The copper era., 1910-04-07
Discovery of Ancient Mlne in old MexicO.

Discovery Of Ancient Mine in old Mexico.
 One by one the ancient mines of Sonora are being re-discovered, as a natural result of the ever growing numbers of prospectors who are spreading out over the valleys and mountains of that rich mineral store house of the world. The meager des- criptions and faulty location of these old mines as recorded in the old Spanish documents on file in the City of Mexico, in Madrid, in Hermosillo, Guadalajara, MOctezuma, and other cities on this and the old continent give little information to assist the gold and silver seeker of today in bringing to light these hidden treas ures, hence it is that when one is un- covered, the find is made byaccident, or through some friendly convulsion of nature. This is the case in the latest notable recovery Of an old mine-La Tarasca, which a soldier has just located in that district be- tween La Colorado and Guaymas.
 As usual, the story of this discovery is romance in gold and silver. A soldier was out some fifteen miles south of the Las Amarillas mines near La Colorado, between the latter city and Guaymas, which lies south west. A slide in the slope of gulch had torn down the embankment, dis closing a hole in the side of the hill. The soldier climbed up, and entered what proved to be an old mine, with extensive workings, which be explored as well as he could. The mine was of course in ruins for the most part, and many of the drifts could not be en- tered. But from one of these the soldier broke out a piece of rock weighing about thirty-ive pounds, and with it he started back to camp. On the way he met Eduardo Campidon- ico, the we'll known Italian Mexican composer, and leader of the HermO- sillo State band, who, it will be re membered, took a Mexican orchestra to the Chicago worlds fair, and there
 
 music. The soldier at once offered to give Comidoncio an interest in the mine, and this offer was accepted. Later the soldier and the musician gave an interest in the mine to Senor Victor Aguilar, the rich citizen of l Hermosillo, who was formerly secre- tary of state, and a share also to General Luis Torres, military gover- nor of Sonora. The ground has been denounced, and probably the old mine will again be the scene of active operations.
 La Tarasca was one of the famOuo mines of the Spanish colonization days. There are frequent mentions made of it in the archives of the City of Mexico and Madrid, as it was one of the great producers which helped to enrich the crown of Spanish do- main. As far back as 1915 the noted Spanish engineer was commissioned | by the government of Mexico to make d report upon the mines of Sonora, and in his report he makes the fol lowing mention of La Tarasca: "Tbe mines of Sonora have been worked from time immemorial, as proved by the number Of excavations discovered by the first settlers after the conquest and of which we have no more authentic information than that directed from tradition. On the Cerro Prieto, between the rancho de la Palma and la Cara Pintada, is an old mine called Tarasca, that has not been worked for more than hundred years and that was, according to tradition, exceedingly rich. In the same Sierra are other old mines, in the neighborhood of which the yes tiges of old buildings are still visible. !"