Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-03-01
THE MAN WHO LAUGHS
As lie Thinks OF the OminOus Prediction Made
When He Founded the Town OF Tombstone.

The recent dispatch announcing the
discovery of gold on the Yukon River,
in Alaska, recalls one of the romantic
experiences of Western mining life, says
the New York Tribune. The Alaska
discoverer, whose name should have
been given as Scheiffeln, instead of
Schuffelm-as was telegraphed-is the
man who located the rich mines at
Tombstone, A. T., and founded and
named the town. The story of the ''find"
is remarkable one. ED" Sheiifelin,
witt. his brothers and one or two COM
panions, was prospecting in Southern
Arizona some four or i've years ago,
when it contained comparatively few
white men and was oyerrun by hostile
Apaches. The party, in Western par
lance, were ''down on their luck. "
They had made no strikes, and their
supplies were running low 1t was a
condition of affairs Scheiffelin was in
ured to, for he had been SO reduced as
to live on meal and beans given him in
camp as an act of charity. Finally
they resolved, in desperation, to start
across into what is now known as the
Tombstone district. Other prospectors
had kept away from fear of the Indians.
The country was dry and desolate, and
contained but little game. The few in
truders had never returned.
When Scheif1elin's little party an
nounced their determination it was gen
orally predicted that they would meet
death by Apache bullets or by starya-
ton. ''All you find will be your tomb
stone,n was the sarcastic farewell of a
miner as the adventurous band started
into the barren hills. They journeyed
through cacti and mesquite, crossed ar
royas and climbed hills, examining
lodges and groupings, and scrutinizing
every rock for signs of pay ore that
might lead to the discovery OF a vein.
All the time they kept keen outlook
for Apaches. They slept rifle in hand
while faithful watch was kept through
out the night. But they found nothing
Footsore, weary and discouraged, they
camped on the site of the present town
of Tombstone. Their provisions were
nearly exhausted. 1t was imperative
for them to find food at once
or give up their attempt and turn back
ward. One of the party, taking his
rifle, went out to hunt for a deer. In
his absence the others began hopelessly
examining the rocky ground near their
their camp and at least fortune proved
kind. When the hunter returned he
found that he and his comrades were
millionaires. They had found rich
outcropping of ore that had limited at
the wealth beneath their feet. They
located their claims, and after period
of waiting partially developed them.
In MAY, 1850, ED" Seheifelin and
his brother sold their share in these
mines for round million to a Philadel-
phia syndicate Now a town of some
5000 inhabitants stands on the ground
where the penniless adventures camp
ed. When the news of the strike went
out and prospeetors rushed in, Scheiffe-
lin, as the ''oldest inhabitapt and found
er,9 was asked the name of the town.
He recalled the parting words Of the
miner when he started out, and said:
.'Call it Tombstone. = The outcrop
first discovered was supposed to be
from a vein, but on exploration has
proved it to be rich deposit. in place of
which there is now an immense yawn-
ing gulf. Several claims were laid out,
which have since been developed into
mines, and some probably worked out;
but they still hear the tuneful names of
Owls Last Hoot," Lucky Cuss,'
Tough Nut and Good Enough"
while one is Tribune. But Schelffe-
lin was too thoroughly infected with
the mining fever to be content with his
suddenly acquired riches. Within the
last year he fitted out a small steamer
at San Francisco. gathered about him q
party of adventures, and started to
seek the golden fleece in the frozen wilds
of Alaska. Now, if the report be true,
it appears that fortune has again been
his friend.