Arkansas intelligencer., 1849-06-02
THE GOLD PLACER.

course excited much conversation. We have been
furnished with the following circumstances which
led TO the expedition in 1926
1t seems that in 1925, Captain Pryor, the Usage
Agent during visit 10 New Orleans, met with
wealthy merchant who represented himself as one
of the members of Pixies ill-fated party who were
taken prisoners in New Mexico in 1907. He
stated that the party was taken to Santa Re, and
there imprisoned. He escaped in company with
another man; and they proceeded towards the
waters of the Arkansas river, down the course of
which they continued. On Walnut Creek, as it
is now called. their attention was attracted TO signs
of mining operations which led to further exami-
nation, and finally discovery Of gold. They dug
out considerable quantity, run it into bars, and
proceeded down the river in canoe and arrived
at Na.chez, where they separated. Capt. Pryors
informant went to New Orleans, where his gold
enabled him to embark in commerce and to ac-
cumuIate q considerable fortune. His wealthy
circumstances were such TO satisfy Capt. fryor
why he did not desire 10 penetrate the wilderness
and peril his life, at his advanced age. He was
particular in describing the creek on which 1t was
and gave pretty clear idea of the locality in
which the gold might be found.
| Col. Black found the golden sands on the creek
described by this gentleman in New Orleans.
Nc Nairs' discovery Of gold was on the same creek;
and all these concurring circumstances contribute
to establish in the minds of our clizens the con.
viction, that they will find gold in that region,
next August. ... . -.s.
Another witness enters to favor the idea that
the region about to be visited, mineral country.
A citizen Of this Stale has placed in our possession
for perusal, n statement given TO him in 1884, at
Havana, by Spanish gentleman who was Sur
geon in a Spanish exploring party that explored
the Upper Arkansas, in 1888; and crossed over
from this river to the waters Of the Yellow Stone
and back again, over to SaEta Fe, and who visited
this region. where they took large quantities
of silver At this place they were attacked
and eight others, were killed. They escaped,
afterwards returned, constructed bufaloe canoes,
and proceeded down the river with their ore. On
their voyage down the river, they landed. erected
furnaces, and run their silver into bars.
The places where the furnaces had been erected.
were described. Our informant visited those
places and there found the furnaces. He is one
of the most eager to go on the trip in August.
We have, since the publication Of COL Blacks
letter, conversed with Mr.. Pickett, who expresses
full conviction that the region in question abounds
in gold; and he says that the failure of the expedition
in 1926, owing to the entire ignorance of
every member of the whole party, the subject
of minerals and mineral countries. We were
struck with the exact correspondence of Mr..
Pickett's description of the creek and surrounding
country, with that given by the Spanish Surgeon
in Havana, and more than ever become convinced
that our friends will find gold and silver.
We entertain doubt of the success of the
party that will leave in August, and our golden
visions are beginning to shine brighter and brighter.
The establishment Of great depot for extensive
mining operations in our own county, at this point,
appears certain. The grent increase of business
of our city, and the enhancement of the value of
all real estate throughout this whole region, North
and South of the river, will give impetus to the
prosperity of our country. To many who are
now specializing upon the great probabilities Of
success in this enterprise, this great change will
uol ostouisi, Jul sOhe oi prOSy ueiSnoOTS Will
be shocked as though by electric stroke, at the
sudden and brilliant career that will spring up
before them.
U-We understand that some persons are speak
ing of getting up remonstrance against the con.
templated expedition of certain citizens of this
State and the Cherokee Nation, to the gold placer
on the Little Arkansas, and intend to apply TO the
Military authorities or to those of the Indian De-
partment to prevent the expedition. .
We can hardly believe that such an absurd idea
is entertained oy any intelligent man. The au.
horty TO prevent this expedition is more vested
in the Military or Indian department than il is to
arrest the California emigration. The object Of
both Is the same-the mode the same-lhe nature
and character Of the expeditions the same. We
should be glad to be informed where such powe
exists in government to prevent its citizens
from visiting the Plains, whether to trade, trap or
seek gold! And if such power does exist, when
it ever exercised to sfe such enterprises?
We are satisfied that such an absurd proposal
did not emanate from the Cherokee Nation, first
because the proposed expedition took its origin in