The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1890-01-10
HE MONITOR.
A WONDERFUL SILVER MINE.
And Only an Old and Reticent Indian
Woman Knows Where 1t Is.

The excitement over the discovery OF
the supposed s'AIaria Roman mine is
still increasing. The mine is located
about thirty miles from here, ear the
bend of the Carmel river. Those who
have come from there say that a large
number Of claims have been taken up.
Many people are arriving daily.
There seems to be a conflict of opinion
among the old residents here in Mon
terey, many refusing to believe that the
old mine had been discovered. Accord
ing to the story of the old Indians, old
"Aunt Maria," as she is called, would
leave the mission in the morning and
would often return the same day, bring
ing with her a large quantity of silver
ore. The mine which has been diseoY-
cred is about thirty miles from the mis-
sion. in a rough country, and it would
be impossible for any II to make the
trip on foot in less than three days.
Old "Aunt Maria is still living in Car
mel, and is now owe S. years of age.
When seen by q Chronicle correspon-
dent and informed of the discovery
of the mine she became greatly ex-
cited, and it was several minutes be-
fore she could be induced to speak, as
she seemed to be in a state of fear. On
being informed as to the location of the
mine she seemed to be greatly relieved,
and remarked in Spanish: "They are
fooled" A great many questions were
put to her III regard to the mine, but she
seemed to be in great fear when the
word emine" would be mentioned, and
nothing could be learned from her.
With a smile she will tell of the good old
mission padres and the vast amount of
lands which they had. Although she is
over IS years of age, she often visits the
old Carmel mission, walking the distance
of eight miles.
From Francisco Rico, an old citizen of
Monterey, the following information is
cleaned: In 1858 old "Aunt Maria"
brought a large amount of silver ore to
the store of David Spence and exchanged
it for calico and provisions. Mr.. Spence
was astonished at the rich ore, and tried
in every manne to induce the old wo-
man to tell him where she found the
rock, but could get no information.
That anne year Mr.. Spence sent a large
amount Of the ore, which he had pur-
chased at different times, to Peru by
Capt. Cooper to have it assayed, and it
was reported that it yielded s., 900 ton.
Mr.. Rico, when he heard the report of
the assay, went to Mrs. P. Amestie, one
Of the leading ladies of this place, and
who was a great friend of the Indians,
and tried to get her to find out from old
Maria the location of the mine. She took
her to an old house where she had a fur
mace, and also a large quantity of ore,
out. She seemed to be willing to give
her all that she lad and bring her more
silver, but would not divulge the secret
which the old mission padres had adj
yised her to keep. 1t appears that when
ever the Indians discovered Or heard of
anything their first thought was to lay it
before the mission padres, and they would
act under their advice.
According to the statement of old Ma
ria Roman, when she discovered this
mine she at nee went to the padres, who
advised her never to ~revealit, not even to
her children. They informed her that on
account Of its great richness, if it were
known throughout the world, large num-
bers of white men would food the coun-
try, kill all the padres, destroy the mis-
sions and kill and drive the Indians from
their lands. She accordingly took an
oath that she would never reveal the loca-
tor, and seems to thisday tolive N fearof
her life lest the mine may be found, and
the prediction Of the padres come true.
She has time and again been offered
large amounts of money to reveal the
whereabouts of the mine, and always
gives the same answer: II promised the
padres never to tell, and I don't want to
bekilled." She will go on and described the
great excitement which would follow,
and how the Indians would have to run
away to save their lives.
In 1864 Rico, who had never given up
hope of discovering the mine, finally in
duced a son of old Maria, who had often
gone with her to the mine, and who is
the only nj besides her who knows its
location, to tell him where it was.
Mr.. Rico took the boy to one of the
stores in Monterey and gave him $50
worth of provisions. He appeared to be
delighted with the gift, and promised to
accompany Rico to the mountains. MI.
Rico made the necessary preparations,
and in company with several citizens
and the Indian boy started for the mine.
A few miles from the mission the Indian
began to act in a queermanner, andcom-
planned of being sick.
Camp was pitched and a new start to
the mine was to be made next morning.
All hands retired early, and in the morn
to the great surprise of all, the In
dian was missing and the search had to
be abandoned. The Indian was seen
afterward, and it was the same excuse,
he was afraid to tell on account of
what the padres told him.
That the mine exists there is no doubt,
but it is safe to state that old Maria Ro-
man viii take the secret to her grave.
This agitation Will put new life in the
and no doubt strong efforts will
be madeto get old Aunt Maria to divulge
The secret. Some years ago a Mr.. Mar
tin, living at Carmel, found a large piece
If the rock at the old mission, where the
blacksmith shop stood, weighing about
seven pounds. The rock is very rich,
and is still in his possession. Mr.. Mar
lin has spent a great deal of time pros
pecting, in hopes of finding the mine,
5ut without success. He has great hopes,
and feels satisfied that it is located near
.he mission, and viii some day be found.
NT,-ta.@r- yTfa1 \ (o- Co., INrooa.ao