The Many Lives Lost Due to Breathing in Silicon Dust
It’s one of the time-honored truths about the Wild West: the allure of mining towns, where fortunes seemingly awaited those with a pioneering spirit. Yet, amid the promise of wealth, the shadow of danger loomed large, especially in a place like Delmar, Nevada, where peril didn’t confine itself solely to the depths of the mines.
In 1893, a mill emerged on the scene, a mere four years after the discovery of gold in Monkey Wrench Gulch. This mill, dedicated to refining the precious metal, unwittingly unleashed a different kind of hazard – silicon dust. The toll was staggering, leaving behind a trail of widows who mourned their loved ones. Ultimately, in 1909, the mill met its own demise, putting an end to this dangerous chapter in Delmar’s history.