Nebraska advertiser., 1858-11-04
NO GOLD AT PIXIES PEAK.
of untdrOrabk Reports that
haze reached us.
The Mines as they really are.
About the Route, the Scenes, the several Com
panies, the Time to 60, &C.
: Lawrence. X. -T Oct. l9. lS58.

% son AOOTSNCe, N. 1,s OCt. 10, 1CCC.
Having Just returned from the gold
mines of Western Kansas, and having
seen few and heard many contradictory
reports in regard to them, / make haste
on the very hour of my arrival to give
you the truth in relation to the whole
matter. / left Eastern Kansas on the
25th of May last. with the company fa-
miliarly known on the plains as the
Lawrence Company" for the express
purpose of finding the gold that we have
for several years heard was deposited in
the mountains.
THE ROUTE.
We took the route by the Santa Fe
trail up the Arkansas, and on the 18th of
June reached Walnut Creek, at Allison's
ranch. At that place we learned that
there were two companies in advance of
US bound on the same errand. One of
these companies was composed of men
from the Cherokee Nation, and Western
Arkansas, called the ''Cherokee Compa-
n.y." and commanded by Col. Beck the
other was composed of men from Ray and
Bates counties Missouri, and was called,
| think, the Ray County Company. and
commanded by Capt. Doke. | speak of
these two companies thus particularly for
reasons which the latter part of this com
munication will disclose. We followed
after these companies. passing Bent's
Fort on the 2Sth of June, and arriving at
the Fontaine qni bouilie on the 4th of Ju.
Iy, meanwhile hearing nothing of the
companies in advance of US. On the next
morning, July 5th, we met two wagons
which had been part of the Cherokee
Company. They reported that disafec.
ton had arisen among the Cherokees -
that they were angry with Capt. Beck
because they could not make $50 per day
as they alleged he had told them; that
they thought he would be killed that
they chad worked hard, prospecting the
Platte and Cherry Greek fire sOhote days."
that they could not make more than 1.-TWO
bits" per day; that they "had farms and
niggers at home, and home they were
going" We passed them not very much
discouraged, Notwithstanding their very
thorough prospecting of the country.
NO GOLD AT PIKE's PEAK.
On the 9th of July, we arrived at the
base of Pixies Peak, and on the next day
commenced prospecting. We remained
there five days, and did not find trace of
gold, and at the end of that time our old
miners said they were satisfied there was
no gold there, as there was no quartz, no
bed rock. except the surface rock, with
the old red sandstone and miraceous gra-
mite, and no indications of gold about the
soil.
THE PLATTE GOLD REGION.
On the morning of July l3, we "rolled
out" for the Platte, and at noon arrived
at "Jim's Camp" fifteen miles from
Pixies Peak. There we were met by
Capt. Doke, of the Rav county company,
and few of his men. He reported that
he had been prospecting the South Platte
for two or three weeks; that they "found
, gold everywhere" that he thought sit
might be made'to pay, if his men would
, only stick to it. but that they were discou-
ragged and were returning homes" and he
f added, when | can get party of men
hat will sti.k shall return" We camp
ed together at noon, and then it was
agreed that we should join our forces and
send party over the mountains into the
South Park. We did so, and sent the
party under the command of Capt. Doke
and the guidance Of a Mexican. That
party returned after an absence of eight
o days, having accomplished nothing. Af-
> ter this unsuccessful effort, the enthusiasm
of the combined remnants of the "Chero.
! kee" and Ray county, companies, was
!, at low point; and as they sat around
, the camp-fres telling their stories and
singing the songs of home, it soon be.
came evident that their days of gold-hun.
ting were l.early over, and sure enough
for on the morning of the 25th of July
: ten of the twelve wagons composing theiI
= train ''pulled out" for the States.
4 UYFAvoRABLE REPORTS.
d Among the members of the company
: who left, was Mr. Smedley, who haC
i made fortune in California. After ht
Y was in the saddle, ready to start, hearC
him say that she was not by any means
satisfied with the prospecting that haC
n been d-ne, and that he thought the mines
/, on the South Platte might be made II
is pay;" and yet understand that this samt
e Mr.. Smedley has published letter, il
e which he says the mines are a humbug
:. / have not seen the letter, aud but verl
few newspaper articles on the subject
y having arrived but few hours since.
5, Capt. Beck said on the same morning, tha
is 'he believed if his men were obliged Z
" dig for money to take them home, the,
% could take out ten dollars per day to th,
man, and then have within twenty-fou
hours, been referred to him that the mine
k were humbug. But more of this soon
We remained near Pixies Peak for tw
weeks longer, and then went to Ne,
'ei Mexico; at which time (12th Of August
six men who had gone ont with the Law