The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-09-20
HOW | FOUND A GOLD MINE.
By c. W. cRocKER.

After our ride upon tree through
Cajon Canon one would have aban-
doncd our trip and returned home,
thoroughly disgusted; but We were
not made of the stuff that is easily
turned from our undertakings. To
be sure, we had canrassed the ques.
ton, but not one of the party was
willing to advocate it, anu where an
object has no advocate it stands q
poor chance. t,..
"A bad beginning makes good
ending said Maxwell as the confer
ence ended.
a new outfit was purchased, and
our little party again started on their
Journey to the Colorado river. We
left Martins Rancho early in the
morning, and by making good days
march succeeded in reaching Lanes
Rancho on the d-waters of the
Moiave river.
We tarried at Lanes one night, and
the following morning resumed our
march. Our route lay along the banks
of the Mojave and through the Mo.
jave valley.
Shooting rabbits, quail, ducks and
geese every day as we travelled thro'
the valley, We finally reached Fort
Mojave, where we ,arried for a week,
resting our animals, making prepara-
tions for our mountain trip, and culti-
vating the acquaintance oil the Indi-
ans who were lolling around the fort
and drawing rations from the Gov.
eminent.
Finally, we bid adieu to the ac-
qnain,ances made at the fort and start.
ed off in 4 north-eastcrly direction
Our route lay over region that had
never been travelled before. so far as
we could learn; but by taking it we
hoped 10 save considerable distance
III reaching the point we were aiming
At. and also TO find some mines among
the hills that we conid see in the dis.
tance, raising their peaks high above
the Surrounding country.
We travelled four days, and then
came 10 n beautiful! lilile stream that
was meandering through 4 canon
which was, perhaps, halt a mile wide.
We rode mp this ravine two or three
miles. and finding plenty Of wood for
use, and grass for our animals, We de
termined 10 rest for day or two, aud
prospect the hills in the neighhor,
hood
While some of the party were at
tending to the packs, others to the an.
imals and campfire, | took a bucket
and went up the stream for some VA.
ter.
While | was in the edge of the
stream | picked up piece of rock
fully as large as a mans head, and
without looking at it tossed it upon
the shore. il. tell near where Max
we'll was standing, aud the rays of the
sun striking upon it. it glistened like .
diamond.
The sparkling appearance was OBJ
served by Maxwell, who picked mp
the stone and examined il for mo-
ment, and then, uitering 4 wild yell
began to dance Ike one possessed.
NV hat the deuce is the matter wit!
yon, Charley :" asked one OF the par
ty.
Matter, why, matter enough. just
look at this rock it's perfectly alive
with gold. It's worth million dol
lars to the ton. ! never believed
quartz could be so rich. It's a big
thing"
We Immediately gathered around
the rock. and sure enough. there wa.
:he richest piece OF gold bearing
quartz @e had ever seen. 1t appear
ed to be fully one-half gold. As q
matter of course we were all more OF
less excited.
Let Us call meeting" said Hanl
Hewlett, "and organize district
move that Tim Crelly take the chair.
Come, Hank, that is a little too
good joke. wanting a man to tax,
the chair when there is no such /:
thing within one hundred and fit,
miles at least"
Take a seat on a rock, twill an
swer the same purpose" said Charlie,
Maxwell.
"But what do you propose to dt
when you organize a meeting?" | con
| tinued
"Why, pass set of mining law:
to govern the district. Then we cal
stake off number of claims" re
piled Hank.
"Hadn't we better find the lead be
fore we stake off claims? For m,
part, l am satisfied that the ledge i
somewhere in this neighborhood, bu
exactly where, / cannot tell
WELL" said Hank, Il don't know
but 1T might be as well to delay tn
meeting but, dog my cats, if
wasn't so excited that ia have staket
off the creek"
The following morning, bright AM
early, we were up and preparing for
search of the hills, or rather, the side
of the canon.
After having partaken of on
breakfast, We started off in pairs, wit
the understanding that we wouI,
thoroughly prospect the walls of til
canon till night, and then return AM
report progress.
Only those who have prospected 70
quartz mines can form &ny idea 0
the difficulties we encountered. Al
ter we bad assembled the creek two o
three miles, the walls Of the canol
narrowed, and were not more thai
ten or fifteen feet apart. The entir
gorge was filled with hinge masses O
rocks which had become detache,
from the wall and fallen to the bot
tom. Over these we were colnpelle.
to climb, and sometimes it was wit