However, much ore was mined at the first line of works, particularly at
the Ophir, Mexican, California, Gould & Curry, Savage, and Hale &
Norcross Mines. But, as the dip of the vein was away from these first
works, it presently became necessary to move to the eastward about 1,000
feet. As very deep shafts would there be required in order to intersect
the lode, larger and much more powerful hoisting works and pumping
machinery must be erected. Indeed, the new works required to be
first-class in every respect, as the shafts would be far deeper than any
yet put down on the lode, and it was by this time known that there would
be immense quantities of water to handle.
Accordingly, the second line of fine and powerful first-class works,
seen at present, and again in active use, was constructed. The shafts of
the new line of works all cut into the heart of the vein, and in several
the “bonanzas” found were so large and so rich as to astonish the whole
mining world and create a much greater and far more widespread
excitement than was seen when silver was first discovered in the
croppings of the vein at the Ophir Mine. All the leading mines were soon
taking out their tens of millions, but when the “big bonanza” was struck
in the Consolidated Virginia and California the yield of gold and silver
bullion soon became a matter of scores of millions. It was then that the
fame of the Comstock spread to every corner of the world, and the rush
of speculators, fortune-seekers, and adventurers of all ages, sexes, and
classes was greater than ever before. Though what is called the “Big
Bonanza” was struck in the Consolidated Virginia in October, 1873, at a
point on the 1,167-foot level, it was not until October, 1874, that the
excitement in regard to it reached fever-heat. The main shaft had then
reached the 1,500-foot level, and the ore disclosed by drifts and
chambers was of such extraordinary and astonishing richness that experts
could hardly believe their eyes or assayers their figures.
The Comstock Lode had a width (between the syenite wall on the west and
the propylite on the east) of from 1,000 to 1,200 feet at the point
where the “Big Bonanza” was struck. The space between the two walls was
filled with what is locally termed “vein material” (gangue), and in this
was found the ore body or “bonanza,” which was in one place over 300
feet in width. This mass of ore yielded from $100 to $700 per ton, but
in places were found masses of pure native silver and spots of ore so
rich in black sulphuret and gold that to make assays of it was much like
making assays of the pure metals. From the “Bonanza Mines” alone from
1873 up to 1882 were taken $111,975,761.39; but in 1879 the yield began
to fall off as the vein was followed downward, and in 1882 the amount of
bullion taken out was small, not paying expenses.
In the meantime (while the big bonanza of the Consolidated Virginia and
California companies was being worked out) most of the leading companies
had exhausted their second bonanzas. Instead of prospecting further in
their immediate neighborhood, they all determined to go still farther
east, sink a new line of shafts, and tap the vein at a still greater
depth. This time they went out about 2,000 feet beyond their second line
of hoisting works, or 3,000 feet east of the croppings of the lode. As
it would be necessary to sink shafts to a depth of about 3,000 feet to
intersect the vein, the hoisting works, hoisting machinery, and all else
was made much larger, more powerful, and on a grander scale in every
respect, than the second line. The principal works on this third line
are those of the Combination shaft, New Yellow Jacket shaft, Osbiston
and Union shafts, and the Forman shaft. In sinking these several
companies united, the work was prosecuted with the greatest energy, and
no expense was spared as regarded machinery and appliances.