Washington telegraph., 1853-06-08
From The Tndianola (Ieras) Bullfinl
Gold Mines in Texas.

Gold MINES In Texas.
As much excitement exists in Texas and
elsewhere, in regard to the late discovery Of
gold on the Colorado and its tributaries,
commencing about so or 60 miles above
AUSTIN and as we have not rs yet received
any very full accounts from that region, in
so much that some degree of skepticism
prevails on the subject, We propose briefly
to state what we know OF have heard Oh the
subject, long before the present excitement.
1t is traditionary and historical
We know that the remains of an old
Spanish fort stand on or near the San Saba;
that it was erected to protect silver mines in
the vicinity that they were long and
proftably worked, and only abandond about
1850, By the massacre Of most Of the ope-
ratives and troops. This is historical truth.
The mines were rich.
To work these mines and search for gold
mines, said BY old Mexicans to be in that
region, was the object of Rein p and las
Bowie, wien they were attacked and had
the celebrated fight with the Indians, in
1881, six miles from this old fort
1t is well known to many that the Indians
have always said there was both gold and
silver in ihat section, and specimens were
seen in their hands many years ago but
they have always refused to divulge the
place of is existence Santa Anna, the
Camanche chief, when drunk in 1915, told
the agent Of the German colony that there
was plenty of both metals through the
mountains Of Texas. There lived some
years ago very old Mexican at San Anto-
MO, who claimed to have been long with the
Indians in his younger days, and said that
they often visited gold and silver mines in
the same section, and used the metal for va
rious purposes; that they were very careful
to conceal one or two rich places, by using
large stones, an2 that none but old or conf
dental men were allowed to know the places
most highly priced.
The Alcalde of Monclova, in Mexico,
during the war in 1S47. informed Capt. Bu-
chel, now of Indianola, and man of verac-
ity that his father had been stationed at an
early day at tile San Saba fort, and had du-
ring his life often told him 1.-THE Alcalde) a
great deal about that country, and that there
were valuable mines there, and that he (the
Alcaldey had no doubt but interesting docu-
ments on the subject could be found among
the archives of Monterey or chihuahua
In the year 1880 or 81, the father Of the
editor Of this paper, with Q few persons hav-
ing learned various facts on this subject
from old Mexicans in San Antonio, made a
trip into that region, visited the Enchanted
Rock, and made some encouraging discover
;es; but were driven in by the Indians.
In 1910, party Of two or three men
from the Colorado went up there, having to
use great caution against the savages, and
found specimens of the precious metal
to such an extent that they, or some of their
friends, obtained from the next Congress a
charter for mining purposes but the wars
of 1912 broke up their plans, and several of
the number were killed that year.
These are few important facts, all in our
possession twelve to fifteen years ago
They all tend to prove the same general
fact-that gold and silver do abound in the
mountains Of Texas. We give them for
what they are worth. just as we received
them, before there was any Of the present
interest felt
We have not and do not doubt the exist
ence Of gold and silver in the district allud-
ed to; we hope it is very rich; but we can
not speak on this subject, though the truth
will soon be known. 1t is known to all
that those metals do exist in great abun-
dance, along the mountains from the ex-
treme north to the extreme south Of Mexi-
co, and that our mountains are branches of
those. Our mountains are said to resemble
the gold regions Of California very much, 50
MIR. Varnell. our townsman tells US, and he
has seen both.
Those interested can add these facts to
the statements now made Of recent discov-
ries and better know how to estimate them.
We have had several very encouraging ru-
mors from the mines, but declined publish
ing anything merely to get up an excite
ment, and desire to await authentic reports.
But again we repeat, we have no doubt but
that the mines are there--the only questions
to be solved arc-how extensive! how valu-
able!
We may add that very lately inexhaust-
bic beds of excellent coal and the purest
marble have been found in the same portion
of our State
Mr.. Everett, late Secretary Of State, com