Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-03-25
A SILVER STORY.
what an Old citizen of MRury
County, Tennessee, Has 90 aay
About lndiaas. spaniards and

About Indians. hpanfnrds and
silver Dep0sftsI
Prom the Nashville Union and American i
Ia the eastern part OF Maury county
resides an old man named Tom Park
who is now seventy years OF age. Like
many Of our old citizens, he was raised
10 North Carolina. When only ten years
Of age, he met very old man who re-,
lated TO him wonderful story about a
silver mine in this State. The story goes
that over hundred years from that
time a tribe OF Indians, wandering
through North Carolina, kidnapped a
young child and carried him of The
parents OF the youth made diligenl
search for their missing sou, and the In.
dian trail was followed until lost in the
unbroken forests OF North Carolina.
After long journey the savages, with
their white captive, reached Middle
Tennessee, and camped several days by
the side Of beautiful stream. One
night the sky was suddenly overcast
with dark clouds, from whose bosom
leaped terrific lightning. During the
severe storm, which felled trees promis.
cuously, the chief of the tribe and half
dozen men and women we're killed by
the branches. This caused general
confusion, and as the storm ragged with
unabated fury until daylight, many of
the Indians, while seeking shelter fOm
the lurid flashes and TIE mad winds,
wandered far from the camp beside the
stream. The young captive had also
gone some distance in the dark, aud
when the morning came to golden the
storm ruins OF the wild wood with its
bright beam Of light IL fell on the appa-
rently lifeless form Of the white boy.
The Indians, thinking him dead, and too
busy in searching for the missing mem
bers of their tribe, after cutting of
lock of hair, passed on to leave the
corpse prey for the wild beasts. By
twelve o'clock the boy recovered, Gnd at
first the clear, bright day was confusing
to his eyes. He doubtless had been
stunned by limb which partially Gov
cred his body. Finding no one near, he
wandered two days, and by an accident
ally circHtous route came to the place
where his captors had been camping.
There were several new made graves on
a messy bank that bordered the stream,
and as he approached several wolves
were seen cringing near. The boy lost
no time in making for tree, which he
climbed, and upon looking down saw
several weapons and lot OF jerked beef
the Indians had left. Cautiously he de-
scended, and securing a spear, a bow
and quiver, and as much meat as he
could carry, he travelled several days,
lodging in the cedar trees which grew so
thickly that their branches interlacing
afforded resting place. One morning
he was rudely aroused and found him
self in the presence of eight Spaniards,
who treated him kindly and conveyed
him to their camp, half mile distant,
and located on the brow Of strangely
formed cliff, whose jutting portions
hung high above a river. Here
the Spaniards were engaged in dig
ging silver, which existed in rich
deposits. In the side Of cliff was a
spring, and at the base an odd-looking
rock, which appeared to be the entrance
to a cave. The SpRniards carved dia-
mond figure on the side of the towering
bluff, and short distance from the river
bank grew bush which they circled
with lead, in order to find the place in
the future. What other signs the Span
iards fixed the North Carolnian did not
learn, for they were careful to keep him
from a too intimate knowledge of the
locality, lest he should make the fact of
toe mine known to his friends, for they
had already consented for him to return
home. After spending the winter with
the Spaniards he set out for North Caro-
lima, and suffered many hardships during
his long journey. Armed with a gun,
and wei slppljed with ammunition, he
had no diAic6lty In kiliipS wild game on
which to subsist His adyentpres weFe
Of the most thrilling character, and
n,ore than once he was compelled to
shoot an Indian and then fee for safety
among the wild goods. At last he
reached home, only TO hnG his fathers
family had been murdered. aannGa aannGa the set
Element wheFe they bad lived vas ln
ruins. Where be vent then the Old nan
never told, but repeated the story as re-
lated in substance to Mr. Park, over
dxty wears ago. After finishing the
storS he old Rsn vanished. According
20 IL oIs -nau the mine was located
W thO Oiu - 4. ,.anz knnun a O
four miles above wa 'A R2W A"V"n DIS
Fountain creek. II
Forty years ago Mr.. Park came to /
Maury county, Tenp., and during his
long search for the mine hss fognd all |
of the signs, as indicated by the old
man, except the supposed cave. which,
If it does exist, is now filled with rocks
and rubbish. 1t is stated that Mr.. Park,
and DR.. Cochran, who is now living at
Culleoka, made several explorations Of
the supposed caveu, reaching it by being |
lowered with rope. They found the
cavity filled as above stated, and were
unable to enter its dark depths. Mr..
Park is still confident that he will be
able to discover the silver ore deposit,
and has purchased half interest in the
land. Being unable by reason OF old
age aud limited means TO make the prop
er explorations by digging and blasting, |
Mr.. Park offers one-half Of bis land to
any one that viii undertake the measure.
So far we haze not heard Of any one ac-
cepting his liberal offer. .....
Chinese bridges.