Star Mining District (Utah). Recorder
Abstract
Biography/History Notes
Star Mining District by-laws commissioned recorders to keep a 'true, correct, and faithful record of all claims located in the district.' Originally, Star prospectors were allowed to claim only 200 feet along a lode, with the exception that the original discoverer was allowed an extra 200 feet. At the time of discovery prospectors were to mark the site with a substantial monument on which was posted the names of locators, the number of feet claimed, and the date. Thereafter, prospectors had 15 days in which to have the claim recorded by the district recorder. By-laws required that within 60 days of discovery, prospectors should complete at least 1 day's work for each 200 feet of the claim. When claims holders had completed one hundred dollars worth of work on a claim they were to have permanent title and could hold the claim as real estate. After 1872 miners in the Star District revised by-laws to conform to federal regulation which allowed prospectors to 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 hold a claim.
Miners in the Star District elected recorders for one year terms. By-laws required recorders to go to the ground and inspect and evaluate all work done on claims before making any record. They kept records in suitable bound books which were open for public inspection.
Star District recorders appointed deputies to assist them in carrying out their responsibilities. 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 records of the Star District were transferred to the Beaver County recorder's office.