Discovery followed discovery as prospectors combed the area; and while Nickel and party were active in the North Eastern section and Stokie and several of the Thackaringa pioneers were fossicking in the Umberumberka area, several parties had struck North into the Apollyon Valley. Joe Meech and Allen Sinclair were partners. Both men had good knowledge of minerals and wealth of experience. Both excellent bushmen, they had prospected in the Thakaringa and Umberumberka areas without success They pitched camp six miles North East of Umberumberka, and at dawn each day, they would go different directions, fossicking among the many rocky outcrops. Allen Sinclair was the first to strike chlorides on the site of what was later known as the Apollyon. Returning to the camp he told his partner of his find,and with much jubilation they pegged their claim. Meech confided that he had seen some indications amongst the outcrop back of the Seven Mile. While Sinclair did some further fossicking in the area of their claim on the following day, Meech returned to his point of interest-and discovered the Day Dream, as it was eventually known.
Meech's Blow, as it was commonly called in the early period of it prosperity, had a most unusual and unsettled history. An unusual feature was the strange set of circumstances in which Joe first stumbled on his find. After tramping through the rocky ridges from dawn till noon, Meech decided to have a rest. He slept for some time. He woke up to find the sun casting long shadows. Then he noticed a 'Blow' in the foreground, which seemed to reflect a multitude of colours.
"Another Day Dream", thought Meech, as he rubbed sleepy eyes-but the colours still persisted. His curiosity aroused, he walked in the direction of the "Blow" and as he approached he could see what at first appeared to be mounds of rocks. Closer inspection revealed several small heaps of beautifully color stones, charged with bright coloured carbonates. He inspected the blow and found it to be a solid mass of wealth. Then and there he aptly named it in his mind "The Day Dream". This was to become one of the most famous of the Barrier mines outside the main lode.
Meech did not confide his discovery to his partner, and in subsequent litigation, Sinclair asserted that Meech had registered the claim in another name deprived him of his just share. After much bitter wrangling the Barrier Ranges Silver Mining Company stepped in and acquired control of the Day Dream. A week after the discovery of the Day Dream, Thomas Crisp pegged a claim in close proximity, which was to become the famous "Hen and Chicken" mine. Morris and Nolan were working a block further north with not much success.
A prospector pitched his tent on their block and discovered Morris's Blow, Afterwards known as the Treasure. Claims were being pegged from the Day Dream to the Soakage (Purnamoota). In a short space of time dozens of claims were being worked, with some remarkable results. A parcel of ore from the Pilgrim mine when treated at the Melbourne Mint yielded a return equal to 8,000oz.per ton. of ore. The Orien gave up a slug of silver weighing 285 pounds. After these rich finds numberless claims were pegged in the soakage area.
Purnamoota (called Namoota for short) was developed into a township with two hotels, several stores, a school, post office and institute. In 1884 the Commercial Bank opened a branch at Namoota. But the township's prosperity was short lived. Mine after mine failed to realise expectations. Rich surface showings encouraged the sinking of shafts and purchase of equipment which quickly absorbed early profits and resulted in total loss. By 1890 Purnamoota stood in desolation. Many of the Apollyon valley shows were yielding good returns and a township was surveyed at Lakes Camp. It was suggested that the township be named Wilson after Mr. W. Wilson, who was manager of the Barrier Ranges Silver Mining Company. The failure of several of the smaller valley mines prevented the scheme from reaching any proportions. Many of the failures were "Wildcat' shows which were promoted to fleece the many who were anxious to invest in the Silver belt. Although in the early stages a lot of wealth was taken out of the valley in rich hand-picked ore, the reputation for richness gained by many of the mines was undeserved.
A silver refining plant and smelter were erected on the Hen and Chicken lease, but it was generally known as the "Day Dream" smelter. The sensational discoveries revealed on the main Broken Hill lode hastened the decline of the many small fields which were operating with varied success. Finance was withdrawn from the small shows following the early Broken Hill boom and practically all that is left of the once prosperous valley workings is a series of open and unprotected shafts, and mounds of tailing of assorted sizes. Today the Day Dream mine is a tourist attraction.
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