The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-17
A LAND SCHEME.
Lower California Mining Craze
Said To Be a Device of Cunning
Land Spectators,
Who Are Simply Endeavoring to
Trap Credulous Settlers.
Ensenada's Owners at tho Head G.
the Big Boom.
An Old Scheme Worked ovor-No Pay.
ing Mines Believed To Be In the
Rogi On 49, Examine Before
You start.

New YoRE, March lG.--The Hrdld says:
The truth about the new gold cxi,cmentin
Lower California seems TO be about this
A patch of gold bearing dirt has been
found in the bed Of small creek about
tiiiy-four miles east OF Ensenada, on To-
dos Santos Bay, aud persons interested in
land speculation in that region have mag
niiied II ten thousandiold or more.
Gold has been found in Lower Caliior-
mia for hundred years, hut never in any
thing like paying quantities. The PENN.
sula has been prospcctcd from one end to
the other time after time, but always with
unsatisfactory results. In almost any OF
the creeks traces Of gold can DO found, but
IL is nothing moro than what miners call
color" Even II extensive placer dig
gings were found they could not be
worked proiitably on account OF the alb
sence OF water, Lower California is n
land OF thirst and cactus plants
Thirteen years ago seven Spaniarls ar
rived in San Francisco from Lower Cali
fornia. They were shrcwd, intelligent
men. who had spent much time in pros.
pec,ing for gold up and down the PENN.
sula. The leader gave IL ~ his honest
opinion that gold could be found almost
anywhere IN Lower California, but that IL
could not be mined at u profit
In spite Of his opinion party Of Amcri-
cans was fitted out 10 explore the region
A vessel wis filed with wagons horses,
mining tools and camp supplies and sent
to Todos Santos Bay. A landing was made
nj Ensenada. A whole winter was spent
by the members OF the party In prospect
ing for gold on the peninsula. Quantities
Of mineral were shipped 10 San Francisco
90 be melted and sold. -Four tons Of this
mineral melted $40 a ton. II WIS not gold,
however. but brilliant metal called
tungsten, from which tungstic acid is
made. The rest OF the mineral did not net
anything.
=. The est Of this expedition was $50. 900.
All that remained Of this sum out OF the
wreck Of the expedition was tract OF
1900 acres Of land near Enscnnda. This
lnnd had originally been gwen by the Mex.
lean Government to one Richardson ioi
services rendered In tho Mexican army
IL was called ~ Tcgrc Ranch, for the rcn
son that Richardson had been known IL
the army M tho "Iigcr." The land event
ually passed into the hands OF the Allanii,
aud Pacific Land Company, which lns
summer sold IL for $4,000 20 Patrick A.
Campbell and Henry 4. Hopkins, Of hi,
city; Daniel = Hall, OF Jersey City, and
jams e.. lIoohar, Of Fan Francisco. Il Is
said that the purchasers intend to colonizc
aud raise tea on IT, They have until next
summer In which 10 pay for II.
Dissatisfied miners have been roaming
M aud down Lower California for ycnrs
trying ~ make n raise. Two years ago 10.
ports OF the discovery of rich placer dig
gings "ncar Enscnada" were circulated
through the Southwest aud particularly
through Mexico. Persons who went to
the region found the location NEAR En-
scnnda' 10 be- somewhat vague aud indef.
mite The excitement soon died down.
This time tho location of the mining
excitement. although still near En-
scnada," IN given more definitely. II IN
in u certain small canyon nll the way from
forty 10 sixty miles east Of Enscnada. The
Ensenada L0rr Californian seems 10 be
undecided ~ TO the exact location and
distance rom Enscnada. The reports
from the region are glowing. but woiully
lacking In the matter Of detail.
The gold excitement comes very oppor.
tunely for the international Company Of
Mexico, which Ia just now trying 10 create
u boom down there Ia order 10 sell some
Of its land aud build itA proposed railroad
from San Diego, Cal, down through the
Lower California peninsula. The COM
pany has not yet built any track, but II
Intends 10. The company owns most Of
Lower California, according ~ IL maps
aud advertising pamphlets. IL wants 10
COLOMBO iis lands with ngriculturisis, 10
that It's railroad, when built, will pay
handsome dividends. Seven surveying
parties are now said 10 be ut work on the
proposed lines.
Tho company has q steamship line be-
tween San Diego aud Enscnada. Recent
reports from san Diego and Enscnada rep
resent these steamships M being crowded
with gold-scokcr-. In this respect, at
least, the company benefits by the gold OK
element
Il is not hard TO sec Why the people Of
San Diego and Enscnada should wish TO
encourage the belief that the Santa Clara
Valley, or wherever tho alleged rich pla-
Gems may be, Ia an III Dorado for people
who are thinking Of moving West II the
gold-scckcn do not find gold they may DO
Induced 10 buy land aud help colOni1o tho
country. and w increase the value Of other
peoples land.
In Los Angeles and San Francisco,
which have no Interest In booming Lower
California, little credcncc has been given
To the dldcd aud glowing reports from San
Diego and Ensenada. Early In the gold
excitement Mr.. Clarence Goodwin, asso.
oiatc editor oflho Les Angeles Erming kr-
pros. went 10 the now diggings, NEAR En-.
senada," 10 get nj the truth OF the matter.
lie has Just returned with the news that
the diggings are a fraud, thus confirming
the belief held In Los Angeles that the
gold excitement was set on foot with the
deliberate intention Of onlcing unsuspcct-
ing persons 10 Lower California. Mr..
Goodwin went even NJ far ~ 10 assert that
the authorities la the 10 be- benefited 10.
gion were trying 10 prevent the publica-
ton Of unfavorablo reports. lie was Of
the opinion that people going there now
In search Of gold would meet with much
suffering.
An old California mine operator now
In this city said yesterday II have been
all through Lower California aud | know
II like book. Ensennda has about 700
or 1900 inhabitants. The international
Company has a winter hotel there and II
Ia trying 20 boom the region. AZ for the
country itselI Il Is generally cactus coun-