The Osceola times., 1883-04-14
The Backwoods Legend From the
Counties Of Potter and TiOga.
Treasure which was Buried from the In
dians rs Well as the Whites.
willi.msport Cor Philadelphia Times.


sportsmen have haunted il for long
time there is still fair supply of trout
in it, and plenty of game in the forests
through which it passes.
The name of this stream is Elk Run,
and TO the stranger il suggests game no.
bier than even the beautiful deer that
were 30 numerous last fall, but it has
been long time since elk have been
seen there, although at an old elk "lick,"
about two miles above its mouth, IT is
said the Indians used to kill numbers Of
them. From this elk lick, now poverty
stricken plaster bed with abundant sui
phur water, the stream derived its name,
and at this slick" many deer were killed
and some of the old hunters met adven-
lures worthy of a historian.
LOST MINE.
Like many backwoods settlements this
quiet neighborhood has its legends and
traditions and, while they may have no
other foundation than the imagination,
they have induced men TO go to some
expense in trying to find a more substan-
lial basis for them. The strange actions
If Indians, with whom, as matter OF
course, these traditions are associated,
AVE given them more appearance of
.eason than usually characterizes such
romances. One of these traditions, and,
indeed. the leading one, is of silver
nine of fabulous wealth, where the In
lians in the days gone by secured the
precious metal almost at pleasure to
trade with the treachcrous pale faces
who disturbed them in their famous
lunting fields. OF the existence of this
mine many of the older inhabitants had
no doubt and, at one time, leading men
Of the place-good business mcn-prom-
ised limited assistance to visionary old
man in his profitless hunt for the great
mine. But his sudden death put an end
90 prospecting, and there are only the
legend and some deep holes left of the
great Elk Run Silver Mine.
The original discovery is said to have
been made by an Indian who was watcn-
ing deer lick and who, seeing a light
aimed spear at it and in the morning
found the mine by digging in the noun.
tain near the light. This discovery was
kcpt as the property of the tribe TO which
the discoverer belonged and until they
we're obliged TO leave the ncighborhood
was carefully worked and its secret
~ .rded. AT last obliged by settlers Il
leave they covered every trace of the
mines existence and went away TO some
Western reservation. Here they engaged
IN war and Tor some years struggle fol
existence kept them from returning tc
their Elk Run treasure. When the wal
was over three or four were sent to ex.
anime the n-ine and secure some of tht
silver. The fact that these Indians were
seen around the supposed location of thu
mine is undisputed, but the object o
their search is less clear.
HIDDEN FROM THE INDIANS.
For several days they mysteriousl,
haunted the legendary vicinity of th,
mine, but finally left, unable to rcdiscov
er what they had worked before the com
ing of the wood-choppers, who had $,
changed the appearance of eycrythin.
that the treble tree" and "old fiat stone
and sundry other marks were insufficient
to show the way to the silver mine. Tn,
three returned bootless, and as last re
sort the old medicine man of the tnb,
was sent to see ii he could not find wha
the others could not. Silent and alon,
he searched the locality, looking vainl,
for some familiar mark that should guild,
him, until he was taken dangerously
sick at his boarding place and obliged {,
stop hunting. Here he was cared for b,
IN old man, TO whom it was said he i'm
parted as much IF the secret as he him
self knew, telling him of the treble tire,
20 the north OF the mine, the large fla
stone 10 the east, and small sprin.
brook running near il; and" said tn,
sick sachcm, IF YOU find it you can sho,
your horses with silver as you do now
with iron."
The sachem died and the old man like
wise went the way of ali flesh, but no
until he had communicated his knowl
edge to another, who made an effort I,
find the lost treasure. This man cam,
from some Western State to Elk Run ant
for months worked only at night. dig
ging by the light of the moon or Ian
tern and returning home before day
break. He lived with son and his noe
turnal expeditions were carried on Sc
quietly that no one knew what he wa,
doing until some one stumbled upon III,
holes he had made and took the troubl,
to learn their history. Afer this h,
worked more openly, and while he aver
red his fear of assassination by the H.
dams in case they found out what he wa.
ioing, he continued his work and hi.
prospecting holes multiplied. Stead,
and persisting in his belief that he wou.c
lind silver, he said he knew it was thert
md that time would reveal it. Dry hole,
did not in the least discourage him. III
was the wrong place." he said, "but tn,
Indian was right, and in few month,
you will see OLD Silver Skin was not
crazy when he came here to dig foi sill
YER"
OLD SILVER sKIN's SECRET.
In few months "Old Silver 81 in" wa.
taken sick, and when his work was first
interrupted he called in Zen or twelve O.
the leading men and proposed that they
should give him two men and team fol
three days. If by that time he did not
find the silver mine, he would 70 away
and not trouble the people with wha;
many termed his visionary schemes.
'The silver is there" he said, "ncar
that little stream, and we can surely find
it. l have looked long, but it IL thcr,
and will find it,"
The promise of assistance was given
and in childlike confidence that he would
make the discovery next week, when he
was better. the old man grew worse and
Al