Weekly journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1908-1929, 1912-01-31
BRIEF HISTORY OF
COPPER BASIN FIND
(From Thursdays Daily)

(from Thursdays Daily
Referring to the big copper strike
that has been made by the CONNER.
eial Mining company in Copper Basin
and the point where il occurred. which
IS known ms Garbarino Hill, W. N.
Nelly, pioneer resident, yesterday
gave an interesting review of that
particular locality, which ranged back
to early day mining operations. Mr..
Kelly says:
Some time in 1864 Indian Agent
behigh, in charge Of the Colorado
River Agency at LaPaz, in the course
of his official duties in the Indian
country in his jurisdiction, passed
into Copper Basin and located a mine
on what is now known as Garbarino
Hill. The surface near that mound
was sprinklcd with native copper, and
the outcroppinRs also contained nearly
pure copper. Float of pure copper
was picked up ut several places in
that locality, hut after limited devcl.
opment that character Of the ore pass
cd out, hence Mr.. Lehigh abandoned
the location.
THE news Of the discovery Of the
red metal Travelled over the country,
however, but in that primitive day Of
mining, but little attention was mani
Tested over following that class Of
mining work. However, in 1866, Ed.
Bowers. later the sheriff Of this coun.
~, and myself, went into the basin
and made locations from one end to
the other, including Garbsrino Hill.
| "While IL was not our purpose 10
engage in mining for copper, the
gulchcs scanning that section were at.
traetive for placer mining, hence we
worked for n short time the aurifer.
Gus beds, but were unsuccessful. Cop
per did not appeal TO MS, and natur.
ally we left the place. Many years
afterward, and as I remember the
date, sometime in the '70s, Joe Gar
bsrino, at present located on Willow
Creek, near this city and farmer,
went into the basin aud made several
locations, and in Difference to his acti.
witty in mining operations, the hill
that bears his name 10 this day, was
christened Garbarino Hill. Mr.. Gar.
barino disposed Of his interests later
so well Of the group that he had
eighteen claims patented in 1882 or
about that time, after complying with
the land laws in force which in that
distant day were somewhat erudely
obeyed. Later the Commercial Mining
company purchased the group, and
erected smelter in 1885 or 1886,
which was burned down, after an nm
successful run, owing to the lack OF
transportation facilities and the flux
question being n serious one 10 solve.
Since that time or until resumption
was ordered about two years ago,
Copper Basin enjoyed only good
name, and without and practical deep
work being done.
"Mr. Lehigh is practically the faith
er Of Copper Basin from n mining
standpoint, and undoubtedly was the
first white man TO become aware OF
its mineral possibilities, and IL will
be interesting TO those Of this genera
tion 10 learn Of the horrible fate that
overlook him in later years while In
the performance Of his duties as In
: dian agent.
"while returning from the mine q
/ Lapaz, on the Colorado river with hi
, clerk, young man nemed Evans
they we're attacked and killed II
, Bells Canyon, near Kirkland valley
+. by Apache Mohsve Indians. Mr.. lie
r high supposed that he enjoyed tn
gratitude Of the Indian, and was not
9 ed for treating them with kindness
+, and generosity, but he was shot dow
n without warning and his body fright
g fully mutiisted, as was that Of hi
n companion. All members Of his bod
were cut away and his head mashe
20 a jelly. Later the body was pal
TALLY burned by the inhuman mul
4 derers alongside Of . big boulder, an
10 this day the blackened rock ma
!. be seen along the old road. The hes
; Of Mr.. Evans was deesPitsted IN
z never found.
4 "The news Of the death and mutt
!. ating Of the body Of Mr.. Lehigh VI,
u received In Prescott In the earl
e '70s with sincere expressions OF 20
!. row. He had the good will OF a
: residents and IL was mystery VII
!. the Indians murdered him as he
q ways was n firm and kind friend
"A them. He refused TO travel over u
I, country with any arms, arms, sayir
O. that no harm would ever ovcrta'
r. him from the red men. He was
. victim Of misplaced confidence In q
~ Apache, and this was not the on
time the white man was trapped u
!. der the same flimsy belief"
ID EASTERN vrMr0R
IS gUCCUMRs AT nESon
y (From Fridays Daily)