Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1865-08-25
The Land of Legendary Wealth.

Inc Lima OIL ~1CRenuAry "cAthHs
Has it never occurred to the hardy and
adventurous men who make up our
pioneer community, that they IRE dwell
ing on the confines of q region that for
centuries past has been the supposed
seat OF immense mineral riches do
they know that they are lowering on
the borders of n land, in the u~nexplored
depths Of which, the generations Of the
past placed the tabled Ell Dorado, with
its lodes of metallic silver and mountains
of gold? And yet, such is the case. In
the awful wilderness that stretches away
on the southeast to the Rio Colorado, en-
bracing in its desolate wastes the Valley
of Death, encircled by the Amargosa-
river Of bitter waters-lie those golden
fields that so excited the cupidity Of the
early Pacific explorers and dazzled the
imagination Of Cortez and his followers.
This is the realm toward which the Indian
legends pointed, and of which the Span
iards dreamed. Marvellous were the tales
that were told Of its wealth, and many
the intrepid prospector that persisted
seeking to penetrate its mysterious SOL
itudes. Nor has this belief passed
away with the generations who first en-
tertained it. It still maintains its foot
hold, not only in the popular magma
ton, but to some extent also among
scientific minds. In the Summer Of SO,
when but little was thought and still
less known Of tho u Of Washoe,
We met Judge Crane, first delegate from
Nevada in Congress, on the spot where
Carson City now stands. lie was an
enthusiast on the subject of the wealth
of the Great Basin, and for hours we
listened to him as he descanted on his
favoritc theme. There, said he, pointing
toward the southeast, over the mountains
and acros, the deserts beyond, is the true
land of gold. There will yet be found
many q Comstock lead, and such store of
the precious metals as never existed in
Mexico or Peru. There before many years
will our people gather, and there will yet
be the scat of opulencc and empire. While
yet charging earnestly on this topic, the
stage came along, and the Judge, getting
aboard, departed for Gold Hill. That
night he died; and though some may sup
pose it was q sort of prophetic foresight
that enabled him to peer into the future,
and discern the hidden treasures Of the
great southern wilderness, we opine it was
mostly the result Of the intelligent and
persistent inquiries that for years he had
directed to this subject. Crane was u we'll
read and scholarly man, conversant with
the history of the Pacific Coast, and the
opinions Of the carly Spanish writer's and
explorers, having himself Travelled much
over this particular region Of country; and
from these sources, no doubt, derived the
idea 10 earnestly entertained and SC ar
IDENTIFY promulgated to the day of his
death.
Whether this idea was well founded or
only one Of those illusions ever found
afloat in the popular fancy. haunting,
sometimes, too, like the philosophers
stone, the metaphysical mind, is n matter
that will soon be brought to the test of
reality. With the curiosity and cupidity
of our people aroused, it will not be long
until this little known and dcsolAte region,
about which 70 many strange legends
have been told, will be penetrated by our
bold and enterprising prospectors, and all
its hidden secrets be revealed to the world.
In the discoveries lately made along its
northern border, we have partial contir-
nation of these gorgeous tales, and abun-
dant encouragement to seek for their fur
Their realization in the regions beyond.
The mines Of Silver Peak and Red Noun
tain, standing on the verge Of this uncx-
plored land, surpass all others in their
obvious and illlmitablc wealth. That
there are others equally good, still further
out on the desert, it Is reasonable to sup
pose /; and that such will be found before
many months have passed away, there is
equally good reason to believe. - Nye
HOutfU Nelrs.