The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-10-03

REPORTED GOLD MINES EAST or THE ROCKY
hlorsrArNI-A correspondent of the st. Louis
(Mo) ReDeiae. speaking of an alleged discovery Of
gold east Of the Rocky mountains, says My in
formation is gained from an old man ia Tennessee,
(whS name have forgotten,) and for the truth of
the folio wing statements, and further particulars:
would respectfully refer you to DIR. Booth Of Mo
bile, and John Morgan Brown, former Superin-
tendert OF the Marine Hospital, Mobile, and Mr.
Wm II. Doo,h, Fort Smith, Arkansas. This old
gentleman in Tennessee states that many years ago,
Il think ABOUT the spring OF lSi9:) he, in company
with several others, went up the Arkansas river, on
a trading expedition among the indians They
proceeded up the river in their canoes, 10 where it
was quite n small stream. After gathering as
many skins and furs ns they eonld from the ian',
they prepared TO return, ard descended the little
stream one days journey, and cncamped on the
western bank to spend toe night. While hcre,
they were attacked by the Indians, and being una
bic to defend themselSes, sought safety in higot.
His companions he supposed we're all murdered
none OF them ever returned home. He ran into
the woods. and the next morning crossed prairie,
and in the skirt Of this he csme to a creek. Fear
ing that the Indians would attempt 70 track hiu;
through the grass. he got into the stream and
walked down Il. While In the water, he disco sored
something in the bottom, Of shining, metallic APP
pcsrance and he put or two pieces into bis shot
bag. After going q Little further; he saw pro-
iectirg from the bank, piece OK tho same mate
rial. lie cut out from this small piece with his
hatchet, and placed this also In hil shot bag. He
describes this as shaft some four or five inches in
diameter, and projecting Tour fect IRON the bank
After several weeks Of privations and dangers In
the wilderness, he reached settlement on tho Ar
kansas river, aud descended from there 70 New Or
leans. When no arrived at New Orleans. he car
ried his specimens which he had taken from the
bottom OF the stream, and from this shaft, to sill
versmth, and TO bis surprise they proved to 30 al
most pure gold. He describes the quantity of thii
in the creek as immense, and the sand as having
shiny appe arancc, as If mixed with small pieces o
silver. The next spring no raised q company o.
thirty men, to 20 In search of this place; but wher
they quite ready to start, they were dissusdct
from IL by the cries and Lamentations Of their wives
who regarded IL as exposing themselves to certain
massacre By the Indians. !" This gold creek" sale
he, "is stiil there; and hereafter, when the coun
try Is settled II will be found, and the prints o
my hstcbet will be found upon that gold shaft"
have related this rather golden story" for wha
IL IL worth, without vouehing for its correctness
further than stating my convictions that the OLE
man was speaking the truth. The gentlemen Il
whom have taken the liberty Of referring, are mel
of unimpeschable vcracity, and any one wishing fo
any other information, can address them. DIR
Booth, and John Nj. Brown, Mobile, Ma, and w
j.. Booth, Fort Smith, Arkansas. | hope tha
this statement may call the attention of some .
our Western advebturers 10 this side Of the noun
tains, and that they may reap rich and golen re
ward.