Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-09-26

The long. lofty ridge OF varying
width projected southwark from the
spur of the main Las Vegas range sep
arating the head Of the Gallinas from
that Of the Tecolote has been known
for twenty-five years past as Mineral
Hill. The larger part of it is well
wooded; its southern end having been
covered by homestead entry has been
despoiled of its timber but the remain
der lying within the Pecos River Re
serve is yet finely forested.
Years before the Americans came to
New Mexico mining was done in this
locality. The very earliest settlers
tell of the gold brought from this part
of the mountains by Indians and mys-
terious miners who took care that the
source Of their glittering wealth should
not become known. Among the pio-
neers on the Tecolote there is yet re-
membered the mine Of Juan Chavez
known as the Tic Juan mine which
that old-timer discovered in 1S45 and
worked for many years. Recently an
old working was discovered having
this date (1S45) cut plainly in a moul-
dering timber; this 1t Is believed was
the "Uncle John mine of long ago.
The "Old Blue" mine is another that
has been much searched for but never
positively located. Its discoyerer
worked alone His home was in the
east and after sometime he returned
there but made annual visits to Las
Vegas. On each OF these he hired a
team from the Cooley stable and made
trip Of several days 10 his mine
which was then supposed to be in the
Blue canyon fork Of the Tecolote and
for that reason called the "Old Blue"
mine but since it has been learned
that 1t was nearer San Pablo. From
the last Of these visits this stranger
returned to town with broken leg
and when the year passed he did not
come again to Las Vegas. In his
stead there came relative who said
his kinsman had died and had left with
him maps and directions BY which 70
locate the mine He spent much time
In his search and offered large re
ward to anyone who would find the
mine for him but all without avail. He
gave up the quest and returned to his
eastern home and the "Old Blue Is
vet undiscovered.
In the year 1880 Mineral Hill leaped
into prominence as a mining camp due
to discoveries made by Leadyille min
ers who drifted this way. They dis
covered rich float in the canyons and
on following 1t up found on top Of the
hill numerous streaks Of mineral
which yielded high values in assaying.
The news spread apidly and very
soon the mountain was covered with
prospect holes and burrowed with tun-
nels. Like magic the woods filled
with miners, prospectors and fortune
seekers. Finds Of valuable mineral
were reported from day to day and
boom was started. On this wild and
wooded mountain there was soon a
camp OF from two-hundred and fifty 10
four hundred persons with everything
running full blast. Even newspaper
was among the institutions Of the new
camp. Then, strange to say. as devel-
opment progressed the values from
the ores began to dwindle and later
To disappear entirely. II appears that
all the richness OF these finds had been
in narrow seams coming up through
barren rock. One By one the miners
began to leave and with them went
the camp followers and adventurers
until in brief time the cabins were
ali deserted and the prlmeval forest
was left again to the deer and bears
that had been it's former inhabitants.
Today there remain many ruins of
cabins. and unnumbered prospect
holes and mining location monuments
which stand as the memorials of many
a vain and vanished hope unrealized.
Among the miners Of that now long
past period was one named Sheffield
who located homestead near the
mouth Of Blue canyon and who lived
there several years finally going away