Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1899-09-28
the woods, and then, keeping out Of

ee~~-y
"'I am going to Baxter Springs
said, 'and expect TO return on to-mor
row mornings STAGE
"'In the woods off yonder,' he said
you will find little deserted log cabin
near the stage road. When you .ge'
to that cabin have. the driver let you
out. shall conceal myself among the
trees beyond and wait for you. You
will find little path leading down
ravine from the cabin. Take that path
If you are alone I shall whistle to you
if not, shall remain quiet.
1--WE agreed upon this plan, and soon
after separated for the night, he going
to Joplin, Mo-, and ] to Baxter Springs
Kan ~: ,,-fi-
"On the following day, as agreed,
left the stage at the lonely cabin in the
woods, just to the east of where Galena
has since been built. was alone.
found the little path that the stranger
had asked me to take. The woods about
it were then, as now, quite dense, and
I moved with some care that might
not lose the path, which seemed to be
Travelled but little. At last 1 heard a
whistle, and answered it. Below me in
the path stood the stranger.
".Are you afraid to go through this
wood with me?' he asked, looking me
directly in the eye. The idea of fear on
this occasion had not before come tc
me, but his words seemed SO queer, that
/ rather took them as ominous Of evil
I put on bold front and replied EN-.
phatically:
".Afraid! No, why should 1 be afraid
I'm armed!'
eve walked on, saying nothing.
simply followed where he led. After
winding about for perhaps 80 minutes
I came to the conclusion that the
stranger was a fraud-that while he
was very wise he was at the same time
very dishonest.
cat last he paused at large flint
bowlder.
"'Observe this rock Closely he said:
Here begins our formation. Let us
go straight on to that other rock yon.
DER
"When we reached the second rock
the stranger pointed out a third one
still further on, and in direct line with
the two we had just examined. We
went to the third rock, and there was
still q fourth, fifth and sixth beyond
all in direct line. They were close to-
gether, almost forming natural stone
fence. The groupings were as plainly
discernible as the rows of corn in a
field. 1t was vein in place and we
traced it for half mile.
Gas we went along the stranger be-
came greatly animated and here and
there pointed out places where he was
sure deposits of rich ore could be found.
I designated these places by throwing
up little piles of rock; and thus we went
on, he telling all the while of the pos
sibilities of the country. He did not
speak as one guessing, but as one
knowing. His words carried convic.
ton.
'We were several hours in marking
the places where he was positive that
mineral lay in rich deposits. When we
came to the edge of the woods and
looked off toward the west we saw the
men at work.
"'Let us not be seen together here
he said. you go around that way
(pointing toward the north) and I'll
go down this little draw
"In less than an hour we were again
together in the crowd. With his help
1 drew map of the land we had just
visited and designated the places where
he had told me to dig for ore. Ipaid
him the five dollars, and he thanked me
as if he were satisfied, although he act
ed with Indifference when spoke to
him of money matters.
son the following day made ar
rangements to purchase so acres of land
along the big flint vein or dixie, and on
the second day again met the stranger
in the crowd. told him what had
done in regard to buying the land, and
he said: 1T will make you rich. It will
bring fortunes to many told him that
L had decided to give him an interest
with me in the property. At this he
turned away his head, and when he
again looked at me there were tears in
his eyes.
"'sir,' he said, 4 do not care for
money. do not even care for life it.
self. Once I had home-a splendid
home. I had family-a wife and two
beautiful daughters. I held the chair
of geology in one of the greatest uni
versities in America. I was man of
financial means, man of honorable
reputation, happy man. In "a hours
/ became deprived of family, home, po-
sition and honor. Ibecame a vanderer.
I have spent years in the great mines
of the mountains, but my sorrow is no
lighter. The land that have pointed
out to you will make you rich. Around
it will be opened one of the greatest
mining districts in the world. Homes
will here be made for thousands of pros
porous people, but shall never share
the fruits of my accumulated knowl-
edge of geology. You have paid me
five dollars for that which will some
day have produced many times that
many millions
"He ceased speaking, and a long
silence followed. He arose and left me
without another word