Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
BELL GOLD MINING COMPANY
BELL GOLD MINING COMPANY. In 1876 a group of prominent Dubuque residents established a company to mine gold in Plumas County, California. These citizens included Cornelius BAYLESS, J.C. PAINE, and Robert W. STEWART. The property of the company in Plumas County consisted of approximately seventy-five acres of mining ground. By 1870 three mines had already been discovered and examined. The prospectus stated that experts who examined the mines had said they were worth $150,000.
The company was named for the Bell Ledge which was discovered in California in 1873. According to the prospectus, this ledge was the source of deposits in Betsy's Gulch in which "rich surface deposits of quartz gold have been found in years past." Between 1852 and 1879, the prospectus claimed at least $750,000 had been washed from the ravine.
In 1879 addition shares of stock were advertised for sale. The proceeds were to purchase needed equipment. A Mr. Bell and a Mr. Cragin were said to have sold ten thousand shares in Chicago at $100 each, according to Joseph A. RHOMBERG. It was stated, however, that the company wanted to keep the primary ownership in Dubuque. Specimens of the gold-bearing quartz were displayed at the BAYLESS BUSINESS COLLEGE. (1)
In 2016 there was a mention of a Bell Gold Mining Company in Plumas County, California and its land status was unknown. (2)
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Source:
1. "Bell Gold Mining Company," Dubuque Herald, February 18, 1879, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18790218&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
2. "Plumas County, California Mines," US-Mining.com. Online: http://www.us-mining.com/california/plumas-county