The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1894-12-08
THE puRRos DIED.
But tho Prospcctors who Crossed the
Desert Managed to Survive

A man can stand more hardships
than a burro. That is the conclusion
that Henry Freeman and Jacob Gester
have reached. and their story bearing
on the subject indicates that the point
is well taken.
Freeman and Gester arc mining
prospectors whose habits are migra-
tory. They arrived in San Francisco
recently after long and winding
scout for precious metals in tho noun
tains OF San Bernardino and Inyc
counties. Mr.. Freeman volunteered
the information that no had passed
through an experience which, In SUI
fcring, outdid anything that he could
expect to find in the Internal regions
during twice the length OF time.
''Gestcr and had been knocking
around tho mountains and canyons for
several weeks" said Mr.. Freeman.
eve had four bnrros, two to ride and
two TO carry our packs OF tools and
provisions. The burros arc dead;
Gcster and | are alive, but mighty
shaky. We had poor luck and struck
nothing with color in it for a long
time. Finally, We decided to strike
out for IL locality whore few, II any.
white men had ever gone before. We
crossed the desert country south OF
Death Valley about can't romem-
Der dates, because / didn't know
Wednesday from Sunday.
''Wcll, then we headed for the
Funeral mountains, east Of the borax
beds. There was some game TO BIC
had, and our supply Of provisions held
out very well, but tho further east We
went tho scarccr the water became,
and what there was Of it was rank
poison. In one OF the gulches OF the
Funeral range we found running
spring with water rs clear as crystal.
Gester and drank with great gulps,
and so did tho burros. This was
about two hours before sunset on u
day that was rs hot us hadcs. Well.
sir, five minutes after we drank that
water my partner and and the bur-
ros began to suffer agonics worse than
death. My insidcs seemed to be on
fire, and / felt as il some lusty fire.
man was dragging out my intestincs
with fire hook. IL was nip and tuck
between Gester and me and tho burros
as TO which could squirm and kick and
make the most horrible noise. Before
the sun set two of tho animals wero
dead. The other two partially re-
covered.
after couple OF days rcst--hav-
ing in the meantime discovered
seant quantity Of dirty, but less poison
Gus water--we set to work again, and
very soon discovered some very rich
collaborating quartz. Il carried FREQ
gold, at least $500 to tho ton, and we
drove stakes on the claims. But wo
might as well have saved ourselves the
trouble, because, so far as am con-
ccrncd-and know Gcstcr is OF the
same mind wouldn't go back to that
accurscd region for million. No, sir!
It's death, death everywhere. Poison.
in the water, burning death ip/ the
sunlight, humiliation in the scorching
winds. There is no water with which
to work the ore or qucnch the thirst OF
man or beast. 1t would be noxt to an
impossibility to cart the orc to place
NhNiO iiio tOuiu bt lOE ally
length OF time. / am satisfied there
are thousands OF great fortunes in
those hills and gulches. but it's my
opinion they will remain there u long
time"
Mr.. Freeman thon gave n graphic
account OF the retreat toward civilian
ton and habitablc regions. For near
~ two days and nights he and Gcster
and the two burros had not one drop
OF water. The men were on tho verge
Of madness, because the heat was in
tense. The mules tottorcd and
groaned, and hung their tongues out
OF the corners Of their mouths.
When almost within sight Of ~ little
mountain stream OF puro water. not
far from the Santa Fe railroad, tho
burros lay down ana died, almost in
the same breath. But Freeman and
Gester reached the railroad, tagged
a freight train, and left the land OF
horrors; with II pledge to each other
never 10 return. Freeman says no
will seek II cooler climate and better
water in South Africa.