Tonopah bonanza. [volume] (Butler City [i.e. Butler], Nev.) 1901-1909, 1908-12-26
Old Tragedy of
Mines Recalled

Of the Dundee mine by w. S. O'Brien
s of more than passing interest. The
ragedy surrounding it's discovery is
fresh in the minds of men who were
ID this district at the time, but un-
fortunately the anne of the men in
polved in the fatal affair have escap-
ed their memories, says the Chafey
News.
Two sturdy young men Joined the
amp of Dun Glen in the spring of
'i5, and after prospecting the district
for some time located what they
thought to be a very rich mine.
They were quiet, %unassuming men,
hers of the community and worked
their claims for several months and
seldom mixed with their neighbors.
Several sacks of very rich ore was
known to have been obtained by these
men which were taken to the coast by
the younger partner. Upon his re-
turn it was noticed that the partners
seldom spoke to each other and the
older man built a cabin which he oc-
cupied alone. The younger man
gradually became more friendly and
communicative with the prospectors
and residents of the district and as
his true worth appeared on the sur
face he became a general favorite in
the camp. His partner appeared
more morose and sullen as time pass
ed and seldom If ave joined his fell
low gold-seekers in their convivial
moods.
A party of prospectors happening
along one morning over the Dundee
claim noticed a pool of blood directly
In front of the tent of the younger of
the men, and stepping inside were
Mortified to find his body lying on the
floor with a large knife cash in his
throat. They Immediately Instituted
a search for his partner. who was mo-
MHtfe 10 De IOQnQ.
A searching party was formed. the
several members of which secured the
country in every direction and from
Information obtainec the fleeing man
was caught nea the Oregon line. He
confessed to the murder, which he
claimed TO have committed in a heat
Of passion over a dispute in dividing
the money due from a shipment Of
ore and in the struggle used the
knife, killing his partner the evening
before he was found in the cabin. The
posse hastily ~eouneiled and after a
short elaboration decided to make
short-shift OF the self-confessed MUIR
derer and he was promptly lynched
for his crime.
Thirty years or more afterwards.
Mr.. O'Brien, the wen known mining
mar and p%rospector. while examining
the different lodges in this part of the
district, came Upon an old cedar tree
on which was blaaed the inscription
stating that 1870 feet to the cas-; was
the shaft Of the Dundee mine.
short distance away he came mon a
gopher hole which confirmed several
pieces Of gold quartz. Taking some
of the yellowish looking dirt from The
bottom Of the hole he found that II ,
PANIED well, and following up the d.
rection indicated by the inscription /,
found an old abandoned shaft
about ten feet deep, at the bottom of
which he found a pick, shovel and
hammer rusty from disuse. the
handles of which had long since rot ,
ted away. For several days he work.
cleaning out the debris which had
Tor years been accommodating in the
bottom OF the old workings and was {
by exposing a fine quartz b
edge about four feet wide of good S
Milling ore. The ledge contained t
ieveral rich stringers which would $
'un from $500 to $4,000 per ton. c
)Brien picked out the rich streaks II
several months, using a hand Il
Mortar to crush the rich rock and in a
his manner succeeded in taking sew o
raj hundred dollars, which enabled g
Iimself and fellow prospectors to buy Il
upplies. 1t was understood by those q
were in the district at the time d
hat anyone who wished could take Il
he rich rock and with a hand mortar fo
ct sufficient OF the yellow stun to
eplenish his larder.
81