Silver City Enterprise — 1891 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1891-09-04
source date: 1891
availability: public-domain

AZTEC MINE A Find of Twenty Years Ago. — Two Inches of Pure Gold. It was in the summer of 1867 I started for the famous San Juan country via Tierra Amaria and Abivul, Rio Arriba county, N. M. ( 76 )One night I made camp near the little town of Chama, and to my surprise, next morning discovered that I was minus my horse. The saddle and saddle blankets I had used, one for a pillow, the other for a bed. I immediately looked the ground over and come to the con- clusion that my horse had been stolen. I tracked the horse quite a distance and returned to camp that night after a fruitless chase. Next day I concealed my saddle and blanket and took the trail, leading in a northerly direction, centering the great valley of San Fernando de Taos. I arrived at Taos on the third day, and was told by the people there that a horse answering my description was seen the day before entering a large canyon north of the place. It being late and a drizzling rain falling, I was advised to remain over to next morning, which I did. I started out next morning and soon was on the trail. Ascending one of the mountains I halted to drink water, there being a little gathered in one of the hoof prints I had been following. In stopping to drink I discovered particles of gold, evidently washed down from an exposed rock projecting tv/o feet above the hoof-print.

l. Ascending one of the mountains I halted to drink water, there being a little gathered in one of the hoof prints I had been following. In stopping to drink I discovered particles of gold, evidently washed down from an exposed rock projecting tv/o feet above the hoof-print. I did not stop, feeling satisfied that I would soon have my horse. Crossing the mountain I was soon at the famous Maxwell land grant, and encountering several mining camps, no one could give me information of my horse. Then I gave up the chase, having lost all traces. Descending one of the lofty peaks I was soon inclosed in a beautiful canyon which let out to Ute creek.

at the famous Maxwell land grant, and encountering several mining camps, no one could give me information of my horse. Then I gave up the chase, having lost all traces. Descending one of the lofty peaks I was soon inclosed in a beautiful canyon which let out to Ute creek. I here met two miners preparing to explore an old mine, or rather a worked out mine. They asked me to join them, to which I assented. I again asked of my horse, to which I received the usual negative. I remained till next morn- ing, and started with them to explore the mine. This mine was about two miles away, and soon we were there. Arrived at the mine, and judg- ing from the dump of country rock piled up, it v/as either a very rich mine or no mine at all. No signs of ore were on the outside dump. An open cut was at an incline of 45 degrees. We entered, and were soon in what one would sup- pose to be a cave. Candles were lighted, and a general search followed. The formation was porphyry and judging from the gouging done it was apparent that great quantities of precious metal had been taken out. There were no tim- bers, and the only support was one large pillar left in about the center of the working, about

eneral search followed. The formation was porphyry and judging from the gouging done it was apparent that great quantities of precious metal had been taken out. There were no tim- bers, and the only support was one large pillar left in about the center of the working, about 4 feet in diameter at the center, making the outlook very dangerous. I was about to get out on account of a few pieces of wall rock giving away from the pillar, when I was called back by one of the miners. He had discovered a streak of solid gold, running through the center of the pillar and about two inches thick. At this I retraced my steps, and there, with candle in trembling hands stood two excited men pointing out the pure yellow gold. For a moment I was unable to speak. One of the miners said to me: ‘‘Well, don’t you see it?” “Yes,” said I, pointing to the ceiling; “and don’t you see the trap set for us?” “D the trap. This is death against gold.”Meanwhile I had fingered around the gold, when part of the pillar gave way, extinguishing the lights. V/e found our way out safely, and then we planned to get that pillar without jeopardizing our lives. I declined to having anything to do with the affair unless I could get an outside job. This of course, v/as out of the question, as there was only one sack of ore to be removed.

our way out safely, and then we planned to get that pillar without jeopardizing our lives. I declined to having anything to do with the affair unless I could get an outside job. This of course, v/as out of the question, as there was only one sack of ore to be removed. So I was considered out of it, which I was only too glad to accept. My com- panions then entered with a horn spoon and a small pollpick, and were soon at work. Shortly they came out, and picking up an old coffee sack, used for a saddle blanket, re- entered the mine. They were very soon out again. They had cut the pillar and filled their sack. Then came a grand handshaking on their success. The sack was opened. Never in my life did I behold such a sight. A coffee sack full of nuggets ! I was told to pick out the finest specimen for my own use, which I did. It was a piece as large as my fist and contained $150 in gold. Camp was made, a metate procured, and grinding at once commenced. It took six days to reduce it to pulp, the whole being done by hand. Then the pulp was washed out in a prospecting pan. The gold was mostly coarse and very bright. The fine gold required amal- gamating. There being no quicksilver the re- maining pulp was taken to Taos, and there amalgamated. The proceeds of that sack of ore netted 937 ounces of gold, amounting to $15,000 in coin.

pecting pan. The gold was mostly coarse and very bright. The fine gold required amal- gamating. There being no quicksilver the re- maining pulp was taken to Taos, and there amalgamated. The proceeds of that sack of ore netted 937 ounces of gold, amounting to $15,000 in coin. I returned to Santa Fe a month later and learned that a grand mining discovery had been made at the identical spot where I had found gold in the horse’s print. S. K. ( 77 ) Three Days In Clifton A Tough Town of the Long Ago. Nothing Cheap But Life. Reminiscence of the Camp as Seen by an Enterprise Reporter in 1883.In the summer of ’83, soon after the estab- lishment of this great religious weekly, and when the paper was struggling with four or five other papers of this city for supremacy and “grub.” the writer visited Carlisle, Duncan and Clifton. That section was then noted as the home of the rustler, and it was considered almost impossible for a stranger to get in or out of Clifton without being “held up.” An Enterprise man had nothing to risk however, he proceeded to make the trip, and arrived in Carlisle to find the camp under arms. The rustlers had pre- viously sent word to Wm. Farrish that they would be over in a few days and clean up his camp because he had employed Chinamen to do the surface work of building roads, and run- ning an open cut on the mine.

n Carlisle to find the camp under arms. The rustlers had pre- viously sent word to Wm. Farrish that they would be over in a few days and clean up his camp because he had employed Chinamen to do the surface work of building roads, and run- ning an open cut on the mine. Bill Farrish did not see how the Chinese interfered with the business of the rustlers, and with characteristic energy of the western miner, he had prepared to give the boys an interesting reception, but they never arrived, and from that time on they seemed to have a good deal of respect for the camp. They drifted in occasionally, but always kept themselves within reasonable bounds, only killing people of their own class. From Duncan to Clifton the country was literally alive with rustlers, all well mounted and armed to the teeth. Chief among this gang of desperate out- laws might be mentioned the names of Big Dan, Curley Bill, Doc Baker, (formerly of the James gang), Big Dave, Kid Lewis, Red Samples, Billy Delaney, Texas Harwood, Kid Vance, Two-Belt Johnny, Mormon Bill, Mexican Johnny, Shoot- em-up Dick, Ike Clanton, Cherokee Kid, Sisto Garcia, and Pilar, who afterwards killed Deputy Sheriff Hall near this city.

rmerly of the James gang), Big Dave, Kid Lewis, Red Samples, Billy Delaney, Texas Harwood, Kid Vance, Two-Belt Johnny, Mormon Bill, Mexican Johnny, Shoot- em-up Dick, Ike Clanton, Cherokee Kid, Sisto Garcia, and Pilar, who afterwards killed Deputy Sheriff Hall near this city. These with their pals, in all numbering from seventy-five to one hundred men, held the country in a state of abject terror, and it was worth a man’s life to dispute their lordly sway in the slightest degree. and supplying them with arms and ammunition from the company store. The first experience of the Enterprise man with them was at Guthrie station, then the grading camp on the Clifton railroad. The scribe had tied his white pony to a wagon, and laid himself down to pleasant slumbers on his saddle blanket beneath the wagon. The wagon was within a few feet of a tent saloon and along in the night he was awakened by the remark; “Well Bill, if we don’t go through him some one else will.” Bill replied, “Well, we’ll take a drink and then attend to the business.” The Enterprise man thought they were getting personal in their remarks, and while they were drinking, pulled his blanket back about twenty feet, and when the boys were ready for “business” they discovered that their intended victim was on to their game.

end to the business.” The Enterprise man thought they were getting personal in their remarks, and while they were drinking, pulled his blanket back about twenty feet, and when the boys were ready for “business” they discovered that their intended victim was on to their game. While riding from Guthrie to Clifton sev- eral of the gang were met, but owing to the inferior pony upon which the writer was perched or perhaps owing to the fact that the boys had more important business on hand, the Enterprise man was allowed to, jog along in his peaceful way, for which he was very thank- ful.

ral of the gang were met, but owing to the inferior pony upon which the writer was perched or perhaps owing to the fact that the boys had more important business on hand, the Enterprise man was allowed to, jog along in his peaceful way, for which he was very thank- ful. On arriving in town it was learned that one (or perhaps two) of the rustlers had been killed a few nights before by a couple of railroad men. The railroaders had been down town a little late, and when on their way to the Clifton hotel, then kept by Jake Abrahams, they were very gentlemanly requested to “hold-up.” The rail- roaders had evidently been expecting something of the kind, for they had their guns cocked in their hands, and they got in the first work. They went to the hotel and sent for officers. They were put in the stone jail across the river, several of their friends standing guard, with Winchesters, lest the gang should call on them. The next day they were tried, but Justice Sias wisely reserved his decision, fearing that the gang would shoot the railroaders down before they left the court room, should they be ac- quitted. They were sent back to the jail where their friends continued to guard them until after dark, when the judge rendered his decision and they were liberated. Horses were in waiting for them, and they lost no time in getting to the railroad where an engine conveyed them to Lordsburg. Another railroad man had testi-

heir friends continued to guard them until after dark, when the judge rendered his decision and they were liberated. Horses were in waiting for them, and they lost no time in getting to the railroad where an engine conveyed them to Lordsburg. Another railroad man had testi- ( 78 ) fied that he overheard the rustlers say that they would hold the men up. At the time the Enterprise man arrived in Clifton the camp was really in its glory as the headquarters of the outlaws. They paraded the streets in gangs, and defied the law-abiding element of the community. They had repeatedl: held up the Morenci company’s store, at one time unhitching a span of mules from the ore team and packing them with supplies. At an- other time they kept their guns on the clerks until the manager returned from Clifton to un- lock the safe. As it happened, there was only $20 in the safe, at which the rustlers cursed roundly, and informed the manager if he ever allowed his cash to run so short again, his life would pay the penalty.

on the clerks until the manager returned from Clifton to un- lock the safe. As it happened, there was only $20 in the safe, at which the rustlers cursed roundly, and informed the manager if he ever allowed his cash to run so short again, his life would pay the penalty. It was only a short time previous to this that fifteen Chinamen were held up while leav- ing Clifton. Three of the Chinamen were killed and several others wounded. One of them re- turned the fire, shooting Big Dave’s index finger off close to the hand. The rustlers returned to Clifton and stood trial, and although they were recognized by quite a number, including the driver, Fowler, none would dare testify against them, and they were acquitted. It was the custom of the gang to attend court in a body when any of their pals were being tried, and in the face of such odds the bravest of men were compelled to forget what they saw the day before. It is said that on several different occasions that they forced the court to adjourn suddenly, taking his departure through the window.

of their pals were being tried, and in the face of such odds the bravest of men were compelled to forget what they saw the day before. It is said that on several different occasions that they forced the court to adjourn suddenly, taking his departure through the window. The Enterprise man was shown the sights on the first night by Charley Stevens, well known in this city. The Coronado Saloon was the chief center of attraction. It was there members of the gang held forth in all their glory. It was a large building, ablaze with light, and full of music and merriment. The different gambling tables numbered quite a score, while the dance hall was crowded with frail and faded beauties. The rustlers were faultlessly attired in white shirts and trousers, ornamented with two ivory handled six-shooters, carelessly and conveniently tucked inside the waist band. And how they danced and apparently enjoyed life. The drinking progressed as the night wore on, and the hilarity continued to increase until overcome by whiskey and fatigue they gradu- ally fell by the way-side, or were taken home by friends. Occasionally a revolver would drop to the floor, or was drawn and flourished by its happy owner, and still the dance went on. Frequently a row would occur, and occasionally a dead man or two would be carried out, but the dance went on just the same.

taken home by friends. Occasionally a revolver would drop to the floor, or was drawn and flourished by its happy owner, and still the dance went on. Frequently a row would occur, and occasionally a dead man or two would be carried out, but the dance went on just the same. After taking in the town, the writer accom- panied Charley Stevens to his room, and had hardly lain down when two pistol shots rang out only a block or so from the room. With true newspaper instinct the writer wanted to go down town and see what was going on, but Charley, with more experience, suggested that we wait awhile, as the fun might not yet be over. After a few minutes we went down to a little tent saloon, and found the corpse laid out on a bench, with a handkerchief tied round its head. Drinking was going on at the bar as usual. The victim was the railroad man who had testified against the rustlers. He had been shot in the back of the head. No one knew who did the shooting, and no arrests were made. It was the way the rustlers got even with men who dared testify against them.

he bar as usual. The victim was the railroad man who had testified against the rustlers. He had been shot in the back of the head. No one knew who did the shooting, and no arrests were made. It was the way the rustlers got even with men who dared testify against them. On the following day the writer renewed an old acquaintance with Heath and Kelly, saloon- keepers, who had sixty odd indictments against them in Dallas. Through them he met several of the gang and was introduced as an old friend, which under the circumstances was very pleasant, as it would prevent any accidents or misunderstandings in the future. Shortly after that time Heath organized a crowd and held up the company’s store at Bisbee, killing several persons, including a woman, and secured con- siderable cash and plunder. They were after- wards captured, and Kelly, Big Dan, Red Sample and Texas Howard were given a judi- cial hanging in Tombstone for the crime. Heath was lynched by a mob in Tombstone for the same offense. He was considered one of the hardest men in the southwest. He died game.

hey were after- wards captured, and Kelly, Big Dan, Red Sample and Texas Howard were given a judi- cial hanging in Tombstone for the crime. Heath was lynched by a mob in Tombstone for the same offense. He was considered one of the hardest men in the southwest. He died game. During our second day in Clifton, Kid Lewis, a sallow faced boy of about eighteen, shot his girl for some trivial offense. She was mortally wounded, but while she lived Kid saw that she had every attention, and followed her to the grave with a show of profound sorrow. He was not arrested. He was really one of the worst and most reckless men of the whole bad lot. He was very quick to shoot, giving the command to “throw up” afterwards. The writer was afterwards told by a citizen of the Mogol- ( 79 ) Ions, who was in Clifton the same summer, that early one night two men were killed across the river on the Mexican side. About 2 o’clock in the morning the Kid and a pal came into his room to sleep, and while retiring the Kid re- marked: “Great God, this is getting to be a tough country, when a man will give up his life before he will part with $45.” The Kid evi- dently did the “business,” as they termed it. A few weeks after his wife died. Kid was killed on the Gila by Constable Olguin, of Clifton.

ked: “Great God, this is getting to be a tough country, when a man will give up his life before he will part with $45.” The Kid evi- dently did the “business,” as they termed it. A few weeks after his wife died. Kid was killed on the Gila by Constable Olguin, of Clifton. On our third day there was a shooting of some sort in town, the particulars of which have slipped our memory.The man Campbell, superintendent of the company’s property, of whom mention is made above, become afraid of the rustlers and kept an armed guard around his house at night while the writer was on town. On two or three occasions the miners had been organized to come into town at night and clean the rustlers up, but when the critical moment came, Camp- bell went back on the plan and stopped it. At one time the miners had left the Coronado mine and were half way to town, when they were turned back by Campbell’s orders. The killing of Kid Lewis and the capture of Heath and his gang scattered the rustlers. Big Dave was killed somewhere in Arizona, and several others run out of the country. Shoot-em-up Dick was killed on the Rio Grande for horse stealing.

turned back by Campbell’s orders. The killing of Kid Lewis and the capture of Heath and his gang scattered the rustlers. Big Dave was killed somewhere in Arizona, and several others run out of the country. Shoot-em-up Dick was killed on the Rio Grande for horse stealing. Ike Clan- ton was shot some time afterwards by an officer on Eagle Creek, Cherokee Kid, Garcia and several others are in the Yuma pen, and Pilar, as hard a wretch as ever drew the breath of life, was hanged by Andy Laird in the court house yard in this city. It will be remembered by the Enterprise readers that Pilar kidnaped a Mexican girl on the Mimbres and that Thomas Hall, an old timer and as brave a man as ever walked, a deputy sheriff under Jim Woods, was looking for him. Hall fell in with him on the road at night coming from Pinos Altos. Whether Hall recognized the man or not never will be known. The girl was riding and Pilar was on foot. When they got near town. Pilar took de- liberate aim and Hall dropped from his horse dead. The writer has seen a good many tough towns, but has no hesitancy in saying that America never produced a tougher one than Clifton in ’83. Such a state of affairs as de- scribed of course could not last long, but while

de- liberate aim and Hall dropped from his horse dead. The writer has seen a good many tough towns, but has no hesitancy in saying that America never produced a tougher one than Clifton in ’83. Such a state of affairs as de- scribed of course could not last long, but while ti did, many a man lost his life in going to or returning from Clifton. It was impossible to dodge them; they were everywhere, and the man who resisted or made a fuss about it after- wards, was killed. Clifton is today one of the most quiet and orderly camps in the west. It is also one of the best. A Hint To Prospectors The Enterprise desires to call the attention of prospectors to the fact that they have for many years been passing over valuable deposits of marble, onyx and jasper, which in all prob- ability are of as great and possibly more perma- nent value than any gold or silver mine in the world. Take for instance the marble quarries of Carrera, Italy which have been in operation for hundreds of years and will continue to be worked for centuries to come. We have within the limits of Grant county a greater variety of the grades of marble than found in the same area anywhere on earth. Note the different kinds enumerated below.

have been in operation for hundreds of years and will continue to be worked for centuries to come. We have within the limits of Grant county a greater variety of the grades of marble than found in the same area anywhere on earth. Note the different kinds enumerated below. The serpentine rock with the newly manu- factured name of Ricolite found on the Gila river near Carlisle is a beautiful ornamental stone for architectural ornaments. It is banded with alternate strata of gray and green colors from one half to one inch in thickness. It rapidly gained the front rank in favor in the east, and the demand is greater than the supply, for the reason that transportation facilities are meagre. It is susceptible of a fine finish and is quite durable. This is probably the only deposit of it in the world, as no mention is made of such a rock in any work on geology or lithology. The marbles of Bear Creek, ten miles from Silver City, will without doubt attract a great deal of attention in the near future. The Black marble is of a jet black color, the variegated marbles of the same series are as fine as can be found anywhere, very even in texture and susceptible of a very high polish. Within the next year these quarries will be shipping large quantities east and west as there is a great demand for the kind of marble found there.

marbles of the same series are as fine as can be found anywhere, very even in texture and susceptible of a very high polish. Within the next year these quarries will be shipping large quantities east and west as there is a great demand for the kind of marble found there. The white sculptural marble of the Han- over district is said to be equal to Italian marble for sculptors’ use; the quarry has not been opened sufficiently to show its full merit but from surface indications the deposit is exten- ( 80 )

for the kind of marble found there. The white sculptural marble of the Han- over district is said to be equal to Italian marble for sculptors’ use; the quarry has not been opened sufficiently to show its full merit but from surface indications the deposit is exten- ( 80 ) sive, and when a little depth below the influ- ence of the waving elements on the surface is reached, the few flaws found on top will no doubt disappear. Add to the above jasper of the finest quality found in the Tres Hermanns range below Doming, and as we are informed never yet located or developed. A few weeks ago a gentleman exhibited in this office a pair of sleeve buttons and a ring cut from this valuable and beautiful stone which he said he found on a vein in the Trcs Hermanns several years ago. The samples shown equal anything of the kind to be found in Egypt. Then again gold stone is known to exist in large deposits in the mountain range northeast of Hudson’s hot springs, between Hudson’s and the Mimbres. While prospecting for the precious metals look^ out for valuable architectural, ornamental and' jewel stones. Many of these rocks when broken show but little sign of their true value but when placed upon a grind stone and smoothed or polished, their beauties begin to appear. When you are in doubt take your samples to where you can test them in this way, and you may find yourself the possessor of a fortune you little dreamed of.

gn of their true value but when placed upon a grind stone and smoothed or polished, their beauties begin to appear. When you are in doubt take your samples to where you can test them in this way, and you may find yourself the possessor of a fortune you little dreamed of. The Lyons & Campbell cattle company arq about to finish one of the largest sales of steer cattle ever made from a western range. In July they shipped 2600 head, August 9, 1984, August 25, 1856 and will ship this week 1000 head more, making a total of 7440 head for one sea- son, worth upwards of $75,000. Grant county has the resources as well as climate, and they are rapidly coming to the front; stay at home, you are all right. From January 1st to August 30th, a period of eight months. Wells Fargo & Company have shipped from this city $131,055 in gold and $9,876 in silver bullion. A considerable amount has been disposed of through the banks and other sources, roughly estimated at 33 per cent of the above amount which added, gives a fair idea of what our mines have produced. Monday evening Mr. and Mrs. Betts gave a farewell party to Miss Frances R. Newcomb. There were present Mrs. W. A. Leonard, Mrs. L. B. Morrill, Misses Ada Martin, Amelia and

at 33 per cent of the above amount which added, gives a fair idea of what our mines have produced. Monday evening Mr. and Mrs. Betts gave a farewell party to Miss Frances R. Newcomb. There were present Mrs. W. A. Leonard, Mrs. L. B. Morrill, Misses Ada Martin, Amelia and Frances Ott, Messrs. Newcomb, Black, Cox, Aiken, Miles, Henry Carter. Miss Newcomb left on Tuesday’s train for her home at Boston, Mass. The Rain Makers Of Socorro The editor of the Advertiser and several others went up on top of the Socorro mountain on Wednesday last with several hundred pounds of giant powder and tried to make water, and after fooling around for a time they made wind, and came home. If, as the Chieftain meanly intimates. Brother McCutchen failed to make water, after climbing to the summit of the Socorro mountain he has our sympathy, but on the other hand McC. himself claims that he produced plenty of it, so much in fact, that the people of the surrounding counties would like to have him let up a little bit. The Enterprise whilst differing with the Chieftain in many respects, is not mean enough to wish the editor of the Advertiser any harm, and hopes that he may be able to produce the necessary discharges whenever called upon to do so. As for making wind. Brother Williams know how that is himself.