Lynchburg Daily Virginian

Monster Lump of Gold in San Francisco.

An immense lump of quartz gold has been found in Calaveras county, weighing 161 pounds or 2,576 avoirdupois. Estimating it to contain 20 pounds of quartz rock, which is a large allowance, in the opinion of experienced persons who examined it, the actual weight of the gold in it will be 141 pounds, or 2,256 ounces avoirdupois, the value of which, at $17 25 per ounce, would be $38,919. This is the largest lump of pure gold ever found in California or in the world. It was brought down to the city yesterday by Adams & Co., and will be shipped to the Atlantic States in the steamer of to-day. The proprietors of it were so excited by their good luck that they sat up besides their treasure night and day on its way here. Mr. Perkins, one of the company to whom it belongs, states that it was taken out in Calaveras county, on Wednesday evening, November 22d, just as the Company were about quitting work for the day. He would not give any particulars in regard to where the claim is located, except that it is in the county above named. The company consists of four Americans and one Swiss. Mr. Perkins belongs to Lexington, Kentucky, and for the past two years, although he has labored hard, was not very successful, never having more than $50 at any time during that period. The length of this immense mass is about 16 inches. As one side is extremely irregular and uneven in its formation, it is difficult to arrive at the exact thickness, but it will probably average four inches. The other side is almost flat and presents a solid mass of pure gold; the only quartz perceivable is on the upper or ragged side, and some pieces are so loosely imbedded in the precious metal that, with the aid of a pointed instrument they might be easily removed. The whole mass, at some period, has apparently been in a fused state.—San Francisco Gazette.