The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1859-02-05
Tha Gold Ragion.

ne haDSaS OlLy OOuIHdt HdS tuo IOi-
lowing in regard to the gold mines Of
Western Kansas, in answer to the inter,
rogatory: as there gold on the head
waters of the Arkansas, Platte and Kansas
rivers ?''
Concerning the discoveries that were
made in earlier times, by hunters and
trap2ers, We have already said in our
extra issue of the Goth inst., that for many
years the traders from this city to the
mountains have believed in the existence
of gold in the head streams of the Arkan-
sas and South Platte. As long ago as 1885,
Eustace Carriere, French Trapper, now
living, superanuated, with the Chouteau
family in this city, was lost from his
party in that region, and wandered for
several weeks through the country, during
which time he collected, in his shot pouch,
numerous specimens, which he carried
with him to New Mexico. They proved
to be gold, and party was there formed
and returned with Mr.. Carriere, to search
for the locality. He was unable to find
the streams where he had collected his
specimens, and was tied and severely
whipped by the Mexicans, under the sup
position that he did not wish to disclose
their location. This was the first discovery
which we have been able to learn. The
Catholic missionaries have frequently
found specimens in possession of the Kan
sas Indians, and Others who annually visit
the country for hunting.
As additional evidence of an early or
historical character, we find that RUFUs
B. SAGE, writer who, in 1916, published
a very large volume entitled "Western
Scenes" says, concerning the gold, the
following:
"This excursion took me some fifteen
miles eastward, to the head waters of the
Kansas river. The country in that neigh
borhood wore a barren aspect, and was
generally sandy and undulating. no.
ticed kind of mineral substance of a
jetty lustrous appearance, which | took to
be black lead. | also remarked certain
indications Of gold, but whether this metal
actually e-.ists here, I am unable to say;
yet true it is, tie surface affords large guam
tites of "goI blossom" and is said also,
that gold has been found in these parts Pr
Page 276.
This is very important evidence, and
for the edifcation of the skeptical, it may
be well to remark that it is not the Ian
guage of an editor, that it is not q ''news-
paper lie"-it is the evidence of candid
and truthful historian of its travels, and
rah do, ,ak
Again the same writer says, on page 277:
"During the consultation, several small
pieces of ghitte,ing yellov substance were
discovered upon The surface, Uhich proved
soft and easily Unked into any shape.
From these supply of bullets was pro-
cured, and resumins their course, they
soon after met the Pawnees; with whom
they (the Arappahoes) fought, and were
victorious, every bullet discharged killing
an enemy. This victory was so signal and
complete that the superstitious warriors
attributed it solely to the medicine doings''
of the yello balls, three or four of which
were finally buried with the chief (Whirl-
windy at his death. The only white per-
son permitted to see them, describes them
as having been precisely the color of brass
very soft and heavy. Admitting that
the story is true, there are doubtless very
rich mines of gold in This vicinity, thai
being the only metal assimilating brass in
color"
The above is sufficient evidence from
men who lived and wrote years ago, be.
fore any excitement was rife, before it wai
actually known that the country adjacent
to Pixies Peak was gold bearing region
and that it would eventually become an
other California.
Since August last, we have published
letter after letter from mountain men
from traders, from men with whom W,
have for years been personally acquainted
from friend writing to friend, from father
to sons, and from sons to fathers, and slst
from special correspondents, all testifyint
to one and the same thing, viz: an affirm
alive answer TO our question. as Their
gold upon the head waters Of the Arkan
sas, the Kansas, and the Platte 2" The,
have found the gold, they have dug tn,
gold, they have brought it to our city, ant
more than that, they have even taken j
to the money maker, who has alread.
converted it into illegal tender" Nor
than this, an emigration has already takel
possession of these mines, larger by ia
than the emigration that was digging" ii
The mines of California seven months ofte
the gold discooery.
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