The San Francisco call., 1898-05-24
Two Men Have Shafts Dug Near Ingleside.
MANY YEARS AT THE WORK.
ILLNESS BROUGHT TO LIGHT
 THEIR EXISTENCE.
Pathetic Adieu to the Home of an Old Man When Taken to the
 Hospital.

Officers from the City and County Hos pitaI were astonished, yesterday after noon by the discovery of mining camp in active operation within the city limits. A call was received at the hospital for an ambulance to take a sick man from his home near Ingleside. Dr. Giannini, Frank Johnson and Joseph Wagner went with the ambulance, and found that the sick man was Nelson H. Shoots, and that his home was a little hut in a forest of eucalyptus trees, and that he and part ner were engaged in mining, having three shafts 100 feet deep.
 Shoots has been sick for the last six weeks from heart trouble, and has had no medical aid but the little home treat ment given him by his partner, James Demott, who has lived with him for nearly sixteen years The sick miner is n years old, and the doctors found that he was in very serious condition, and immediately decided moving him to the hospital, thinking his life might be prolonged for couple of months ii given good care. The old man made no ob- jection when informed of the physicians intentions, but seemed to realize that the race was nearly run and that he was leaving his little hut to return no more. As he was placed on the stretcher and carried out through the trees he raised his head for one last look at the place which had sheltered him for so long, and with tears in his eyes murmured: Good by. old home good-by. It is hard to leave you, dear old home"
 The old man has lived in California many years. He came to the State in early times made considerable money and was well-to-do. Some twenty-five years ago, while prospecting, he found pay dirt in some black sand near the place he now lives, and claims that he took STOOD in dust from it. This find led him to stake out a claim which he has held until the pres ent time. The tract of land was formerly owned by the French Bank but later became the property of Adolph Sutro, who owns it now.
 The fact that Shoots stuck to the claim so long leads to the belief that he must have made it pay. but he and Demott cam ela 4ane & IosI S4oUOg m the Spring Valley Water Company. Three years ago they dug a tunnel 300 feet long struck a pipe of the. water company. breaking it and flooding the place with water. The two men were sued by the company and the court awarded judg paid.
 As soon as Shoots was safely in charge of the doctors. DemOtt returned to the camp, and while both men claim they are almost destitute it is the belief that they have considerable money hidden away There is large quantity of ore piled about the place. and Demott claims that 1t Is valuable. He says that if he had a good mill considerable money could be ground out of the rocks.
 Demott is comparatively young man. being about 40 years of age. He and Shoots have lived as hermits, never see ing any one except when it was necessary to buy food, and then finishing their business and returning to their hut as soon as possible. When safely tucked in bed at the hospital Shoots made inquiry of one of the attendants if the United States was really a war. and if so with whom He said that he had heard it rumored that there was a war, but did not believe the report true.
 It is doubtful if Shoots will live very long; as he is very weak. The doctors think the change of surroundings may cause him to rally for time. but three months is the limit they place on his life. He came here originally from Ken lucky. where he was born. and he is said to have been married twice.