Bisbee daily review., 1908-03-15

Nnlle SldliOntu dt T L. DdyaANS -N' M., in 1871, the writer took part in a search for a fabled cave flul of silver. Whether or not the cave was really found the reader will have to decide for himself.
 In the early part of February, 1871, Major Shorkley brought to Bayard aa Itinerary obtained from citizen of La Mesila, N. M., who gave history i of the cave and told how to find 1t both from old and New Mexico. The Major, believing the story to be a true one, and unable to be absent | from his post for the length of time necessary to hunt it up, came to the l writer and suggested that he go and hunt for it. After carefully reading the paper, particularly as to the route which was to be taken, with the mountain ranges described to prevent mistakes, ne accepted the proposition and left soon after.
 The story related is as follows: A | raid had been made upon one of the adjacent naciendas in Chihuahua, old Mexico, near Janos, by the Apaches, ! who. after killing some oS the .hab- itants and capturing stock, earfiea away with them Mexican boy. At a later period, some years afterward, another raid was made by the same | tribe of Indians near the same town. | This exasperated the Indians, whC armed themselves and mounted hors. es, on which they pursued the raiders. They overlook them and fight took place. With the raiders was the cap tured Mexican boy, who was now as good an Indian as if he had been born one. That boy was captured and on him were found some bullets hammer ed into shape to fit a gun. Their bright ness attracted attention and he was questioned about them.
 The prisoner then told this story: That the bullets were made in the
 canyon of a mountain whose peaks booked like the teeth of saw That the northern termination of the range
 ended in a peak which resembled a
 sombrero. Who of those living in the
 west has not heard oi the Sombrero
 silver mine, which, up to the present time, remains to be discovered. The boy continued his description by say. ing that under the peak was canyon
 looking to the northeast, in which was
 cave, in which would be found the
 mineral from which the bullets were
 made.
 Tnatfn going up this canyon stones
 that were almost round would be me
 with. Farther along a small gulch
 must be crossed, on the right hand
 side of which there would be found
 some rocks holding mineral to the thickness of the width of knife
 blade. Still further on would be dis
 covered on the right hand side of th'
 canyon a path leading to the cave
 whose sides were literally scanned
 with the mineral, which could be rt
 moved with ease by any implement
 In that cave his bullets were made as well as the others used by his com panions.
 Excited cupidity of Mexicans
 This tale excited the cupidity of thu
 Mexicans, who soon afterward organ
 ized a strong party, well equipped
 and set out for the cave, taking witt
 them their prisoner, who acted as tn
 guide He piloted the party to tb'
 canyon which has been described
 where the party was met at it's en
 trance by the Indians. In the battl which followed the Mexicans wer compelled to retire.
 Determined to have possession o | the cave, the Mexicans organized al other party, stronger than the tirS | one. and again carried iwth them th l prisoner. Another fight was had wit the same Indians, who also routed thi i, second band of Mexicans. In the run aing fight their Indian prisoner wa killed
 The Indians fought were the Chi icahua Apaches. All further attempt to gain possession of the cave wer abandoned.
 Wita the route from Janos, Mex co, we are not concerned The on i given from New Mexico had it's b. | ginning at the Kneeling Nun of th Santa Rita mountains, just east c l Bayard From there it ran to Fol McLane, then to Cow Springs, fror there to Teneja, and on to Mesqui' Springs, from which place the son brero peak and the canyon looking the northeast would be seen, togetht , with the range called Boca Grand } the southern termination of the Flo S ida range, a continuation of Cook k peak range, and the Tres Hermano ! just soouth of them
 s A party of ten was made up aboI } February goth, 1871. It consisted ( } five citizens, four soldiers and th ' writer Of the citizens, three wsa [ Ex-Confederates from Missouri, on from California, a gold hunter, ar { one was known as Beaver Tails, fro { ais liking for the tails of that anim k when roasted
 { Nearly all of the party were got ! shots and fine hunters. They we ! ali mounted, one mule carried the T ! tions and kegs of water, packed up' an aparejo with diamond hitch. ol ; who can tie this hitch is a past ma = ter in the art of packing.
 The route laid down in the itinera
 was followed. The first. night a d -l camp was made between the Tena \ and Mesquite Springs. The night W \ cold; Teasewocd makes a good i \ while burning but 1t does not Ia E long
 \ The party was up before daybre ! and of in a heavy fog. Daylight co