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"Historically, gold has been reported along the Iowa River near Steamboat Rock and Eldora in Hardin County; along Otter Creek near West Union, Brush Creek and the Volga River in Fayette and Clayton Counties; along the Des Moines River near Pella, Douds and Farmington; along Vasser creek in northeast Davis County; and along the Little Sioux River near Correctionville in Woodbury County and near the town of Cherokee. Along the Big Sioux River at Klondike in Lyon County, a small placer mining operation recovered gold from river gravel's in the early 1900s -- Iowa's only known commercial gold mining venture."
"In 1853 an Eldora innkeeper named John Ellsworth reported gold on his farm along the Iowa river. As news of the discovery spread, Iowa experienced its own gold rush. It is estimated that as many as 3,000 would-be miners descended on the Eldora area in search of instant wealth; all left disappointed."
"In 1904 a report on the Geology of Fayette County by T.E. Savage (Iowa Geological Survey Annual Report XV) stated that $1.00 to $1.50 worth of gold could be panned from Otter Creek by a "patient washer" in a day. In 1904 an ounce of gold was worth only $20.67. Today with the value of gold about $300 per ounce, a similar day's work could produce gold worth about $25."
Thought you might find this interesting as one never hears much from or about Iowa. This gold comes out of Minnesota and Canada and was deposited when the Des Moines Lobe was formed. I guess there was about a dozen glaciers truckin' through here periodically
Gold Locations In Jasper County Iowa
South Skunk River
Some flake gold has been panned from channel of South Skunk River, South West of Newton and near Hi Way 14. Gold locations are very spotty, but this has been the most productive site we have found this year.
Gold Locations In Mahaska County Iowa
Des Moines River
Fine gold and some flake has been found near the Pella-Harvey bridge that spans the Des Moines River just North of Harvey. River is rip-rapped with old boxcars on North bank at site. Fine gold found in sand layer in river banks on South side and in main channel, if you can get through overburden.
Gold Locations In Marshall County Iowa
Iowa River
Flour gold has been found in Iowa River about 2.5 miles Northwest of Le Grand at the Three Bridges County Recreation area. NORTH WEST OF QUARRY, IOWA Site was once an old mill. Great rapids for operating sluice. Gold was from North side of river, immediately West of the old 1880s bridge (closed off) located in the center of the park. Overburden about 2.5 feet deep if you wish to dredge.
FROM THE HISTORY OF HARDEN COUNTY;
GOLD IN HARDIN COUNTY IOWA
In the spring of 1853, shortly after the organization of the county, John Ellsworth imparted the information to a faithful few that he had discovered gold upon his farm a short distance south of Eldora Iowa. The gold fever, consequent upon the delivery of the precious metal in California, was yet at its height. Prospecting was going on in almost every State in the Union, and dreams of future riches derived from the working of a mine of gold upon their place, took possession of the minds of thousands. Farm operations were neglected in many locations, and with pick and shovel, the farmer went out to search for the gold that was sure to be hid among the rocks on his place.
It was a short time that gold had been discovered in harden county. The press of the country took it up, and the farther from home the news reached, the more marvelous were the stories told and instead of having an Eldora here in Hardin County, it was certain that is was a veritable Eldorado.
Soon the prairie schooners wended their way hither, and during the summer it is estimated that between two and three thousand persons visited the supposed mines, coming here with hopes and leaving very much disappointed. Some would spend a few days in the neighborhood, while others would not remain an hour. Often, it was stated that on arriving within a few miles of the place, the men would stop to inquire the way, and ask after the prospects of the mines. When told that there was probably no gold to be found, they would drive on, swearing that the people here did not want any one to come, but desired to keep all the gold for themselves. On returning with blasted hopes they never thought to stop and apologized for their rude conduct.
Many were the threats mad against the life of the John Ellsworth by the infuriated miners, and it is probable that if he could to have been found on one or two occasions, that he would had suffered a their hands. But the excitement soon died away. Ellsworth continued to provide "entertainment for man or beast" and affairs in Hardin county settled down to its normal condition, the inhabitants content to get their gold as would-be-fisherman secure their fish, by rendering an equivalent.
The mater was not allowed to rest here. In 1857, O. M. Holcomb, the first publisher of the Hardin county sentinel, spent the entire summer in prospecting up and down the river, and reported that he too had found gold. His discoveries, however, caused no excitement, the people being determined to take the matters coolly and philosophically, and if gold were really found in paying quantities, there would be time enough to purchase a pick and shovel.
Twenty-four years—almost a quarter of a century—had passed away, and the gold fever of 1853 had almost passed from the recollection of the oldest inhabitants, when, on Thursday, April 5 1877, the memories were revived, and people became once more excited. About seven miles north of Eldora, on the Iowa River, a bed of black sand was noticed, and sparkling among the Emory-like particles were glittering specks, as of brass filings. Some old miners, drawn to the spot by instinct, got pans and went to work eagerly and in silence. Each pan of the black sand worked out fifty cents of the bright metal, which they pronounced, with most confident air, pure gold. The Eldora Ledger, of April 6, says: "William A. Saucer, of Eldora, happened along at the time, gathering up a lot on the point of his knife from the work shop of Lew Lytle, wrapped it in a paper, and brought it in to the Ledger office for inspection. It is gold beyond a question. A portion was taken to our jeweler, Mr. Nuckolls, who submitted it to every test, and then declared it to be ‘true grit.’ From whence these diminutive nuggets and fine particles of gold are washed, we are unable to state, but there must be a magazine near by from whence the gold-dust drifted." Like the first, the excitement soon passed away, and no one became a millionaire. That pure gold does exist among the rocks and hills along the Iowa River through Hardin County can hardly be questioned; but that it can ever be found in paying quantities, is extremely doubtful.
THANKS TO THE ELDORA PUBLIC LIBRARY. THE ABOVE INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED.
HERE IS A SAMPLE OF IOWA GOLD ( THANKS DOUG AND MACE FOR THE PHOTO!! )
NOTE FROM PAUL;
IOWA GOLD IS REAL FINE LOOKS TO ME LIKE ALASKA BEACH GOLD AND SHOULD BE SET UP ON YOUR DREDGE JUST LIKE YOU WILL FOR ALASKA!! CLASSIFY AND RUN SLOW WATER OR LONG TOM OR WIDER BOX!!
THE CHUNKY STUFF I HAVE BEEN GETTING HERE IS BETWEEN 20 MESH AND 50 MESH, ABOUT THE SIZE OF A HEAD OF A PIN TO THE SIZE OF THE SHAFT OF A PIN, COLOR COUNT ABOUT 1-2 PER 2 CUPS OF MATERIAL IN A PAN. 1/4 TO 1/2 TEASPOON OF BLACK SAND.
2.5" DREDGE COUNT RUN FOR 2 HOURS AND GET 6-20 AROUND 30 MESH. AROUND 4-10 OZ OF LEAD BIRD SHOT, NICE QUARTZ SAND, 1/2 LB OF BLACK SAND (MAGNETITE).
WE ARE WORKING ON SOME OLD GEAR FROM THE TURN OF THE CENTURY WE HAVE PHOTOS HERE AND ARE BUILDING THE STUFF!!
WE WILL POST THE BLUE PRINTS AS SOON AS I GET THEM SCANNED!!
THE OLD GEAR IS SET UP FOR FLOUR RECOVERY WITH HIGH WATER FLOW AND HAS PRIMARY AND SECONDARY COLLECTION.
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WATCH YOUR WATER FLOW, USE JUST ENOUGH TO KEEP THE FLOW SAND WASHING OUT, IF YOU ARE GETTING #9 BIRD SHOT LEAD YOU WILL BE GETTING GOLD! SOAK YOUR BLACKS IN A PLASTIC TUB WITH BLEACH FOR SEVERAL DAYS TO GET BEST RECOVERY, SOME GOLD GETS MOLD OR MATERIAL STUCK TO IT SO SOAK ALL YOUR BLACK SAND!!
I USE A WHEEL FOR THE MATERIAL IN THE GREEN MAT, YOU CAN ALSO USE A MINI HIGHBANKER OR ANOTHER CLEAN UP KIT
I SCREEN TO 20 AND 50 MESH AND THEN RUN SEPARATE BATCHES.
BEST WAY TO RUN TEST PAN FIRST THE AREA YOU ARE GOING TO DREDGE... THEN WHEN DREDGING USE SEPARATE CONTAINERS FOR THE BLACK MAT AND THE LOWER GREEN CARPET, THE BLACK MAT WILL HAVE THE CHUNKY STUFF, SCREEN THIS AND INSPECT THIS MATERIAL IN A GOOD PAN AT THE STREAM, RECOVER THE BIG STUFF ON THE SPOT WITH A SNUFFER BOTTLE AND SAVE THE MATERIAL YOU ARE LEFT WITH FOR THE SOAK, THEN RE PAN IN A FEW WEEKS BY THEN YOU WILL HAVE ENOUGH FOR THE AUTO PANNER!!
RUN SLOW AND GET THE GOLD!!
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