Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-12-25
Discovery GA LOAs NINE.
Eten Finds that Were Operated bS fhs
Jesuit Fathers.
Nentnrn lCol.l Free Pressl

some II our readers are familiar with a
tradition that the jesuit Fathers who once
conducted the san Buoneyeuiura, santa
BaIhara. Sar lueZ, Ia furi.slm1, aud san
Fernando missions once successfully
worked q mine located probably ~ what H.
now Ventura county. Tradition hd-i TINT
Tie mine was worked near the beginning %
the present cen tury, after which il was
CoyC.Cd with earth and all traces OF It> cN-
isterCc destroyed q, far as possible, from
which time il, location bias been q mystery
TO an hut The few who wOrked It aud were
familiar with H. existence.
An old Indiaa whom the writer knew,
and who died few years ago IN santa
Barbara county, aged, ACCORDING 10 the
haniismal records Of Santa Barbara Mis-
sion, one hundred and five years, claimed
to know where the rich mine was located.
but he fully believed he would be struck
dead should he reveal it. He said that he
and other friendly Indians who knew OF
il " hen the mouth was covered up and the
mine abandoned, il ne mistakes not, on &C
count OF hostile tribes, had taken solemn
oath never to let any one know the
place, where il was located and that they
had been assured that treachcry on their
mart would result in sure and sudden
death. lie, and we believe all others who
profess TO know anything about its exist
ence, were unanimous in SAYING 1t was on
the side Of a ountain, and that II was q
tunnel. But those VINO profeSsed to know
anything concerning it, location have pass
| ed away, and by many IL had come 10 be
| regarded as mere tradition; and as much
| time, money, and labor had been expended
in searching for 1t, many had come 10 be-
| lieyc It's existence was mythical.
But about three weeks ago professional
prospector, a gentleman thoroughly con-
ycrSant with the mines OF Arizona, New
Mexico. and Colorado, tracing the Calico
ledge into this county, accidentally came
upon an old tunnel penetrating the side OF
a mountain, which he believes to he the
lost Jesuit mine. He roughly estimates the
length 10 be 800 or 100 feet, with the sides
"cOyliCd in various directions. This gem
tleman and his pIrtner were attracted 10
the spot by seeing cottonwood trees grow
ing on the side OF a mountain, and after
reaching the spot they found them growing
in the mouth OF a tunnel.
Their appearance indicated that cotton.
wood limbs had been placed on end at the
mouth OF the tunnel and covered with
earth, the dampness from within having
caused them 10 grow. But the earth caved
in, and, washed by the rains OF probably
sixty or seventy winters, exposed the tun-
mel which had been 80 efIectually concealed
Near by were found the remains OF old
smelting-w0rks and a silver brick weighing
about one pound, which the prospector ex.
hiSiled 10 us yesterday, was picked up.
This prospector, who Is an unusually intel
ligent man, first traced the Calico ledge
into Arizona, and then returning he traced
it into Ventura county, and believes that
he has found ledge OF mineral far more
valuable than the Waterman or any other
NINE yet discovered in San Benardlno
county. The specimens exhibited to us
indicate rich ore, some OF them carrying
free gold, aud II once developed may be a
source Of immense revenue to this coun.
try. The ledge is an extensive one and
can easily be worked.
We are not at liberty at present TO give
the location or reveal the names OF the par
ties interested In this find. The territory
will be surveyed by competent men and