May 23, 1973 (12 pages)

There is an old saying, true or not, that ‘‘gold is where you find it” And, as everyone knows, an awful lot of it was found in California. Just how much is still here and hasn’t been found is problematical. But with the price of gold soaring there is some conjecture that California may see another gold rush this summer. This view is shared by some public officials and vendors of mining equipment. They foresee great activity of the prospecting type with gold panners and thoge seeking to stake out claims flocking to the hills to find their f res. Fish-and Game and Forestry officials report increased interest in dredging permits and fear extensive damage to streams in remote areas if prospecting becomes rampant. Also anticipated is widespread trespassing and disputes over claims. Permission to prospect on private property is required but anyone is free to seek gold on unreserved vacant public land. Information as to what land is open to gold seekers may be obtained from plat maps in the offices of county assessors. Unfortunately, such maps do not show what parts of public lands are open to prospecting and what parts already have been claimed. Claims may be filed on public lands with county recorders. But, since they must be renewed annually, it is likely that most who do file claims this summer will fail to follow through and the claims will revert back to public domain. Most popular with the amateur prospectors is panning. Armed with a shallow pan about 18 inches in diameter the prospector settles down on some stream and washes gravel ‘and sand. The lighter sand and dirt floats away and hopefully in the remains one will find a nugget or at least some gold dust. The more sophisticated panners construct sluice boxes in which. they shovel rock and sand from the stream bed. The stream running through the box washes away the sand and dirt while the riffles in the box retain the heavier material which is then removed and panned. Although some have made modest fortunes through this method the average miner has been lucky to make a living and then only through hard work. More important than the predictions of the amateur miners anticipated to provide some flurry of activity in the forthcoming months is what may or may not happen in connection with major William B. Clark, state geologist who has spent many years with the state investigating gold bearing deposits, says: ‘California has over 20,000 established mines in some 400 gold mining districts. Some of the major mining companies are exploring the possibilities of establishing operations in these areas.” But Clark doubts that the gold industry will become anywhere near as active as it once was. ‘‘With the new interest and the fact there are a large number of deposits in California there is always the possibility of a new discovery or even the reopening of some of the older mines.” He says however he doesn’t believe the deep mines of the Mother Lode will be reopened as the costs would still be too great even with the increased price of gold. Ronald Witt to graduate from college Ronald Lee Witt, son of the L. K. Witts of Grass Valley, is among the 73 seniors in the 1973 commencement class graduating Tuesday (May 22) from LIFE Bible College, Los Angeles, announced Dr. Don McGregor, College dean. _ Graduate of Benicia High WN ~~, Brake Adjustment *1.88 WIDE OVAL TIRES 13°’ RAISED WHITE LETTERS AVAILABLE NOW. RECAPPING SERVICE PLAZA TIRE CO. INC. BEHIND SPD 265-4642 the four-year ministerial course in the Bible training center of the International Church of the PF oursquare Gospel, founded by the late Aimee Semple McPherson, noted Dr. McGregor. He plans to accept an appointment to the pastorate of a church in the denomination, the dean added. MATTHEW WALTERS of Nevada Union High School was presented with a $140 merit award from Joseph G. Moore, vice president of the San Francisco Cow Palace. The presentation was made during the 27th annual Grand National Junior Livestock Exposition for 4-H Club members and Future Farmers of America. (Photo submitted) School, young Witt completed _ Elmo Meister gets newly created job Elmo C. Meister of Marysville is appointed Assistant. District Engineer for Maintenance at State Division of Highways’ District 3 headquarters in Marysville. On making the appointment to this newly created position District Engineer Sam Helwer said, ‘‘I am pleased to appoint a man of Meister’s caliber who has such strong leadership capability and such a high degree of administrative ability.” Meister has been District Maintenance Engineer for almost eight years supervising an annual budget of $12 million and a staff of up to 550 persons. Together their responsibility is upkeep and repair of 1400 miles of state highways and freeways in an 1l-county area. This aiso includes snow removal on major highways including Routes 50 and 80 over the Sierra. In his new post Meister will continue to supervise highway, maintenance and an added responsibility will be traffic operations. Meister was the engineer in charge of mobilizing for and rerouting traffic during the recent Roseville ammunition train explosions. He immediately instituted emergency procedures and worked around the clock with a staff hastily summoned back to work insuring safe passage around the disaster area for weekend motorists. He. was commended by his own and other agencies for this planning and coordinating effort. A native Californian, Meister graduated from Compton College in 1941. He served’ with the U.S. Army infantry during World War II and after discharge began work with the highway division as a senior engineering aid. ‘GO CLASSIFIED, INSTANT BUVERS

There is an old saying, true or not, that ‘‘gold is where you find it” And, as everyone knows, an awful lot of it was found in California. Just how much is still here and hasn’t been found is problematical. But with the price of gold soaring there is some conjecture that California may see another gold rush this summer. This view is shared by some public officials and vendors of mining equipment. They foresee great activity of the prospecting type with gold panners and thoge seeking to stake out claims flocking to the hills to find their f res. Fish-and Game and Forestry officials report increased interest in dredging permits and fear extensive damage to streams in remote areas if prospecting becomes rampant. Also anticipated is widespread trespassing and disputes over claims. Permission to prospect on private property is required but anyone is free to seek gold on unreserved vacant public land. Information as to what land is open to gold seekers may be obtained from plat maps in the offices of county assessors. Unfortunately, such maps do not show what parts of public lands are open to prospecting and what parts already have been claimed. Claims may be filed on public lands with county recorders. But, since they must be renewed annually, it is likely that most who do file claims this summer will fail to follow through and the claims will revert back to public domain. Most popular with the amateur prospectors is panning. Armed with a shallow pan about 18 inches in diameter the prospector settles down on some stream and washes gravel ‘and sand. The lighter sand and dirt floats away and hopefully in the remains one will find a nugget or at least some gold dust. The more sophisticated panners construct sluice boxes in which. they shovel rock and sand from the stream bed. The stream running through the box washes away the sand and dirt while the riffles in the box retain the heavier material which is then removed and panned. Although some have made modest fortunes through this method the average miner has been lucky to make a living and then only through hard work. More important than the predictions of the amateur miners anticipated to provide some flurry of activity in the forthcoming months is what may or may not happen in connection with major William B. Clark, state geologist who has spent many years with the state investigating gold bearing deposits, says: ‘California has over 20,000 established mines in some 400 gold mining districts. Some of the major mining companies are exploring the possibilities of establishing operations in these areas.” But Clark doubts that the gold industry will become anywhere near as active as it once was. ‘‘With the new interest and the fact there are a large number of deposits in California there is always the possibility of a new discovery or even the reopening of some of the older mines.” He says however he doesn’t believe the deep mines of the Mother Lode will be reopened as the costs would still be too great even with the increased price of gold. Ronald Witt to graduate from college Ronald Lee Witt, son of the L. K. Witts of Grass Valley, is among the 73 seniors in the 1973 commencement class graduating Tuesday (May 22) from LIFE Bible College, Los Angeles, announced Dr. Don McGregor, College dean. _ Graduate of Benicia High WN ~~, Brake Adjustment *1.88 WIDE OVAL TIRES 13°’ RAISED WHITE LETTERS

AVAILABLE NOW. RECAPPING SERVICE PLAZA TIRE CO.. INC. BEHIND SPD 265-4642 the four-year ministerial course in the Bible training center of the International Church of the PF oursquare Gospel, founded by the late Aimee Semple McPherson, noted Dr. McGregor. He plans to accept an appointment to the pastorate of a church in the denomination, the dean added. MATTHEW WALTERS of Nevada Union High School was presented with a $140 merit award from Joseph G. Moore, vice president of the San Francisco Cow Palace. The presentation was made during the 27th annual Grand National Junior Livestock Exposition for 4-H Club members and Future Farmers of America. (Photo submitted) School, young Witt completed _ Elmo Meister gets newly created job Elmo C. Meister of Marysville is appointed Assistant. District Engineer for Maintenance at State Division of Highways’ District 3 headquarters in Marysville. On making the appointment to this newly created position District Engineer Sam Helwer said, ‘‘I am pleased to appoint a man of Meister’s caliber who has such strong leadership capability and such a high degree of administrative ability.” Meister has been District Maintenance Engineer for almost eight years supervising an annual budget of $12 million and a staff of up to 550 persons. Together their responsibility is upkeep and repair of 1400 miles of state highways and freeways in an 1l-county area. This aiso includes snow removal on major highways including Routes 50 and 80 over the Sierra. In his new post Meister will continue to supervise highway, maintenance and an added responsibility will be traffic operations. Meister was the engineer in charge of mobilizing for and rerouting traffic during the recent Roseville ammunition train explosions. He immediately instituted emergency procedures and worked around the clock with a staff hastily summoned back to work insuring safe passage around the disaster area for weekend motorists. He. was commended by his own and other agencies for this planning and coordinating effort. A native Californian, Meister graduated from Compton College in 1941. He served’ with the U.S. Army infantry during World War II and after discharge began work with the highway division as a senior engineering aid. ‘GO CLASSIFIED, INSTANT BUVERS