The morning call., 1890-12-25
ID. NJ. BURNS.

Story of His Sudden Accession to Wealth
and Influence.
Among the numerous instances of good
fortune which have befallen Calitornians OF
late years. few are so Immediately interest
ing as the stroke OF luck which raised Dan"
Burns from the level of ordinary life to the
enjoyment of almost bOnndless wealth, and
the p0mp and circumstance accompanying
riches. 1t seems but few years since he
aSpired to political Office, was elected Secre-
tary of State. served his term and then
dropped out of sight. Recently he returned
to the society of his old friends, dazzled them
with accounts of his splendid fortune, placed
his purse and has enlarged experience at the
DISPOSAL of his party, and became promi-
nent factor in the election of Markham and
the success of the Republican ticket.
In conversiDg over his altered fortunes,
short time since with CALL reporter, Mr..
Burns traced his onward march to prosper
lty from his connection with Columbus
Waterhonse, who, some six years ago, sent
him TO take charge of the Candelaria mine
at monthly salary of $50, and the promise
Of an interest should he succeed in develop
ing body of pay ore. The mine, as is gem
orally known, is located in the Sierra Madre
Range. near the little town of San Dimas,
State OF Durango. Mexico, and is about $50
miles up the country from Mazatlan, port
of call for the Pacific Mail line of steamers.
1IdullloH CCHutSlS tH6 discovery Oh lu6
mine with the history of Don Juan Jose
Zambrano, who, about CENTURY ago, was
Governor of the State OF Durango. Accord
ing to it an Indian was first to find traces of
the precious metal and 10 carry a sample of
it TO Don Juan. Ignorant of its value the
native was easily persuaded TO point out the
location of his find. and the willy Governor
at once proceeded to develop il. Records
still in existence show that Zambrano began
mining operations in ZIG and carried them
on until 1907, when he died. In that time
he realized abont $4,000, 600 from the prop
ceived S11.0O0.000 IN ryalt;es
Upon his death tie Governor left his min
ing property to his sons. but tile admins
traitors seized possession for themselves. gar
risOned it with armed followers, and in
pitched battle with detachment of MeXi-
can soldiers defeated the Government troops
and were never aiierward molested. After
few years, having acquired a sufficiently
large fortune, and being anxious to return
with 1t TO civil cation, they determined to
wreck the mine by destroying its supporting
pillars. According to Mexican law this was
an offense for which any one denouncing it
would be placed in possession of all the
property. 1t was upon this law that the
sehemeIs calculated 10 turn their ill-gotten
bullion into money, for they arranged to
have outside friends denounce them, hoping
afterward to divide up with them their inl-
menSe wealth.
Though the plot was cleverly laid, it was
discovered and the heirs were finally put in
possession by the Government, but destruc-
ton had been so thorough that it was
found impossible to work the mine with the
then existing machinery and it was practi-
cally abandoned.
In 1868 syndicate of American capitalists
took hold of il, among the number beng
Mark Brumaginl. Richard Chenery, j Ohm II.
Redneton, A. E. Fraser and Z. III. Win
chester, but the extravaganza of the man.
agrment drove the concern into insolvency.
A new company was formed on the ruins
OF The old one, but met with no better success,
and, after twenty years effort, finally
bonded the property TO j. d. Schuyler and
Columbus Warehouse for mere trifle.
Prlor TO Burns management all of the
attempts to locate the hidden bonanza were
made within the limits of the Candelaria
property. He, however, took counsel with
an old Indian, who was supposed to be pos
sessed OF traditions from Zambrano's time,
and on his suggestion started operations
on an old dumping ground, and after tun-
neilng In short distance uncovered one of
the richest bonanZaS ever discovered on the
continent The find was not made on the
Candearia grounds, but just outside the
boundary lines. Mr. Burns. however, with
some friends, purchased the Warehouse
rights and is now the owner of half the
mine, from which he derives an income of
over $1,000 day. He is quite popular in the
Deighborhood of his property, and is so well
thought OF by the authorities that they ap-
peal to him 10 fill all vacancies in Office by
su>h selections as he may think fit to make.