H88.79.1

Loving cup. Description: Loving cup with three handles, silver with applied plaques of gold; engraved plaques show miners panning on one side, hydraulic mining on the second side and the inscription on the third side: "To Hon. Jacob Hart Neff from the Miners of California who love him for his noble and unselfish labors in their behalf, 1897." Marked Shreve & Co. Dimensions: H: 10 1/2"; Dia. w/handles: 8 1/2" History: Jacob Hart Neff came to California in 1850 from Pennsylvania, Ohio and Iowa; he settled in Placer Co., working a rocker on the American River and becoming rich; served in a variety of local and state political offices, including leutenant Gov. in 1898 (Gage was Gov.); founder and leader of the California Miners' Association. According to the newspaper: "To his wise and conciliatory influence, more than to any other single cause, was due the welcome disappearance of the old rancorus hostility between the miners and the farmers." References/Remarks: See Bennett file for estensive background information. Exhibited: "Silver in the Golden State, Sept. 1986-June 1988. From the History Information Station: Object: Loving cup, silver with gold plated plaques showing placer and hydraulic mining; inscribed to Jacob Hart Neff from the California Miner's Association; made by Shreve and Co., ca. 1897. History: Jacob Neff arrived in Placer County in 1850 where he discovered and developed the Morning Star drift mine. In 1892, he was unanimously elected president of the California Miner's Association. It was a time when farmers and miners were at each others' throats over damage to rivers caused by hydraulic mining. Neff's skillful conciliation eased the rancorous hostility between the miners and farmers while securing several pieces of legislation supported by the Association. This loving cup was presented to Neff upon his retirement from the presidency of the Miner's Association, "as a slight token of the love and esteem of the miners and their appreciation of his years of service and masterly leadership."

Used: Jacob Hart Neff