Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-11-18

Finding a Mine Once W Orked by
the Ancients.

Silver Cliff (Col.) Pfospcct.l
On last Sunday, Monday and Tues
day, a severe snow storm ragged in the
mountains, extending to the valley
below. The prospectors in the range,
who were out Of sight of their camp,
were forced to seek shelter in the
eanons and under the large lodges of
rock, it being impossible to follow
guides to any designated point, all
traces Of paths being entirely oblit-
Grated
S. J. Hartman, Il. r.. Oliver, and
II. A. Melton were prospecting in the
Sangre de Cristo range, on the San
Luis side, about Two miles north of
what is known as Dead Mans Camp,
on Sunday afternoon, when the storm
came upon them in all its fury, render
ing it dangerous to travel. Being
near a deep canon, they sought shelter
from the wind by entering. Not FAR
rom where they stopped, on the same
side, they noticed an opening, aud con
cluded to make an examination
Drawing near, by feeling around the5
found thatsthere was quite a long tun-
mel, though not very deep. They de-
termined to enter, and preceded to
gather dry pine for torches. After
getting a sufficient quantity, they en-
tered on hands and knees, in single
file.
In this position they crawled for
ten or twelve feet, when they entered
into a large chamber, where they could
easily stand upright. This chamber
enlarged for twenty feet. where they
reached what seemed to be a second
passage, when, as before, the walls
closed, and it became necessary for
them to proceed in single file. The
second passage, however, was not over
ten feetin length, when they emerged
into a somewhat deeper and much
larger chamber, the walks widening to
such an extent that IN order to tell
the size Of the room, it was necessary
to follow them up from either side Of
the entrance. About ten feet to the
light Mr. Oliver, who was !: advance.
struck his foot against something that
moved very easily, and, thinking it
strange, lowered his light, and to his
borrow found human skull. A fire
was then kindled on the floor out Ct
extra fuel, in order to getr a better
view of the floor and sur oundings.
Not far off lay four other human
skulls. Not being satisfied with this
discovery, they rotraced their steps
and obtaining fresh fuel, re-entered,
determined to know the secrets of the
cave. Returning to their fire, which
was still burning, they lighted new
torches and continued their explora.
ton. About twenty feat TO the left
and near the western wall. another
skull and bones we're found. There
was no trace Of any tool, knife or gun
nothing but the half-decayed bones,
The cave extended 10 the north, and.
as In the previous chamber, contracted
somewhat, leaving another narrow pas
sage.
This passage, unlike the other,
however, was much longer and by nc
means as narrow, it leadingthem into
a smaller CHAMBER, the walls Of which
were very irregular, having large
projecting rocks, resembling in some
places the shelving ola store room. Or
the western side Of this chamber. neal
the north end, one of these shelve.
extended to a considerable width
from the wall, about ten inches frou
the fo2s. 1ir. Melton, who was ex.
aiming this particular spot out Of
idle curiosity, lowered his light anC
stopping down looked under the ledge
and noticing what seemed to be pecu.
liar-shaped stones, concluded to draw
them olt, when, to his amazement, h
found them heavy enough to require
his eutire strength TO remove them
He pulled them out, however. and
called his companions who were exam
ing the opposite side of the room
They were not long in discoverin,
that he had found three gold bars tina.
have since proved to DO worth abou.
$500. Elated over their strange an,
rich discovery, they remained long I,
notice that the cave extended Ia
northerly direction, and through an
other small passage. They did not
however, follow it, but secured thei.
treasures and retraced their steps t,
the first chamber, where they campe,
until morning, when they shoulders,
they gold and departed for theil
camp, reachingi it in safety. They re
fuse to tell the exact location Of thu
cave, but declare their intention to re
turn to it as soon as the weathe
moderates, and make a NOR
thorough examination. We obtaine,
our information froma gentleman wb,
had just arrived in the city, and VIII.
youches for the gold part Of the story
having seen ltand felti il.