The herald., 1894-02-02
IT WAS A W|LD-GOOSE CHASE,
Mining Men Hoodwinked in
Lower California.
A Guide Who Proved to Be Decided
Rascal.
A Disastrous Expedition to the Lower
Gulf Coast-The Account
of an Adventurous
Trip.

Some months ago Mexican named
6alorio lived on Coronado Beach. He
was newer of wood and drawer of
water, and seemed contented to let the
soft breezes OF the Pacific blow through
his ferocious black whiskers forever. In
epite OF his ominous appearance his
manner was bland, with nothing to sug-
gest the bandito or the embustero. No
body knew he was hard case with o
record blacker than his beard, and that
he longed to return to his wild life on
the desolste gulf coast of Lower Cali
fornis. 1t was lately learned that he
was q smuggler, cattle thief and suspect
ed bandit, carrying on dark doings along
the gulf coast from Muleje to the Amer
lean line, in company with few fellow
marauders.
One day in October last Salorio was
introduced to the King Solomon Mining
company by Mexican friend. The
mining company had been operating
more or less at Dulzura, San Diego
county, but was ready to investigate
good thing anywhere. The members
OF the compsny who met Salorio were
Gen. H. G. Rollins of Los Angeles and
]. A. Pritchard, nephew of Senator
Jones of Nevada, and living on the sem
ator's place at Santa Monica. To them
Salorio told his story. He said that for
years he had been employed as
mounted guard along the gulf coast OF
Lower California watching for contra
-bsndistas. In his lonely rides along the
coast of the desert and in the foothills
of the San Pedro Martir range he had
discovered minerals OF many kinds. He
had found gold, he knew, and perhaps
other valuable things, especially soapy,
blush rock, very peculiar rock I'M
known to him.
The gentlemen manifested an interest
in the finds, and Salorio went home and
got bis specimens. The gold rock was
good, in fact rich, and the King Solo
mon Mining company languidly pricked
up it's ears when Salorio said he had 60
claims of stuff similar to the sample and
would be glad to show them to some
body. He also kindly allowed one OF
the gentlemen to get an assay OF the
soapy, blush rock. The next day the
King Solomon Mining company put its
head together at the Belleview hotel
and whispered and wink ed mysteriously.
The assayer had reported the soapy,
blush rock as almost solid silver-just
enough waste to make it perfect for mill
ling.
Salorio was called in and they asked
him if there was much of that rock in
his country. "Mucho-muchol he
said.
In very brief time thereafter min
ing expert named r. A. Bryeon, for
merly of Socorro. N. M, was on liis way
to Yuma with Salorio. Bryson told
friends here that he was going to Ari-
IONA on railroad business. He carried
$500 or $500, put up by Pritchard, the
nephew of Senator Jones OF Nevada. At
Yuma Bryeon ran across prospector
named Bob Watson, who had just
crossed the desert from San Diego. and
hired him. Salorio looked up two OF
his brothers who were OPPORTUNITY in
Yuma, and the party of five fitted out,
bought boat and started down the Col
orado for the place where the 60 gold
claims and the Hoapy, blush rock
awaited their owner.
Nothing was heard of the party until
the last OF December, when Watson re-
turned alone TO Yuma, much the worse
for wear. He told man there that the
three Mexicans were very good indeed
until they reached the gulf coast, but
that there they began to behave like
devils. They sat apart and talked low,
and hardly deigned to speak to Brys on
and Watson. They plundered the stores
and gorged on the best food, refused to
cook or lend hand in managing the
boat, and occasionally glanced toward
the Americans, so Watson SAYS, in
manner that made his blood run cold.
Watson and Bryson were both we'll
armed, and they finally became con-
WINGED that they we're in danger of bod
lily harm, and so kept watch on Salorio
and his so-called brothers. Watson
said that many a night he lay awake,
watching for an attack.
A landing was finally made at q little
cove on the penin5ular coast not much
north of Los Angeles bay, aa near as
can be learned. Bryson was no doubt
convinced long before this that Salorio
was fraud, but he asked him, anyhow,
where the gold claims were and wheso
he could find the soapy, blush rock.
"Oh, there are mines all around here"
said Salorio with q piratical grin.
Take all you can find, and welcome.
But l am very glad to get back to my
own TERRA"
There ia some little mystery connected
with the affair, and it is quite possible
that serious trouble occurred. Watson
did not tell how he parted from Bryson
and the Mexicane, nor how he reached
Yuma. In his opinion Sslorio concocted
the scheme in order to get free trans
portion to his old stamping-grounda
Watson was thankful for his escape, and
sent for 500 which he bad deposited
with Selwyn & Allison in San Dis5o. The
money was sent to him on December
2Sth.
A few days ago and urgent telegram
was received by one OF the King Solo
mon Mining company, from Bryson, who
was at Guaymas fiat broke. He wanted
money enough to get home on and
wanted it quickly. 1t is supposed the
money has been sent to him, but OF late
the operations of the King Solomon
Mining company on the gulf coast have
been kept very quiet. 1t is not known
here yet how Bryson reached Guaymas,
nor where he shook his friend Salorio.
The vegetarians.
The proposed debate upon the food