To tell briefly a little about myself, I was born in 1953 in San Antonio, Texas. I have been living in Springfield, Missouri for some time now, but have spent a great deal of my life in both Los Angeles, California and Dallas, Texas. 

In gold mining, I have spent many years mining in California's Grass Valley and Mother Lode areas.   My first experience of actually living for many months on a claim and seriously learning the gold trade, was on the N. F. Yuba River out of Brownsville, California.

    My father knew of a mining operation there where I could learn the profession. The location was a section of river on the N. F. Yuba river owned by the noted Bill Chrestman  [William  W. “Bill” Chrestman 1915-1989] of Quartzsite, La Paz County, Arizona.  Most of the mining going on there was gold dredging.  Everything from 4 to 8 inch dredges were operating up and down the claim section. There were other types of mining equipment among the miners, but mostly for spare time and not used in the daily routine.  Since most dredging is done in teams, this gave a few miners a chance for their own handiwork.  

    A personal friend and fellow mining enthusiast, Robert Jacobsen; from Dallas, Texas; joined me on this mining endeavor.   We joined teams working a 5 inch dredge on a percentage basis to start.

    There were many other miners in separate camps along his one mile section of river claims.  At the end of the day most would gather at Mr. Chrestmans camp to process their days work and collect their percentage of the take.  During this time one could learn new techniques from the older or more experienced miners.  I was fortunate to make a few friends there and tried to apply what I learned to my own work.

    A short time later we were nicknamed the "Texas Rangers" by Mr. Chrestman and his family. My love for gold really started here under Mr. Chrestman.  His help and understanding was truly inspirational. To him and his charming wife Thelma, I give my love and respect.  I later found out that Mr. Chrestman had been in treasure & prospecting magazines since 1951 with mason jars full of gold nuggets.

    These claims of Chrestmans I learned was not only historical, but truly one of the greatest natural bar formations on the Yuba Rivers; i.e. “Slate Range Bar.”  The late Jerry Keene founder of Keene Engineering, Inc.  [Jerry Keene 1934-2017] considered the “Father of the Modern Gold Rush” worked these same claims some 11 years before me.  When I first met with Mr. Keene we discussed this section of river extensively.  I have been very fortunate through the years working with the different claim owners to have had access to this awesome section of river to mine for gold.  It’s always been on my mind and in my dreams.  Such a spectacular and majestic location just north of lake Tahoe, California.

    My father also showed me another place which I have spend a great deal of time on.  This is on M.F. Yuba River out of North San Juan, CA.  About 1/2 of a mile downstream from the small diversion dam and about 7 miles downstream from the famous original Sixteen to One Mine near Alleghany, CA.  This area produces some of the finest gold quartz specimens running 950+ fine in the world.  The location is really historic in that it has the remains of a 10 stamp mill (the largest size used during that time period) and the mines dotted all over the hillsides are quartz-gold mines.  Here again, the place chosen was one you had to pack down to the claim area. It is about 1,300 feet down, from where you can park on a fire break road.  I have spent a whole mining season here also and know the hardships involved with living on location through the seasons, especially with no transportation.   But as it turns out, some of the best places to mine are the most remote.  

    My father owned a few claims on Otter Creek out of Georgetown, CA. It is a unique place to mine compared to working the larger rivers. Here the canyon walls are sheer and overgrown and the water at its best is 58 degrees F.   I'll never forget my first visit to this place. When we finally parked, there was a small trail with a USDA sign stating "Otter Creek 1 mile." From this point on, I learned what "packing in" is all about. Not only did we have to pack down into this ravine, but also along the creek too!

    I eventually spent a whole mining season here with a few friends, dredging with a 4 inch Keene single sluice. The best part of working this place is that the bedrock is mostly slate and the nuggets found were rough. I have learned a lot from my father about different kinds of placer mining and appreciate his help through the years.

Author Bruce Harris 2005 - On location N.F. Yuba River, CA