Anvil Firing in Historic Isleton, California HD

Northern Alliance Grand Conclave III History lesson on anvil firing One of the most colorful traditions in the California Gold Rush period was called the "Firing of the Anvil." This was used as a primitive, but very effective form of communications in the remote Goldfields. When called upon, the local Blacksmith would place one anvil on top of another with a small charge of black powder in between. When the fuse ignites the powder, the upper anvil is launched with a powerful bang... a puff of smoke and a loud ringing. This deafening sound would echo through the remote camps in the Sierra hills and canyons alerting everyone of a mine cave-in, fire, or other danger. On a more enlightening note ... it was used to summon the miners to celebrate such events as weddings, the 4th of July, or that a new ECV "Poor Blind Candidate" had been found, and that a solemn Clamper initiation ceremony was about to begin. What say the Brethren?