The National tribune., 1903-09-10

struck Cherry Greek. skirting the eastern
base Of the Sierra Ancha Mountains. some
IS miles north Of where the town Of
Globe now stands, and we finally assembled
and camped two days on the extreme sum
NIT of these mountains. where We found
a plateau of 100 or more acres Of land COW
cred with large pine timber; a mountain
stream of cool. clear water, and grass and
game quite plenty. This place is said to be
fine potato farm at the present day, pro-
ducing tubers Of large size and the
finest flavor. John Dunn, later on a part
owner Of the celebrated Silver King"
Mine, was the first to bring in wild tur-
key, strung on a pole carried by two men.
This bird must have weighed so pounds,
and Johns mess was the envy Of the
camp. The only invited guests at the
turkey dinner were Miner and the Gov
ernor. Turkey at that time was hardly
good enough for Miner. but two days aft
erward a raw piece Of bacon would have
been considered too good for him, for it
was from the top Of this mountain that
Miner daily viewed with his field-glass the
surrounding country, finally admitting that
he knew but little about it, and that, in
short, he was lost!
A VANISHED DREAM.
This admission and confession becoming
known, speedily destroyed all confidence
and faith in Miner, except on the part of
two or three Of his special conhdants. to
whom he had shown his map, declaring
it his own handiwork. They claimed in
his support that he had been thrown of
his track at San Carlos, and blamed the
Governor for it. Miner, in his craft and
cunning, sought to direct attention from
himself to the Governor, and thus to es-
cape the vengeance talked Of being meted
out to him, as about this time little
''necktie" party was strongly talked of.
Miner went as far as to threaten the Gov
ernor; but on being told that il he hurt
a hair of the latter's head, his execution
would Immediately follow, further trouble
Of this kind ceased. The final result was
splt-up: all talk of hanging Miner end
ed, and the general conclusion was that
any man or set of men that had been
fools enough, at the start, to believe
Miner went so far as to threaten the Gov
ness Of his mines and his mules being
lost in n sand storm, with only their ears
sticking out, ought to be fooled. II the
sand storm was Of such violence, how
could Miner have withstood it. and how
could he have escaped perishing in the
desert, without means of transpOrta ton,
water and food, in the midst of the Colo
RADIO Desert? The more the affair was
discussed the sillier our proceedings ap-
peared to ourselves, and all good-natured
ly concluded not to modest Miner as long
as he behaved himself.
Before leaving the mountain we built a
monument and christened it Miners Fol-
ly," and felled q big pin. tree to attract
attention to it, II any one should come
gins" to let them know they were ON the
right trail. On coming down from the
mountain we discovered cave Of great
natural curiosity, to enter which we had
to crawl on our hands and knees some II
or Is feet. 1t then opened into a large
chamber which evidently had been used
by the Apaches as a dance hall, for in
the center was a circle about the size Of
circus ring, plainly marked by Oft
east and a west wing adjoining the cave,
with stalactites hanging from the roofs
like icicles, giving the whole the appear.
ancs OF q great natural hall. Lower
down on Coon Greek, skirting the
base of the mountain, we came upon a
stone building, one side Of which was
formed by the cliff or rock, to which it
was attached. Inside there was d mine
or vein Of yellow and red mineral (ocher
l think), made useful. no doubt, by the
Apaches in identifying and ornamenting
ceremonial dances.
BRUSH WITH APAcHEs.
On Coon Greek a consultation was held
and various propositions considered, which
failed to produce harmony or concerted
action. In the meantime a Mexican had
informed the Prescott party that he could
show them gold ON Pinto Greek; but Mi
ner, hearing Of the Mexican, interviewed
him and endeavored to have the Mexican
pilot him there; in order that he might,
- ho.- nLk La A. l.
cality as his "diggin's," and In this way
recover his standing. The Mexican re-
fused to desert his Prescott party, who
selected 10 Of their best men and quickly
left camp. crossed Salt River and struck
out for Pinto Greek, the Mexican acting
as guide. Miner, getting wind Of this
move, selected like number and followed
in hot haste, in the hope Of being able
to reach Pinto Creek in advance Of the
other party. "Hundadora" Holmes acting
as his guide. The Prescott people, COM
posed Of old pioneers, and well-mounted,
were able to keep the lead. with Miner,
however, in close pursuit at distance of
a few miles only. The advance party ran
onto q small band Of Apaches, camped in
a gulch; they Immediately dismounted and
prepared to take the Apaches in, and
while SO engaged. and before the attack,
Miner hove in sight and prevented the In
uluuS 1Eom DSluB buEpTlSeU ana kllleO, TO
the great disappointment Of the old-time
boys, nearly all Of whom had lost friends
by the Apaches at one time or another and
had had many close calls themselves.
Mounting their horses, q steeple chase
followed to Pinto Greek, the last four
miles Of which was very exciting.
Those left behind had started to follow
the two advance parties as rapidly as pos
sible. Governor Stafford brought up the
rear, having been greatly retarded by an
accident to one of his men who had shot
himself accidentally while in camp on the
Sierra Ancha, and who had to be con-
veyed on litter. was with this party,
and can truly state that the Governors
care saved the mans life and landed him
safely in Florence, where he entirely re-
covered and left without even thanking
the Governor for his great care and
friendship.
All finally reached Pinto Greek without
accident, except Capt. Rogers (afterward
Sheriff Of Pinal County, whose mule was
shot by the Apaches. After prospecting
q day or two and only finding a mere
"color," the entire party broke up and
started for home, having been with Miner
10 or 20 days in fruitless search for his
placers.
Those from Prescott went north; those
from Pima and Pinal started south, leav-
ing only the Salt River people with Mi
ner, about 25 in all.
TO be continued.)