The Hydraulic Press

How A Rich Claim Was Found.—The Gold Hill claim in Western Utah, was found in November, 1858, in the following manner: A party of hunters, consisting of Comstock, Finney alias "Virginia," John Bishop alias "French John," and Henderson, all of whom had been out in pursuit of a deer, having driven it from Washoe Valley over the "divide" east to Gold Hill. When on the top of the hill, Comstock remarked to Virginia: "When we get down to that hill, or bluff of rocks, we will take the last of our rum."—After descending and traveling through the snow which covered the entire ground save the spurs of rocks over this claim, the party sat down on a bluff of rock and "took the last of the rum;" and while resting one of the party discovered a badger's hole and some fresh earth, some of which French John washed and found it to contain gold. The whole party agreed to keep the discovery a secret until the snow should melt off. At a later date, members of the party commenced working, and found that massive fortunes were in waiting for their labor. Soon after, the news of the rich discovery began to spread, and it was not long before the ground for two miles north and south was claimed. From this point north for about two miles, including the famous Comstock and Virginia leads, the ground is valued in market at from $500 to $1,000 per foot.—Sac. Union.