The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1886-02-19

Il appear that Meek crossed the Blue
mountains at this point. The dim bnt
plainly visible wagon tracks which mark
the line Of travel Of the Meek company
contradict this theory. This line Of
travel il yet TO be seen In various PLACES
up The Malhsur and its tributaries and
on to the Harney valley, then bearing
southwest along the north vide Of HAr.
ney valley, leaving Harvey Lake on tbs
north of the line of lra1el and the Mall
heur Lake on the left aad south Of
them, passing betw cen these lakes. !
have this from two reliable persons,
citizens Of Liam county at this time.
There IL nothing to justify the belief
that tkis company was nearer Canyon
City than Harvey Lake. By referring
to the map the reader will SEQ that the
Malheur river runs northeast with the
Blue mountains west Of that river, and
the John Days river heading nearly
with the Malheur,runs northwest, ,lsay-
ing the Blue mountains on the east.
The lost company must have crossed
The Blue mountains ia order to have
picked mp the gold AZ Canyon City.
Then they would have 10 recross this
range In order 70 get ints Harvey val.
ley. All Of those who belong 10 the
lost company with whom ! have talked
say that they did not cross tbs Blue
mountains at all, but left that range 10
the north and wess, passing round them
asxt TO the desert. As proof that the
mineral found was gold, l refer sgain
10 Mr.. Vaughan, who said that from bis
experiences 10 gold mining in Georgia.
he Is convinced that the mineral found
on the Meek cutoff IL gold. Wm.
Peterson says he saw The mineral found
On the Meek cutoff, hammered Il out
with bis own hands, and his experience
in the gold mines Of California after
wards convinces him that the Meek
cutoff mineral Is gold. Mr.. Richey
also bears the same kind Of testimony.
As almost concluSiye proof oa this poins
We have the following letter, giving she
statements Of Hon. Samuel Parker,
who're veracity Is beyond question
AUMsvILLE, May 4sb.
To tie editor Of hs 0regonian
Noticing an article from your Albany
correspondence Of date April 30, under
the heading Of "Ths Blue Bucket Gold
Mines,"I write for publication the YER
siea Of them as stated 10 me By the
Hon. Samuel Parker, Who was then
captain OF the company Of immigrants
seeking the western slope.
The day the gold was found ssms
Ave or six Of the young men started In
search Of some horses that were sup
posed TO haze been taken By the In
dians. After proceeding seven or eight
miles in northeaslsrly direction, they
came TO . narrow gorge in which were
some small pools Of water. The men
aiighted TO qusneh their thirst. Upon
looking in the water they discovered
some small, shining pieces of yellsw
substance, which was pronounced TO be
gold upon arriving at the camp by Mr..
Parker, who receiyed the largest piece,
which was abont ore-halF inch square,
aud was hammered out fat by him and
kept for about ten years, when IL was
lost.
Mr.. Parker says there was no child
buried at the time Of Gnding the gold,
nor at any time, this side Of the Rock.
les. But there was woman Of the
party buried near the Malheur rsssrva-
ton also two young men about thirty
miles from Sears bridge, on the Dea-
chuttss river. There was no gold founu
by this party this side Of Harvey val
ley. Mr.. Parker has journal, KEEP.
at the time, with other facts and evil
dence TO prove this to be reliable ac.
count Of the events as transpired. Ny
infsrmant thinks he could Jet find tho
place, but has never attempted 1t.
BLUE BUCKET.
This concludes what have TO say
and l feel confident that tins vii
prove the correctness Of my position =
that rich gold mines exist on the line o
the Meek cat-off. LaIa niker cumtu,
nanich chickamin docear.
CUMTUx.
-
DREAM.