Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1901-02-07

itas Is Yet to BE observation-disclosures
an Legends of Mounts Scott and
Sheridan.
Among the many attractions of the
far famed Kiowa and Comanche coun-
try probably none has created such
widespread interest as the Wichita
mountains since it has been noised
abroad that they abound in buried min
eral wealth. Opportunity knocks but
seldom at the poor mans door, and as
this is the last of the large indian res
erVations to be opened to settlement it
behooves him to take time by the fore
lock in this instance, says Florence
Crofford, the Ninnekah q. To CORE
spondent Of the Kansas City Times.
An unusually eager rush Of homeseek-
ers is expected, this reservation holding
forth, as it does, such rare induce
ments in the way of climate, soil, game,
fruit, pasturage, mineral resources and,
best of all, streams Of pure, healthful
water. It's topography should be stud
led with Jealous care by homeless in
truder and intelligent indian alike.
Perhaps there is no range of noun
tains in all the broad southwest so re-
plete with romantic legends or accred-
tied with such vast hordes of hidden
treasure of gold and silver as h Wich-
ita range. They are supposed to be
o~utcroppings of the Rocky mountains.
They take their rise neal Fort Sill, the
principal chain running for q distance
of go miles northwest, when they dis
| appear. The peculiar formation of the
great masses of gigantic granite bowl
ders piled high in picturesque confu-
sion upon the summit of the mountains
gives to the Wichita range an individ-
ual charm that is lacking in most minor
| mountain chains.
P~rospectors drawn thitherward by
the greed of gold have tried time and
again to locate mining claims in the
heart of this rich region, only to be re-
ported at the agency by lynx eyed red
skins, who jealousy guard the treasure
buried in the mountains silent breast.
The unfortunate ~"sooners" are there
upon summarily escorted to the borders
of the reservation by a squad of Fort
Sill soldiers with strict orders to return
no more. 1t is an ~undisputed fact back
ed by intelligent investigation that
gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, asphalt
tum, coal and other minerals are to be
found in these mountains, though
| whether they exist in paying quantities
is yet to be determined.
An ancient Indian legend tells how
years ago a band of red men, in de-
Tending their stronghold from invading
palefaces, exhausted their supply of
bullets and, lead being unobtainable,
they nodded a fresh supply of bullets
from that wonderful yellow metal
yielded up to them from the depths of
their rocky haunts.
Mount Scott, the proud patriarch Of
the range, lifts his hoary head and
moss begirt powders 1,4OO feet above
the level Of the encircling plain and
1000 feet above the sea level This
mountain was SO named in honor Of
General Winfield Scott by General
Sherman, who also founded the mill
tary post at Fort Sill. His satellites
are many-among them Saddle noun
tain, which bears SO striking a resem-
blance to the huge saddle Of bygone
days, even recognizable miles away,
that the name is naturally suggested;
Signal mountain once boaSted a gov
eminent signal station on it's summit,
hence the name; picturesque Mount
Sheridan, whose wild, rugged rocks,
rising sheer from the ground, cast gro
tesque shadows upon the rolling green
valley embracing its feet, and Medi-
cine Bluff mountain, taking it's name
from the creek of the same name near
Fort Sill.
A very romantic Indian legend clings
to this queer shaped mountain, which
presents the appearance of having
been cut in two from summit to base
one-half alone remaining. The Indians
veneration. In days of old two OF
: their bravest young warriors sued fol
, the ham Of the same dusky damsel
> She, like the Sioux chiefs daughter
, celebrated in song and story, set fol
them a well nigh hopeless wager. They
were to mount on their feet ponies
ride to Medicine Bluff, and, aftel
+ making medicine and blindfoldins
, both men and animals, ride at full
| speed to the top of the mountain. Thu
: young brave who was courageou'
e enough to ride off the bluff was t,
have won the maid, but, alas! for thu
r bronze checked beauty, both lovers
g met with cruel and instant death!
The ascent to Mount Scott reveals
o marvels of natures lavish handiworl
-varicolored rocks, round and oblon.
h powders of dark brown hue, which
f on being broken display vivid streak
e of red, indicating the presence of mica
Il quartz and feldspar, and deep gorges
It down which trickle the pellucid moun
l. tain streams that later IN develop int
d important creeks.
y On reaching the crest a view o
grandeur n beauty is spread on
E. before the travellers delighted eyes. /
comprises fertile valleys, sparklin