Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1899-04-26
The Robinson Lost Mine.

.n,erest to the Robinson discovery
az A prospector by the name OF
oh;nson in that year was outhtted by
MA. Kelly of this city and the dis.
,y.ries he reported electrified the mill
world for three years; and the
oh;uson story has never lost interest
4 region in which Robinson claimed
have found his wonderful lodges is in
mineral belt that is again attracting
.neral attention. His story OF fabulous
cath grows more tenable as we gain
knowledge of the mineral formations OF
he Clearwater basin.
Robinson come from Boise basin to
.viston in 1864. He was reported to
\ thorough and reliable prospector.
b. Kelley owned and operated drug
More at that time in the present Star
aloon building. A Dutchman by the
name Of Wilson appeared in Walla
Walla during the fall Of 1864 with
WALLET full of nuggets. He gave guile
"a, account of having washed the gold
but Of little creek beyond Occur
a'Alene lake. He told his friends that he
had found a rich placer camp and that
he would return in the spring. All who
wished might accompany him as he had
|, fortune in one claim. This simple tale
csused the first Occur d'Alene stampede.
Wilson however could not find his mine
again. He was so positive that he knew
the exact location that he induced his
numerous followers to build mountain
road as they travelled into the mountain
|fastness. After building miles of road
Wilson announced that he was lost, that
after days of exploration he had failed to
Ffnd his placer mine. Five hundred men
had followed Wilson. When he an
/ nounced that he could not find his mine
they held meeting and decided to
hang the "Dutchman" if he did not lead
them to the new gold field. The Clutch
man" appeared before them, a big honest
fellow, and pleaded for justice. He told
the angry crowd that he had not ever
invited them to follow him. He hat
nothing gain by their presence. He
still asserted that he had found the golt
on little creek beyond Occur d'Alen'
lake. The rage Of the mob was appeaset
by the candid reason Of the "Dutchman'
and his life was spared. Wilson how
ever if he was confused before becam
frightened at these demonstrations AM
be disappeared as if the ground hat
swallowed him. Wilson's report O
wealth in little creek beyond Occur
d'Alene was corroborated by the dis
coyery of Pritchard creek twenty year
later.
Robinson who was in the Wilso
stampede did not return in disgust Xix
all the other disappointed followers
he formed a partnership with Glass an
Johnson and they were the pionee
prospectors in the region between Coeul
d'Alene and Orc Fine. They suffere
many hardships from the difficultit
encountered in the way of rocky canyon
fallen timber and forest fires. They To-
Oil Of their horses from rolling owe
precipices and burning to death in
forest FIRE death trap.
When one horse broke his leg by beir
driven over defile they feasted :
morse meat and packed the choice
steaks along for future nse.
A few days later forest fire overtoe
them, The men could out run Il
names but the horses were burnt to deaf
The men were disheartened. TIL,
camped by the dead beasts and feast
on the flesh. While in this camp I
men quarreled. Robinson left in a hu
1lass and Johnson waited for his retni
f">S were lost and discouraged a
they depended upon Robinson who v
mountaineer to lead them out Of I
wilderness.
Robinson was absent three days.
sAme INTO camp tired aud sullen.
'su tue way to Elk creek and then to
s'te where Chapman's mill now stan
Robinson then left johnson and Gl
sna hired an Indian known as Ca
Jsck to return with him up Elk ere
1iass and Johnson came on to Lewist
Robinson did not return to Lewist
investigation revealed the fact that
passed down the river in canoe a
aght and fastened to San Francisco
was believed later TO defraud
Asiey out of his grub stake interest
as great discovery.
Saptain lack had observed the stra
movements Of his employer and he
.om beal who was at that time vi
sn'ei among the Neg Perces about
sax OF rocks and the clandestine m,
shts OF Robinson. The people
lewiston were ready for sensa
rneh secret reports came from
,ahcisco that Robinson had discov'
soonanza on the head waters of G.
Indian Jack was an impor
.aaiv'aaai in Idaho mining cir
M neal pledged the Indian to sec
'nat he shared Captain Jack 'snotcl
w = year or two. 1t turned out