The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1894-05-09
STRANGER THAN FICTION
The Story Of How ths KIes Min, Was
Lost and Found.
THIRTY YEARS or SEARCH
Old Prospectors Recall the Slneu-
lar Life of the Old Prospsotor
and the Tragic Way He
Met His Death.
special Dispatch to the STANDARD.

sreciN Dlsnatch 10 the stlnirl
GREAT FALLS. MAY s.-The alleged dis.
coyery of the famous Kes gold mine, al.
jacent TO Glasgow, has caused no little
excitement among the old residents OF
this section and within the next week
numerous outfits from this locality will
visit the supposed new FL Dorado. In dis
cusslng the recent discovery with q
STANDARD reporter last evening, an old.
timer said:
"Kes was a we'll known character in
Montana In early territorial days-D odd
years ago. He was q hunter, trapper,
miner and prospector, and could
talk Indian like a native, having
many friends among tho differ.
ent tribes. After an absence
OF several wceks-aloug in the 60's-he
appeared at Benton with large buckskin
sack OF gold dust. The closest inquiry on
the part Of tho general public failed TO IL
licit the source Of his sudden wealth and
he grew angry when closely pressed re-
carding the matter. He tired to interest
John J. Healy and John Lepley, old
trends, in his discovery, but the former
was trading with the Indians, and the
latter-now one OF the largest stockgrow-
ers in Northern Montana-was maxim.
sl2 day in mines at Silver City, and both
refused TO join him.
"a few weeks after Kies and
two friends, accompanied by sew.
cral squaws, started down the
Missouri river on an improvised raft,
with several months provisions. When
near the mouth of the Musselshell, kes
was signaled TO land by a war party of
Sioux Indians, who made signs of peace.
Against the earnest protest of the
sqnaws Kies pulled 10 the shore and the
three men were butchered and the squaus
made capiives by tho cowardly and
ireacherous enemy. Thus the secret OF
the location OF the mines was buried with
Kies. Since that time prospectors galore
have sought the mines without avail. |
understand that Alex nder, the lucky dis
covcrer, has been in search OF
the spot long time and has
spent 10 years among the
Indians endeavoring to secure informa-
lion that would assist him in his search.
"Somc eight or 10 years ago Alexander
saved the life of a fav oritc child of Two
Medicines, an important Sioux chief, and
claimed as his reward tho secret of the
mine. At first The chief refused his re-
quest. but finally told him TO return TO
the white men and secure lumber, provi-
sions and wagons and with the disappear.
ance Of the snow he would be taken 10
the gold fields discovered by the unfortu.
nate Kies. Alexander sought civiliza-
ton once moro and few weeks
later returned 70 the Indian camp with "a
complete mining outfit only TO learn that
| Two Medicines had Joined the rcd skin
colony in the happy hunting ground and
| once more the secret OF the mine re.
mained inviolate. lie then began a
thorough system Of prospecting, only re-
turning from the search at intervals
when II was necessary 10 work few
weeks at mining or laboring TO secure an.
other grub stake
| "ln January last while crossing the
country in search Of stock he discovered a
cement bar and a spring described by
Kies in a map as near the diggings. He
kept the matter quiet and attempted
to prospect tho ground, but without
success owing 10 the extreme cold. The
only man Alexander took into his conf
dence was Dave Dinslow, with whom he
was stopping. A few weeks later while
the two men wore prospecting they were
discovered by parties from Glasgow and
the secret, SO closely guarded for a third
of century, was made public and is now
drawing a horde of men in that direction
from all sections of the country.
"As far as can learn, there is every
reason 10 believe there is gold there in
paying quantities, but whether the field
is extensive enough to build un
a thriving mining camR OF the
placer variety remains 10 he seer
when the result OF developing Alexander
claim has fairly commenced aud clear
up of the sluice boxes Is made. No, an
not going down just yet, but / have q
friend on the ground who will keep IN,
posted OH the true state of affairs. Eay,
been in too many stampedes to &c. cX
cited easily, aud many who rush 10 the
new camp without proper preparations II
the way of food, clothing and blankets
will regret having started out until mor'
detailed and reliable information cal
have been secured
John Gordon, well.known mine
of Neihart, passed through Grea
Falls Friday enroute 10 G!as
cow and the new camp. With
here Mr.. Gordon said to John Erickson, ,ar
old friend: II worked with Alexander las
summer for several weeks hunting for tn
old Kies mine. and have no doubt he ha
at last discovered the place. Ny tw,
partners from NeIhart will join me a
Glasgow, going across the country from
Neibart on horseback. Ny confidence II
Alexander is unlimited and he is the bes
prospector / ever knew. A conversation
had few days ago with John Lepley
an old partner Of Kies. confirm
my belief. Mr.. Lepley showe
me a map and letter he received frou
Kies IN 1864. The map shows that kies
camp was about . miles south of For
Peck, on a tributary OF the Big Dry. Ih
letter urges Lepley in the strongest term
TO come to the new camp, but Lepley said
"The Indians IN that section we're bad a
the time and had good claim al SilYe
City paying the about Sl2 per day. ais
had few thousand IN the bank, so re
fused to go TO the Htes camp, althoug
the latter assured me that we would onl
have 10 labor few months and then "
, could take boat a, Peck aud 20 east wit
plenty of money for the rest OF ou
lives
John Lepley came up from Benton ye