Arizona silver belt., 1890-05-03
SILVER.
1 PROSPECTING PARTY FROM SONORA IN
 SEARCH OF A LOST MINE.

A glamour always attends the search for lost treasure, or mines of preclous metal supposed 10 be hidden where nature or man has erected some bar rier to their possession, and the great CT the difficulties interposed, the more Will adventurous spirits strive to sur mount them.
 A party of Sonoranians, headed by Pedro Encines, stopped in Globe two weeks or more ago, on their way north to the vicinity of Fort Apache, in quest of mine "a mountain of sil- ver-which years ago had been dis covered by compadre, whose great age and infirmity prevented hls re- turning himself to gain possession of the treasure. He therefore told his secret to others, and one was found, having a knowledge of the locality, who offered to act as guide, As there was some doubt whether the treasure was located within the White Noun tain reservation or just beyond it's northern boundary, the prospecting party had foretbought to provide themselves with letters of recommen- datlon from the Governor of Sonora
  and other Mexican officials, which they presented to Capt. J. L. Bullis, acting Indian agent at San Carlos, who received them cautiously, and granted them permission to prosecute the search, with the proviso, however, that if the mineral deposit was found to be on the reservation the explora- ton was to end.
 L. K. Thompson of Salt River, Gila county, and a brother-ln-law of the leader, Pedro Encines, accompanied | the party from Globe. After several days travel they came in sight of a mountain winch thelr guide declared was the goal of their desire, but alas, to their discontinue, 1t was found to be some miles within the reservation. Their disappointment can we'll be i'm agined, when after an arduous Iour- ney of many hundred miles, and with fortune almost within their grasp, to be compelled to relinquish it. This they did, however, respecting their promise to Agent Bulls, and without further ado, turned about and retraced their steps homeward.
 That part of the journey, across the reservation, was replete with interest. They passed through region which to the white man Is stllI almost a terra incognlto; country rich in mineral and agricultural resources, lying dor rnant because of the indolence and in- capacity of the Indian, for whose ez- elusive benefit they were reserved, to profit by them.
 At tue end eff their outward trip, the explorers found evidences, in loca- ton monuments and other signs, that the reglon had previously been pros pectsd, and returning, when near Black River, discovery was made pointing to revolting crime, proha- bly, committed by Indians; prospec- tors camp was found winch bore un- mlstakable signs of having been deso- lated by revengeful foe. The in- pressions made by the bodies of the where Hey had slept in fan cled security, were plainly diacernable. Cooking utensils, battered as though their usefulness had been purposely destroyed, pick, shovel, three empty cartridge belts, and remnants of clothing were scattered about. The most convincing evidence of crime having been perpetrated was. how ever, the remains of what had been great fire, and in the debris were found blackened human bones. a sack of corn partially burned, and rem nantS of three saddles. On a charred log were the marks of bears claws, where the beast had crawled probably to feast upon human flesh, A canteen was picked up near by, which was partially filled with water which tasted fresh. The discoverers corclu- ded that the camp had been occupied not many months previous.
 Pain and fancy note paper, letter