Chunks of almost pure native silver, weighing scores of pounds, were hewed out of the chambers where they were found, and men went wild with excitement.

Houses sprang up over-night.

A vast population soon clung to the slopes of Mt.Davidson.Mining and milling machinery was needed, and demanded with tremendous urgency, to reap the richer harvest.

There was no railroad, and the old Emigrant Road was not in condition to meet the needs.

Few people can realize the wild excitement that reigned and the string of teams, men riding on horseback, or afoot, stage-coaches, freight wagons, that poured in endless procession over the road.