Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-07-03

. placer mine of wonderful richness was discovered.
 Indians strike, however, as light ming strikes. when least expected. Re- turning from hunt, Craigh found the camp footed and Wilson lying dead be- side the burning sluice boxes. The body of the unfortunate Wilson was mutilated in horrible manner, and the horses were stolen.
 Craigh realized that the Yaquis were probably searching through the valley for him, and were liable to return at any moment, so hastily gathering to- gether few scraps of food, he climbed the mountain side and concealed him. self in the rocky caves near the top.
 The handful of nuggets in the buck skin sack hanging around his neck was all that remained to him of the wealth of gold that had been his that morn ing.
 Then began the most trying journey that human being ever undertook "a journey that led through the mountains and deserts of northern Mexico and ended in the jail at San Antonio, Tex. Without a horse Craighs progress through the noun tains was slow. and as he dared not shoot at game for fear of attracting the attention of Indians, he was forced to eat roots and berries gathered along the waterways.
 When Craigh finally emerged from the mountains and started to cross the alkali plains he was crazed by the hardships he had endured and lost all sense of direction. He clung to the Idea that help could be found to the eastward, and pressed on in that direction. How long he walked he does not know, but as he lay upon his bel in the hospital he talked con- tinually of the terrible sun and begged piteously for water.
 Finally he staggered into the camp of company of Mexican soldiers, and although they cared for him and gave 1 him food and water, he was many days before he could tell of his journey. Overjoyed at the sight of the soldiers, he told them of his gold mine and of It's wonderful richness.
 The story of the mine excited the l cupidity of the soldiers, and the lieu tenan. in command of the party de- manded that Craigh guide them back to the spot. This Craigh refused to do, and by orders of the officer he was beaten with a whip and told that he would be beaten to death unless he led the soldiers to the mine.
 That night Craigh managed to steal away and escape from the soldiers. Still weak from the effects of his jour ney through the desert, he again set his lace to the eastward
 Craigh's memory of what took place after his escape from the soldiers camp is vague. Most of the time he must have been demented. He says that he remembers finding streams of water and lying down to wallow, full length, in the lifegiving fluid, then leaving the stream to turn his foot steps to the east.
 Later he reached the more thickly- settled portion of the country, and the peons and ranchmen fed him. The Mexicans looked upon his strange looking figure and staring eyes and said that ne was a "looo"-and in Mexico crazy man need never want for food or shelter. as the natives look upon him with superstitious awe. | The strangest part of Craigh's story is the way he followed the true course like homing pigeon, straight to his old rome. for his father, who formerly lived in Chicago. has a farm near Boerne, Tex, 20 miles east of San An. tonio, and 1t is supposed that he was making for his fathers farm when he was arrested.
 With his mind made wreck by the terrible hardships he had endured and with only his voice of instinct calling him home, William Craigh fin ished his journey.
 Craigh's father and. brother are now at San Antonio. They corroborate hi! story up to the time he left Hermo sillo, Mexico, for the Yaqui country and show a letter received from hin from that town. There Is little doub , that the wonderful mine really exist and there is some talk of organizinl an expedition to search for it.
 The doctors say that it will be man. weeks before Craigh will be able t leave the hospital.