National Republican., 1883-07-27
A DEsoLATE REGION.
Something About the Alleged PIacers In
Lower California.
San Francisco Examiner, June 81.

san Francisco Examiner June 81
Last Saturday Capt. NJ. Il. Joyce, of Tomb
stone, arrived in this city. This gentleman
has the prominence of being the leader of the
first party of white prospectors who visited the
Mulege placer mines, Lower California, after
th news had gone abroad of the rich discover
les in that section. Last evening no related in
graphic manner the experiences of his expedi-
tion, and the failure to find any satisfactory
signs of the coveted metal. Rumors were put
in circulation in Tombstone district about the
middle Of April regarding the golden sands
awaiting tho prospoctors' pans at Mulegc,
and on the nineteenth of tho month he
announced his intontion of going thilhor.
Immediately he was beSeiged by host of
energetic, ambitious fellows who wished
to accompany him, and in the remark
ably short space of twonty-four hours
thirty-two mon were equipped for tho trip.
In the company was one woman, Miss Nellio
eastman, who is we'll known in Arizona
as a successful hotel proprietress, The party
reached Guaymas on the twenty-third They
succeeded in chartering a vessel for $500, in
which were loaded burros, tools, and sufficient
provisions TO last for many months. The
captain of the boat was instructed to land mt
the nearest point TO the mines whore fresh
water could bo procured. After tedious
sail of five days two of which were spent in
beachcd at Trinidad. Not o moment was
lost in proceeding inland. Water on the
beach was scarce and hardly drinkable, and
hence the miners started with a scant sup
ply.
Capt. Joyce remained behind for couple
of days, believing ho could ovcrtake his
party without difficulty, as he had an un-
usually fast mule, while his comrades would
be obliged to go slow with heavily laden pack
animals. He reached the party within four
hours after no started much to his astonish-
ment, and found affairs in o terrible state.
/ They had lost their guido, the water was
gone and there were no prospects of finding
any very soon. Miss eastman had lost her
mind through thirst, and was unable to
recognize her most intimate acquaintances.
The question was whether TO push ON or
return, and IL was decided to move
on at all hazards. Fortunately
within twenty-five miles they reached the
Santa Gertrudes mission. They had travelled
altogether about forty-ive miles. This mis-
sion was founded by the Jesuits 2i6 years
ago, and fourteen years ago it contained n
population of 600 mountain tribe Indians,
and now only fourteen survive, governed
by chief who is now eighty years of age.
No care was apparently taken in burying the
dead, as hundreds of skeletons were found
bleaching on tho sand surrounding tho old
church. Some of tho saGrilegious visitors
kicked teeth out of the skulls and
brought them homo as mementoes of
their terrible trip. The church built by the
missionaries is we'll preserved. 1t is of stone
and of great strength. Tho building in situ-
ated in fiat arroyo, through which runs n
shallow stream. Trees cover the banks, and
about nine acres of land are under semi-bar-
harc cultivation. There is story that the
aged chief has boarded barrel of gold for hi S
children when he dies, having purchased it
r..,. al NbA ,t,1,r ,.ntin 40
prevented the statement being substantiated.
The Tombstoncrs remained at the mission
but d sufficient time to obtain imperative
rest, and then obtaining the chief us guide,
started for the plains. Nine miles out a
natural tank was reached. 1t was thirty
feet deep and contained twelve feet of water.
The liquid was hardly more palatable than
that of tho beach, and no wonder, for the
guide said that the water had not been
replenished for soven years, there having
been no rain in that timc. The next day the
mines were reached. They are situated at
tho head of narrow gulch, and cover an
area of about 10000 Square feet. Two hun
dred and fifty Mexicans and Indians were
there working. They told the new corners
| that one man had been making So per day
but when closely questioned it was found thai
| he had discovered one chunk of gold wortl
$50, and this he considered forty days work
The others did not fare so well. The new
arrivals then began to work, after supplying
themselves with water at fifteen cents PEI
gallon. They took out five pans of dirt ant
obtained $1.50 in gold. This naturally dis
| gusted them, and, a vote being taken, they
denounced the expedition as a failure ant
departed for home, sadder but wiser. On the
way back they encountered other parties, who
upon hearing their dismal tale, also turned
Sonoroward At Guaymas fully 1000 persons
were found waiting transportation across the
gulf, but Capt. Joyce's account changed theii
plans, and it is probable no other white mar
has since visited Mulege. Capt. joyce is fine
looking man, tall and well formed, with fact
that denotes courage aud sagacity, He has al
the qualities of dashing and gallant leader
and his career in Arizona fully justifes hi
popularity as frontiersman.
o