The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-29
Reported Gold Mines East OF the Rocky
Mountains.

A correspondent of the st. Louis, Mo-, Re.
ueille, 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, and 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-
perintendent Of the marine hospital Mobile, and
Mr. VIM p Booth, of Fort Smith, Arkansas.
This old gentlem,n in Tennessee states that
many years ago, Il think about the spring of
1879 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
small stream. After gathering as 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 he came
to a creek. Fearing that the Indians W puld 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 a shining, metallic appearance, and he
put one or two pieces in his shot bag. After
going lttls 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 privations and dangers in
the wilderness, he reached 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 siiversmth, and to his surprise,
they proved to be almost pure gold He de-
SCI ibes 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 company of thirty
men, to go 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 hatchets will be
found upon that golden shaft"
have related this rather golden story" for
what it is worth, without youching 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 unimpoachable veraciy, 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 mou ltans, and that they
may reap 4 rich ard golden reward.