Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1905-12-27
Always Remember the Full Name
LAXATIVE Brome Quinine
Cures a Cold in One Day, Grip i'm Two.
GMAv.o-. on Box. Csc.
MEXICO'S LOST MINES
ANCIENT eE0S OF TREASURE THAT
CANNOT NOW BE LOCATED.


superstition and Cunning of the
Native Indians
OF the many mines which were work
ed by the Spaniards and which gave
them such fabulous returns for their
labor scarcely one can be located To-
uay. Mnny romantic stories as TO their
whereabouts hare been followed ND.
Gniy to be met with defeat.
One or the richest or those mines was
probably Tarasca. about which Hum
boldt has written. II was worked long
before the Spaniards arrived I'm Mex-
leo, and the gold and silver were made
into ornaments by the aborigines. A
FAMILY in Guaymas has a necklace OF
flying fish purchased from a Pima
chief, who said that the metal was dug
from Tarasca. Later the mine was ac-
quired by the crown OF Spain and WAS
worked, with the exception OF n period
during the Apache war. till the French
Intervention. when the shafts were said
10 have been concealed by the admin
iStrator. Don Juan Moreno. who was
forced TO seek safety In flight. After
the restoration OF peace the location OF
Iarasca was looked for In vain, though
the mine now known as Ubarbo IS SUD-
posed TO be the same. When rediscov-
cred years ago Ubarbo was found to
have been extensively worked and the
shafts concealed under earth and
brush. Rich pillars OF ore were found
In the drifts, and the mine corresponds
In many respects with the descriptions
Of Tarasca found I'm the archives OF
the American consulate at Guaymas.
The fame Of Tarasca IS ecllpsed by
the romance which hovers around the
lost mine Of Taiopa. \ Mexican OF
great wealth who was much interested
In the subject made a trip 10 Madrid
TO search for data on the subject. He
found absolutely nothing 20 prove that
such n mine had ever been worked by
the crown OF Spain. and there Is moth
Ing I'm Mexican archives TO establish
the facts. Quite as Trustworthy as the
written documents are the traditions
among the Pima Indians. They main
tain that Taiopa exists and 4 few
claim TO know its whereabouts. Small
quantities Of very rich ore are occa-
sionally sold at the mountain mining
camps. but all attempts 10 follow the
Indians TO the spot where IL is found
or 20 bride them 10 reveal II have been
unavaillng. Their wants are few. and
they believe that should they reveal
the secret they would drop dead About
six years ago an old Pima chief fell IN
In one OF the valley pueblos and was
cured by Mexican lady so we'll
known and universally respected that
her statement Is taken without Ques-
ton. The old Indian returned 10 his
tribe and from time 10 time sent his
benefactress rich bits OF ore which
nssayed thousands Of dollars 10 the
ton.
All her efforts 10 get him 10 lead her
TO the mine were fruitless, for the
great spirit would strike him dead for
the oGense. The following summer the
sonora went 10 the mountains and liv-
ed among the Indians for three months.
doctoring the sick and giving presents
OF ribbons and gay calico TO the wom-
en-. She became convinced that the
spot whence the rich ore came was
Taiopa. Finally the old chief admitted
that the mine was worked when he
was boy and gave permission to two
women OF the tribe 70 lead the sonora
! within few yards Of the mine so that
she might discover It for herself and
save him from the penalty OF sudden
death for revealing 1t. The three wom-
en- Travelled mostly at night, passing
through deep canyons and over lofty
mountains.
The fourth night some hours after
dark the Indian women led her into a
deep canyon and paused before a large
I rock. In the dim moonlight an old ar
rastra was seen and across the canyon
large ore dump. The woman gath
cred bits OF ore from the dump. but
was hurried away by the sQuaws, who
said they would be killed If they de-
layed beyond the time mentioned by
their chief. They Travelled till the
moon went down. rested n few hours
and went on before daylight, complete
, ly battling the Mexican woman as to
the route they had taken. They or
rived at the pueblo at nightfan hav-
ing taken four days TO reach the mine
and but one TO return, the obvious con
clusion being that she had been led in
n circle. Despairing OF gaining more,
the woman returned to her home but
she hopes at some future time to CON
/ tinue the search.
u, Two other mines which are supposed
TO have been the property Of the crown
| during the Spanish occupation and OF
/ which there are many romantic tales
are the Reina Mercedes and the Casa
/ Blanca. Both have been probably re-
/ discovered and worked under other
names. The Reina Mercedes is sup
] posed TO be one Of the rich Conchena
( group and the Casa Blanca the Casitas
mine. Near the latter is an ancient
mine. now worked by a Mexican COM
pany, which has open cuts on the sur
face for more than n mile and several
miles of underground workings. Near
this mine, where once n large church
stood, which has long since fallen into
ruins. two copper bells have been
found. They bear the name OF Guada-
/ lupe de Talopa, thus leading many 10
the belief that the Tajos mine is the
long lost Taiopa.-New York Herald.
Never Original.
"Blank Is n bright talkcr. but he
1 shines by reelected light"