Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-03-31


A Promising Gold Mine.
THE Overland Monthly, for March, fur
nishes an interesting article, entitled ION
the Lower California Coast" from which
we take the following prospecting anec-
sdote:
Soon after the first whaling vessels Wis
tied the lagoons, two ships which had ar
rived early from the north were lying
quietly at their anchors, their crews feed
ing on the bountiful productions Of the
bay, and relieving themselves from the
confined and monotonous life on board by
making excursions on shore among the
rugged peaks of Margarita Island, or
through the estuaries that thread the
northern shore Sometime during these
rambles one who had the curiosity to see
the top of the island, after a fatiguing
climb, paused to rest, and take q survey OF
the objects around him. Knocking about
in the debris, he CHANGED to pick up what
he believed to be the "precious gold it.
self" and fastening back to the ship, made
known the discovery to his captain. A
second expedition to the place developed
the supposed gold deposits more fully, and
a large number of the specimens were
brought to the ships and examined by the
two captains and their officers, who pro-
nounced them to be "pure gold, sure
enough"
One of the two ships was among the
largest and best appointed in the whole
Pacific feet, and the captain of high rep
utation, not only as successful whaling
master, but man Of much shrewdness.
His Judgment generally bore great repu-
tation with his brother captains. His de-
cision was listened to with willing ears,
when he addressed all hands in this wise !:
"Yes, men, this is the real stuff. Now
we will 90 to work and get as much of it
as we wish, and let them catch devil fish
that want to. There is powder for blast
ing in the magazine, iron and all other
materials on board to get up quite set OF
mining implements; forge with plenty
of coal, and good blacksmith into the
bargain so the sooner We are at 1t the
better" Immediate preparations were
made to commence mining. It was now
an admitted fact that all hands were to
dig gold and become immensely rich. But
the question arose, "Who is going to dig
gold on the one hundredth or two. hun
dredth lay ?" This was serious matter,
and fully discussed at night in the blind.
ing darkness of the forecastle; for Cap
tain L. never permitted q light to be
burned forward after the regular hours.
After due deliberation, all the crew came
to the firm conclusion that "they would
not dig gold on lay, one OF their number
had discovered it, and really they had q
better claim to the mine than the officers"
"But," said they I'VE are willing to allow
the old man a good price for his grub
the use of his tools, and will charter his
ship, if he says 80, 10 take us and our 'rhino
home" So it was agreed that all hands
should 60 aft and let the Captain know
what was up, as soon as they should be
"turned to" in the morning. "But who
is to be spokesman asked one. All
pitched on Jim Dow, who. however, de-
clared that he had "rather 60 devil fish
ing than face the old man and do the talk
ing"
After some delay, one of their number
volunteered to be spokesman. At the ap-
pointed time in the morning the crew as
sembled aft and asked to see the Captain.
He soon made his appearance, nd every
one could see by his determine look that
itIwas no time to handy words. Their
speaker respectfully informed him tina:
"the crew thought it was hardly fair
thing to dig gold on lay"
"The d-lyou don'tw replied the Cap
Sain.
"You're pretty set of fellows! If you
20 to cutting your fukcs out here I'll send
the whole posse OF you a whaling, and q
precious little good this gold viii do you
when the voyage is up! You're set Of
stupids, from beginning to end! Why, I'll
give any of you $4,000 for your share
and what more do you want?"
The command was promptly obeyed,
and soon the order came to "turn to-"
which was obeyed likewise. Night came
again, and when all gathered in the fore
castle, the new speculation was the en-
crossing topic Of conversation. Jack Dow
said, "As for my part, think the matter
stands about like this: We've got the old
man and $4,000 ON one aide, sure, and
deyil-fish, stoyen boats, and . greasy job on
the other, and goes in for the side what's
got the spondulics." ~
This speech satisfied all present, and the
next day everything went on cheerfully.
Drills, crow-bars, and other mining tools
were made as fast ~ willing hands could
work, and any Of the ships whaling instru-
msnts that could b. turned 70 account
voss immediAtely appropriatedto the NV
adventure. a Hpd d knapeack wasmade
of heavy canvas, for each man to trans
port the precious metal from the mine TO
the ship, and this sackful, delivered ON
board, was the stint" Of each one daily.
Every succeeding morning, Is the sun
rose over the dark peaks Of the island,
might have been seen train of men slow
y plodding up the sleeps with the white
sacks to their backs, and beforethe close Of
day, singly or in squads, they returned TO
tho ship and deposited their treasure In
the strong Casks that had been originally
designed to rsceive the swimming treas
sres a. the deep.