Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1895-03-22
MOUNTAINS OF GOLD.
OLD MINES RICH IN MINERALS AN
DEAD MEMS BONES.

of a Race of Strange Indians-Rcmsrka.
ing In Mexico.
Fabulous deposits of gold arc known
to exist in the Sierra dc Nayarat, in the
territory of Topic, near the west coast of
Mexico. ID. B. Russell, a we'll known
American residing in this place, and who
is an extensive manufacturer and dealer
in machinery and apparatus for mining,
has returned from Il trip into the mysteri-
GUS Businesses which, with their inhnbit-
ants, have long bat1led the attempts Of
the prospectors to unravel their golden
mystery of the centuries. Mr.. Russell,
who is an old resident here, and whose
word is never disputed, is perhaps the only
man who has been allowed to view the
riches and live to repeat the story. Others
have penetrated a part of the way into the
Eldorado, but have always met death at
the hands of the Alacian Indians, who
hold the stronghold and jealousy guard
it's secret.
The gold belt lies in tho Sierra dc Ma
yarat, a rugged and almost inaccessible
range of mountains some 80 miles north
Of the road to San Bias and several days
journey from this city. There is also an
other range known as the Alica, running
nearly parallel with the Nayarat, which
is inhabited and guarded by IL brave and
warlike race of Indians, the Alacians.
They are supposed to be direct descendants
Of the Axtecs. Securing a military escort
from tho governor of Topic, Mr.. Russell
set out on his p~erilous journey and in due
time reached the entrance to tho canyon,
in and about which are all the settlements
of this mysterious people.
Near the close of the second day tho OK.
plorcrs passed over tho last range of noun
tains shutting in tho Alncians and had
their first glimpse of tho entrance to the
valley. 1t is IL narrow pass between two
cliffs, which rise almost porpendicularly
to & height of nearly 3, 1000 feet, and is a
natural wonder. The view into tho valley
proper is hut off by a mountain wall run
ming at right angles to the pass. From
the top OF the mountain the captain of tho
escort sent an interpreter to notify the
chief Of the first village beyond of the
coming of Mr.. Russell and his party,
while they followed cautiously. 1t was
after dark when they noared the entrance
to the village and were met by a chief and
a crowd of natives in their gala dress,
who. accompanied by a band of music,
came to extend a seemingly hearty wei
come All the natives except the chief
woro complete suits of birds feathers,
which covered them from head to foot.
At daybrcak they started for tho main
city, a place of 5000 or 1000 persons, a
long days travel away. The intervening
country was found to be under a high
state Of cultivation, corn, vegetables, fruits
and other products being raised in album
lave r,> ~nn,,, q 0On T,o4 49,
mountain sides, which, in places, nave a
slope Of 40 degrees. Even the highest of
these terraces seemed to be we'll irrigated.
The houses along the route were roomy
and comfortable adobe structures, and the
people were well supplied with cattle,
COWS especially, and largo numbers Of
tame deer. The natives are straight fea-
tured, with long rather than oval faces,
very quick and energetic in their move.
nenta and experts at handling their bows,
arrows and sings, with which they always
go armed.
Mr.. Russell scanned the surrounding
hills eagerly during the journey for owl
dence of the mineral wealth, and it was
not long before he was overwhelmed by it.
The valley is SO narrow that he could scru-
tinize the mountains III both sides, and
along toward the middle of the day he be.
gan to catch glimpses of old tunnels and
the openings of abandoned mining shafts.
On nearing a projecting spur he saw what
looked like IL mineral vein, and when he
camo to it there was plainly to- be seen a
fine streak Of gold quartz, 3 inches wide,
running through rocks.
That night was spent at the house of
the chief OF the main village, who told Mr..
Russell that his people wero the descend.
ants of the fathers of Mexico and had
been conquered by either Spaniards Or
Mexicans in their wars with the latter.
Some so years 6 Mexican troops tried to
s%ubjugate them, but were driven out of
the valley and far beyond. Then tho gov
eminent made peace with them, SO that
now they have to pay only a small tribute
to be left alone in their mountain homes.
The old chief hesitatod long before
granting Mr.. Russell permission to inspect
the holes in the mountains, but finally
consented and the next morning sent him
off with a guard of 80 mon. These wcro
greatly exercised when Mr.. Russell an
nounced that he was going down into the
shafts, and it was only on the chiefs Or
der that they accompanied him. When
Mr.. Russell climbed up to the shafts, he
saw at once that they were openings of
old mines.
The first mine Mr.. Russell entered was
dark, and he had to descend by means Of
q log of wood notched for footholds. When
he landed at the bottom. he felt something
under his foot, and holding a candle down
was Mortified to find himself standing on
a mass Of human bones, which fell apart
and ratified with every move he made. He
was SO overcome that he sank down on a
rock and gazed aghast at the mementos of
either some tragedy or religious observ-
ance, but as he sat his eyes fell upon the
finest ledge of gold he had ever seen in his
life. By this time the horrors of the dead
chamber had worn away, and he Clipped
off some specimens. Mr.. Russell visited
half a dozen other mines and in every ono
found. human homes. some of the shafts