Gilpin observer., 1914-01-08
sE .:..:-4.s.,
+ The PRosPscToR; HH
! AND HIS suRRo + W
(salt Lake Mining Review

|
ut is fortunate that this cabin is
big enough so that both of us can be
comfortably housed during the sew
ere storm that is raging on the out
side," said the prospector to his bur-
ro. But l wish you would keep the
door shut,and get out of my way while
am mixing my sour dough and get
ting supper ready. AS soon as this
is done l will give you few nips
of barley and then, when all is made
comfortable for the night I will tell
you a story of how, with your moth
er. got caught in big snow storm
out in the Tom and Jerry range
few years ago, and how we found an
old and abandoned cabin in which
we were virtually prisoners for almost
two months. Also, how what seemed
to be misfortune to US, turned out
to be one of the best prospecting
trips l ever made.
"At the time l speak Of" continu-
ed the prospector, 81 had started out
on long trip. hoping to find the
old Pegleg mine of which we have
all heard so much. The weather was
fine and there was no snow in the
canyons, only the peaks OF the high
eGt mountains being coated with the
beautiful. On the second day we
were about thirty miles out from the
little mining town at the mouth of
Skookunf canyon, when 1t began to
cloud over about noon. and, before
dusk, there was over a foot of snow
on the ground and showing so hard
that one could hardly see six feet in
front of him. When travel became
very difficult l realized the fact that
we were lost, and would most likely
have to spend the night in the open,
which was not very agreeable out
look; none whatever. However,
about this time old Tom, the dog.
began to bark, and we moved blindly
in the direction of the disturbance
he was making and were delighted to
see that he had stumbled onto an old
and deserted cabin. 1t was an old
log affair, and must have been quite
comfortable dwelling in it's days.
We took possession at once. and soon
had a rousing fire in the old fire
place. then unpacked my belong
ings and was happy in the fact that
had a goodly supply of provisions
in the load on your mothers back
and plenty Of bedding as well. We
slept we'll while the wind was blow
ing furiously on the outside, although
my burro would throw fit now
and then, when she heard the wall
ing of mountain lions who had been
driven down from the high places by
the storm, and who were also seek
ing shelter. In the morning. as soon
as it was light, l took look out of
the only window in the cabin, and
was not SUI prIsed to note that tie
snow Was more than four feet deep
on the level. and was still falling
heavily. For two days we waited for
the storm 20 subside, and by this
time the snow lad banked up so higl
that | was no longer able to see out
of the window. Much of the time
was engaged in mending my old over
coat and in games of solitaire, while
your mother had such wise and sol
emn look on her face that one would
imagine she had been housed up in
this isolated locality from choice and
not by accident. This third day, how
ever, / became tired of the mono
tony and began making a search OF
the cabin to discover. If could, who
had been its former occupant. anc
the nature of his business. In al
old cupboard in one corner | found
mortar and pestle, some pieces OF
high grade gold ore, and some assay
certificates and ore-settlement sheets
the latter bearing the date of 1881
. Taking up loose plank in the floor
found hidden away a number o
, picks and shovels. some fuse and {
| black blasting powder. Then l made
another discovery, and this was
managed to open this and fount
, that It led into a tunnel. for the cab
, In was built into an excavation in tn
side OF the mountain. / was exceed
/ ingly pleased in finding this old tun
: mel for l could then pass away m!
| time in looking through these OLE
I and abandoned workings. Your moth
/ er intimated that was foolish II
expecting to find anything of value
: in mine that had been abandoned
for so many years, and could not see
| for the life Of her, why ! could no
keep quiet and enjoy a long ant
, much-needed rest, the same as sh'
= Ali. t.tI L.. l.u.