The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1865-03-11
The Ethan Allen and its Discoverer.

Ihe Ethan Allen and its DiscOVerer.
The tale of the silver-hunters," founded
on fact and on fiction, has been written in
many various forms, but the tale of the silver
hunters will never be fully told until the life
and laborS of hundreds of adVentursome ex-
plorers through the quartz regions of Idaho
and Nevada, have been written. The story of
their hopes, labors, privations and indonita-
BILE courage constitute one of the most in
structing and interesting of chapters. It
would be fortunate if the experiences of many
of the pioneers in this branch of MINING
could be preserved for future remembrance.
Colossal fortunes will emanate from the dis
coVeries made by them, and interests far and
wide will be affected. It would be interest
Ing in future years, when the great metallic
rivers shall flow from the veins of Idaho, en-
riching distant countries with their album
dance, to trace back the currents to their
original, and ofttimes insignificant sources
back to the natiyespring in the human breast.
swelling with courageous fortitude and patient
perseverance, through years Of accomplishing
priVations.
We have one instance among the many Of
these, in the person of Senior Marcose Vega,
the discoyerer of the Ethan Allen ledge.
Sefior Vega is descendant of the ancient
family of Vega, in Spain, and was long sill
yer miner in Mexico. Convinced, about two
years ago, from the appearance of this coun-
try, that it was continuation of the silver
bearing range of Mexico, he devoted much /
time to the exploration of these mountains, /
and the examination of the quartz lodges. He
soon struck the ledge now known as the Ethan
Allen A small company was organized for
thoroughly prospecting the ledge. None of
the locators had much means at their disposal
and during the examination most of them
wearied. The more Vega saw OF the rock,
the more he was satisfied of its extraordinary
wealth. One after another he purchased for
a tribe the interests of his associates until in
time he became the owner of nearly the whole
OF the discovery. He continued his work,
sinking shafts and tunneling on the ledge,
most OF the time without money and without
credit. For months he lived on nothing butts
bread for food, and water for sleeping
between three fires atnight for want of blank
cts. People called him fool, and frequently :
asked him why he did.not abandon his work .
q
and try something in which ready money
could be made. Vega told them his fortune =
was in the creVices of these hills, aud he was q
content to wait. For two years be worked, !
waited and hoped. During these years he
discovered seventeen lodges, some Of them .
now among the most noted in the Basin. He u
was occasionally compelled to go to work Q
to obtain money to procure provis- r
ions; but to the Ethan Allen he steadily adj P
nered, until its immense value was fully a
demonstrated. Men who year ago refused ?
him credit for a half sack of -four, now are
lnxiously endeavoring to secure interests, and 8
hose who in discouragement sold out for .
eW dollars, would now gladly get back =
gain by paying hundreds for tina. which 2
hey almost gave away. Senior Vega at last :
las emerged into the bright day to which he :
truggled through years Of suffering, rags, :,
tarVation, cold and loneliness. y
Thus much for the Ethan Allen and its. q
liscoverer. Another year will deyelon a %
thousand more of similar incidents in the p
ives of the silver pioneers Of Idaho. g
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