The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-29

packing and transportation are done by iaeKasses,
or, what are locally called IN Spanish, otsyros.
Ihey scarcely stand as high as a mans waist, and
many are not larger than a good sized dog; but
IL Is wonderful what hardy little creatures they
are and what loads they can carry. From the
San Juan country to the outside world burr0 pack
trains are USED almost exclusively for the trans
porsatlon OF provisions, ard many men make this
regular business realizing from their freighting
sometimes $500 month ON sunday afternoon,
tho nth OF July, the town OF Silverton was
excited over novelty in the shape OF
burro race Printed handbils were extensively
distributed informing the public that purse or
500 would be awarded to the winner In this race
numerous burros entered, ana each maa
rode another's animal. The last In was consld-
cred the winner, and the whole affair created a
great deal OF merriment By this arrangement
each contestant strives to urge the animal he is
riding anead OF the rest, so that he leaves his own
donkey In the rear, while the man VINO rides his
aims TO reach the goal first and secure the prize
TO himself
THE SAN JUAN MINES
are scattered all over the country from the foot
OF the mountain range to an elevation far above
timber line. Many or the finest lodeS crop out
thousands OF feet above the river In the perpen-
dlcuar rock where they are almost out OF reach.
Massive veins OF mineral bearing quartz may be
seen running along the faces OF the peaks for
thousands OF feet The lodes run principally
northeast to southwest and northwest to south
east, crossing each other at right angles when
they meet. Already over 1900 lodes have been
discovered ana located, and should but one out OF
ton OF these prove OF any value, which is a small
percentage, they will constitute the country the
richest mining region In the whole world. Not
until a year and half or two years ago were
any of these mines developed, and even at the
present time very Re " or them have been worked
more than few feet. But In very few years.
when the development has been gotten fully under
way, nothing in any country or any age will be
able to compare with the richness and quantity OF
the san Juan ores. Among the richest ana best
developed lodes in Bakers Park and the neigh
boring gulches are:-The Highland Mary, Noun
tanner, North Star, Terrible, Green Mountain,
Pride OF the West Philadelphia, Little Giant Pros
pector, Pelican, Gray Eagle, Susquehanna, AS
pen, Buckeye aud Royal Tiger.
VALUABLE LoDEs.
The Prospector Lode is situated on the south
west side Of Arastra Gulch, on HazletOn Noun
tain, a spur OF Mount Kendall, very near timber
line. The shaft has been sunk sixty-1ve feet, and
is being worked night and day by two sets Of
hands. A party OF three OF u.s. lncIcding Oregon
Bill, descended the mine by means OF ladder
and examined tue vein at the bottom, which runs
northwest and southeast, and is one OF tho richest
mines in she district. The quartz carries carbon
ate OF silver, galena, pYrte and gray copper lar
gentierous). The Susquehanna Lode 10 situated
few hu ldred yards south and is another rich
mine. It's shaft has Deen sunk hfty-1ve feet, and
is being rapidly developed. The vein runs almost
due north and south. We descended the
mine by means Of a rope, sliding down two
parallel and almost vertical poles, but the
ascent was more difficult, as we hao to draw our
md Tha In rnrE dan
and cold and masses Off coated the walls On
the exterior, at its mouth, lay large pile Of ore
ready for the sacks, which presented rich indtca.
lions OF silver, galena ana gray copper, with lay
ers OF beautiful vari-colored crystaizatons. This
ore as IL is thrown from the shaft, Is valued at
1857 per ton. The Pelican Is another promising
looking lode, but has only been worked for about
fifteen feet. The Legal Tender is one OF the finest
looking veins on the mountain, but is only ricn
in gaena. In Cunningham Gulch the Mountaineer
and North Star lodes are very rich in gray cop
per, which contains q large per cent OF silver.
The pest mines, with few exceptions, are To-
Gated near the head OF this gulch.
To the cabinet collector this section presents
one OF the finest fields anywhere to be founc, for
it abounds in beautiful specimens OF crystals and
ores aud many odd forms OF both. Large, limpid
quartz crystals, Terminated at both ends, are
quite common and immense tablets OF transpar-
emit crystallZatlons lie around In almost every
hollow and on every hillside. In the Park we find
men Of every caste and condition in life, all con-
gregated together Tor the purpose or amassinR
wealth-from the capitalist to the day laborer,
the owner OF mines to the miner, the prospector,
merchant the lawyer, the editor, the doctor, the
packer and the assayer, all interested In greater
or less degree in the development OF the mines.
On our way to the Park we met a party en- route
for the mines, among which we noticed jovlaL
hearty-looklng man, dressed in an ornamented
buckskin suit, with long, dark hair hanging down
his back and armed with rlne, a revolver and a
gigantic hunting knife. Surprising MIN, from his
appearance, to be some celebrated character, we
found upon inquiry that IT was
''oREGoE BILLS
an Old government scout and friend OF Buffalo
Bill wv. Cody. The party accompanied us for
q couple OF days into Bakers Park, and many
good talk aud hearty laugh did we have In COM
psnY WITH oregon Bill. He has been in this West
ern country nearly twenty years, part OF which
time he secuted on the Plains in company
with Buffalo Bill In 1872 he was In
the Black Hills, and says that he found
gold dust in the Euches OF the foot bills on
the northwest slope OF the Hills. The squaws OF
the Blackleet and Crow Indians were In the habit
OF adorning themselves with gold trinkets which,
he thinks, evidently came from that section A
year ago Bill went East with a delegation OF Caws
ana Osages, and during the Centennial Exposition
he expects to exhibit party OF Cav Indians,
whose language ne speaks nuently. His private
name Is W. ]. speck, and he Is thlrty-eight
years OF age. Bill has entered the mines
with "tne other boys" to seek his fortune. but as
long as he has enough to eat and tribe OF Indians
to escort he is always perfectly happy. Although
he is man OF education fine perceptions and
good connections, he prefers this free and rowing
life. ana, like all true 'sons OF the wlldsn is proud
OF his reputation as scout and a hunter. In CIV
Ing an account OF the first nights Indian perform
anees at Fort Leavenworth he says:-
STORY OF OREGON BILL
eve had had no rehearsal, and when the hour
arrived we knew no more what the indians would
do than the audience But went behind the
scenes and told them to go out and DO their best.
AT the given signal they went hooting and yelling
on the stage aud commenced war dance They