The copper era., 1909-06-17

stores were the only source of supply for the emigrant and prospector. His knowledge of Smith and the cir cumstances surrounding his periodi- cal trips to his secret Eldorado was such that MT. Brinley spent thous- ands of dollars equipping prospect ors, and sometimes took the field himself, in quest of the fred knolls'' in the Salton basin, now known as the Salton sea.
 Other old residents of San Diego and San Bernardfno counties have attested to their knowledge and acquaintance with Smith; chief in reliability was Captain Frink, the pioneer freighter on the Colorado desert between San Pedro harbor, and Yuma and Ehrenburg. Frink was the first settler in the San Timitea canyon; his ranch was situ- ated near the present town of Ban- ming on the line of the Southern Pa cifc railroad and at the gateway to the Salton sink. It was the first watering place for the western bound traveller and the last for the desert explorer in those days.
 The writer of this article was em. ployed in carrying the United States mail between Julian, San Diego county, and Ivanpah, on the Mohave desert, in 1S71-2, and Captain Frink's ranch was one of his relay stations on the route. Frink's wife was a Mexican lady, respected and beloved by all, in the early days of overland travel, for her kindness to the dis tressed and weary wanderer, and she often befriended "Peg Leg Smith," From Captain Frink and his wife the writer, on many occasions, received accounts of Smiths discovery, and assurances that they handled the first. gold that he ever brought from the desert.
 According to coroborative data, Smith-who lost his leg in some ques- tionable encouuter-was a,hanger-on around the Yuma military post, ex- isting on the bounty of the generous. He finally attached himself to an emigrant train bound for California. This was about 1854. The outfit left Yuma for Los Angeles by what was known as the New river and War ner's ranch route. They camped at water tank 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 desert. It was during this soiourn that.Smith found the gold.
 He was of a very. secretive disposi- tion and kept the knowledge of his discovery from his companions. On arriving in Los Angeles, Smith, who was addicted to excessive use of in- toxicants. loaded up, got confidential and communicative at one of the hotels, and exhibited exceedingly rich specimens of gold-bearing rock. A number of barroom prospectors took him iu tow, and monopolized him to the exclusion of all others.
 But one night he gave his guardians 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 appreciation 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 his strength, left the Tanch as mysteri- ously as he departed from Los An geles.
 Some months later he appeared in Yuma, and caused great commotiop by his display of rich ore, offering it 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 assiduously watched and fol- lowed during these>visits, and once a party of expert Mexican trailers dogged him for days, to be lost them selves. This was a 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 a confidence 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 credence, is that he succumbed to the terrors of that torrid and water less region.
 That Smith found rich ore on the desert is beyond cavil, and that his original discovery may have been located is probable. His find might have been in one of a half dozen places where gold of exceeding rich