The Lamar register., 1889-08-03

knCarson as Prospector: We usually re.
Ter To Kit Carson as famous hunter, guide
ana scout. But he was lured once by the gilt.
| ter OF the golden goddess wing and went
dart searching for placer mine in the San
Lni- valley.
This mysterious place is one of the legends
handef down from the early days of the far
west As the story goes Kit Carson was en-
ployed In the early fifties to carry dispatches
from Fort Leayenworth to San Francisco.
touch: lg on the way a number of army posts.
AZ the time almost every Indian tribe in the
west WAS ON the warpath and result the
undertaking was II most dangerous one
Upon leaving tine plains country Carson
took with him a man named Stewart and A
Mexican The Indians were made aware of
their presence in the country and at once gave
ehaee. For days 1t was running fight and
1t looked as 81 the dispatches would never
reach theirdestinAtion- Carson and his com
panions we're travelling In what to them was
an entirely unknown country and they were
50 closely pursued that IL was found necessary
to leave all the known trails.
Tscy wore compelled to 20 much farther
south than they Intended. until ut last they
found themselves In the great San Luis val |.
ley. Asthe men remembered 1t later on it
was a half days journey after having crossed
the Rio Grande river that the Mexican. who
had gone down TO the waters edge of the
strnsm on which they were cnmped, came
rushing up TO Carson and stewart and showed
them a number OF gold nuggets lie had wash
ed from single pen OF dirt. II was no time
for prospecting. however, and the men left
the place and started on for the Pacific coast
promising themselvs that they would some
day return and from this little stream make
fortunes for themselves. when weighed in san
Francisco the nuggets were found to be worth
about sts
After the treaty with the Utes and that tribe
had turned over the san Juan eoutry to the
general government. Kit Carson Is said to have
made one attempt to ind the locality from
whence the gold came. hut not being success
ful. gave II up la disgust. Bat stewart was
not so easily discouraged Year after year he
searched forthe lost placer. But he has made
hrs last pilgrimage and now rests with his
fathers The writer met him In tsTg on the
Tomiehi In the Guunison country. He nc
kno wiedged that the Old bearings which he
had cherished In his.inind for years had van
ishee. but he WAS in hopes that by travelling
up and down the Gunnison and through the
San Juan he might stumble upon this spot
which. he felt positive, he would recognize a,
glance.
For years tho Mexican, who Was n member
OF the party carrying government dispatches,
resided At the little towd of Conejos. Each
summer twas his custom to take long pill
grimaSes into the mountains, but his success
was no better than that OF Stewart, and he too
has finally passed to his long home.
Since Is7t hundreds OF men have sought for
the los, place. Every stream that puts into
the Gunnison has been prospected, and the
same can be said for the tributaries, OF the
Rio Grande and Las Anlmas. John Miles,
who Is now the manager of the Yankee Girl
and other big san Juan mines. spent a season
In company with =. T. Elliot, and the lament
ed Tom Greatorex in trying to determine II
there was any truth In the legend. And now
another party has gone in seareh.-Denver
Field and Farm