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Finding Aid of the Mahlon Dickerson Fairchild Memoirs
C005491
C005491
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Title: Fairchild, Mahlon Dickerson, Memoirs
Identifier/Call Number: C005491
Contributing Institution:
Society of California Pioneers
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.0 box
(6 folders)
Date (inclusive): 1849 - 1866
Abstract: Mahlon Dickerson Fairchild's "Pioneer Reminiscences" is a 175 page typed manuscript describing in rich and interesting detail
his journey from New York to California via Panama in 1848 and his prospecting, mining and adventures in the mining country
of California, Nevada and Arizona from 1848 to 1866. Trained as a newspaper man, he often worked for his brothers as a correspondent
for papers they published, but "reminiscences" is primarily focused on: his mining activities including early gold panning
on the American River; hydraulic mining in Nevada County, CA; prospecting for Copper on the Colorado River in Arizona; and
searching for salt deposits in the basin and range country of Nevada. The "Reminiscences" are well written and engaging. The
box includes handwritten drafts of portions of the work from which completed work was created.
creator:
Fairchild, Mahlon Dickerson, 1827 - 1913
Conditions Governing Access note
Collection open for research
There are no restrictions on access
Mahlon Dickerson Fairchild Memoirs, The Society of California Pioneers.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Donor and Date of Acquistion unknown
Mahlon Dickerson Fairchild was born on September 7, 1827 in Oneonta, Otsego County, New York, the son of David Fairchild and
Deborah Palmer. His father was a newspaper publisher in Western New York state and all of his 6 sons were trained in the trade.
Mahlon Fairchild came to California via the Isthmus of Panama arriving in San Francisco on the whale ship "Sylph" on July
26, 1849. During his early years in the West he actively pursued prospecting and mining, while serving as a correspondent
for his brothers' newspaper, the Daily Reese River Revielle. For the last 25 years of his career he worked in the land and
surveying department of the Southern Pacific Railroad. He lived in Rocklin, Placer County, California. He wrote an extensive
history of the state of Nevada and a history of Placer County, California. He was a member of the Society of California Pioneers.
Fairchild died in Oakland, California at the age of 85 on April 8, 1913. he was survived by his wife, Mary E. Fairchild; 2
sons, William F and Mahlon David Fairchild and 3 daughters, Mrs Theodore H Thomas, Mrs R. Masson Smith and Mrs Frank Hall
Watters.
Additional information on Mr. Fairchild, including a photograph can be found at www.rootsweb.ancestry.com
Existence and Location of Originals note
The Society of California Pioneers, 300 Fourth St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Mahlon Dickerson Fairchild's "Pioneer Reminiscences" is a 175 page typed manuscript describing in rich and interesting detail
his journey from New York to California via Panama in 1848 and his prospecting, mining and adventures in the mining country
of California, Nevada and Arizona from 1848 to 1866. Trained as a newspaper man, he often worked for his brothers as a correspondent
for papers they published, but "Reminiscences" is primarily focused on his mining activities including: early gold panning
on the American River; hydralic mining in Nevada County, CA; prospecting for Copper on the Colorado River in Arizona; and
searching for salt deposits in the basin and range country of Nevada. The "Reminiscences" are well written and engaging.
With a group of 12 other New Yorkers, Fairchild formed the Ganargawa Mining Company and they travelled on the steamer "Crescent
City" to Panama. He arrived on the whaler "Sylph" in San Francisco on July 26, 1848. Outfitting at Sutters Fort, they prospected
and panned for gold at Blue Canyon, Bear River and Finley's Camp. They winter in the Sacramento Valley, "hunt for the market"
and lose a companion on a bear hunt. In San Jose in 1853 they witness cattle ranching and rustling at the ranchos. In 1855,
Fairchild undertakes hydraulic mining at North San Juan in Nevada County, California. Working with his brothers who publish
the "Semi Weekly Observer" in Placerville, he goes to the diggings in Nevada, where black sand and rocks are choking miners
rockers. These are later found to be rich silver deposits unrecognized at the time. His companion, Eugene Ange, is killed
in the Ormsby Massacre and Fairchild goes to prospect for copper along the Colorado River, woking with the Mohave and Chemehuevas
Indians. He forms the Mountaineer Mining Company. He is working for the "Reese River Revielle" in 1865 when he is asked to
investigate the stock company, "Monte Christo Gold and Silver Mining Company of Nevada". Fairchild spends the winter of 1866
prospecting for salt (important for refining ores), other minerals and timber in the basin and range country of Nevada.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Gold mines and mining -- California -- History.
Journeys to the Pacific Coast
Mines and mineral resources--Nevada
Pioneers--California--History--19th century