Visions of America: The Stephen White Collection

Manuscript account book of the Shanghai Company, also known in subsequent years as the Shanghai Quartz Company, 187pp utilized, 3 3/4 x 12 1/4 in., ink and pencil on blue ruled paper. Marbled boards.

Detailed account book commences with entries spanning 19 November 1855 through 1 April 1856 which identify monies paid to specific named prospectors by the Shanghai Company for a day's work. Entries resume in a different format in August 1856 and appear to list purchases made by identified miners including meals and drinks. Later entries similarly detail monies and miners, but in a more sporadic fashion with dates spanning 1858-1870s, and with the largest number of pages dedicated to the years 1860 and 1872. Among the claims and companies mentioned are the "American Tunnel," "Rock Tunnel Diggins," and "Miners Ditch Co." Several pages near the end of the account book detail expenses such as coal and "work on hidraulic [sic] pipe," as well as water, a critical component of hydraulic mining.

Though the California Gold Rush is typically identified as the years spanning 1848 through 1855, the influx of prospectors and mining companies remained strong in the following years as new claims were discovered throughout the state of California. The earliest reports of mining at Snow Point, California began in 1853. The town flourished throughout the 1850s thanks to diverse mining operations including traditional ground-sluicing, hydraulic gravel mining, and quartz mining. "The Shanghai Company" appears in contemporary California newspaper accounts as early as 1857 with references to the "Shanghai Quartz Lode" also appearing at that time. According to The Weekly Columbian (Tuolumne County, California) of 31 January 1857, "One of the richest and most profitable quartz lodes yet discovered in the County, at least to all appearances, was recently found by J. Heckendorn Esq. of this place. The vein has substantial evidences of being a regular lode.... The company who have assumed the name of the 'Shanghai Co.' have an arasta already at work, and two more nearly completed. Shares during the past week, have advanced several hundred per cent, in value." On 2 May 1857, the same newspaper published the following notice: "Shanghai Quartz Lode. - Messrs. Heckendorn & Co., have completed the erection of three stampers on their very extensive quartz vein near Yankee Hill. This vein has never yielded less than $20 to the ton, and has reached as high as $170. We regard this quartz claim as one of the best in the county." The John Heckendorn (1814-1883?) identified here appears to be an original Forty Niner who went on to establish himself as a prominent California businessman and U.S. Postmaster. This account book indicates that he was operating under the name "Shanghai Co." prior to this published newspaper account, and had a well-established business venture utilizing the labor of miners for prospecting his Snow Point claims.

A fascinating relic from one of America's most storied eras.