The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1884-04-01
A BIG BONANZA
Said to Have Been Discovered
by Miners Near Hot
Springs, Arkansas.
The Whole Country Lined With
Lodes Of Gold and silver
Bearing Quartz.
correspondence of the BazOo.

Correspondence of the BazOo.
BEAR MOUNTAIN MINING CAMP,
MONTGOMERY Co., ARK, March % /
Being fond of new scenery, and interest
ed in anything which offers novelty, / last
week decided TO visit this place and learn
for myself how much truth there was in
the report which has reached me concern
ing its richness in gold and silver. Hot
Springs is the nearest railroad point, and
from there had to endure q four hours
ride across ro6gh, mountainous country
In mule stage, which In that time gal
lantly accomplished the fifteen niles which
separates this camp from the outer world.
Ii was nearly dark when the scattered cau-
ms which form the camp came into view,
and, though the country was Wild and
rugged, and the valley hemmed in BY pre-
cipitous mountains, did not feel particu-
larry impressed with the scene. Few in
FAINT mining camps are impressive, and this
is no exception to the rule. A good supper
and chat with q circle of miners around
q blazing fire made me feel more cheerful
and / began TO think somewhat better of
the place. Further acquaintance has but
streng thened this impression for the bet
ter, and, now, that / have wandered some
dozens of miles among these mountains
and spent days in careful Investigation, i
feel ne scruple in saying that this whole
region is lined with lodes of gold and sill
yer bearing quartz which so far have
scarcely been touched. Up to the pres
ent time over half-dosen fine holes, all true
assure veins, have been located, and their
courses are already marked by prospec-
tors holes for mills. In every direction
blszed trees and notices of location are en-
counted, and the band of miners who are
still on the ground, are busily employed In
prospecting for miles on every side in their
endeavor to get hold of az much of tie
cream as possible before the rush comes,
which is bound to strike this section at an
early date.
Among the holes 50 far opened up are
the Longfellow, ,Star-Esgle, Black Diamond,
Comstock and Balmorai, and assays on
them have run all the way from $500 to
81 500 per ton. AS $1,000 is plenty to paw
all expenses, this is very fine showing,
more especially when it is considered that
there is only one shaft In the whole camp
which is dpwn over twenty feet. Last
Tuesday the Kirkmam brothers, who are
sinking a shaft on the LongfellOw lode, at
nine feet down took out ore which assays
s65 90 TO the ton, and from which pieces of
native silver Were picked the size of bullets.
This same claim has assayed $40 90 from
the the surface, and the indications are
growing better all the way down. Frank
Spiva, an old time miner, has also dug out
ore from VII ch the pure silver ban be picked,
and this, too, almost on thesurface. There is
but one opinion here among the miners,
L. IL IL. Al
any they know Of now open to the pros
pector, and they mean to stay right here.
Already many are in fancy rich, and I'll
guarantee that nighttime sees many an
airy castle built which those sturdy fellows
hope soon to occupy
Last Thursday new excitement struck
the camp. Willis Jones, who came in
frUm fifteen miles southeast of here,
brought in about s. 90 worth of gold dust,
which he said he had washed out Of few
pans of dirt. This, Of course, caused quite
a flutter among the hoy~, for placer mining
is the poor mans paradise, and men iDme-
diately left in search of thiS new Eidorsdo.
Ii il should be found paying placer, a
rush is bound 10 follow, and outsiders will
shoulder their picks and shovels and swell
the tide. Previous to this had an idea
that this was not placer country, though
have frequently run across traces of the
early Spanish gold hunters, and that was
The only kind of mining they attempted.
But, whether this last excitement turns out
we'll or not, the fact is now demonstrated
oeyond all doubt that this region is rich in
he precious metals, and capitalists are
taking hold of affairs, now that they begin
10 see il is a good investment.
So far only one quartz-crusher.is in Oper
alton, but others will soon be here, and
steps are being taken to develop with
vigorous hand Among the capitalists
are interested are ex-senator Hay-
,ock, Of Arkansas; Major Gore, a New
York capitalists syndicate of New York
capitalists represented by Mr.. Alexander;
Col Roots, millionaire banker, of Little
Rock, Msior Filkins, and old mining spec
llator; the Bear Mountain Mining COM
osny, and others.
At present this wild and almost unknown
country is in its infancy, but
very indication points TO the fact that
his is 10 Become another great mining
enter, and these valleys, which now are
mere rocky wildernesses, will ere long
heller cities fall of the stir and hustle of
ctiye life. The fine climate, splendid
orests, pure water, proximity to the outer
world, and che spness of the necessaries of
life, will all tend to give it rapid growth
ow that it is once invaded by vim and
nteprise LEO.