The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1860-12-06
For the Palladium.
NO. XIV.


County, was much interested with his re-
marks generally in regard TO early times, on
White y aicr-and especially the &C cunt he
gave OF what was supposed to be an old sill
yer mine, worked perhaps by the mound
builders, centuries before the discovery of
this continent BY Columbus. l will relate
the story in his own words, as near as | c N
Jecolect them.
"In the wear 1906 said my narrator. Il
made nv temporary home with my brother,
who lived within less than five miles OF
where the Town Of Richmond now stands -
Within a few rods oil my brothers cabin
door there was a circular mound about six
rods in diameter, rising three or four feet
above the surrounding ground. In the
center of The mound was depression. the
middle Of which terminated in deep hole,
filled with dead leaves and decayed vegeta.
ton. On the rim of the mound stood seve.
raj large oak and sugar trees, apparently
several hundred years old. On The sides
Of the mound, and in the gullies washed In
it by rains, we found particles of ore, but of
hat kind we were unable to determine
We saved several hands full OF the ore,
which we Exhibited 10 particular friends,
but they were unable to inform US what kind
it WAS One day l told my brother be
lieved I would clear the rubbish out of the
hole in the middle of the mound. and dig
down few feet, and see if l could not find
some larger chunks of ore. He favored the
project. and with mattock and spade com
menced to "dig out the hole.' The de-
bris of decayed leaves and limbs Of the sur
rounding trees, extended down several feet,
which carefully removed. l found large
fiat stone placed over the top of the hole,
which with much effort | removed. Under
this stone, for several eet down, were frag
ments of shelly limestone, placed edgewise,
filing the hole-which in calibre was about
the size of an ordinary well before the curb
ing is put in. Nine or ten ieet below the
surface OF the ground | came to a little cav
ern from which | took several pieces f
earthern ware, resembling tiles. or broken
crockervware, more than peck OF charcoal,
and quite handful of large particles of the
glittering ore. Of reddish gray color. inter
mixed with spangles OF dross, which indica-
ted that part OF the ore had been smelted.
dug only few feet further, but did not
arrive at the bottom of the hole. About
this time my brother sold the tract OF land
he lived on and entered at Cincinnati anoth-
or quarter section, few miles south of his
first purchase. When he went to Cincin-
natl TO enter his second piece of land, he
took stocking leg full of the to get it
! analy zed. Not finding it convenient to stay
in Cincinnati until the ore was assayed, he
placed it in the hands of Gen. Finley. re-
c.iver OF the land office at Cincinnati. TO have
il analy zed. and make report Of the result
the first convenient opportunity. Years
passed by, but we heard nothing from en-.
Finley in regard to the ore, and we sup,
posed it had proved to be worthless.
Twenty one years afterwards. my self and
brother met Gen. Finley in store in Gin
cinnati During an hours casual converse
ton the subject Of mining and minerals
came up. Incidentally | remarked that it
was strange s. few mines had been discov
cred in this country, while the other por-
tons of the globe We're rich in the pre-
cious metals. Finley rep!ied-Our continent
is not behind the rest OF The world in mine.
raj wealth. 1t will take years, perhaps cen
turtles 10 devolope it. | have no doubt bu:
that rich and extensive mines will yet be
found in this country equal TO the richest
mi es OF other countries. | have reasCn to
!, believe that there is silver nine in less
than a hundred miles of Cincinnati. Indeed
l may say | know there is, from specimens
of ore which | assisted IN analysing twenty
years ago, left with me by man who own
ed the land where the ore was found, whose
Tho said he lived on Whitewater, above
Brookville. About this time my brother
began 10 chew his tobacco faster, and looked
at me in rather significant manner, he
said, General, how much of the ore did
the man bring you? A stocking-leg full,
was the reply Do you remember what
kind of a stocking it was? Yes, as we'll as
il it had taken place but yesterday. 1t was
the leg of u home made stocking dyed with
with Walnut bark. What was the size and
age of the man who lett the stocking with
you? He was young man, rather low,
and stout built-somewhat smaller than you
are. At this my brother said-I am the
man who placed the orc in your hands; why
did you not write to me according to prom
J Use? The General dashed the pen from
his fingers upon the table we surrounded,
and springing to his feet, said, 20, foolish
man! why did you not follow up your ex-
pertinent better? l lost the memorandum
containing your name and address, and did
not know who 10 write 10, nor where TO ad-
dress my letters, The ore proved to be OF
the richest quality of silver ore--richer by
far than that taken from the mines Of Mexi-
co. equ to the richest specimens from the
mines of Peru
Imagine the sensation produced through
out our little counting room circle. Do YOU
still own the land? enquired Finley. No,
replied my brother. l sold it many years
ago. and the purchaser has bull, large,
two story frame house which covers the
opening to the mine. Would he sell that
place on fair terms? enquired the General.
think not, replied my brother; he is a
well to do farmer, and could not easily be
induced TO change his circumstances
Myself and brother had met with pecuniary
disasters. and had made arrangements to
move further west, and so the silver mine
excitement soon died away with us NV
brother has since died. and there is but
myself and one or two other persons living
who know OF this mine. The old frame
house has worn out and large brick dwell
ing house has been erected near the site of