The dramatic efforts in Developing Panamint, California, offer a fascinating glimpse into the audacious world of early Western mining, particularly within the rugged terrain bordering Death Valley. This region, known for its challenging landscape and rich mineral deposits, became the stage for some of the boldest adventurers and most colorful characters during California’s frantic search for silver around Panamint.
Geographical Setting of the Panamint Mines
The Panamint mines were strategically located on the western slopes of the Panamint Range, with some lodes extending into the lateral spurs from the main summit. These mines sat at an impressive elevation of approximately 9,000 feet above sea level. The mountain summits themselves soared even higher, reaching between 10,000 to 11,000 feet. This dramatic elevation contrasted sharply with the abrupt eastern descent into Death Valley, which lies about 240 feet below sea level directly opposite Panamint, lending the mountains an imposing appearance of bold and rugged grandeur.
Discovery and Initial Challenges
The discovery of the Panamint mines occurred in 1872, though their significance wasn’t widely recognized until the summer of 1873. The initial prospectors and owners often possessed less-than-sterling reputations, making them hesitant to attract outside capital directly. They typically relied on trusted middlemen to facilitate sales. A vivid example of these circumstances arose during one of the first major sales: when the owners traveled to San Francisco to finalize their payment, agents from Wells, Fargo & Co. recognized one individual from an old stage robbery. Confronted with the demand to restore $12,000 to cover past losses or face immediate arrest, the prospector reportedly assented coolly, requested a receipt, and settled the debt without further incident. Such tales underscore the lawless frontier spirit prevalent in the era of California’s mineral booms.
The Indomitable Spirit of E.P. Rains
The ultimate success in bringing the Panamint mines to market was largely attributed to the relentless efforts of E.P. Rains. Rains was a character of immense daring and dash, often compared to figures like Jim Fisk. Had he possessed a formal education, he might have rivaled such financial titans. However, his lack of schooling seemed to fuel a reckless extravagance, matched only by his natural prodigality and generous impulses. For Rains, money was merely a means to an end, coveted solely for the pleasure of spending it, a philosophy born from the spirit of the 1849 Gold Rush and his early associations in California.
Rains’ Pioneering Efforts to Market Panamint
The narrative of Rains’ tireless endeavors to
