The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1893-07-26
THE FATAL GOLD NINE,
CHEROKEE INDIANS CAREFULLY
GUARD ITS SECRET.

T appears from a dispatch which
was sent out from Wichita the
other day that there is to be
another attempt to locate what
are sometimes characterized as the
tabled gold mines of the Indian Terri
tory. Many people have faith in the
existence of these mines, while many
more smile when the subject is
broached, and are inclined to think
that they have no existence outside of
the fertile imaginations of the space
writer's. But 1 belong to the first
mentioned class, and feel that 1 have
the best reasons for my belief, says Q
Pueblo Col correspondent of the st.
| Louis Globe-Democrat.
Many years ago white man, whose
name has been long ago forgotten, an
sdventurer with more daring than pru-
dence, stumbled upon the mine, when
there was not awhile settlement within
hundreds of miles. He was not a
miner, but had found the quartz, filled
with native gold, cropping out of the
| ground in most unexpected location,
and although he was entirely alone
and without facilities for mining, as it
is usually conducted, had taken out
and separated from the quartz within
the course of few days more of the
| precious metal than he could carry.
Realizing that he had made a dis
covery that would give him wealth be-
yond the widest dreams of avarice, he
determined to retrace his steps to a
settlement, organize small party and
return, fully equipped for working the
lead and taking away the gold He
filed his pockets and his hunting
pouch with the virgin metal and
started for civilization, first carefully
noting the landmarks, that he might
have no trouble in guiding his party
to the spot upon his return.
He had got some twenty miles away
from the locality when he was dis
covered by a party of Indians, some
ten or fifteen in number. They took
him in charge and conducted him iNto
the presence of one of their principal
chiefs, to whom he told the story of
his discovery. The old chief listened
patiently, and, realizing that this was
an important matter, called certain of
the sub-chiefs into council. He made
the first speech to them, and called
their attention to what had first oc-
Cured to him-that if the gold. hunter
were allowed to return to the haunts
of white men with his precious burden
their country would Immediately be
overrun with miners, their hunting
spoiled and their tribe eventually
forced to vacate their accustomed
range.
The Indians were at that time peace
able, and we're extremely averse to
taking an action which would precipi-
tate trouble with the whites, who were
just commencing to plant feeble settle
ments in the lower Kansas counties,
just north of the Usage and Cherokee
Nations. Yet it was a serious matter,
for it seemed almost impossible to
allow the white man to return to
civilization and spread the news of his
wonderful find, of which every one
else, even the Indians themselves, had
been in utter ignorance up to that
time. 1t meant all manner of evil for
the red men, and the matter was care.
fully discussed pro and con by the
heads of the tribe, the council lasting
far into the night. The decision was
at last arrived at that it was better
that one life should be taken than that
the peace of the whole tribe be
destroyed. And 80, for none other
than prudential reasons, the council
passed the sentence of death upon the
hapless discoverer of the nine The
result of the deliberation was, how
ever, kept from him at first, and he
was induced to guide n small party to
the locality of his find. Three of the
leading chiefs of the tribe were of the
party, and under their direction all
traces of the lead were covered up, lest
some other white men straying through
the country in search of pelts might re-
discover it. Then the unfortunate
white man was executed on the spot
not by torture, however, but in the
most merciful manner-and the party,
being far from home, struck camp for
the night. Far in the night, when all
the others were asleep, the three chiefs
arose, having secretly determined upon
the course before leaving the council,
and with their keen hunting knives
treacherously took the lives of their
brothers, also, lest in an unguarded
moment one of them might divulge
the fact that such an enormously rich
mine existed, and all the ills which it
was so earnestly desired to avoid be
thus precipitated. The bodies were
buried near the mine, and the three
chiefs, after taking upon themselves
an oath of secrecy, returned to the
tribe, telling know not what story to
account for the non-appearance of
their companions
By this course the secret of the
location was left with the three lead
ing chiefs, who, upon their deathbeds,
transmitted it to their eldest sons.
And so it has been passed down ever
since, never more than three being in
possession of the knowledge at one
time. But no one of them has ever
dared to attempt 10 work the mine or
profit by their knowledge.