The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1910-09-17
SNAKE GUARDS MONTANA GOLD
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Ed Campbell has has been to Lo L.
Hot Springs, As miles from Missoula
and he has q tale to relate that woult
make Sinbad, the sailor, green will
envy, were he to hear it. Campbell
went down to Missoula to locate a rici
gold mine near the hot springs at LIZ
Lo, but he encountered something thai
was not down on the program.
He has just returned from Mlssoula
and in relating the story OF his adven
ture, his voice trembles and excite
ment is depicted in his eyes. lie says
that he and Bill Young, Of the Auto
matte Telephone company, started out
from Missoula one day last week in an
automobile to go on a prospecting trip
Campbell had known of a spot in that
section that vas visited several years
ago by an ex-soldier, who claimed to
have found rich float goId quartz in
the neighborhood of Lo Lo springs,
and he determined to find it, as the
man who made the discovery had dis
appeared and could not be located.
Campbell and Young reached the
springs in about an hour, and after
partaking of refreshments they struck
out into the hills in search of the lost
bonanza. Campbell had a prospecting
pick and Young carried a small camera.
They felt greatly encouraged and
pushed valiently ahead until at last
they found themselves beneath an
overhanging bluff. Investigation at
that point disclosed IN opening to what
appeared to be a cavern. The place
was covered with bushes and under
brush, but they were sure they had
found the source Of the rich gold float
and were determined to explore the
dark, abysmal depths, or whatever they
might be, that confronted them. Camp
bell went ahead, closely followed by
his companion.
The place was dimly lighted through
crevices in the o~verhanging rocks and
the two men determined to explore the
place as far as they could. They went
carefully ahead for about 200 feet, I'M
til they anne to a sort of side tunnel,
connecting with the first.
Suddenly, from out the awesome
depths that confronted them, was
heard a fearsome Kissing sound.
They both looked and saw a thing
that fairly made their blood run cold.
Right in front of them, only a few feet
away, they saw the glittering eyes and
huge body of a monster snake. 1t was
at least 20 feet long, according to
Campbell, and was a fearful object to
behold. They were just on the point
of leaving the place in a hurry when
Young, who is an enthusiastic amateur
photographer, declared that he would
have a picture of the snake if it cost
him his life. Suiting his action to his
words he set his camera, produced a
small package from his pocket, unfold
ed it and placed the COMMITS on the
ground. He then told Cambell to touch
a match to the stuff, while he made
ready to take the photograph. The
material proved to be a flashlight.
The plan worked to perfection. They
secured a perfect picture Of the snake
and at the same time got rid of the
reptile, which made a rapid retreat
into the interior of its den. The
photograph of the snake is said to be
perfect and what is better, when the
light flashed they saw the most won
derful sight ever beheld. The whole
interior of the cavern appeared to be
lined with go~ld-shining, yellow, mas
sive gold. But by this time they were
afraid to make any further investiga-
tions on account of the huge snake and
Others Of the same kind that might be
lurking in some hidden nook or crevice.
They hurriedly departed from the
place, but they will return-at least
that is what Campbell says. When
cold weather sets in and the huge rep
tile is rendered dormant they are 60
ing to the secret cavern for the second
time, when they intend to secure the
snake as a rare specimen and all the
gold that the cavern contains.-Helena