The southern press., 1851-10-29
Reported Gold Mines East of the Rocky
Mountains.

A correspondent Of the st. Louis, Mo, Re
reilie, speaking of discovery Of gold east of the
Rocky Mountains, says: "My information is
gained from an old man in Tennessee, whose
name have forgotten, aod for the truth of the
following statements, and further particulars,
would respectfully refer you to Dr. Booth, OF
Mobile, and John Morgan Brown, formerly su
pcrintendent of the marine hospital, Mobile, and
Mr.. VIM. p Booth, of Fort Smith, Arkansas
This old gentleman in Tennessee states that
many years ago, q think about the spring OF
lSl9J he, in company with several others, went
up the Arkansas river, on trading expedition
among the Indians. They proceeded up the
river in their canoes, to where it was quite a
small stream After gathering many skins
and furs as they could from the Indians, they
prepared to return, and descended the little
stream one days journey, and encamped on the
western side to spend the night. While here
they were attacked by the Indians, and being
unable to defend themselves, sought safety in
! flight. His companions, he supposed, were 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 be came
to a creek Fearing that the Indians W w,uld at
tempt to track him through the grass, he got
into the stream and walked down it. While in
the water, he discovered something in the bot
tom of shining. metallic appearance, and he
put one or two pieces in his shot bag. After
going little further, he saw projecting from the
bank piece OF the same material. He cut out
from this small piece with his Ratchet, and
placed this also in his shot bag He describes
this as a shaft some four or five inches in
diameter, and projecting four feet from the bank
After several weeks of prjyatiops and dangers in
the wilderness, he reached n settlement on the
Arkansas river, and descended from there to
| New Orleans. When he arrived at New Or
leans, he carried his specimens, which he had
taken from the bottom Of the stream, and from
this shaft, to sversmith, and to his surprise
they proved to be almost pure gold. He de-
scribes tie quantity of this in the creek as i'm
mense, and the sand as having shiny appear.
ance, as if mixed with small pieces of silver.
The next spring he raised a company of thirty
men, to 90 in search of this place but when
they were quite ready to start, they were dis
suaded from it by the cries and lamentations of
their wives, who regarde it as exposing them
selves to certain massacre by the Indians. This
gold creek" said he, sis still there; and here
after, when the country is settled, it will be
found, and the prints Of my batchets will be
found upon that golden shaft"
have related this rather golden story" for
what it is worth, without vouching for its cor
| rectness, further than stating my convictions
that the old man was speaking the truth. The
gentlemen to whom | have taken the liberty OF
referring are men of unimpeachable veracity, and
any one wishing for any other informa ion can
address them. DR.. Booth and John NJ. Brown
Mobile, Ala, and VIM. p Booth, Fort Smith
Arkansas hope that this statement may call
the attention of some Of our western adventur.
ers to this side of the mountains, and that they
may reap rich and golden reward.