The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-14
CAVE FILLED WITH GOLD.
Old John DOnahoe's secret Mine 10
BE Opened at Last.
From the New York World.


From the New York World.
Highland Falls, N. Y. Feb. 1O-Gold has
been discovered in Putnam county. and
some of the largest capitalists in this
section are said to be interested in the
development of the mines.
1t was several years ago that nuggets
of gold were first found on the shores Of
Indian Lake. about a mile back from Gar
rison's. Silver in large quantities was also
found, and at that time a multitude of
prOspectors were drawn 20 the spot Free
staked out and for weeks, a state of an
archy prevailed on the grounds. As I'm
the present rush to Westminster county,
the operators then had no right to take
gold from the place. Mr.. Donahoe, the
owner of the land called on the author
tiles for protection, and the Jumpers were
elected. For years afterward nothing was
done to develop the mines.
Capitalists came and offered Donahoe
large sums for his tract of mountainous
land, but he refused to sell it. 1t had been
Cossiped around the Village that DOnahoe
knew where the principal bed Of precious
ore lay but he kept his own council.
An Indian woman had been brought up
in the Donahoe family from her child
hood, and she it was, the eossips said,
who impaired the secret to old John Don
ahoe.
and on his death bed he told his son
where the vein was
Several months ago the Younger Dona-
hoe decided to work the mines. He
hired laborers and began in a syste-
matte manner. He called upon Speaker
Fish and explained his situation. John
NJ Tcucev of the Hudson River railroad,
Samuel Sloan of the Delaware, Lacka-
wanna and Western railroad, Assembly
man Louis #. Goodsell of Highland Falls,
and a few others were also let into the
The project of starting a big mining
company was discussed, but the desire
of the majority. was to Keep the matter
a secret until " was certain that gold
in paying quantities could be dug In
the mean time all the land in the vicin-
ity was secured.
Donahoe still kept his men at work and
soon made other discover s. He found
a cave which extended fully 500 feet into
the heart of the mountain. Chambers
filled with stalactites and stalagmite Of
unusual brMancy made II look Ike an
enchanted place. Jumps of silver ore
weighing several pounds were found.
Gurgling springs of spring water ran
through the center, and on the bottom
small nuggets of the precious metal were
found. The walls were also studded with
Jumps of silver ore.
Other chambers of unknown extent
branched north and south, but the lack
of coed air prevented the explorers from
proceeding. Donahoe closed up the mouth
of the cave and set his men to work drill
ing and digging over the spot where his
father said the richest vein was concealed.
There shafts are now being sunk, and
the new machinery will soon enliven the
surrounding hills.
Recently half dozen English specu-
lators paid the place q visit and COM
menced making sOundings, Donahoe's
men warned them off. and since then
they have lowered around the district.
A score of New York mining operators
also came prepared to jump claims A
liberal display of six-shooters caused their
quick departure.
Donahoe stiil runs the hotel at CARR
sons He is excited over his good for
tune. He is a single man, not much
over 80 years of age.
When Assemblyman Goodsell was asked
about the mine, on his way to Albany
this morning, he was reticent and won
dered how the news leaked out. He adj
mitted having heard of the gold mines
at Indian Lake, and intimated that
there We're also large quantities of GOLD
in the mountain on the west shore OF
the Hudson. He denied owning stock in
the mine. but thought it likely that the
millonaires Of the Garrison slope were;
helping Donahoe. Donahoe saws that
the quantity of ore so far unearthed will
pay for the labor and expense incurred.
He has. several beautiful specimens OF
ore in his office.