Donnelly District

The Donnelly district includes a gold mine operated by James Raser who built a 5-stamp mill in 1911.

Lincoln states that Raser discovered the mine. Vanderburg states that a cowboy discovered gold in 1907 and sold to Raser.

"The Donnelly Mountain Mine Co., has been incorporated with a capital of $10,000 to operate the Donnelly Mountain, Belle of the West, Antelope, Lava Butte, Lulu B and Klondike claims, in the northwester portion of Humboldt County. Directors are James Raser, G. J. Blanchett [sic], John Raser and H. L. Norton of Gerlach. James Raser is manager. It is planned to start work immediately." (Mining and Engineering World)

"What can be accomplished in mine development by one man is splendidly illustrated when one visits the property of James Raser, located 40 miles west of Gerlach and about 10 miles north of Leadville. This property was first noticed by Mr. Raser while riding the range for cattle. So firmly was he impressed with the surface showing that he quit the cattle business and turned his attention to the development of this property. It was a difficult proposition that confronted him, as the property lies far up in the mountains and required the grading of a road for several miles before it could be reached by team, and, worst of all, the snow is so deep during the winter months in that section that freighting to the mine is almost impossible. However, he went to work with a will, taking out ore during the summer months, shipping the higher grade to get funds with which to build a mill, and today he has an up-to-date 5-stamp mil1, plates and concentmtor. The mill is run by a 35-horsepower Charter gasoline engine. The mine is developed through a series of tunnels to a depth of 250 feet. The vein is very flat and the stopes are held by stulls and back filling." (The 1913 Annual Report of the State Inspector of Mines)

Carlson states Granite Creek was "a former gold mining district, located in May 1902 by James Raiser [sic] and James D. Murray of Granite Creek. In August, 1902, the name was changed to Donnelly and the town or Raiser City was laid out."

It could be that the Donnelly District was named after J.P. Donnelley, the superintendent of the Nevada State Police.

References

• Mining and Engineering World, Volume 41, 1914

See Also

• H.F. Bonham, Jr., L.J. Garside, R.B. Jones, K.G. Papke, J.Quade, and J.V. Tingle, OF1985-03: A mineral inventory of the Paradise-Denio -- and Sonoma-Gerlach Resource Areas, Winnemucca District, Nevada," Staggs District, p 35, 1985.
• Helen S. Carlson, "Nevada Place Names: A Geographical Dictionary," p. 126 (1974)
• Reno Evening Gazette, Friday, August 08, 1913, p. 2.
• Annual Report of the State Inspector of Mines," p. 36, 1913.
• "James Raser Claims are now incorporated", Reno Evening Gazette, Wednesday, July 01, 1914, Page 4. (Has Blancett spelled correctly).
• Carl Halem Geologic Assessment of the Golden Arrow and Quail Mining Properties, Nevada, April 22, 2011.