Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1897-07-14

and later his ruin and death, occur rod tho following year m this. The Indians became ravenous tO puT- chase his wares, and coming to tho station on Sunday afteFaoon threw on tho counter of the store a sack ma.ie of rawhide that contained over Sl500 in gold dust and insisted in taking everything that met their fancy. From this demonstration Adams became as badly ''woTked up" as his Indian traders were and there followed naturally an inclina. ton to eater to them in confidence and sincerity. Hs mastered theiF language and finally welded oi.e of their tribe. He was seized alsa with the wild elatlon to be guided to the treasures others today are still fall- ing beneath, and conquered, finally, m the winter of 1856. On daFk night in December, with chlef and six Indians. all mounted, he stFnek out, informing no cue Of his mission nor when he would return, taking an oath by kissing tho dust at the foot of the Indian ehief that he would sacredly guard the secret and give up his life if he betrayed them. When daylight approached he was blindIolded and m this manner was warned to travel quietly. Water, ierked meat and corn meal were served planteoasly he said, and he pursued the journey happily but nevertheless somewhat timldly, In this manner he travelled Tor four nights and three days. At sun rise on the morning of the fourth day council was held between the ln- dians, who by this time had been re- inforced by score or moro. A deep ravine was descended and he was told to dismount. He was led into care like opening and with the entrance shielded by rawhidos the blindfold was removed from his eyss.
 What met his gaze Adams says not only startled but stupehed him. He became dazed sadi in viewing the immense wealth 10 meet his eyes calculated its value as running into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. He attempted to converse with the few m the cave with him. but he was forbidden, The fire was then smoutd-red aud he was told to fill a rawhide sack. He was then blind folded aga.n. led out, the homeward journey began, under the exact con ditions as in coming. On the morn l ing of the third day he was told 10 remove the bandage and directed to his station.
 He often stated that he vas not the same person afierward. Ia all channels known 10 perseverance,, k- delity and affection, and even tO the sacrifice Of his religion for that of the sunworshipper, he could not conquer the rcd man There was but gleam of hope through which to win, and by it he fought to the last. It was In the naturs of but . vision, and SO distant that it served as a magnet to draw him ani others hopelessiy oa and on. It came to him when in the cave beholding the riches. For an instant only he gazed at tho opening and in his de-
 Iirium beheld three lofty butt e, which he judged to he about three miles away.
 What followed after the return oi Adams to his home the reader can best judge. His business no longer engrossed his time and finally col
 lapsed, He was warned by his h. dian traders not to venture to tho treasure. and with about $2.0OO in dust as a reward for his mission on
 that fateful morning, between two days he pulled out for the boundary
 line of Mexico. Reaching his des-
 tination he laid the secret story be-
 fore Colonel Crittenden of the U. S'
 army, who had served in the war
 with Mexico, and who also was in
 command of che regiment ia which
 Adams enlisted as a private. The
 two were mutual friends and were
 warmly attached to each other. Col,
 Crittenden was quite wealthy. Re
 lating his story to this military man
 won his sympathy and support and
 with men, money and grit com
 hined Adams at the head started for
 his hunt of the Three Buttes. He
 was gone for over thirty days and
 returned unsuccessful. Lator, in
 1857. so consistently did Adams pre-
 vail that another expedition was un-
 dertaken and new country selected
 He returned again unsuccessful, but
 not dismayed. In the meantime
 Colonel Crittenden was transferred to the vicinity of Tucson, whithei Adams iourneyed. For the last time he prevailed upon his friend
 to continue the search, and Tor tho last time q favorable respons, greeted him. Adams left m Marct and was recalled in May. 1858, Col ! Critteaden's actions reaching Wash ington and involving an investiga ton. Adams did not return, going it single handed. He was wounded |. by Indians, but recovered.
 It is we'll to state here that thu mental condition cf AdSms was be
 yond any question whatever as t'
 his sanity, and at the time this stor,
 
 was narrated his account is said t' ' have been clear and cool. Col. Crit tenden and other officers being sin cerely impressed with the man an' 7 his demeanor.
 In October, 1858, Adams Tetrace U his steps to Tucson and making hi
 farewell appeal to Colonel Critteu 2 den, fails. He then endeavors t enlist civilian capital and fails agsiI Dismayed for the first time b grows mean and uncontrollable an 7 prepares to return to the scene C - his simple life as a trader and s;' . ton keeper. Boarding the tag , for Santa Fe he starts. On tn ' second day out from Tucson afte ! ' rehearsing the drama in which b S was the only actor, he jumps froI
 the stage m his wild delirium an . sends bullet crashing through h :" brain. He died instantly and w' - ! N N Fl .NA NTaa