Anyone who has grown up in Blandford during the past thirty or forty years can tell stories about the lost gold mine. One tale often repeated concerns an old gentleman who lived during the 1700's and who quite by accident discovered a deposit of gold and silver. He told some friends about it and promised to lead them to the spot. However, on the day appointed, as the gentleman led his friends through the forest, a terrible storm arose, and they were forced to turn back. The old man took this as a sign from the Lord and never more returned to the site of his discovery. Another story that is often told in town concerns a working gold mine that was in operation around the turn of the century. For some reason the shaft was sunk through the bed of a brook, thus necessitating a constant pumping to eliminate water every time a miner went down to dig. According to this story, the mine produced nothing of any value except for a single nugget that was smuggled out in the pocket of one of the miners. The first story is doubtless based on one found in Sumner Gilbert Wood's book ULSTER SCOTS AND BLANDFORD SCOUTS (see p. 268). The source of the second story cannot be pinpointed, at least at this time.
Chances are, also, that anyone who lived his teen years in Blandford has been on at least one expedition searching for this legendary mine. There are a few clues to its location, the prime one probably being Gold Mine Brook, so named, everyone presumes, due to its proximity to the diggings. But Nature takes a dim view of Man's poking and prodding, and in a few short decades, bushes, vines and trees can quite thoroughly camouflage even the most garish disfigurement of the land- scape. The Chester-Blandford area, in what is now largely state forest land, was once the site of many different kinds of excavations; there were mica mines and quartz and feldspar quarries, to name just a few. Although several of these have come to light, the gold mine has so far eluded the seekers.
The question might well be asked, "Was there ever really a gold mine in Blandford?" The answer to that is a definite "Yes!" It is a strange story which contains the elements of a classic mystery, even including ghosts - well, at least one ghost! The first solid evidence to prove the existence of the Blandford Gold Mine lies in the Porter Memorial Library in Blandford. It consists of a small booklet entitled "By-Laws of the Blandford Mining Co."; it was printed in Springfield in 1880. This pamphlet also includes a list of officers and directors and "A Brief Account of the Discovery, History and Location of the Mine." The reader can judge for himself how vaguely the location is described in the following:
In the early summer of 1873, some gentlemen of leisure residing in Springfield, made a trip among the hills and valleys of Chester and Blandford, and in their rambles came across a rock (where the mine is now located), and broke off a piece of it and took it home to show to a few persons acquainted with minerals and mining. Without hesitation, they told them that if it came from California, they should say that it was a good indication of silver or gold. After a few days of hesitation, they concluded to see if there was anything valuable there; and, if so, try and obtain it. Leasing the land and continuing excavations, they soon struck a wall rock; and, as they went deeper, began to find specimens of mineral ores, which they exhibited to several geologists- - among them Prof. Manes of New Haven, Ct., who pronounced them good; said that such specimens indicated a near approach to a rich vein of gold or silver. When at the depth of about twenty feet, finding a handsome piece of rock, and not knowing whether it contained anything of value, they submitted it to an assayer, who found it to contain $19.98 in gold and 16 ounces of silver per ton of 2,000 pounds. When at the depth of ten feet more, another assay was made, showing increased richness of the ore.
With this encouragement, they took in other associates, and pushed forward with greater vigor. From time to time other assays were made, resulting in still richer specimens of the finest gold and silver. The shaft is now one hundred and eight feet deep, and those having charge of the mine think they have uncapped a rich vein, mostly of silver - but as much worth in gold as silver- as the last six inches contained several pieces of silver quartz, as large as a large native walnut, so free from stone that they could be hammered down like lead, without breaking; and they are unanimous in thinking that all that is wanted to make it a paying mine is machinery, etc., to put it in running order. The company has purchased the land which was first leased about two hundred acres, and now have full control. Beside the mine, there are some thirty or forty acres of Feldspar and Vitreous Quartz, and that of itself is quite valuable. There are some other minerals also which have not been tested enough to be mentioned.
Following the above explanation is a list of assays from three different companies, one in New York, one in Newburyport, Mass., and one in New Haven, Conn. All testify to the fact that the ore from the mine contains substantial amounts of gold and silver. This little booklet appears to have been designed to attract investors into the company, and for this reason it paints a rosy picture. We can only wonder if it was successful; there are no clues to tell us if any investors came forward.
The next solid evidence as to the existence of the gold mine is found in a series of newspaper articles published in the Springfield Daily Republican during the year of 1877. The first one, dated April 2, introduces us to the gold mine- and to its resident ghost:
The true story of the Blandford gold mining operation is told in a communication to the Republican this morning. A company of Springfield Spiritualists, who have already laid out several thousand dollars and just bought 200 acres of land, claim to be working entirely under the spiritual guidance of "Old Hill," a California veteran. Those who have seen the shaft at Blandford doubt somewhat the practical mining skill of the ex-Hill, but he seems to be a benevolently inclined spirit, who predicts that the faithful are to reap a fortune out of his mine and directs that they share it liberally with the poor. It may be said in favor of "Old Hill," too, that he knows a good thing when he sees it, as he specially directed that the statement of his mining speculation should first appear in the Springfield Republican. Yet we doubt if Almoner Bartlett and Manager Osgood of the new relief association get any immediate funds from the Blandford hills mining company, and, as for the miners, they have shown an ability to live on their faith in the good things to come...
It is clear from his tone that the reporter who wrote the above article was poking fun at the Blandford gold mine venture. Spiritualism, which had quite a large number of followers in the late 1800's, was sometimes ridiculed in the press. This next item, taken from the Springfield Republican of April 21, 1877, shows much the same cynical attitude:
C. I. Leonard of this city, one of the company of spiritualists and miners who are digging for gold at Blandford under the spiritual direction of "Old Hill," an ex-California miner, has a word for those who would discourage the delving faithful and others who propose enlisting with them. As Mr. Leonard could not of personal knowledge testify that the first assay of gold in the ore, reputed to yield about $2,000 per ton, was taken from the Blandford hills, Spirit Hill has directed the second assay of one taken by Leonard from the mine. This, Mr. Leonard testifies, has been done as follows, Prof. Richards of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology testifying to the correctness of the assay: "This paper certifies 89 2/10 grains of gold-bearing quartz, handed by you to me have been smelted at the laboratory of the Institute of Technology and yielded a globule of gold weighing 5 63/100 grains, which is at the rate of 1839 ounces 96 grains per ton of 2,000 pounds, or $37,887.52 per ton, calling gold worth $20.60 per ounce."
On Saturday, May 5, 1877, a small news item appears which, although not about the gold mine, refers indirectly to it. In speaking of a projected porcelain factory, the article states: "The Chester mica mine and extensive feldspar quarry. lies [sic] very near the Blandford line and close to the gold mine which the spiritualists are working under the direction of "Old Hill." This certainly would seem to help place the location of the elusive gold mine!
Another small item in the May 17, 1877, newspaper simply lets us know that the work continues at the diggings: "The Blandford gold miners have shown their faith by their works, for President Leonard of this city went to Russell with tools and new machinery yesterday to begin work for the summer. Big results are expected."
At this point we may well ask, "Why did President Leonard go to Russell with his tools if the gold mine was in Blandford?"
A good question! Or is it a clue? Was the mine perhaps somewhere near the Russell town line? And doesn't this contradict the apparent clue in the May 5th article which seems to pinpoint the location as near to Chester? These are more good questions!
From May until August, the old newspapers make no mention of the gold mine. But on August 17 an article appears in which the previously condescending tone of the reporter has changed to one of some respect. The article even has a headline. It reads thus:
BLANDFORD'S UNDERGROUND TREASURES
The miners of Blandford, who began their work, it will be remembered, under the direction of spirits, have struck "pay gravel" at a depth of 108 feet, much of the distance being through the hardest rock, and have suspended operations to put in machinery for the more extended working of the vein and crushing of the ores. The specimens of the ore used for assay, C. I. Leonard of this city says, were taken at random by himself, who has no practical knowledge of ores, and were submitted to Prof. Robert H. Richards of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. By his assay, the yield of precious metals per ton is $929 of gold and $774 of silver, a total of $1703. The vein is quite narrow at present, but the projectors expect it to widen as they progress, when they will start lateral shafts.
It would appear that as of August, 1877, the gold mine was doing well and the miners were on their way to making a fortune; but a search of the newspapers from this date through August 8, 1877, has failed so far to reveal any more information about the subject. Since the pamphlet containing the by-laws of the mining company was printed in 1880, it can be safely assumed that gold and silver were being produced at least up until that time. But here the trail grows cold and the searcher is left with a series of questions. Did the seemingly lucrative find prove to be only a small vein which became quickly exhausted and thus was abandoned? Did the miners lose faith in the venture and in their ghostly leader and gradually drift away? Or did Old Hill himself, in a fit of anger at his followers' lack of charity for the poor (which, as may be recalled, was one of his original stipulations), smite them with his ghostly power and make the whole mine, machinery, tools and all, disappear one day in a puff of smoke?
Perhaps someone reading this may know of another clue besides those mentioned here and will be able to renew the search with favorable results. There is an aura of romance about a lost gold mine, and even if the gold is no longer there, the person who finds its former location may count himself a successful explorer!
Chances are, also, that anyone who lived his teen years in Blandford has been on at least one expedition searching for this legendary mine. There are a few clues to its location, the prime one probably being Gold Mine Brook, so named, everyone presumes, due to its proximity to the diggings. But Nature takes a dim view of Man's poking and prodding, and in a few short decades, bushes, vines and trees can quite thoroughly camouflage even the most garish disfigurement of the land- scape. The Chester-Blandford area, in what is now largely state forest land, was once the site of many different kinds of excavations; there were mica mines and quartz and feldspar quarries, to name just a few. Although several of these have come to light, the gold mine has so far eluded the seekers.
The question might well be asked, "Was there ever really a gold mine in Blandford?" The answer to that is a definite "Yes!" It is a strange story which contains the elements of a classic mystery, even including ghosts - well, at least one ghost! The first solid evidence to prove the existence of the Blandford Gold Mine lies in the Porter Memorial Library in Blandford. It consists of a small booklet entitled "By-Laws of the Blandford Mining Co."; it was printed in Springfield in 1880. This pamphlet also includes a list of officers and directors and "A Brief Account of the Discovery, History and Location of the Mine." The reader can judge for himself how vaguely the location is described in the following:
In the early summer of 1873, some gentlemen of leisure residing in Springfield, made a trip among the hills and valleys of Chester and Blandford, and in their rambles came across a rock (where the mine is now located), and broke off a piece of it and took it home to show to a few persons acquainted with minerals and mining. Without hesitation, they told them that if it came from California, they should say that it was a good indication of silver or gold. After a few days of hesitation, they concluded to see if there was anything valuable there; and, if so, try and obtain it. Leasing the land and continuing excavations, they soon struck a wall rock; and, as they went deeper, began to find specimens of mineral ores, which they exhibited to several geologists- - among them Prof. Manes of New Haven, Ct., who pronounced them good; said that such specimens indicated a near approach to a rich vein of gold or silver. When at the depth of about twenty feet, finding a handsome piece of rock, and not knowing whether it contained anything of value, they submitted it to an assayer, who found it to contain $19.98 in gold and 16 ounces of silver per ton of 2,000 pounds. When at the depth of ten feet more, another assay was made, showing increased richness of the ore.
With this encouragement, they took in other associates, and pushed forward with greater vigor. From time to time other assays were made, resulting in still richer specimens of the finest gold and silver. The shaft is now one hundred and eight feet deep, and those having charge of the mine think they have uncapped a rich vein, mostly of silver - but as much worth in gold as silver- as the last six inches contained several pieces of silver quartz, as large as a large native walnut, so free from stone that they could be hammered down like lead, without breaking; and they are unanimous in thinking that all that is wanted to make it a paying mine is machinery, etc., to put it in running order. The company has purchased the land which was first leased about two hundred acres, and now have full control. Beside the mine, there are some thirty or forty acres of Feldspar and Vitreous Quartz, and that of itself is quite valuable. There are some other minerals also which have not been tested enough to be mentioned.
Following the above explanation is a list of assays from three different companies, one in New York, one in Newburyport, Mass., and one in New Haven, Conn. All testify to the fact that the ore from the mine contains substantial amounts of gold and silver. This little booklet appears to have been designed to attract investors into the company, and for this reason it paints a rosy picture. We can only wonder if it was successful; there are no clues to tell us if any investors came forward.
The next solid evidence as to the existence of the gold mine is found in a series of newspaper articles published in the Springfield Daily Republican during the year of 1877. The first one, dated April 2, introduces us to the gold mine- and to its resident ghost:
The true story of the Blandford gold mining operation is told in a communication to the Republican this morning. A company of Springfield Spiritualists, who have already laid out several thousand dollars and just bought 200 acres of land, claim to be working entirely under the spiritual guidance of "Old Hill," a California veteran. Those who have seen the shaft at Blandford doubt somewhat the practical mining skill of the ex-Hill, but he seems to be a benevolently inclined spirit, who predicts that the faithful are to reap a fortune out of his mine and directs that they share it liberally with the poor. It may be said in favor of "Old Hill," too, that he knows a good thing when he sees it, as he specially directed that the statement of his mining speculation should first appear in the Springfield Republican. Yet we doubt if Almoner Bartlett and Manager Osgood of the new relief association get any immediate funds from the Blandford hills mining company, and, as for the miners, they have shown an ability to live on their faith in the good things to come...
It is clear from his tone that the reporter who wrote the above article was poking fun at the Blandford gold mine venture. Spiritualism, which had quite a large number of followers in the late 1800's, was sometimes ridiculed in the press. This next item, taken from the Springfield Republican of April 21, 1877, shows much the same cynical attitude:
C. I. Leonard of this city, one of the company of spiritualists and miners who are digging for gold at Blandford under the spiritual direction of "Old Hill," an ex-California miner, has a word for those who would discourage the delving faithful and others who propose enlisting with them. As Mr. Leonard could not of personal knowledge testify that the first assay of gold in the ore, reputed to yield about $2,000 per ton, was taken from the Blandford hills, Spirit Hill has directed the second assay of one taken by Leonard from the mine. This, Mr. Leonard testifies, has been done as follows, Prof. Richards of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology testifying to the correctness of the assay: "This paper certifies 89 2/10 grains of gold-bearing quartz, handed by you to me have been smelted at the laboratory of the Institute of Technology and yielded a globule of gold weighing 5 63/100 grains, which is at the rate of 1839 ounces 96 grains per ton of 2,000 pounds, or $37,887.52 per ton, calling gold worth $20.60 per ounce."
On Saturday, May 5, 1877, a small news item appears which, although not about the gold mine, refers indirectly to it. In speaking of a projected porcelain factory, the article states: "The Chester mica mine and extensive feldspar quarry. lies [sic] very near the Blandford line and close to the gold mine which the spiritualists are working under the direction of "Old Hill." This certainly would seem to help place the location of the elusive gold mine!
Another small item in the May 17, 1877, newspaper simply lets us know that the work continues at the diggings: "The Blandford gold miners have shown their faith by their works, for President Leonard of this city went to Russell with tools and new machinery yesterday to begin work for the summer. Big results are expected."
At this point we may well ask, "Why did President Leonard go to Russell with his tools if the gold mine was in Blandford?"
A good question! Or is it a clue? Was the mine perhaps somewhere near the Russell town line? And doesn't this contradict the apparent clue in the May 5th article which seems to pinpoint the location as near to Chester? These are more good questions!
From May until August, the old newspapers make no mention of the gold mine. But on August 17 an article appears in which the previously condescending tone of the reporter has changed to one of some respect. The article even has a headline. It reads thus:
BLANDFORD'S UNDERGROUND TREASURES
The miners of Blandford, who began their work, it will be remembered, under the direction of spirits, have struck "pay gravel" at a depth of 108 feet, much of the distance being through the hardest rock, and have suspended operations to put in machinery for the more extended working of the vein and crushing of the ores. The specimens of the ore used for assay, C. I. Leonard of this city says, were taken at random by himself, who has no practical knowledge of ores, and were submitted to Prof. Robert H. Richards of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. By his assay, the yield of precious metals per ton is $929 of gold and $774 of silver, a total of $1703. The vein is quite narrow at present, but the projectors expect it to widen as they progress, when they will start lateral shafts.
It would appear that as of August, 1877, the gold mine was doing well and the miners were on their way to making a fortune; but a search of the newspapers from this date through August 8, 1877, has failed so far to reveal any more information about the subject. Since the pamphlet containing the by-laws of the mining company was printed in 1880, it can be safely assumed that gold and silver were being produced at least up until that time. But here the trail grows cold and the searcher is left with a series of questions. Did the seemingly lucrative find prove to be only a small vein which became quickly exhausted and thus was abandoned? Did the miners lose faith in the venture and in their ghostly leader and gradually drift away? Or did Old Hill himself, in a fit of anger at his followers' lack of charity for the poor (which, as may be recalled, was one of his original stipulations), smite them with his ghostly power and make the whole mine, machinery, tools and all, disappear one day in a puff of smoke?
Perhaps someone reading this may know of another clue besides those mentioned here and will be able to renew the search with favorable results. There is an aura of romance about a lost gold mine, and even if the gold is no longer there, the person who finds its former location may count himself a successful explorer!
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