Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-06-02
ANOTHER LOST BONANZA.

ANOTHER LOST BONANZA.
Plenty of Evidence in Arizona to shou
Where Gold Was Once Found.
The legends Of lost mines of fabulous
wealth in Pima county are almost
numberless, and it might be truth
fully added, generally mythical. The
old timers can tell Of them by the hour,
and few persons have been shown
glittering evidences in confirmation of
the wonderful tales reluctantly recited
with superstitious dread of the cOIlse-
quences Of their perfidy by almost su-
perannuated Indians and Mexicans.
That the precious metals were mined
on gigantic scale in the dim past the
many remaining evidences already dis
covered fully verify, yet the investiga-
ton of those that chance has revealed
has seldom proved financially success
full. Old arrastres covered with the de
cay Of centuries, and crude smelling
furnaces that have almost returned tc
the dusty destiny of all matter, speak OF
industries once in active operation that
history and even aboriginal tradition
fail to mention.
Some of the traditions told sound like
fairy tales, and one, however skeptical,
cannot but become deeply interested in
their recital. AS sample of the highly
plausible, well authenticated and ex.
tremely seductive narratives, one re-
lated by Charles o. Brown, of this city,
may be received with interest.
Speaking of old mines," said Mr..
Brown, 81 have spent good deal of
time and money in hunting up clews,
and one mine was actually found, and
l can go to it any time. Out in the
Silver Bell country can take you to a
mountain SO full of tunnels and shafts
that, if they were in good condition.
you could travel through all day long
and not reach the end.
"a number of old timers have visited
it, and, Judging from the vast work
done there SO long ago, they concluded
that great mine of some kind had ex-
listed there, which had likely been work
ed out. Many times has it been located,
and though its walls, roof and floor we: e
carefully scanned and sampled. the re
suit, while showing some gold, was dis
eouraging. assays showing from trace
up to several dollars per ton.
MANY years ago talked with an old
Papago Indian, with whom | was On
very friendly terms, having often ex-
tended him little favors, about the gold
and silver mines. In burst of conf
dence he told me that great many
years ago, when he was very small
boy, the Indians at San Navier del Buc
made weekly trips to very rich gold
mine On Saturday night they returned
with the products of their toll. The
priest in charge of the mission kept a
small table in front of the altar, covered
with a white cloth, upon which the
pious toilers placed their metallic offer
ings to the church.
"This table was often covered with
golden nuggets, varying in size from a
pea to ones fist, and it was rich sight.
After the usual service the priest would
descend, and as he picked up each
precious piece he would proclaim the
name of the donor and afterward would
call them forward to receive the special
blessing of heaven. On the following
Monday they would again take up their
march in northwesterly direction for
the mines, and for very long time this
was repeated, until the priests were
driven out of the country, when they
abandoned mining entirely.
"The old Indian had one time gone
with the miners, who followed a well
beaten trail toward the Silver Bell coun-
try, and he saw them take out the gJii31.
He agreed to show me the place, and
out of curiosity sent a man with him
one day. They went out to the old
mine have spoken of in the Silver Bell
country, and when they reached GER
tain gulch the Indian pointed to the top
Of the mountain and said he would find
a shaft there, covered with cat claw
bushes, out of which the most gold was
taken. The man found everything just
as the old Indian told him, but long dis,
use had filed up the shaft until it was
nearly full.
"On returning, the old Indian could
not be found. He had gone ahead and
was not met for several days. He then
said he did not dare to show the mine to
the white people, and protested that
he did not show it for fear the Great
Spirit would take his life. He said the
white man had found it, but he did not
show it.
81 visited the mine afterward, but
the work necessary to clean out the
shaft was too great and too expensive
to undertake, and it has never been
touched n-Arizona Fntarnrise