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VOLUME 4 NUMBER 38
There is NO charge for attending the Western Washington Chapter of GPAA meetings and visitors are always welcomed.
Next regular meeting on
May 14, 2011
1:00 - 3:00 P.M.
Elim Lutheran Church
5911 East Hillcrest Drive
Port Orchard, WA 98366
Reminder
Before you take off for the hills on a planned event with -WWGPAA. Make sure to check the Website, Face book page, or call the outings Chairman or president Lonny Meadows just to make sure there are no last minute changes to the plans. If you have any questions you can always contact Lonny or the outings chairman Even though we try to keep our information current, last minute changes do happen.
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If you have tips, news or pictures for newsletter, call me at 360-268-1852 email -jrc98595@yahoo.com, or fill out the form on the Contact Us page on the Web site. You can always bring it to the meeting.
Mark your Calendar for these up coming outings
May 19-22 2011 Blue Bucket Outing More information
May 20-22 2011 Waddell Creek GPAA Claim More info
If you want more information, please contact
Lonny Meadows: 253-333-8931
WWGPAA Facebook Page
Continued from last month
GOLD TRIP 1876
By Ray Pierce
Not until I get to the Post Office. They are not going to get me drunk and rob me of my gold. I had timed my arrival in town to the Post Office opening. When I got to the front door, the Postmaster saw me and invited me into the back of the office. He knew I would have some gold to sell and a deposit to make in my account. When he saw my gold, his eyes almost came out of his head. When he got through weighing it, I had 92 ounces. I put all but $90.00 into my account. Looking at the total I may not have to go again for a couple of years.
When I leave the post office I see Larry*s wagon at the blacksmith shop. I went over to see him. He didn*t appear surprised to see me back. He reminded me that usually I don*t take a month and a half to work my mine. I gave him $30.00 to take care of Lucy and told him she would be at my shack outside of town. Then I led Lucy to my shack and unpacked. I put her into the town corral by my place for Larry to pick up on his way home. I*m glad I saw him in town. I*m anxious to get to the saloon and get a large bowl of stew, some sourdough bread and some beer and whiskey.
Everybody at the bar greets me and offers to buy me a drink. They ask all kinds of questions. Do they really think I have a hard rock mine? Do they really think I*m going to tell them where I go? Oh well, for the next couple of weeks I won*t have to pay for any drinks or meals.
I talk to the sheriff when he buys me a drink and ask if there have been any more stage robberies. He says no, the 3 robbers must have left the country for better pickings. I agree with him. I just don*t tell him they have left this world. Maybe someday, someone will find their bones in the sagebrush.
The conversation turns to another prospector. Nobody likes the guy, so they don*t sound unhappy when they say he moved out of town. It seems he left about the same time I did. Nobody is sure when he left, because he never associated with the townsfolk. I didn*t tell them I think he was the one following me. I wonder if he went clear into Mexico or did he head off to California when he got to the river and still couldn*t find me again. If he doesn*t learn to read gold and get rid of the lazy habit, he won*t get much gold anywhere.
Later that evening Tom, the storekeeper, came by the saloon to welcome me back. I gave him $40.00 for $25.00 of groceries. By keeping him as a friend I know I can always get supplies for another trip.
I woke up the next afternoon in a bedroll in the back of the saloon. It*s good to be back in town again. that is until next time.
REMINDER
All persons must be GPAA members in good standing to work the WWGPAA claim, or to attend WGPAA outings.
WWGPAA MINUTES, GENERAL MEETING APRIL 9, 2011.
Meeting was called to order by Kim.
Pledge of allegiance was led by Lonny.
A memorial for R. C Segan was held by Lonny. Edna Segan and her children were present.
Guests and new members were introduced. In attendance: Corny Kucius-Manchester, Cliff Lindstrum-McCleary, Gene Gregory-McCleary, Leon Likens-Gig Harbor, Richard Mallard-Silverdale, Kari Estell, Eric Fadley-Spanoway, Wanda Hightower, Mary Symington.
Printed minutes from the last meeting were provided. A motion was made to accept as presented by Rich, second by Bela, passed.
Committee: President: Several contacts via e-mail.
No other reports.
OLD BUSINESS:
Outings:
Redbird, April 16-17, 2011. Camping will be at Sequim Bay State Park. We are to meet at the park at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday and car pool to the site after a brief meeting. Suggestions for activities at the potluck will be offered at that time. The State Park is 2 miles past the Seven Seasons Casino.
Blue Bucket. The money is needed today. Sign up for potluck today. The final count is 47 for the outing.
Gold show report given by Barbara Kovacs. A good turnout of helpers. The art work sold 1516 tickets. The proceeds were given to several legal defense funds for prospectors. John Heck, from our club, won the art piece.
Honoring past president Rob Matthews. Barbara made a plaque to present to Rob. The thank you card was made available for any to sign who has not.
Barbara gave a report on beach mining. There will be no beach mining this year.
Richard gave legislative update.
Ray reports a bill has passed the House that is contrary to our mining activities. It has to pass the Senate before becoming law. We must stand against these bills.
NEW BUSINESS:
Lonny requests that two people be added to the bank account. As of now, only Lonny has access to the account. Lonny requests Kim, Vice-President, and Dannie DeForrest, Board Member to be added to the account. Phil Lato made the motion to add Kim Knise and Dannie DeForrest to the Kitsap Credit Union Account. Jim Curtis seconded the motion. No discussion. Motion passed.
Vince Grasso, State GPAA representative, attended the Spokane chapter kickoff meeting. He reports it was well attended. He gave them a list of of our outings.
A video on panning was played, after which we adjourned outside for practical panning practice. Lonny provided tubs, pans, and material to practice with.
Ray gave a lecture on specific gravity.
The raffle was held.
Meeting adjourned.
Message from our President
Our April meeting was well attended, with several new members.
A memorial was held for charter member RC Segan. RC was a friend to all, spoke to everyone, and never had a harsh word at any of the meetings. He is missed.
A panning video was played, and then we had a hands-on practice with real gold. I feel it went well and was fun. For the May meeting, as the Blue Bucket outing is the weekend after, and I will be leaving for the camp immediately after the meeting, I am not scheduling any demos. I plan on doing dry washer for the June meeting.
We have a total of 47 signed up for the Blue Bucket outing. I am very excited and hope all goes well, and there is gold in the pan for all who come.
Barbara Kovacs made a very special plaque for past president Rob Matthews. I am sure he will be pleased with it. We thank him for the dedication and work he put into the WWGPAA club.
We still need ideas for the meetings. Please help.
Hope to see you all at the May meeting. Lonny.
Where is the treasure of the
Lost Blue Bucket Mine?
On Aug. 25, 1845, a large party of settlers crossing the plains on their way to the Oregon country left the established trail and traveled along the previously untracked Malheur River in eastern Oregon. In the weeks that followed, the group happened upon a spring in which shiny yellow pebbles were found. Some of these pebbles were tossed into a blue bucket carried by one of the immigrants but were later lost.
Three years later when gold was discovered in California, this incident was recalled by some of the party members and thus began the search for the mythical Blue Bucket Mine. Gold was discovered, but in other locations. To this day the location of the Blue Bucket Mine remains unknown.
The search for the Blue Bucket Mine has been going on since.The mine is believed to be on a tributary of the John Day River in Oregon, but it hasn't been yet found.
Note from editor:
My great great grandfather was a child on that wagon train, and spent his adult life looking for the gold.
Reprinted from Jan. 2008 newsletter
Here's some of the expert's thoughts on mistakes to avoid when Gold Panning and Prospecting.
To quote them on their suggestions...
1. Not digging deep enough
2. Not seasoning your gold pan
3. Investing in heavy equipment too soon.
4. Failing to do enough sample panning
5. Not checking your tailing closely
6. Not being patient enough and panning too quickly
7. Not fully cleaning your equipment before moving to another area (causing samples to become tainted)
8. Not putting water in your pan before adding gravels.
9. Not knowing what to do when you do find gold.
And my personal favorite --
10. Not spending enough time prospecting when gold was at $200 an oz..
Reprinted from a previous issue
Drawing shared with us by Don Kirst
I found several mining related drawings that my father did. My father as a youth followed his father throughout the Colorado Rockies in search of gold.
I don't know if these drawings are from memory or pictures that he saw. He drew all these when he was in his 80's.
GPAA Facebook Page.
Gold Fever Facebook Page
APRIL 2011
