The Arizona sentinel. [volume] (Arizona City [Yuma], Yuma County, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1872-1911, 1892-02-13
A Lost Mine.

and believed by them. Ihey say
that many years ago during the
hot weather, whilst warriors OF
their tribe were hunting the elusive
mountain sheep in the Castle Dome
range, they entered box-canyon,
one which was entirely new to
them. The walls of the canyon
were of white and pink fuor-spar,
almost perpendicular and hun
dreds of feet in height. The great
canyon was entered at night-fall
and it was decided to camp there
until morning, as the surroundings
looked good for water-tanks to be
found and the precious fluid was
becoming scarce among the party.
When daylight came the warriors
looked around but no trace
of water could be found. Matters
were becoming serious, as the
nearest known tank was Is miles
away. About the time that almost
all hope had fled, a shout from a
young brave at the head of the
canyon announced the discovery
of water. A rush was made to the
place and a pool of water cool and
clear as crystal was found running
over from its empoundment of
granite, tiny stream flowing a
short distance down the canyon
where it soon sank beneath the
loose gravel. The "tank" proved
to be spring which came up from
below the face of the canyons
wall and on the upper side the
decomposed iron-rock, quartz and
spar could be seen piled up, as if
dumped from the workings of mine.
The Indians camped there for some
time awaiting the coming of noun
tain sheep for water. Late in the
evening large amount of game
was killed and the hunters. made
preparations to leave for home. In
the morning a number of young
bucks took bath in the limpid
pool and on reaching
the bank of decomposed rock
it was found to be fully
one-half gold. Nuggets, large and
small were found in great profusion.
Great excitement prevailed and
the Indians carried away all they
could pack. They knew the
precious metal could he traded
off in Mexico for knives, beads
panocha, tobacco and mescal.
With songs Of joy, they began their
journey homeward. Suddenly the
sky became black, the thunder
pealed and lightning flashed and
it seemed as if the rain was falling
in river-like volume. In terror the
Indians hurried along, for they
knew full we'll, that if they did
not get out of the box canyon be-
fore the waters from the cloud
burst came down, it meant death
to one and all. With roar Of
mighty force the wall of foaming
water came down sweeping every
thing before it.
Only one of the Indians escaped
death and as he YEARLY made his
way home, sadly mourned over
the terrible end which had over
taken his relatives and comrades.
Upon arriving home the Indian
told his story of adventure and
| showed the gold he had found in
the mysterious box canyon. An
old man of the tribe then spoke
out in words of anger and con-
demnation, saying, that the Yuma
Apaches had been warned years
before by the Great Spirit to
never enter the canyon as it was
the abiding place of the Gods. The
Chiefs Of the tribe had kept their
people away from the forbidden
spot for years, and it seemed ne
cessary for the Great Chief to
teach them a lesson they never
would forget.
The legend above was told
years ago to Nick Gunther, 'Long
John" Borland and Neil Johnson,
who made repeated searches for
the canyon and spring, but with
out success. A number of the In
dams say they know just where to
go and find the place, but nothing
on earth could tempt them to either
60 there or point out the way
Some gold has been found in the
Castle Dome range, but in trifing