Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-05
HIDDEN rRsAsURRs.
Another story or shs Fasuisss
wealth I'm southesst Missouri.

A Dexter md telegram says: From
time TO time during the past year arti-
cles in regard TO tho "lost mines in this
section have appeared in the Globe
Democrat, and also in some OF the local
papers of Southeast Missouri. That such
mines ever existed until the present
time has been only surmise, and
all reports IN regard to them founded
principally on legendary tales that have
gained circulation. At several different
times discoveries have been made that
it was thought would result in locating
these once-known treasure vaults Of
nature, but their Whereabouts have
remained usrevealcd 10 the many anx-
ious seeks who have gone in search OF
them.
The fact that they do exist and that
they were once worked By Indians is
now probably established beyond the
shadow of q reasonable doubt, for it is
known to at least one person yet resi-
dent in this section that there are such
mines.
The story told by this man is about as
follows:
When quite young boy he was stolen
and carried away from home by the In
dians, and lived among them until about
the beginning of the war, when he was
allowed to return among the whites, his
tribe in the mean time having become
partially civilized. During his sojourn
among the Indians, who were located
some distance west of here, he made
several trips west. then 10 the mines, and
they always carried back loads OF silver
ore. which was melted and traded 10 the
whites. The value of these mines and
the importance Of keeping their loca-
ton a secret was frequent sub
ject Of conversation among the
chiefs Of the tribe. He says he
knows the very spot where the sunken
barge and its precious load lies covered
by sand-bar not more than two feet in
depth. and that 1t is not in Current river
as many suppose. He says that the bat
tie between the Indians and the Spa
niards who were trying to get away with
the barge of ore was fought near what is
now known as Battle Shell, or Batter
Shell Lake, in Wayne county. No init
nation as to the whereabouts OF the
mines could be drawn from him further
than they were not far distant, and that
he had been to them or one of them
within a week, and produced from his
pocket big-sized lump Of ore, which
from all Appearances was silver.
He says he makes several trips year
to bis mine, and each time brings away
what ore he can easily carry, and the
fact that he is frequently away from
home for several days at time, bis
own family not knowing whittier he goes,
is some evidence that he is away, to say
the least, on mysterious business. He
positively refuses 10 make confdant OF
any one, and says that notwithstanding
that his life has been threatened and
force used to make him divulge, he is
yet alone in the possession Of his secret,
and that he will remain in possession OF
it until such time as he can use it 10 his
greatest advantage. tie learned enough
Of the ways of the Indians while among
them to successfully cover mp his trail
when he goes on his trips to the mine.
This story of Pottawattamie, as he
has been nicknamed because OF his
suspicious and sly Indian nature. cannot,
of course, be vouched for as all solemn
facts, but that silver does exist in this
section is we'll known, and that the In
dams did at one time work silver-mines
in Southeast Missouri there IL almost
positive proof from other sources. These
facts, together with the fact which is
wel-established that this man did once
live with the Indians, leads many to be-
lieve that his story is not entirely with
out some foundation.