Fargo, was in Reno recently from his ranch near Chafey and states that Chafey promises to be even larger than it was in the early '60's, when it had a population of more than 5,000 people and was one of the liveliest mining camps in the state. While here Detective Thacker and Police JUdge Richardson sat in the city hall and discussed the good old days when Chafey, then Dun Glen, was a flourishing mining camp.Detective Thacker owned his present ranch near Dun Glen in those days and was also a scout for the government military post at Dun Glen. He tells of the important fight between soldiers he led and the Piute Indians at a point on the Kings River, in which every Indian in th eband was killed with the exception of two little Indian children. He states that he located the Indians early one morning and by riding all day notified Captain Conrad at Dun Glen. Captain Conrad immediately started for the Indian camp, led by Detective Thacker, and followed by a company of regulars. They traveled all night and at daybreak came upon the Indians as they were preparing their morning meal. Then followed the fight. In this battle 20 Indians were killed and not a single white man was injured. Captain Thacker on that occasion secured four Indian scalps which he added to his belt and in that way made the Indians fear him more than they ever had before. But for Detective Thacker on that occassion the Indian children would have been killed. Although Captain Thacker hated an Indian worse than poison he would never allow an Indian child to be killed and saved the lives of the little red skins by taking them back to his ranch.

Judge Richardson states that one Fourth of July day in the early '60's a frieghter from Virginia City carried into Dun Glen a barrel of whiskey. There were no fireworks or flags to celebrate Independence day, but the barrel of whiskey proved sufficient. On that Fourth of July morning the barrel of Old Crow was taken out into the public square of the camp of Pueblo and the celebration commanced by the drinking of this Old Crow and the firing of many shots from revolvers and rifles. At last all the cartridges in the camp were discharged and only the whiskey remained to celebrate with. A minister from New York who had come west to convert the Indians and miners was then placed on the whiskey barrel to deliver the oration. He started out very eloquently but was soon interrupted while everyone took a drink. Even the minister drank and soon his oration would have surpassed an oration ever delivered by Cicero, Abe Lincoln, or Patrick Henry. While this celebration was going on the smoke from camp fires of the Piute warriors could be seen rising from the mountain tops all around the scene of celebration and whenever the patriotic cheers of the citizens of Pueblo would quiet down, the shril whoop of the Piute warrios would drift across the quiet valley from the mountain tops and penetrate the hearts of the men celebrating the independence won for them by their forefathers. Thus the celebration continued through the day and at night when the camp fires of the Indians began to glow, forming a circle of twinkling stars around the town of Pueblo every one in Pueblo was asleep, even Judge Richardson, who had taken not nears as much Old Crow as had others. The Indians could have slaughtered every man without a struggle, but kind Providence stepped in and saved them. A company of soldiers for some reason had left Dun Glen two days before and on the night following the celebration of Independence day arrived in camp in time to prevent an attack by the red skins.
-Reno Evening Gazette, January 5, 1909

By this time, Dun Glen had forever lost its post office, although activity continued.

The old district of Dun Glen, worked in the 1860's and '70's, was revived in 1908 when E.S. Chafey opened up a rich ore body on the "Black Hole" property, and the district took the new name of Chafey. At present this property is in the hands of the White Bear Mining Co., with the president G.W. Young, on the property. Recently, a new 50 ton amalgamating and concentrating mill was built, that ran for a short time at 30 tons a day on ore that did not yield a profit.
-MINING LOG OF NORTHERN NEVADA TRIP
Jay Carpenter & William Smyth, 1935

Other nearby locations don't deserve their own page but do deserve mention.


Unionville was the first county seat. It was originally called Dixie, as Union men became more prominent. In 1873 the county seat was moved to Winnemucca, which until 1868 was known only as French Bridge or Ford. Other towns and settelements in Humboldt county are Adobe, Barbersville, Bartlett Creek, Batavia City, Brown's, Buffalo Station, Cane Spring, Cañon Station, Centerville, Clark's, Coin, Cumberland, Derby's, Dun Glen, Fairview, Fort McDermit, Gem City, Granite Creek, Grass Valley, Griggsville, Hardin's Ranch, Hillyer, Humboldt City, Indian Creek, Iron Point, Isabella, Jersey City, Junction, King Rivvery Valley, Lancaster, Little Humboldt, Lovelock, McCulley, Mason, Mill City, Mountain Spring, O'Connor station, Oreana, Panther Cañon, Paradise Hill, Paradise Valley, Pine Forest, Pleasant Valley, Queen City, Queen River Valley, Raspberry Creek, Rock Spring, Rockwell Station, Rocky Cañon, Ross Creek, Rye Patch, Santa Clara, Scottsville, Smith FOrd, Spring City, St. Mary, Star City, Tinity, Tule, Vandewater, Varybille, Ward, Willow Creek, Willow point, and Winnemucca Spring.
-History of Nevada, Colorado, and Wyoming 1540-1888 Volume XXV Hubert Howe Bancroft

Barberville

Barberville was an early camp serving the placer miners in Barber Canyon near Dun Glen.The name commemorates Charley Barber, who developed ledges in the area. 1881 map.
-Nevada Place Names, Carlson

The Silver State says: There is some excitement at Dun Glen, Humboldt County, Nev., over the discovery of gold-bearing quartz in Barber's canyon, on the western slope of the range. QUite a nnumber of claims have been located. A shaft has been sunk thirty-five feet deep in the canyon without encountering bedrock. Five feet of the gravel is said to be rich with gold.
-Sacramento Daily Union, November 20, 1885

Chinamen are placer mining in Barber Canyon, in the Dun Glen range of mountains, and by the amount of gold dust being shipped they are undoubtedly netting a handsome profit.- Silver State
-Nevada State Journal August 18, 1899

Barbersville also shows in 1864 plat map.

This small burg grew up in early 1864 about three miles northeast of Dun Glen. The Humboldt Register of Unionville said, "Rivals are springing up to contend with trade patronage. Barbersville makes some pretenses that way. It is Charley Barber's headquarters while conducting operations in the Eclipse series, Pauline, and other ledges he is developing.
-Dave Basso, "Ghosts of the Humboldt Region, 1970

Not much info there. Actually, Barbersville was about 2.5 miles (as the crow flies) east of Dun Glen.


Bonnie Briar

Locations marked as "Bonnie Brier," "Bonnie Briar," and "Stonehouse" appear to be the same. 1961 USGS map locates "Stonehouse" as just a water tank in the middle of T33N R37E Section 31. Sometimes it's difficult to tell if we're lookng at a locale named "Stonehouse" or just, well, a house made of stone. No mention in Basso's book of Bonnie Briar.

BIG STAMPEDE ON TO CAMP OF BONNIE BRIAR
(SPECIAL BY D.H. MARLOW)
MILL CITY, August 1) -- One of the greatest gold strikes recorded in Central Nevada has just been made 14 miles east of Mill City, on the Southern pacific Railroar, by old Jim McCullough, an old Comstock pioneer, at a depth of 375 feet. In his crosscut tunnel he has struck the old ledge out of which so much placer gold has been taken. He has gone eight feet across the ledge and the rock is full of gold averaging $10 to $12 a pound. He is still driving ahead day and night with a force of men. A stampede has set in.
-Reno Evening Gazette, August 3, 1908

PIONEER OF STATE HAS ENCOURAGING WORDS FOR BONNIE BRIAR MINING DISTRICT
James. L. McCulloch, one of the oldest residents of this state and also a pioneer of California is today in Reno from Bonnie Briar for the purpose of attending to business matters and also to arrange for a trip into the Buckskin mining district.
In speaking of Bonnie Briar this morning, Mr. McCullogh said-- "Bonnie Briar was first discovered in the seventies and at the time I went into the camp and prospected around a bit. Later, the camp was worked for placer and now they are again working the ledges. The old Yosemite mine of that district produced in the early days nearly $2,000,000 and is still a good property. It is a patented claim but at present is not being worked. In 1903 I went back to the camp and found many Chinamen working the placers. I then turned my attention to quartz mining, made a number of locations and later purchased other property. At the present time myself and associates are working quite a number of men and taking out much ore. We have at the present time one of the greatest bodies of ore in the state, Goldfield not excepted. Last week James Kane, formerly manager of the Minnie Haley at Butte City was in the camp examining our property and his son who is now an engineer for the Amalgamated Copper was there also. At the conclusion of the visit and the examination, after taking over four hundred samples, they said that the judged the property one of the greatest they had seen in many long years. John. J. O'Mara of Butte was the instigator of their visit. He is an old Virginia City man and has an interest in Bonnie Briar. They want to buy 51 per cent of our stock, but we are not prepared to sell. The property is gold, silver, and copper, and we are shipping high grade ore steadily. Bonnie Briar is fourteen miles east of Mill City in Humboldt county and there is a good road to the S.P. There are at present more than 300 there and I expect to see the camp grow rapidly and be one of the most prosperous camps in the state."
-Reno Evening Gazette, November 2, 1909

A FEW carpenters, miners, and labvorers can find employment at Bonnie Briar. Take train on S.P.R.R. to Mill City, Nevada.
-classified ad, Reno Evening Gazette, December 16, 1909

Tip Top

The location of Tip Top seems to be shrouded in mystery. The USGS Geographic Names Information System clearly puts its location at 40.7410162 -117.9009673, 10 miles east of Mill City, their cite being Gamett, James, and Paher, Stanley W. Nevada Post Offices. However, if one views the actual "Location of Proposed Post Office" form, it very clearly places it in a different location; the bottom right hand corner of T33N R36E, where sections 26, 25, 36, and 35 intersect. Further, it specifies that it's on the road to "Natches [sic]Pass." The postal application also says that Barber Canyon Creek is to the north one mile. This would put the location well south of where Paher and Gamett say it would be, which we say would be closer to 40°41'44.68"N 117°53'23.16"W. Another possibility would be the location of Bonnie Brier, as the map drawing shows the road to Natches Pass turning almost straight north.

Regardless of its location, the Post Office application is dated April 28, 1908 for Humboldt County (Pershing County wasn't formed until 1919) No mention in Basso's book of Tip Top.

Gemville

The early settelement, also known as Gem City, was southeast of Barbersville and served by the Dun Glen post office.
-Nevada Place Names, Carlson

Gemville also shows on 1864 plat map

Contemporay with Barbersville, Gem City grew up about two miles to the south of Barbersville. The town bloomed and withered rapidly. It was named for a prominent mine, the Gem.
-Dave Basso, "Ghosts of the Humboldt Region, 1970

Straub

Can't find out much about this place. The name shows up on a 1937 Pershing County Nevada DOT map, and there were some buildings and mining activity happening at that time. Moving the map "time" slider on Google maps shows some ponds and modern buildings appearing around 2001.

Straub was a placer mining community one canyon south of Barber Canyon. Most of the work was done in the 1880's and 1890's by Chinese laborers.
-Dave Basso, "Ghosts of the Humboldt Region, 1970

Lots to see up here-- ruins are scattered all over, although many were burned in the recent fire. Roads are rutted from the rain so be prepared. We pulled a guy and his pickup out of a rut after he got high-centered and stuck. Electriccal issues on Luis's "new" quad kept us from exploring everything we wanted to. They're still mining up here so beware ore trucks and such.