Rocky Mining District (Utah). Recorder
Abstract
Biography/History Notes
Rocky prospectors were originally allowed to claim only 200 feet along a lode, with the exception that the original discoverer was allowed an extra 200 feet. Locators were required to place a substantial stake or stone monument at the point of discovery and post thereon a note specifying details about the claim and its locators. Locators were allowed fifteen days to have the claims recorded by the district recorder. By-laws required the recorder to keep a faithful record of all claims in a suitable book which was open for public inspection. To hold a claim for one year, by-laws required five days of work within the first 90 days after recording. After Congress passed a general mining law in 1872, the Rocky District adapted district by-laws to conform to federal regulations. Locators could claim up to 1500 feet along a lode with 300 feet on each side. Federal mining law required an annual labor assessment of one hundred dollars worth of work to maintain claims.
Miners in the Rocky District elected Dan Severence as district recorder for many consecutive one year terms. He was allowed to collect fees for each claim recorded, and originally was required to keep his office in Shenandoah City.
Rocky Mining District recorder, Dan Severence, appointed deputies to assist him in carrying out his responsibilities. Only a few claims were recorded in the Rocky District in the 1880s, tapering off to a single claim in 1891. It is assumed that the mining district ceased to function that year. In 1897 the Utah Legislature enacted a mining law which transferred responsibility for keeping mining records to county recorders. (Laws of Utah, 1897, chapter 36). At that time the Rocky District book was transferred to the Beaver County recorder's office.