The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-04
MARVELLOUS GOLD FIELDS.
they Lie In Indian Territory, and Red
skins Closely Guard Them.

they Lie In Indian Territory, and Red
skins Closely Guard Them.
DENVER, Aug. 8.-For years rumo1 Of
wonderful gold fields in the Indian tern.
tory hive been in circulation among few
of tho old-time prospectors Of the west
Their wealth has been reported 70 great u
to almost stagger the most excited imagin.
alton. Tho Indians have, however, &C
closely guarded these fields that q thorough
Investigation has been utterly impossible.
Lieut.-Col. s. Snyder. who was recently
transferred from Oklahoma City to Santa
Fe, arrived here yesterday, and during a
conversation upon this matter said:
Perhaps you have heard Of Hale and
Norcross? These men discovered q rich
mine in Nevada and sold out several years
ago for several hundred thousand dollars.
One day last winter stranger. who had
every appearance Of prospector, came to
me at Oklahoma City and introduced him.
self 40 Hale. He said he had lost his for
tune and for some time had been prospect
ing IN the Cheyenne country Of the Indian
Territory, north Of the Red river. He had
suffered many hardshlps. and narrowly es-
capped with his life from the Cheyennes,
against intrusion. In his escape he said
he was forced to leave all the mineral he
had secured. He said that he came upon
one piece OF native gold which was
SO heavy that he could not lift it.
A party. of Mexicans is allowed by
time each year, and then it is claimed
that the visitors steal quietly away
by route known only to themselves.
There is no doubt of one fact, the Indians
have killed many hunters and prospectors
who have succeeded in penetrating to the
hills which lie near the Red river. Few men
have ever had the hardihood to attempt
prospecting in that region, and Of these
Hale, If the stranger was indeed he, is the
only man have ever seen who escaped
alive.
II heard the prospector's story, which
was told with every appearance Of truth,
and all my questions were answered in q
my time was occupied and have lost
money at different times by fitting out pros
pectors. I did not extend to him the assist
anoe which he desired for the purpose Of
making new excursion into the country.
The man appeared greatly disappointed,
and left the quarters with downcast head.
i have never seen him SINCE"
The same story was told the Globe Demo-
crat correspondent recently by gentleman
from Wichita who said: ''The time il not
ripe yet for the public to be informed on
the subject, but there are gold deposits in
the hills and valleys near the Red river,
which are richer than anything now known
in the world. met hunters and prospect
ors who have been on the spot and whose
stories were so startling as to seem like an
eastern fable. will tell you ono thing,
however, a big syndicate Of leading politic-
ians and capitalists has been formed and
next fall strong party is to be started for
the gold fields to learn the truth concern
ing the mines. The party has already been
0nliRtA0 and ia h0cEo6 ~ ar,cIp man Qo,,
ator Ingalls, and Senator Plumb. The
district in which the gold is said to be
found is in the southwestern part of Indian
territory, about 200 miles from Oklahoma.