Arizona weekly citizen., 1890-05-10
SILVER.
A Prospecting Party From Sonora in
 Search of Lost Mine.

A glamour always attends the searci for lost treasure, or mines of precious
 metal supposed to be hidden where na ture or man has erected some barr fer tt ! their possession, and the greater the di
 faculties interposed, the more will ad ! venturous spirits strive to surmount them.
 ! i party of Sonoraians, headed by Pc dro EnciEes, stopped in Globe two weeks Or more ago, on their way north to the vicinity of Fort Apache. in quest of a mine-a mountain of silver-which years ago had been discovered by compadre, whose great age and in;irmity prevented his returning himself to gain possession of the treasure. He therefore told his secret to others. and one was found, hay ing a knowledge of the locality, who of fered to act as guide. As there was some doubt whether the treasure was located within the White Mountain reservation or just beyond its northern boundary, the prospecting party had the fore thought Jo provide themselves with let terS of recommendation frOin the Go vernon of Sonora and other Mexican off cials, which they presented to Capt. J. L.. Bullis, acting Indian agent at San Carlos, who received them courteously, and granted them permission to prose cute the search, with the proviso, how ever, that If the mineral deposit was found to be on the reservation, the eX- ploration was to end.
 L.K. Thompson of Salt River, Giia county, and brother-in-law of the lead CT, Pedro Encinas, accompanied the party from Globe. After several days travel they came in sight of mountain which their guide declared was the goal of their desire, but alas, to their discom- titure. it was found to be some miles within the reservation. Their disap- pointInen can well be imagined, when dred miles, and with fortune almost within their grasp, to be compelled to relinquish it. This they did, however, respecting their promise to Agent Bull lis, and without further ado, turned about and retraced their steps home ward.
 That part of the journey, across the reservation, was replete with interest. They passed through a region which to the white man is still almost terra in- cognito: country rich in mineral and agricultural resources, lying dormant because of the indolence and incapacity of the Indian, for whose exclusive bene- it they were reserved, to profit by them.
 At the end Of their outward trip, the explorers found evidences, in location monuments and other signs, that the re- zion had previously been prospected, and returning, when near Black River, a discovery was made pointing to a revolt ing crime, probably committed by In dians; prospector's camp was found. winch bore nnmistakable signs of hay ing been desolated by 8 revengeful foe, The impressions made by the bodies of the campers, where they had slept Tn fancied security, were plainly discern able. Cooking utensils, battered as though their usefulness had been pur- posely destroyed, pick, a shovel, three empty cartridge belts. and remnants of clothing were scattered about. The most convincing evidence of crime having been perpetrated was, however, the remains of what had been great fire, and in the debris were found black ened human bones, sack of corn par tially burned, and remnants of three saddles. On a charred log were the marks of bears claws, where the beast had crawled probably to feast upon hu- man flesh. A canteen was picked up near by, which was partially filled with water which tasted fresh. The disco verers concluded that the camp had been occupied not many months pre- viOus.-Silver Belt.