Lincoln County record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1900-1905, 1900-09-21
IS IT THE LOST JosEpHlNEq

Editor Tribune:-While il is true
that the mere mention that the long
lost Josephine mine has been found
sends chill up the backbone of
many who have from time to time
have been faxed on "lost Josephine"
mine schemes, it is none the less a
fact that in the long ago the Span
iards and Mexicans did carry on an
extensive mining business in south
ern Utah, in ore that was sufficiently
rich to pay them for conveying to
Mexico by the aid of pack burro
trains. 1t is almost as certain that
those mines have not been located
since the days of modern mining.
These two facts warrant us in assum
ing that they may yet be discovered,
and lend credence to any story that
at all seems creditable. Many people
still living in southern Utah re-
member the story so often told them
by old Chief Kanosh, how his best
warriors were killed by the Spani-
ards and Mexicans while defending
their mines, which shows that they
must been located in that part of the
State where DR.. Watkins has re-
Gently made such wonderful discov-
cries in the way Of old shafts and
dumps located on a rich vein Of ore
that runs from $6 to $38 per ton in
gold.
The facts that led up to this ex-
traordinary discovery. briefly told,
are that Dr,C. e. Wilkins Of Boston, |
Mass, while in southern Utah by
his connection with the Boston
Placer Mining company of which he
is the president and general manager
about two years ago met Mr.. R. M.
Keen of Fillmore, Utah, who inter-
ested the doctor with the lost mines,
stating that he was in possession Of
information that would lead to their
discovery. The doctor put up the
necessary cash 10 equip Mr.. Keen
with a prospectors' outfit and inci-
dentals. In less than two months
Dr.. Watkins, who was then at home
in Boston, received telegram from
Keen stating that he had the Spanish
mines corralled. DR.. Wilkins i'm.
mediately started for Utah, and at
once put ten men to work to explor-
ing the wonderful find, for wonder
ful it is.
1t is located near what is known
as "Hell hole" This for years has
been believed to be natural cavern,
but more recent developments have
shown that it is the work of man.
In one of the shafts discovered by
Mr.. Keen there are ten men at work
'emoving dirt and other debris that
las fallen in from the top. In this
'haft there are several regular land
ngs with manhole through which
me enters the ore chambers below.
These manholes are covered over
With fat rocks, the walls having been
'ut away to make room for placing
he rocks over the hole. Small par
icles Of ore very rich in gold and
liver have been found adhering to
he walls of these chambers. The
loctor will continue his labors until
le has cleared out all of these old
hats, and whatever is there he will
ind.
The fact that there are four shafts
II on the same belt of ore 90 rich
hat float can be picked up anywhere
N the surface that assays from Sc.
o $3S, together with many other :
hings make the conclusion that here .
7ere the great Spanish mines Of !
ore, very natural and reasonable
ne. But whether this was the "Lost
osephine" or the "Lost Sally Ann" :
uts no ice in the case. The fact is
nat Dr. Wilkins has made very
ich find, so rich that il will soon be
be talk in all mining circles.
The doctor is rather non-committal
ut the zeal with which he works q
nd the free manner in which he is =
pending his money warrant one in I,
that whatever else others n
lay think Of the find, he belives in v
/, heart and soul.--Salt Lake Trib- y
ne.