The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-25

to be confined in an insane asylum, where
he soon afterward died. The party made
search for the mine. but failed to find IT.
Many parties after this made efforts
to find the spot, but failed. This constant
intrusion upon the Navajo reservation be-
came such an annoyance to these Indians
that 1t became necessary to despatch
military expedition from Fort Wingate for
the purpose Of making reconnaissance of
the lost mine, and. If possible, of deter
! mining the value of its deposit.
Aided by the NaYsjus themselves. this
party came upon the gold in the Carriso
Mountains, in the northern part OF the
reservation, and this was believed to be
| the lost Adams mine. but the gold in sight
| occurred only in sman quantities, and it
| was decided that 1t did not pay TO mine it.
| In and about Gallup there are still many
| men. witnesses of the arrival of Adams.
among whom there is serious doubt as to
whether that mine found by the Army ex-
petition is the mine which, before the
collapse of his mind, he described in such
glowing terms.
Largest silver Nugget Known.
THE story l heard while in the south
west of the BoIlas del Plata Mines is, per-
haps the most interesting Of any in my
collection, and the truth of this one IS
borne out by documentary evidence TO be
found in certain old records of the ancient
Mexican custom house, il operation CEN
fury and half ago.
AT some time between the years 1876
and 1741. when Arizona was in Spanish
territory, Don Diego Asmendi. a wandering
Mexican miner. reached settlement OF
the Papago Indians, situated almost upon
the present boundary between Arizona and
Sonora. Mexico. The Papagos, who still
cover this area, called their settlement
Arizona.
Don Diego Asmendi by some chance
came across hidden deposit OF silver and
astonished the Mexicans by returning with
what was probably the largest virgin lump
of the precious white metal before or since
found in the world. 1t contained no less
than 9 700 pounds of pure silver. Asmendi.
returning through Mexico. bore with him
another virgin lump of 275 pounds. while
the aggregate weight OF several other
nuggets was 1923 pounds
According to the Spanish p9liey OF ex-
horbitant revenue assessment these ire
mendous nuggets we're unreasonably tax
ed by the Mexican custom house officer of
those early times when Don Diego's find
became known.
"A dispute between the officer and the
finder of the silver arose and the matter
was appealed to the Viceroy Of Mexico.
who said that the controversy, inVoiF1hS as
it did the largest silver nugget In the
world. was beyond his responsibility and
that it would have to be referred to the
King of Spain himself. The King taking
the Viceroy's hint. promptly ruled that
nugget weighing 200 pounds must be re-
garded as a curiosity, and that all natural
curiosities Of great value found in the COL
onies must by courtesy be regarded as the
property Of the Crown.
Never Revived the Mine.
"Asmendi was naturally broken-hearted
at the loss OF his priceless nugget. 1t is
said that he left Mexico in disgust without
revealing the precise locality of the won
derful mine. 1t was however. known be-
yond doubt that the Jumps Of silver were
found in or near the Papago settlement OF
Arizona, which grew to be known as Boil
las del Plata which in Spanish Ileans