Mining in Nevada Traveling History Trunk Nevada State

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Mining in Nevada Traveling History Trunk Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas What’s in the

Mining in Nevada Traveling History Trunk Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas What’s in the Trunk? Made possible by a grant from the Nevada Humanities Council, and the National Endowment for the Humanities

What’s in the trunk? A burro’s pack saddle, strapped onto the burro’s back, allowed

What’s in the trunk? A burro’s pack saddle, strapped onto the burro’s back, allowed a prospector to carry the equipment and supplies he needed to his claim. Burros were not large animals, so packs were fairly small, as you can see. The prospector attached everything to the wooden braces – mining tools, food, water, a wash basin, blankets, and clothing.

What’s in the trunk? The miner’s carbide lamp, developed in the 1890 s, consisted

What’s in the trunk? The miner’s carbide lamp, developed in the 1890 s, consisted of a container made of brass, with a top that screwed onto the base. The top had a nozzle with a shiny reflector behind it. The reflective surface directed the light outward. The flame came out the nozzle, and could be ignited with a flint striker – something like today’s matches.

What’s in the trunk? At first, glance, this miner’s hat might seem like a

What’s in the trunk? At first, glance, this miner’s hat might seem like a baseball cap with an odd holder attached … … until you attach the carbide lamp! Smithsonian Institution, The National Museum of American History

What’s in the trunk? Union Carbide sold ‘fuel’ for their miner’s lamps in containers

What’s in the trunk? Union Carbide sold ‘fuel’ for their miner’s lamps in containers like this one. Calcium carbide lumps – or small chunks -- were placed in the lower chamber of the lamp, and water was placed in the upper chamber. Water would drip into the chamber slowly, creating the acetylene gas that was ignited to produce the flame – and light for the miner. The gas burned cleanly and provided bright light.

What’s in the trunk? Gold scales, found in an assayer’s office, measured the weight

What’s in the trunk? Gold scales, found in an assayer’s office, measured the weight of the gold brought in by a prospector. An assayer was an important person in town. Assayers had to understand how to measure the amount of precious metals, and how to extract them as well. It was a complex job. UNLV Special Collections

What’s in the trunk? A miner’s candlestick at right is in the collections of

What’s in the trunk? A miner’s candlestick at right is in the collections of the Nevada State Museum; the image below helps us understand where the candle was placed, and how the pointed end could fit nicely into a crack in a rock face. Since the candle would be the miner’s only source of light, the miner would place the candlestick above his eye level, out of his way.

What’s in the trunk? A miner’s drill steel was driven into the wall of

What’s in the trunk? A miner’s drill steel was driven into the wall of the mine with a jack hammer. A smaller jack hammer weighed 4 ½ lbs. , but a larger ‘double’ jack hammer weighed 9 lbs. , and was probably used by a team of two men, working together – one to hold the drill steel, and the other to drive the hammer. The team had to work carefully, so that the jack hammer would hit its mark – and not the other miner’s hand. Once the hold was drilled, dynamite was put into the hole and ignited. The ore was blasted away.

What’s in the trunk? A miner’s pick was a very important tool. With its

What’s in the trunk? A miner’s pick was a very important tool. With its long wood handle and double-pointed iron bar, a miner loosened and broke up soil and rocks, exposing the minerals below.

What’s in the trunk? A prospector’s pan was essential for a ‘placer miner’ or

What’s in the trunk? A prospector’s pan was essential for a ‘placer miner’ or a prospector. The miner would mix sand, which might contain gold flakes, with water, and then move the pan in a circular motion to rinse the sand separate the heavier gold flakes, which would settle to the bottom.

What’s in the trunk? Ore was brought up from the mine shafts in carts,

What’s in the trunk? Ore was brought up from the mine shafts in carts, running on rails, by using a pulley and winch. The pulley is a powerful simple machine! Remember, the job of a pulley is to make lifting heavy objects easier. They do that by changing the direction of the weight being moved. It is harder to lift a heavy object straight up, than it is to use a pulley to pull down on the weight, using the pulley’s rope, and still lift the object!

What’s in the trunk? This tin cup and coffee pot set are reproductions –

What’s in the trunk? This tin cup and coffee pot set are reproductions – they have been made recently to look like they would have looked 100 years ago. Tin plates, coffee pots, and cups were light weight, and would not break the way china or glassware would.

What’s in the trunk? A tobacco tin, keeping tobacco dry. The Prince Albert brand

What’s in the trunk? A tobacco tin, keeping tobacco dry. The Prince Albert brand was introduced in 1907, and was produced by the R. J. Reynolds company. Many prospectors and miners used tobacco products that came in tins like this one. Once the tobacco tin was empty, it served as a dry, safe place to store the miner’s claim.

What’s in the trunk? Prospectors would mark their mining claims by placing a copy

What’s in the trunk? Prospectors would mark their mining claims by placing a copy of the claim in a tin like this one, and then building a monument of stones to cover it. Mining claims were filed with the Clerk of the county where the claim was located. A claim included a physical description of the mineral area as well as the prospector's name. The mining claim was a legal document protecting the prospector’s land.

What’s in the trunk? A washbasin was essential to use for bathing, cleaning clothes,

What’s in the trunk? A washbasin was essential to use for bathing, cleaning clothes, and washing dishes. Prospectors had to carry their water supply with them, for they often worked where there was no available water supply.

What’s in the trunk? There were many steps to process ore. This iron mill

What’s in the trunk? There were many steps to process ore. This iron mill ball played an important part in the third step. But let’s back up … First, the ore went into a crusher, where it would be reduced to pea-size pieces. Next, crushed ore would go to a stamp mill, and ground to the consistency of sand. Finally, the ball mill – using different size iron balls – reduced the ore to a powdery consistency. In the final step, the chemical cyanide was used to remove the precious gold and silver.

What’s in the trunk? Two crucibles, used in the process of assaying metals like

What’s in the trunk? Two crucibles, used in the process of assaying metals like gold and silver. Note that the larger crucible has cracked. A crucible is a pottery cup capable of being heated to very high temperatures – temperatures hot enough to melt ore, and separate the different metals present in a rock sample. ▪ Powdered ore was placed in a crucible and melted. ▪ The ore formed a button shape in the bottom of the crucible. ▪ The button was then weighed so the assayer could measure the quality of the ore.

What’s in the trunk? This smaller crucible can fit in the palm of your

What’s in the trunk? This smaller crucible can fit in the palm of your hand. When heated, the gold or silver would form a small button in the crucible, that could then be weighed. To “assay” is to analyze an ore sample, in order to determine the quantity of gold, silver, or other metal in it.

What’s in the trunk? This iron ladle was used to melt gold and silver.

What’s in the trunk? This iron ladle was used to melt gold and silver. Once melted, it was poured into ingots (long, narrow rectangular shapes), or other molds. Below, a ‘metallurgist’ pours molten metal into molds. At bottom right, we see another shape mold.