Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1905-09-01
LEGEND OF MT. WANTASTIQUET
How the "Mine Hole" Was Made
The Indians Secret Safe.
written for The Reformed. !


Hinsdale. ~ H.. August 29.
Situated on the southerly slope of
Mt. Wantastiquet or Milne mountain,
as 1t is frequently called, is mine
hole or shaft sunk deep in the noun
tainside and made by the early set
tiers. This shaft is situated about
three quarters of the way up the
mountain and may be reached by a
tortuous path leading from the main
highway about a mile below.
What circumstances led the settlers
to dig this mine is uncertain, but the
following legend has been handed
down, which. though far from being
probable, is quite interesting and
has plausible ring to it:
In pioneer days the whites, in
spite of the almost continual war
fare. did considerable trading with
the Indians. The chief article of traf-
fic with the redskins was lead. which
they always seemed to have in large
quantities and which they exchanged
for whiskey or fire water as they
called It, Where they got this lead in
such quantities was not known and
the only explanation was that old
Wantastiquet contained mineral
deposit and the redskins knew where
it was. Taking this for granted.
some of the more adventurous of the
settlers decided to learn the secret
from the indians and large guam
tity of whiskey was purchased with
which to do the trick. This was car
ried to one of the chiefs and he was
invited to help himself. Without GER
emory the redskin proceeded to slake
his thirst and after several draughts
began to get somewhat laxative
What the settlers had been looking
for had happened and by clever
questioning they obtained the facts
that the mountain did contain a min
eral deposit and that cave led to us
very heart. The entrance 10 this
cave, however, was covered by large
boulder and to designate II from the
many others in the vicinity the red
skins had stained a portion OF 1t req,
but in such a manner that from only
one snot could it be seen. After dis
closing so much of the secret the ola
chief seemed suddenly to tumble TO
the fact that he was being pumped
and refused to say another word. ana
ali brides. threats and entreatles
were IN vain. The settlers We're some
what chagrined but concluded they
had learned enough to be able TO To-
cate the cave themselves and they set
about the task. Luck seemed to favor
them and one day near nightfall they
discovered the boulder with the red
stains.
Night was so near at hand, how,
ever. that nothing could be done anu
thew returned to their cabins to await
the morrow before beginning opera
tions. They were highly elated al
their success thus far and returned to
the spot at daylight the following
day. but to their dismay, no trace OF
the marked boulder could be round
though each was positive of the loca-
ton. and, after searching every men
of the ground in vain, 1t was DECIDED
70 sink a shaft at the spot wheIe
tbev had seen the marked boulder. in
the hopes of either striking the cave
or the mineral deposit.
For many long, weary DAYS they
continued to bore into the slde vi
Wantastiuuet, hut their efforts met
with little success and the venture
was finally abandoned as losing
proposition
Whether or not this IS true Is I'M
material: but the old mine hole staiios
there to-day a grim relic of carrier
days 1t is partially filled with wa
Ter and is slowly becoming filled with
stones and rubbish thrown in by visl-
TORS TO the spot. The shaft may be
entered to the very waters edge pu'
The undertaking is extremely hazard-
Gus and the attempt is seldom maze