Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-12-14
A HUNTERS YARN.
The White Door of San CARLOS
An ARIZONA Mystery.

The white deer 81 San Carlos are ono
OF the many wonders Of Arizona.
There are many hunters who deny
their existence, but there are many
others who say positively that they
have seen them. All the Indians in the
part Of the country where the deer are
said TO live tell OF them, and many can
be found who say they have seen them.
But the Indians don't want to see them,
because they have a religious belief
that they belong TO the Great White
Spirit, and that II an Indian should kill
one OF them he would be cursed for
ever. The place in which the deer live
Is one Of the widest spots in the coun-
try to-day. IL IL In the San Carlos In
dian reservation, and is almost mae
cessiblc. Its exact distance from any
settlement is not known, but the near
est place to any whisky and tobacco
Is the Mammoth gold camp.
About a month ago one OF the boys
from the Riito mine went out hunting
lie was gone several days, and when lac
came back was very much excited. His
horse was worn out and had evidently
been driven very hard for several hours.
The man said that he had seen the
white deer and never wanted TO see
them again. lie couldn't tell why he
was afraid OF them, as nothing had
happened TO him Of an injurious nature.
IIc told how he saw the herd grazing
on n grassy ridge that reached across
the bottom OF beautiful valley. 1t
was not at all like any other valley he
had seen in the territory, but was wa
tered by a dozen streams, and trees and
grass grew luxuriantly. The deer were
grazing calmly, and he thought he
saw a chance TO get one, so he found
place 10 rest his rifle and took dead
aim at big buck. The instant his
rifle cracked the entire herd vanished
like magic, leaving behind them moth
ing but thin veil of white mist. lie
jumped on his horse aud started for
camp, never stopping until he reached 1t.
His story was so remarkable that two
Of the other boys, Joe Franklin and
Henry Roberts, wanted him TO go with
them 20 the place and make an investi-
cation. But the man who saw the deer
had seen all he wanted.
franklin and Roberts got particular
directions, but did not start until the
next morning, but were up very early,
and by sunrise had gone over the range
that divides the standardization from
the bowling wilderness OF wild beasts
and murderous Apaches. IL took them
day and half 10 get TO the locality.
They travelled through country where
death seemed TO be lurking behind
every stone and clump of bushes. by
day they passed several bleaching sl,cl-
ctons and deserted huts that told the
tale Of some adventurous mans effort
TO make Il home in this dcsolate spot.
by taking turns all through the
night Franklin and Roberts both did
we'll, and when morning came and the
ghostly forms stealthily gliding
through the darkness had given place
to cactus, sand and rocks, both men
were as fresh as II they had slept in II
bed in san Francisco. When the sun
came up the horses slept while the men
were getting breakfast. A start was
soon made, and by noon the men knew
that the valley could not be far
away, although they saw no signs
OF II. The country was wild ard
rugged and vegetation was very linn
tied. Tlvre was no sign Of water, nor
did they sec any placs where water
could coac from. They knew by GER
tain things they were told 10 look for
that they l:gd followed the directions
closely. Eut where was the valley?
IL could not he ahead OF them, and
must be To one side, as the sand grad
uaily slope that way Before starting
down fraal.lin proposed that he climb
e. the top Of 4 ridge few hundred
feet 10 the right and sec II he could see
the tops OF the green trees. 1t was Il
long, hard climb and as he assembled
be saw no sign OF the refreshing green.
lie felt sure that they must have made
some mistake or that the other man
lied. but concluded he would go to the
top just 10 see what there was. When
he reached the summit there was nc
patch OF green-nothing but desert
Apache village.
lie was about TO go back when hC
concluded 20 cross over the ridge ant
see what was on the other side. Max
ing his way through the scrub, mes
quite and cactus, he soon came to al
open space, and there before him wa
the valley he had been looking for /
was carpeted with green grass, and OF
tine other side range of mountains rose
the tops OF which were covered will
snow that was constantly melting ant
forming silver streams that tumble,
into the valley below.
To one accustomed 10 the glare an,
dust of Arizona deserts the spot wa
like glimpse OF paradise, and Frank
lin rubbed his eyes to make sure he wa
not dreaming. He was satisfied tina
the spot had been found, so he wen
back to the top of the ridge and sig
nailed to Roberts to come up and brin
the horses-an act Roberts was no
very slow in performing. Both agree
that the spot had been found, and tn
next was to find the deer. But frs
they would rest awhile and get som,
thing TO eat. 1t really was like part
, disc when they had found n cool, shad
spot and built fire. The blue smoli
curled upward among the trees, wher
! 1t was caught by the gentle wind an
q carried across the valley. Dinner ha
been cooked and disposed OF, and bot
. men stretched themselves out comfor
u ably, intending each minute TO get u
y and go and look for the deer Il,
while they We're making up their mine
- about IL Roberts suddenly had his u
. tertion attracted by something movin