The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1886-01-06
4 DESERT MYSTERY.
aoIrIbIe Fale oI ThOnlas v. COVE

Il II Rcdfi4 every c9td1btl Vi {COuLnefu Nsti
: fornia whose residence dates back
couple of years, remembers how Thoms
W Cover, a wealthy and prominen
citizen Of Riverside, was lost on the Col
oFedo desert. When one speaks of tn,
skeletons that bleach on that hideou
stretch, or of the famous "Lost Pegle
Nine" Tom Cover is pretty sure to b
mentioned. His was sad fate; and th,
Story, as generally known, with, th,
startling deveIppements n1ade 70 a Time
reporter yesterdav reads Ike a rom-
aice.
AS has been said, Mr.. Cover was
WEALTHY man His estate il now valued
af$s6.OOO. He lived, 1t the beginning Of
Magnolia avenue. Riverside with his
wife and three danghters and was
Known and liked by all II deeply
Interested in mining, and that strange
fascination cost him his le
The Lost Peg-Leq mine IN San Diego
county was discovered 81 S88 by man
named Miller, from Indspendsne6 Mo-,
who was then crossing frOnr Eort Yuma
to San DIEGO With "Peg-Leg" Smith. It
was in peeuliaf volcanic fernnation
where nuggets 81 free gsld we're to be
picked up abundantly. Millel carried
away good deal and organized party
to 90 back from here and box for the
mine. Getting down onthe divids aIl
his stock vas stolen, ana being sapsEsti-
tious, he turned back and never would
search more Since that day there hAEe
been countless expeditions to, find the
Lost Peg-Leg, but all seekers went in
vain, save one, of whom more anon.
On the 10Th of August, 1884, in COM
pany with w. B. Russell, a Riversider,
who was much in his employ, Mr.. Cover
started out from Riverside to find the
Lost Peg-Leg. which is supposed to be
about 240 miles to the southeast. They
travelled in light spring wagon, with
two horses, carrying the necessary sup
plies. On or about September 28th Rus
sell came back alone with terrible tale,
whose purport follows:
He and Cover got down past Temecu-
la, the nearest railroad station to the
mine, and thence branched off to the
desert, crossed the divide near Warmers
ranch, and began their explorations.
Near the Borrego springs, as they were
drying along, one morning, Cover got
out Of the wagon. The team would have
to go around Borrego mountain; and
Cover said he would make a short cut
across the south of the mountain to pro-
spect, and would meet Russell at the
other side. He struck across the "bad
lands" and Russell drove on and was
soon out of sight. Russell states that he
kept on toward the rendezvous. but up
set his wagon on the way and was de-
layed some hours. When ne came to
the appointed place there was no Cover
there nor any sign that he had been
there. Russell waited for some hours
and then. as supplies we're short, felt
that he must move on. He made up
package of provisions and left it there
with canteen of water and note, say
ing: II have gone to Ell Toro Reserva-
ton for water, feed and grub Win
meet you at the Fig Trees soon as can
get them" Then Russell went on to Ell
Toro. Near there he met a native
called Indian Frank and said to him.
Here; I've got money but Tom Cover is
lost back by Borrego mountain, and I'll
give you $50 TO go back and find him"
The Indian consented, but demanded
security, wheroupon Russell handed
over a $500 watch and chain. Indian
Frank started on his quest, and Russell
proceeded to the Indian village, where
he got his supplies, and returning, met
Frank. Have you found Cover ?" asked
Russll. "No," answered the Indian.
"Well, we must go back on my trail,"
said Russell, and back tkey went. Rus
sell got to where he LEFT the canteen and
the food. He found no traces of Cover,
and discovered that the Indian had not
got nearer than three-quarters of mile
from the spot. They searched until
water and food ran low. and then Russell
drove to Banning, left his horses at a
stable to recuperate, and took the cars
to Riverside. II
The above is the story that has oft
been retold in Bozeman, where Mr..
Cover was once a prominent citizen
The Los Angeles Times throws further
light upon the subject by the following,
which, when taken in connection with
Covers history while in Montana, is at
least plausible story:
Six weeks ago Deputy Sheriff Wright
set out on another search, and, as he is
confident, successful one. He was
accompanied by Messrs. West and In
graham, of the former party, with the
addition of J. G. Harms, s. c. Shoemaker
and Captain Dillon. They went by
Temecula, thence to Dripping Springs,
Oak Grove and Porta La Cruz. From
this watering place there are two roads
to Warmers ranch; one by Aguas Cali
entes, the other by the Cienegas. From
Warmers ranch there are two roads to go
on the desert. They took that by Helms
cutoff, and finally reached Borrego
springs, whence they again prosecuted
their quest. e
When Deputy Sheriff Wright took up
the matter, he started out to find mo-
tive for murder, believing that Cover
had been made way with, and that Rus
sell was not the criminal. That he has
the whole story traced to q certainty, he
now feels sure; and to the reporter he
unfolded yesterday afternoon his state
ment, which is as gruesome as one of
Poe's nightmares.
''Tn 1852 there lived in Caribou, M. T.,
five brothers Boone, 'Chet, 'Wid,'
- ~ aIN,,,..,. E1,l,,, ,ex, s,Szara