Gilpin observer., 1915-12-02
OLDEST PRosPEcToR IN
AMERICA REMINISCENT

Sitting en- a soap box in front of
the postoffice, Dad Abbey told the
writer some of his many experiences,
going back to the days of 40 and lead
ing right up to the new gold rush of
1915.
He has been through m all. AS a
boy he saw the start of the gold rush
in 40 when the first placer camp was
struck in California-the strike that
made California the Golden State.
And then the old prospector went
back to the days that were-the days
of the mad rush for gold, when cara
vans traversed the country, when the
Indians ra'ded the hardy pioneer WHO
left all behind them to secure the mug
gets of gold.
From California he, went to the Aus
tralian gold fields. That was early in
so. In 81, then a youth of %, Abbey
hit the trail for Frazer River, in Brit
ish Columbia where he made a stake.
Early in SO in the first rush for gold
in Colorado, Abbey packed his belong
ings and was off for Gregory Dig
gings. The lure of the yellow metal
was in his blood and again he scout
ed the hills with pick and burro.
From Gregory Diggings, early in
go he hit the trail, this time for
Pisgah, Montana.
Later Abbey went to Virginia City.
That was in Sc. Many a battle of
wit he had with Mark Twain, with
whom he was associated.
Before going to Virginia City. Alb
bey helped to lay out what is now
the city of Denver.
When the first sign of the discov-
cry of gold was made in Nevada. old
Dad was on the way. He arrived in
Hamilton White Pine, Nevada in so
but stayed there but a short time.
The call of Virginia City was too
great and back he went to the hills
that called him.
He made the locations of the
mines that are now known as the
Crown Point Consolidated, Belcher
Yellow Jacket and the Asteer. He
sold the locations for song.
| When Deadwood called TIE mining
men of America, Abbey was one of
the first to heed tie call. What is
now known as the Homestake mine
was located by Abbey. He sold that
location fer 500 silver dollars.
In rs he went to California Gulch,
now Leadville. For two years he
rrospected there, but lard luck hit
, the old man, and it was bad sailing.
He then drifted from one camp to
another. He met o'd pals and many
story was swapped.
The next big gold excitement was
in Aspen, Colorado, and Abbey once
again hit the trail 1t was in 'S7 that
he left Aspen for British Columbia,
headed for the Arge,es up around the
Kootiney Bay country.
In '91, when the Cr aede and Cripple
Creek excitement broke forth. Abbey
made for the big strike. Later he left
for Dawson City and in 1897 entered
Nome.
He hit Goldfield in 1904. For a
number of years Abbey ''camped" in
that section and located many OF the
prominent mines.
And then for eleven years his iden
tity was lost. Hidden at Ocean Beach
and famed by the ccol breezes of tht
Pacific, old Dad sold ribbons and yard
goods. If he mana ged to get hold OF
a mining man. many OF his expert
ences were related.
About a month ego copies of the
Oatman Miner were placed on sale on
the newstands in San Diego, and one
of them fell into Abbey's hands. He
was off for Oatman the next day.
Ard now old Dad Is here. The 9TH
er day he went to the highest point
in the camp and looked over the en-
tire field.
This is the greatest gold camp
was ever in excla med the old man.
ITS got the other camps wiped of
the map. know; have been
through 'em ALL"
Abbey has made a number of trips
;, over the district. He says; Watch
Secret Pass and Union Pass"
Oatman. says Abbey, will soon be
the most talkedcf spot in the coun-
try. And there we have 1.-THE word
of the oldest proprietor in Amerioa-
from 40 to '15.-Oatman Miner.