New-York tribune., 1901-08-18
THE " YANKEE BONANZA"
HOPES OF RECOVERING THE SECRET OF,
A GOLD MINE LOST TWENTY
YEARS AGO. ~

Salt Lake City. Utah. Aug. II (speciaD.-when
Yankee Holman died suddenly IN Salt Lake back
IN the seventies the secret of the famous Yankee
Bonanza gold mine died with him. This lost rine
which Is presumably possessed OF fabulous riches.
Is situated In the Wasatch range OF mountains
sklrting the eastern side OF the Untah Indian
reservation, and systematic search will be made
for IT the reservation shall have nnally
been thrown open for settlement
What it's discovery would mean to the lucky
miner uho stuunbles upon It's secret Is merely
matter Of speculation there IS little doubt that
II by far richest gold mine within the borders
OF the State. and the only one in which nuggets
have been found in abundance. As result OF the
latter fact the theory has been advanced that the
Yankee Bonanza" Is not a mine IN the generally
accepted sense. but merely cave IN which i'm
rnense amount OF gold nuggets has been stored.
Yankee Holman. the one time possessor Of the
secret is said to have made the discovery by
chance and in the months that he lived thereafter
refused all offers share the with others.
II is also said that Brigham Young the great Nor
mon leader. Iabored with Holman along these
lines. but without any promise OF success
Yankee Holman a peculiar man. OF taci-
turn disposition. but a devout Mormon, he lived
the life OF recuse. and until his discovery OF the
bonanza was very poor. Then sudden and
perceptible change IN his fortunes. His tithing.
which had previously been paid in manual labor,
was passed the counter OF the tithing house
in gold nuggets. and while he much disincined
TO discuss his find he dropped frequent to the
effect that there others where those came
from.
The news OF HoImans sudden acquisition OF
wealth naturally spread with rapidity. and men
with means as well as those rich in promises made
numerous attempts TO wrest his secret from him.
The efforts. however were fruitlesS. and the nego-
tiations never PASSED beyond the incipent stage.
Holman told all cOners fatty that the secret was
not for sale. and that settled IL.
On occasion three mounted waylatd
Holman he the way to his mine, and
assured him that they would kill him If he did
share his secret with them. He finally agreed TO
conduct them 20 the spot. close watch kept
upon him. and his captors threatened repeatedly
that any attempt upon his part TO escape would
glee. and. being in part of the country where
there were settlers. they had confidence In their
ability to force Holman's valuable secret from
him. As the party entered canyon in the locality
where the mine is supposed to be situated however.
Holmans features underwent a sudden and per-
cepttble change. much TO the surprise Of his cap
tors, of whom at least scented danger, and
before proceeding 10 the mine. The others laughed
at his fears, and the party pushed onward a half
slightest warning. Indians opened fire Holnan'S
captors from behind the rocks and two OF the
number fell from their saddieS, dead Inc third
man mortally wounded and died within few
minutes Holman was unhurt; and II was learned
that he had purchased the friendship
of the Indians by making them various presents.
, Within month OF this " thragedy Holman died sud
humble home was found quart almost filed
cred partial map of the region which held his
secret The situation OF the mine, however was
of the Indians the whites at that time little
search made for IT, Since then the govern
ton keep white men out OF the country and FOR
years no attempts. so far as known. have been
But when the country is finally thrown open for
hundreds of experienced prospectors
skin and patience II is believed that the lost mine
with its storehouse OF riches will be rediscovered