Bullion Gold & Silver Mining Company, Van Horn District, Mono County, California. Certificate #69 for 2 shares at $100 each, issued to E. Arnold on Apr 10, 1863 in San Francisco. Signed by secretary Bibbins and president B.W.B. McDonald. Vignette of mill on lake shore with resting miners. Black border and print by Britton & Co, SF. 25c adhesive revenue stamp left bottom. Mine was located in the Van Horn District, Mono County, just below Bodie. Original trustees were S.B Farnham, F.M. Clark, W.S. Hughes, W. Hold, T.L. Bibbins with hold as president and Bibbins as secretary. the Marin Journal of June 28, 1862 reported that William Hughes had just returned from the Van Horn district and brought with him 10 pounds of rock from the Bullion Gold & Silver lead. It assayed at $11.31 silver and $60.20 gold. The Esmeralda Miner reported that the Bullion Gold & Silver had the six best leads. The company had done little work on them yet, but they are rich in gold and silver and will yield an abundant harvest. The Gold Hill news reported that the Bullion would commence hoisting ore that week. For some time, the tunnel had been closed to all visitors including the press. Some say it was to excite investment for this ledge that at one time was considered fabulously rich. Others confidently said it was a sham just to fleece money from would be investors. (newspaper articles from CDNC). The mining district in the Aurora area was originally named Esmeralda. The New Esmeralda was located to the east, between the Esmeralda district and the historic Van Horn district to the east. The historic Van Horn District of DeGroot (1863) was southeast of Aurora in theExcelsior range of mountains east of Dexter's Station and nearly due north of the Montgomery District. (Mining Districts of Nevada by Tingley). Both California and the Nevada Territory claimed the Van Horn District outside of Aurora. In the fall of 1863, an exact survey put this area into Nevada. Franklin Collection. Van Horn District California