The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-05-22
BARARDO'S FIND.
The Wonderful Ledge Of Gold That Was
Struck In 1888.

The Wonderful Ledge Of Gold That Was
Struck I'm 1883.
Tuo~n Correspondence Chicago Times.
Don Barado was the original discovercr
Of the wonderful ledge of gold in the An
telope Hills, between Nictenburg and
Prescott, the history Of which sounds al
most like chapter from wild Western
romance.
In 1868 he, together with party of FIVE
other "prOspectors, opened a small placer
mine along the slope of the mountain.
To reach 1t from their camp they were
obliged to follow a narrow pathway in
order to avoid climbing high mesa which
interviewed. This entailed a rather cir
cuitous route around the base OF the mesa.
One afternoon the spirit moved Barardo
to return to camp by crossing the mesa
rather than by the familiar path. Upon
reaching the summit, which was difficult
to climb, he sat down to rest moment.
and recover breath before attempting the
steep descent. Suddenly his eye caught
the glitter of gold among the rocks at his
feet, and there, loosely embedded in a
ledge of disintegrated quartz. he beheld
hundreds Of golden nuggets. Those Of
Monte ChrIsto experience can imagine his
astonishment and delight; his good for
tune seemed almost beyond belief and
comprehension. With the aud of his
hunters knife he soon detached from the
crevices sufficient 10 fill his pockets.
Night and darkness came on all too soon.
and he was compelled TO leave his treas
ure-trove. and return to his comrades TO
whom he exhibited his wealth of gold,
and promised TO guide them TO the spot at
dawn the following morning, knowing
that If he did not they would, without
hesitation or conjunction of conscience,
rob and murder him.
After four days work, with only their
pocket and hunters knives. Barardo's
share In the proceeds amounted 10 little
more than SO. 900 in nuggets, varying in
size from that Of a mustard seed to those
worth $500.
The mine or vein was exhausted in less
than two months, all OF the gold lying
near the surface, but in tina. short time
Barardo was made richer by $50, 900.
The most singular fact connected with
the discovery was that, although found
two thousand feet above the valley, the
gold was perfectly smooth and water
washed
Don Barardo having received his divis.
ion Of the treasure. hied him 10 Sonora.
| where he purchased goods and other sup
plies, and was returning 10 settle down un-
der Furnishing vine and fig tree Of his
own, when he was attacked by party OF
marauding Apaches and
ROBBED or ALL THAT HK POSSESSED.
He recuperated his means, went again in.
TO Sonora TO make purchases. and this
time returned with better success. For.
tune smiled upon his mercantile efforts,
and all went on prosperously.
| One cold, dismal morning a wayfarel
came TO his door-an American. ragged
hungry and barefooted, imploring s1me
thing to eat.
| The good Samaritan took him in. fee
and clothed him. and In due time employ
ed him as an assistant IN his store. a. b,
was honest. capable and industrious, be
sides understanding English. which wa
quite an advantage IN his trade.
Some time afterward business required
Don Barardo 10 leave home, and he con
graduated himself on having such a com
petent. reliable representative 10 leave II
charge Of his AFFAIR.". After a short alb
sence he returned 10 find that the unfaiih
full steward had sold everything and al
seconded with the proceeds.
!. This experience would have made th
average man misanthrupic and diarus,fu
OF his fellows. bat not 20 with our worth
Don. He rallied. commenced work owe
again and il now the genial hoe; Of III
station with store attached, at Horse-bea
crossing.