The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-09-09
A MINING ADVENTURE.

CarbDy, anu MCDOnalu ian Ouu mlXIure
of Mc's), left the small mining town of
White Oakes, in Nevada, and started off
on prospecting tour among the noun
tains.
of the year, for it was late enough to
expect heavy snowfalls; but the miners
were somewhat excited over an account
brought them by a friendly Indian of
silvery indications in the mountains. In
fact he proved the truth of his repre-
sentations by showing some of the gen.
uine metal ITSELF jim, as the redskin
was called, was known to be sober and
trustworthy; and, as he offered to guide
his friends to the spot, the proposition
was gladly accepted.
They started with single beurro, or
donkey, that was loaded down with
mining tools, powder and provisions
until little more than his ears were
visible The men were accustomed to
walking and they went afoot.
On the third day, when they were
close upon their destination, a singular
accident befel Jim, their guide He had
raised his rifle to shoot deer, when just
as he pulled the trigger the foot of the
Indian slipped and he rolled. down
precipice fully fifty feet high. BY the
time his friends could reach him he was
dead.
This sad occurrence threw gloom
over the miners, and Mccoy, with the
not unnatural superstition of his people,
regarded it as an i'll omen and advocated
a return.
Mccoy, however, was overruled by
the others, who thought it would be
throwing away an opportunity which
might never present itself again, as other
miners would be apt to d discover and
claim the lead.
Mccoy called their appearance to the
alarming appearance of the weather.
1t had had been chilly and raw from
the hour they started; the sky was
overcast, and there was every promise
of coming snow storm.
But the other two were determined to
push head, and the objector consented
to keep their company.
That night they camped at what is
known as the DEVILS Canon-such sui
phurous names being in high favor in
the mining countries.
Mccarthy insisted that the broken ac-
count given by the Indian Jim located
the silver lead in canon, and they con-
cluded tnat this must be the one. They
sat long time around their camp fire,
speculating upon the riches which they
expected to find during the next few
days, and building air castles with all
the enjoyment of a lot of school boys
when they attempt to pierce the great
future.
At an early hour the miners were a
stir, and struck into the canon, all look
ing sharply about them for the expected
indication.
BY the horned spoon ~ suddenly
called out Mcdonald, "we've certainly
struck it,"
The three men ran forward to a rocky
ledge, when they discovered what all
agreed was evidently chloride ore, and
they instantly began their preparation
for blasting away the ledge, so as to get
at the valuable stuff.
1t will be borne in mind that this
work was being done in the canon with
the rocky walls separated by less than
fifty feet and rising perpendicularly to
more than four times that height. The
rock was dark and igneous, and on the
side where the miners were working, a
short distance below the supposed silver
ledge, the cliff projected outward some
distance over the path.
The natural roof offered the most in
viting spot for a camp. The miners
leaned poles against it, and wattled in
with brush and dry grass, thus forming
a sort of cabin, which was extremely
useful in providing against cold. There
was no esitancy about kindling fire,
since all the Indians they were likely
to encounter were of friendly disposi-
ton toward the whites.
The men toiled away all day with
moderate success. Silver certainly ex-
listed there; but it remained TO be seen
whether or not it was in paying guam
titles.
They were still quite hopeful when
they ceased their labors and went into
camp.