The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1904-06-30
AN OUTING IN THE OZARKS
BesutifuI Sceaery = Fioatiag Down White
River Visiting q Gold Mine.

Not long ago our minds were thrilled
by articles written for the Kansas City
and st. Louis daily papers.
In these articles was the startling in.
formation that, contrary TO the uniform
testimony OF expert miners and geolo-
gists, gold in paying quantities had
been discovered by one Mr.. Gritzmach.
er, an old expert miner and assayer
from New Mexico. And TO prove the
correclnest Of his assertions Mr.. Gritz-
macher sent three different specimens
TO a reputable assayer in Kansas City,
the returns OF which assay oindicated a
value from $3.50 TO $1,000 per ton.
Some gentlemen went out from the
little town Of Forsyth in Taney county
" Mr.. Gritzmacher's farm, selected
their samples and sent them away. And
Mr.. Gritzmacber's assayer, TO prove the
correctness Of his assay, said he was
willing for any reputable assayer in the
United States to check his assay, and if
it did not tally in every respect with
his he would refund toe money already
paid him and pay for the last assay.
So our hearts beat wildly with delight
when the way opened up for a visit to
this new Eldorado.
Think Of it.. The best gold mines in
the west yielding only on the average
two dollars per ton, and the meanest OF
this-$3.j0.
SO one Monday morning about the
middle Of May, when the elements were
pouring down from above, our friend
hitched his iron grey team 10 the hack
and drove us through slush and down.
pouring rain three miles TO the little
railroad station Of Richland, where WE
waited patiently for the west bound
Frisco for Springfield.
''Springlield. Springfield. Everybody
change cars! Don't forget your packag.
esp rang upon our ears and told US We
were nearing the first stage Of our jour-
ney.
Our next stage would be on the fast
flying vestibule (?) train to Chadwick,
and we must wait until next morning.
And a. II TO suit the feverish cOndi-
tiOn OF our minds the engineer actually
made that long run of thirty.three
miles in two hours and forty.five min
utes, which distance under ordinary
circumstances would be covered in
about three hours and half.
And again another change, this time
from the steam cars to the overland
stage, distance of % miles 10 Forsyth.
After about six hours ard half of
walking and riding combined. we
reached the end Of our journey, fatigued
and sore.
For you must remember. kind friend,
that it is up one hill and down another;
and many times in going down the hills
the wheels Of that heavy covered hack
fall with heavy thuds over the different
strata Of rock as they jut out from be-
meath the soil. But nevertheless,
though the road was rough in places
and bOttomless in others, falling some
times as We do from the jutting ledges
Of rock into the soft quaggy clay, yet
the grandeur OF the scene fully repays
one for all his efforts.
The streams are Of the purest, clear.
est crystal, sparkling like rarest jewels
as with rush and roar they dash through
rocks over the rapid shoals; magnif-
cent uplifts, long, gracefully curved
mountains covered with the denAest
kind Of growth, some fine timber, much
worthless save as fuel; the air salubri-
gus and mild, with radiant skies above,
and sparkling streams Of clearest crys-
tai water and vast mountains Of timber
who Is ii that would not be filed with
wonder and admiration.
Having thoroughly rested and called
upon all kind friends, and being feasted
around, our eyes were turned toward
Branson, the gorwing little city on the
new line OF the Missouri Pacific rail.
road. Asno rigs, nor even horse, were
available in the stable, who should come
10 the rescue but an old friend with a
beautiful black mare, rs graceful in
contour and as easy and swift as ever
Arabian knight bestrode. A new road
had been opened, and all that was nee.
essary was to follow the telephone. The
only thing 10 cause diversion was the
fOrdipp of White river twice.