Mariposa Democrat., 1857-04-22
Curious Discoveries on walker. River

| The Placerville american gives an interest
ing detail Of some discoveries which were made
in April last year by prospecting party which
went from Carso., Valley to the region of Walk
er's River, which lies about one hundred and
fifty miles to the southwark. Its informant is
G. S. Lanmann, who was one Of the prospect
ors. The american says:
"The party, composed Of nine men, was ac-
compnnied by two Indians. On arriving at the
river, they found the Indians to be quite nu-
mcrous, one of whom informed them, through
their guides, that four white men had been
there the year previous, and indicated the spot
where they had encamped. The party then
examined the place, and from the appearance
Of some posts blazcd trees, and other tokens,
they were induced to believe the information
which the Indians had given them was true
This Indian informed them that those white
men dug large hole in the earth, where they
found gold; that the Indians murdered the
whole party, and then buried them in the hole
which had been made. Mr.. Lanmann's party
promised to give the Indian mule and some
blankets, if he would conduct them to the place
where the men had been buried. lie agreed
to do so, and for three days and half they
Travelled up the east fork Of the river, when the
Indian stated that they were in the neighbor-
hood Of the place. He then left them, for the
purpose Of visiting an encampment of Indians
which was near by. In some three hours he
returned, accompanied by several other In
dams, who pointed to some adjacent hills, and
said the white men were buried there. In O
few minutes after their Indian guide disap
poared, and they neither saw or heard of him
again. II was the opinion of the party that
the Indian told the truth relative to the mur
der Of three white men, but that he was de-
tered from pointing out the precise locality o.
their grave from fear of the Indians
"From this place the Indians conducted
them to the slope Of mountain about siA
miles east of the river, where there were nu
mcrous boiling springs, the water of which il
of such a high temperature, that they coult
scarcely bear their hands in it for a Moment
From one of these hot springs there was con
tnued discharge of very small white polished
stones, about the size of quail shot, which, from
convolutei action in the water, were made per
fecuy round, presenting the appearance o
pearls usually found in certain testaceous fish
of the oyster kind, with the exception of tho
being more Opaque. The quantity of thes,
small pearly pebbles elected from this spring i
very great, and they can be gathered by bush
els. They are well adapted for manufacturing
paste jcwelry. These pearly stones may be al
interesting subject of investigation for our &c
ologists. In the neighborhood of these no
springs, there are quite number of colo
springs
"Some distance below these on the SAINT
slope, the party found strong alkaline stream
about four feet wide, along the edges of which
there was hard crust of saleratus, as pure ant
good as any of that manufactured article
Where this stream enters the river, it discolor
its pure waters for some distance. In the cas-
fork of the river, and the adjacent smalle
streams speckled trout were found in abund
ance, and mainly constitute the food of the In
dians, and would be very available for the sam
purpose to miners and emigrants who may G.
there. The party found wild game to be yer,
abundant among which were species of larg
sage hen, rabbits antelope and deer.
"At the head of the east fork of Walker
River, they found handsome valley, fifteei
miles in length and eight in width, wi.hou
timber, but well watered, and admirably adapt
ed to agricultural and grazing purposes.
"Wherever the party prospected for gold
they averaged from five to seven cents to tn
pan. The dirt is easily worked, and the gol,
appeared to be distributed all through the soil
Mr.. Lanmann believes the day is not distan
when there will be extensive mining operation
carried on in that region, Even now, part,
sufficiently large to protect themselves iron
the lndians-say from twenty to thirty-h
thinks, would meet with good success"