Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-05
MONR0VIA Mine
TUNNEL FOUND
OLD DRIFT LOCATED IN SAW
PIT CANYON
MEN WHO OPERATED PROPERTY
YEARS AGO DISCOVERED
New Leasers Are Jubilant and Now
Believe They Have Location
of Commercial
Value
Especial to The Hersld.l

MONROVIA, Sept. AFTER several
weeks Of steady eXcaYating and eX-
ploring in Saw Pit canyon, Monrovia,
Dick Monroe has at last located the
tunnel from which the old Witchhazel
gold mine was operated and from
which it is believed that thousands of
dollars worth of ore was taken.
Monroes men have been working on
the side of a large hill, about three
miles from the mouth of the canyon,
ever since the lease on the land was
obtained. Yesterday one of the work.
men struck a timber with his spade,
and upon further excavation a small
1878. Inside the tunnel were found
several old candles, pick and an old
pair of overalls, worn by old miner
named Edmens, who worked the mine
more than thirty years ago.
Although it long has been believed by
those interested in the development of
Monroe's mine that Edmens died sew
eral years ago, 1t recently was dis
covered that the old man is now living
at Redondo. In an interview with
Monroe. Edmens stated that he be-
lieved he could point out the spot where
the old tunnel had been dug.
Will Locate Old Mine
The small tunnel which was dis
short distance of the larger excava-
ton, but it is the larger tunnel from
which the majority of the ore was
taken.
Edmens is coming to Monrovia dur
ing the coming week and will show the
company which is exploring the canyon
the exact location of the old mine.
Fdmens worked the mine for some
time and made several thousand dol
lars by milling the ore by hand. Later,
a cloudburst caused an avalanche OF
earth to cover up the tunnel and the
mine never has been reopened, al
though several parties have made vain
attempts to locate it.
The mining company which has been
formed in Monrovia, and in which
Monroe is the moving spirit, will push
the work with all possible speed and
feel very much elated over the recent
discovery A record not only of the
mine, but of the ore as well recently
was found in Los Angeles, which
stated that the ore assayed IN the
neighborhood of $50 a ton. The MEM
bers Of the company, which is COM
posed of a large number Of Monrovia's
leading citizens, although 1t Is not
incorporated, have expressed their
qualification at the discovery of the
tunnel as 1t Is now but q question of
time before the main lode is brought
TO llSHl. ~
Mine Located in 1849
Monroe believes, from the tales told
him by Edmens, that a large vein of
gold-bearing ore is located in the hill,
and should this be the case it will
mean fortune to all concerned.
The mine bears a romantic history
and was located originally In 1S49
when. it is said, rich pocket of gold
was found near the surface which net
ted thousands of dollars to the two
miners who operated their find. Later,
the mine fell into a state Of semi
decay. but was later reopened and
worked by Edmens.
Since Monroe's discovery Of the old
tunnel large crowds of persons have
thronged the canyon to view the mine.
That the stories of the old soldier are
true no one doubts. Just how much
ore will be found, however, is a matter
of conjecture.