Year: 1879

Every person who lived in Eastern
Nevada from 1868 until 1869, have heard
OF the wonderful Breyfogle mino which
was supposed to exist somewhere in the
vicinity of Death Valley. Many yet
believe in its existence, and parties are to
this day searching for this Will o'-the.
wisp. A correspondent OF the Esmeralda
Herald explodes the myth by the follow.
ing account of the origin of the report,
the particulars Of which be procured
from one of the principal parties, Who is
now ranching on the upper San Pedro
river. The writer who was living in
Austin at the time, remembers some of
the minor incidents referred to.


"During the earlier years Of the late
war, party of men organized in West
srn Nevada for the purpose of going
South to join the Confederate forces by
crossing thro1gn Arissna and New Msxi-
co into Texas. Their route lay to the
southeast-they intending to GROSS the
Colorado somewhere to the northward of
Fort Mojsve. While travelling south of
Austin. Nevada. the party attracted the
attention of q prospsotor who was work
ing in one Of the mining camps Of that
region; and as every party or person not
announcing their destination or intention
in those days were suspected of having
some good thing, or new dscovey in
view, and this prospsctor being fully
alive to the importance Of following on
their trail and coming in for chance in
the supposed new discovery. started in
the wake. Now, in those days parties
going to Dixie were closely watched by
United States soldiers stationed at the
different military posts; and as Show
alter and his party had been recently
captured and incarcsrated in Fort Yuma,
parties were very careful to see that their
destination was not found out, and that
there were no spies on their track from
Fort Churchill. II was not long before
they discovered that this prospsotor was
following them, and they accordingly
watched him closely for some days. At
length one OF the party dropped behind
to Interview the person who was dogging
their trail. to find out il possible his
object. Conoealing himself. while the
other members of the party went ahead
he awaited the coming Of the follower.
| When sccosted and asked the reason OF


his course, the prespsctor frankly stated


his object, that seeing they were well
eqnipped and well mounted, be had con.
oluded that they had something rich in


view and wished to come in for what ht


could after they had made their locations


The man who had been an old prospectol


himself saw at once the true state o.


affairs, and having some rich pieces O.


rock with him that be had procured il


California, told him that the specimen


came from lead they were going tt


locate, and peinting to saddle or de


preston in range Of mountains lonl


way off to the south. he told him on tn


western slspe of that mountain the min


was situate, and that it was large ant


very rich; but that under no circum


stances must he again be seen upon thei


trail. as his companions were very jeal


ous OF outside interference and it woult


be very dangerous for him. The ne'


greatly excited prospsctor, it is supposed


returned to his camp, and showing tn


rich rock to his companions. made i'm


mediate preparations to hunt for th


tabled mine. How that hunt was con
tinusd for many months and years, an
the hardships sufferings and privation
of many of the deluded prospsetors 10
on by this story, has become a part OF tn


history Of Southern Nevada. This ma


was Breyfogle. Mr.. Brsyfogle used tn
information be obtained for his own &C
vantage in getting credulous and exoitabl
persons in Los Angeles and elsewhere
} 4. up costly expeditions to search fe
this hidden treasure that never had
existence. There are in the vicinity
this saddle which was pointed ont IN th
! mountain, some large lodges but the orr
> are base in character and carry put
, small percentage Of gold and silve
! That section Of country was thorough
. searched about three years ago by
Q party OF experienced prospectors tro
1 Panamint. and nothing was found tn
Q would warrant any great expenditure
Q labor or money. So endsth what
!, believe to be the true story OF the loi
4 sought but never found Breyfogle myth