Bisbee daily review., 1909-05-01

on the east slope of the San Jacinto
 range to recuperate and rest their stock. after the tedious trip across the grassless tract of the Salton des- ert.s IL was during th.s soJourn that Smith found the gold.
 He was of very secretive disposi- ton and kept the knowledge of his discovery from his companions. On arriving in Los Angeies, smith, who was addicted to excessive use of iE- toxicants. loaded up, got confidential and communicative at one of the ho- tels, and exhibited exceedingly rich specimens of gold-bearing rock. A number of barroom prospectors took him in tow and monopolized him to the exclusion of all others. But one night he gave his guard fans the slip and disappeared. Scouts
 were sent out to trace him and every avenue of exit from the city was
 watched to intercept Peg Leg but without success. Later he turned up at Frink's ranch. an object of total despair and distress. He was nursed and cared for by Mrs. Frink, and in depreciation of their kindness he gave them some fine specimens of gold ore, and promised to locate them in his discovery Here he was supplied with two burros and some provisions, and
 when he regained h's strength. Jeff the ranch as mysteriously as he de
 parted from Los Angeles.
 Some months later he appeared In Yuma and caused great commotion by his display of rich ore, offering 1t In
 exchange for provisions and liquor He made several trips to Yuma dur ing the winter months. each time bringing ore of extraordinary values.
 He was ass'duously watched and fol lowed during these visits and once a party of expert Mexican trailers dog, ged him for days. to be lost them selves. This was matter of easy accomplishment in the vast dykes of drifting sand dunes, so prolific on the Colorado desert.
 He was known in Yuma as the most mysterious character of his
 time. It cannot be said of Smith that he ever attempted to work con
 fidence game. He always paid for what he received and was liberal in his expenditures. especially when in his cups, which was generally every time he came to where liquor was to be obtained.
 There are many accounts current
 of the final ending of Peg Leg Smith," but the most reasonable one, and that which receives general cred ence is that he succumbed to the ter TOTS of that torrid and waterless re zion.
 That Smith found rich ore on the desert is beyond cav.l. and that his original discovery may have been To- cated is probable. His find might have been in one of a half dozer places where gold of exceeding rich ness has been unearthed in late
 years.
 The McHaaey brothers, while hunt ing for stray cattle a few years ago in the very vicinity of Smiths sup posed location. discovered the Desert Queen mine. Forty thousand dollars
 was collected in specimen ore on a surface of less than half an acre. yet
 no permanent ledge has been deyel
 oped.
 1 The Cargo Muchacho" mine might have been the source of Smiths gold This property is on the very trail oy,
 CT which Smith was obliged to pass ! in his goings and comings. A Mexi can boy discovered this mine and one sack of surface rock netted ovel | 5000
 A complete account of the hard
 ships and misery endured by prospec tors in quest of gold would aDpal the average Alaska musher. The frs gold find on the Colorado desert was a legacy of death to many an adven
 turous pioneer, and were the blanchec bones of those who perished fin pur suit of gold in Death valley, the Mo
 fave and Colorado deserts. collected
 in one pile they would make monu ment to Peg Leg Smith" as high as | the cupola of the Fairbanks schoo