Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-12
LOST NINE UNDISCOVERED.
Excitement Out I'm Highland County
A Photographers Adventure.

l.
writings a few days ago for several per-
sons, regarding find of rich mineral
just south of Monterey, that may lead
to making diminutive Highland a second
| Klondke.
Many years ago a gunsmlth, Familiarity
known as John Hall, discovered metal
in the rugged Vanderpool Gap, which
| proved to be rich enough to be melted and
moulded into bullets. In this way,
| at different times during his life, he
| used a great deal of curious metal that
| he pronounced lead, but he could never
be induced to reveal It's hiding place, the
| mystery still remaining obscure at his
| death.
Eight or ten years ago, John Trimble,
| Esq, of this place, came into possession,
| In a roundabout way, Of facts relative
| 70 the location OF the mine. He imme-
| diately impaired the secret to James II.
| Botkin, who was then in his employ.
| Mr.. Botkin and DR.. /. II. Trimble made
a search and were unsuccessful, after
which they took e. NJ. Saven into their
confidence, he living near the favored
spot. In short time AIR. Saven took a
still hunt" and at small bridge near
the Dug-Bank road, and Just on the
bank of the James river, he was re-
metal that had been washed out by a
very small creek The task of following
the little stream was an easy one, and
the metal was found in a ledge on the
mountain side, above the road. The
same metal was also found on the reverse
side Of the river.
The find was kept dark until recently
for the reason that the prospectors and
landowners could not come to agreeable
terms until now. The papers were signed
by Peter Gum and William G. Rogers,
owners of the land, and John Trimble,
DR.. !. II. Trimble, j. III. Botkin, and Il.
NJ. Slaven, prospectors.
The work of developing. your cores
pendent has been told, will begin without
delay. Small amounts OF the metal have
been sent to Washington and New York
and the analysis show that 1t contains
silver, tin, and another very valuable
metal, used in toning bells.
The parties interested have ample
means TO push the new enterprise, and
excitement reigns supreme. with a hope
that Highland will soon have boom.
Illicit distileries are seldom found in
this section, but your correspondent has
gained information from the border coun-
ty of Pendeton. w. Va. regarding the
handling of CROOKED whiskey" that is
remarkable, to say the least.
THE Smoke Holes" is the title given
to a small section OF the country in the
county above named, and northeast Of
Franklin, the county seat, and among
other things Is famous for being rugged
and mountainous, and is the seat of five
or six distilleries run without 'leave or
license from Uncle Sam. Not long
since, a well-known photographer, who
had been operating in and around Frank
H..
interest of his business. While there he
formed the acquaintance of one of the
gang" who was well acquainted with
the neighborhood and onto the ropes
as to the conducting of the several
mountain dew" distilleries. The photo
grapher expressed desire to photograph
one OF the distilleries, and his new ac-
quaintance told him that his wish should
be granted, providing he followed his
instructions to a letter and would not
show the photograph to any one until
after January /, 1898. The promise was
given, and at the appointed day the pho
tographer was well blindfolded and taken
through numerous paths, entangled in the
brush, and led over rocks on a mountain
four miles distant from the starting
point
At this juncture, the hoodwink was
removed and before the photographer
was the object of his vista moonshine
distillery in full sway. He would not
have known 1t, however, had not his |
guide called his attention to the fact,
for the operating-room consisted OF a
long, projecting cleft of rocks, the open
ing of which was covered by trees or sap
lings set up and covered by brush. in |
such way as to deceive, to a certainty, |
any one passing that way, by accident
or design. The guide conducted his host
within, and there the apparatus for the |
manufacture Of the Juice of the for
hidden fruit" was made plain. The |
necessary water was piped a long dis |
lance from spring higher up on the |
mountain. The pipes were concealed I'm |
such a manner that a stranger could |
walk the full length of the pipes and |
not know that there was running water |
beneath. Several pictures were made and |
the photographer was again blind |
folded and taken by the same guide to |
his stopping place.
He says that he has not the remotest |
idea, even as to the direction. and could |
be of no assistance TO Uncle Sans |
agents, who are looking up such law
breakers.
The two congregations OF Monterey are |
preparing to hold Christmas entertain
ments for the benefit and pleasure Of the |
children of the Sunday schools
The first meeting OF the Building Com
mittee OF the proposed new Methodist
church in Monterey was held this week.
Application was made to well-known ar
chitects for plans and drawings for a
handsome, modern church, consisting OF
auditorium, Sunday-school room, and yes
Thule, the seating capacity to be 400 and
approximate cost 5000.
Quite a delegation OF young people
from our neighbor county OF Pocahontas.
in West Virginia, has been visiting
friends and relations in Highland during
the past week. Those names | have
learned are Misses Maude and Daisy |
Yeager. Hattie Patterson, and Fannie
mclaughlin and Messrs. j. w. Yeager
Frank Anderson. James Patterson, and
William mclaughlin. OF Marlinton, and
Miss Lucy Siple. of Green Bank.
These are amongst the most popular
and vivacious young people OF Pocahon-
tas, and their advent and sojourn here
were the occasion OF much social entoy
ment Before returning to their homes.
Misses Daisy Yeager and Lucy SipIe will
visit friends in Augusta and Bath coun-
ties. respectively.
Samuel Hiner. an aged and highly re-
spected citizen OF Doe Hill, eastern High
land, died on Thursday last