The Elk Mountain pilot., 1881-11-17
UPRISING OF THE UGLY
UNCOMPROMlSING
Unc0mpahgr0
: UTES!
--7l
4 STORY OF THE DARING AED
THRILLING ADVENTURE OF
TWO PROSPECT0RS WELL
KNOWN IN THIS CAMP.

Eplfot FIhor: Many accounts,
conflicting and otherwise, have been
related concerning the troubles arls-
ing from parties venturlng too far
upon the reservation and domains of
tine Indians. propose in this letter
to give you brief account of nay own
experience, and let the public take it
for what it is worth. 1t was under the
direction and guidance OF an "old
timer that | was induced to pack
my mule and start with him On pros
pecting tour on what is known as for
bidden ground, i.e., the reservation.
My partner with his trusty span, of
the long cared persuasion, and wagon
well and strongly built for mountain
travel, packed with provision Of divers
kind, besides all the necessary para
phernalia for prospecting, aroused
me at an early hour to proceed on
our journey before the curious eye Of
the lounger or the eagle eye Of the
PILOT reporter could note our depart
ure, for this was to be a somewhat
secret "tour of inspection.'
Glad bright hopes of a prosperous
journey and happy return buoyed
up the spirits cf this outfit. 1t turned
its back upon the city of Irwin just
as the great orb Of day was illuminat.
ing the eastern horizon slowly and
steadily We wended our way along the
mountain roads, stopping only to cook
our noon-day meal and evening repast;
the bright moon afforded us light to
travel by night. time to us being too
precious to waste by camping, and
sleep was out of the question to two
such aspiring youths buoyant with
hopes of fabulous wealth. For four
days we travelled, camping only when
necessary to give rest to our animals.
On the fifth day we reached the Un.
compahgre and on little plateau
pitched our tents, fed our weary mules
and prepared to refresh the inner man
with slap-jacks and bacon.
On the following morning, each
with pick, We started to explore the
land, tramping all day up gulches and
down hill-sides, returning to camp al
night-fall feeling satisfied we were in
a country rich in mineral; but deslr.
ing to know still more If the country
We started early next day with the
team, and for several days thereafter
was exploring ever conceivable spot
that bore any resemblance of contain.
ing mineral. But the purpose of my
letter was more particularly concern.
ing the Indians; the locality Of oul
mineral find l shall hold secret fol
the present, suffice it to say we left nc
projecting rock unc!ipped, or the float
upon the mountain sides unexamined.
Never did the sun shine brighter upon
two hopeful prospectors than it did on
that certain day, of which l shall speak
more fully hereafter, all nature seemed
to smile upon our efforts, for just as
the western peaks were casting their
shadows DER that precious spot, my
pick, from a we'll directed blow, roll
ed out chunk of rock revealing to
my delight evidences of untold wealth.
l called to my companion which echo.
ed back his call to me We had each
simultaneously discovered lode show
ing up the precious mineral in as
founding richness, wire silver curled
up in its nativeness and beauty, ex.
ceeding anything that ever dazzlee
the eye of Colorado prospector'
Darkness drove rs to our camp, there
to wait m restless anxiety the appear
ance Of morning.
Little did ve knew or dream of all
that was to PISS before the morning
should appear. As We lay our weary
limbs down for rest and close our eyes
in slmnbetJ how unknown it IS to US