Idaho County free press., 1924-07-24
SECRET NINE
FOUND AFTER
FORTY YEARS
Follow Clue Given by Man
Who Lived to Be 100, to
Rich Diggings at Florence
Placer Property That Yield
ed Fortune to William Pip
er Will Again Be Opened Up

Following a clue given by an old
prospector to the location of secret
mine. reported to be fabulously rich
ser, and Frank Laib, of New Mea-
dows, believe they have rediscovered
the most precious jewel of all Idaho
county's mines, I'm the old camp of
Florence. Myers was in Grangeville
Wednesday from Florence, buying
supplies, and told Of progress made
by himself and partner in the dig
gings that yielded a fortune to the
original locator forty-odd years ago,
and which had since been abandoned,
and had been passed up by prospec-
tor after prospector as worked ground
and worthless as gold-producing
area.
William Piper, who died about a
year ago at Helix, Ore, at the age OF
100 years, was the old prospector
and now, after his death, Laib and
Myers, remembering the directions
given by Piper, have followed the
trail to the old bonanza, and found
conditions just as described by the
centenarian. They believe that, at
ldSI, lnty dIt ncui INC pob N@ 49,, -
the end of the rainbow.
Twas Forty Years Ago
More than forty years ago, Piper,
| then man past the half-century
mark in age, but with much vigor
and the enthusiasm of youth, rode
over Idaho countys hills and noun
tains, leading string of pack mules
into the mining region. Stopping at
the Florence camp, he staked
claim and, with a party of associates,
went TO work. Among the operations
of the men was the driving OF
6OO-foot tunnel to drain Gold lake.
While driving the approach to the
tunnel, Piper cut two pay streaKs.
Soon he was a wealthy man.
Burdened down with gold dust,
Lucky Piper went to Oregon where,
with the capital provided by MS
strike in Florence, he engaged In
wheat farming ON an extensive scale.
In farming, he was successful, ana
he never returned to Florence. P1-
per. living to the age of an even hun
dred. spent his last years surrounded
bv every comfort that money could
| nrovide. If he ever intended to re-
turn to Florence, he kept his plans
to himself. At any rate, he never
went back.
Tells As Death Nears
Feeling that death was creeping
upon him, and that he must not per-
nit this hidden bonanza to remain
forever a secret, Piper called his
brother-in- law Tom Myers, to his
side and confided in him. The OLD
man gave Myers minute directions
70 get to Florence, and how 10 nno
the rich ground when he arrived at
the camp.
Not long since, Myers farming
oneratiOns at Weiser failed, and ne
decided to find the pay streak OF
which Piper had told him. Having
had no experience whatever in min
ING, he took Laib, an experienced
miner, into partnership.
Strange as it may seem. the hrst
prospect hole sunk by Laib was on
the pay-streak. Then they found IL
necessary to dig a drainage ditch,
and in doing so they cut the olu
channel. Going a short distance
further. they found the bedrock
again dipping to the hill, indicating
second channel which, they say,
WOULD complete the description lerr
by the old-timer.
Watch for Pay Dirt
Laib and Myers are watching WIN
interest every shovel of dirt that is
moved.
I.aib is 65 and Myers IA years old,
and they declare they can well use
little extra change, and have every
/ hope that they will be as lucky as
was Piper before the winters SHOWS
again fall on the old camp.