Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1885-02-25
The lost Sack.

Lanterns OF many prospecting expe-
dtion There has been more money
sunk in a vain hunt for Captain kidd's
money and valuables thsn that cele-
brated sea faring road agent ever sunk
either in the ocean or on the New
England Coast; and SO long as human
nature undergees no change the mys-
terioas hidden fortune will be
powerful enticement TO those who have
even small allowance of the pros
pectors disposition. The story of the
lost sack came here with the lnyo
County men, and, at first, received
little or no attention, being crowded
out Of prominence by the hustle of
business in a new country. Affairs
having become settled, the legend has
asserted ITS individuality, and now, in
the leisure moments mound bar.room
stoves, it is told with variations and
exaggerations to suit the taste of the
narrator and listeners. The story
shorn of decoration is about,as follows:
In the very early days a venturesome
prospector made his way across the
mountains to the ellis Range, some
where within the present boundary of
the reservation. There, for months, he
worked an extremely rich seam OF gold
rock, enduring great hardships and
privalions aud in constant danger OF
discovery by the Indians. He could
pound the gold out and wash ii with
yield induced him TO remain with his
treasure too long. One evening he
was seen by some Indians as he was
getting water, and, although at too
great distance to be Immediately
followed and killed, he knew that
instant departure was necessary.
Hastily putting his nuggets and dust
into two canvass sacks, and, taking
with him the small store of dried
rabbit meat which he had fortunately
prepared Il few days before, he started
eastward to make his way to Califor.
MIA in the most direct line. Loaded
down with the gold, which amounted
to several thousand dollars, his pro-
gress across the Hawthorne fiat, in the
direction OF North Canon was slow and
difficult, and daylight ovcrtaking him
he found himself within sight of some
Indian fires. Fealing discovery he
concealed himself for two days behind
one of the numerous huge bouders
which lie scattered over the upper end
of the flat, but his provisions Uccam-
ing exhausted and parched with thirst
he determined on the third night to
risk detection and make an effort to
escape. He was SO weak that it was
impossible for him to take with him
all his gold, but he could not make up
his mind 10 abandon the entire treas.
ure. Accordingly, he hid the largest
sack under the boulder, and started on
his weary and dangerous trip across
the mountains. After many marvellous
escapes and almost uncomfortable suf.
fering, he arrived at miners camp
on the Tuolumne river, and there re-
ceived food and nursing. He had
been crazed by the intense hunger and
thirst which he had suffered combined
with the long an severe strain on his
mud, but still clung to a sack of gold
that was worth nearly three thousand
dollars. For Il long time he was un.
able to give any account of himself,
but at last, recovered sufficiently to be
able TO guide a strong party of pros
pectors that set out TO find his mine.
He he'd, however, overrated his
strength. The tax on his system
had been too great, and just as they
arrived at the crest of the mountains,
where he could recognize Walker
Lake and point out, approximately, the
Vocation of his claim and the spot
where he had concealed his bag of
gold, he gave way under the fatigue
and exposure of the journey. The
party made a dilligent search for the
boulder, hut wind bad obliterated hls
tracks, and while they were yet hunt.
ing for it, band of lndians attacked
Them. Driven oft, they never returned
as company, but at different times,
solitary prospeciors have endeayored
TO find the ledge, and frequent have
been the quiet hunts for the lost sack,
near the boulder. The action of the
elements has removed all traces of
the surface scratching done by the un-
fortunate miner, and no one has yet
been able to locate the big rock, where
the treasure lies hidden.