Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-08-31
TUOLUMNE GOLD.
The story of Long Lost Mine Now
Yielding Abundantly.
lTuolumne (Cal.) Independent.

Tuoiumne (Cal.) Independent.
In 1852 party of five unknown miners
were working in the bed of one of our rivers,
where they took out a large amount OF gold
one chunk weighing 81 500, with quartz
attached. 1t is well known that in those
days little, was thought, about gold-bearing
quartz by the common California miner.
However, the proof of the pudding was in
eating, and to find the common carrier OF
this gold was question which greatly puz-
zled them. Above their claim to the right
was large conical mountain, standing
with nearly perpendicular sides, rising 1000
feet above the river, where the miners sup
posed the gold to come from which fed the
river. To ascend this for the gold hunt was
attended with great danger and difficulty
having to cut steps for fo0thold in the solid
slate rock to the the top. Upon arriving at
the summit the scenery at their quarter was
grand as far as the eye could reach. But
scenery was thin Cruel for miners hungry for
gold, and they had no stomach for it whe n
such an inviting spectacle lay exposed to view
at their very feet. Here the footsteps OF
man had never before intruded. Mammon
was the only god who had hid in this seclud-
ed basin, this vast profusion of yellow, shin
ing, glittering gold, and had used the ele-
ments of the storm king as milling process.
Here truly was picture for fine art
They collected $4,000 in short time, and
covering up their footsteps as they descend
ed, returned to San Francisco. Here, shortly
after their arrival, one Of the party died; not,
however, until he had made map and given
description of the mine to his wife, and
also the 81 800 specimen.
In the meantime the surviving four parties
returned for more lucre and it was on their
homeward trip to the bay" that they were
murdered, not far from their claim, by a
number of Mexicans supposed to be the
band of Joaquinl lMurietta, with large
amount of gold in their possession-the
graves of these unfortunate men being we'll
known to the old residents of that locality,
which partially confirms the statement
How many ''will-'o-the-wisps" and wild
goose chases' in the shape of big deposits
have miners followed without successful ter
mnation? The air is teeming with them
from "Gold Lake" up-a period covering
thirty-thre years in California. The one
under our present notice is the first of the
many "secret expeditions" in our mind, that
has been realized.
By some unexplained means DIR. Draper
became acquainted with this legend, and also
the widow of thirty years bereavement.
The interview was satisfactory, and the iden-
tical 81 800 lump, which has been religiously
kept, produced.
Six weeks ago, armed with the description
and map above alluded to, in company with
four others, he had no difficulty in finding
the deserted claim, and located the ground.
In less than six days work, lowering the ore
with ropes down the mountain side, they
have taken from the mine the round sum of
S65,OOO, which the receipts of the San Fran
cisco Mint, in Draper's possession, will show
The Doctor also informs us that there is at
least 100 tons of rich ore on hand ready for
the milling process. This claim will un-
doubtedly develop tie boss bonanza in the
State.