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 It became necessary to despatch a
military expedition from Fort Wingate for
the purpose Of making a reconnaissance Of
the lost mine and, II possible, Of deter
mining the value Of its deposit.
Aided by the Navsjos themselves. this
party came upon the gold in the Carriso
Mountains. in the northern part OF the
reservation. and this was believed 10 be
the lost ADAMS mine. but the gold in sight
occurred only in sman quantities, and il
was decided that II 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 / heard while in the south
west Of the Bollas del Plata Mines is. per-
haps the most interesting Of any in my
NUllNNAAous anu NIE LInAu VI AAAo tAAN -
borne out by documentary evidence to be
found in certain old records OF the 1neieut
Mexican custom house in operation a CEN
fury and a 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 a settlement OF
the Papago Indians. situated almost upon
the present boundary between Arizona and
Sonora. Mexico The Pspagos who still
cover this area, called their settlement
Arizona.
Don Diego Asmendi by some chance
came across a hidden deposit OF silver and
asfonished the Mexicans by returning with
what was probably the largest virgin lump
Of the precious white metal before or since
found in the world It contained no less
than 200 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 policy Of ex-
horbitant revenue assessment these tire
mendous nuggets were 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. involving 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 Viceroys 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 az the
property Of the Crown.
Never Revived the Mine.
"AsmenH 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 81
Arizona. which grew to be known rs Boil
las del Plata which in Spanish means
bulls OF silver"