Historic Western Trails ._ * Vol. 2 * II' ��� to Stake Your uwn � Index 37 A Brief History of GOLD in 10 Gold Coins "The Beavers" 35 Tombstone "The Town Too Tuolumne County by Nancy Wilson, Curator Tough To Die" By Ralph "Sierra" Shock The McLoughlin House By JoAn Jackson Ashwood, Home of the "Red 5 Gold Fever Toppenish & Fort Simco .. 25 56 : By Steven Davies Jacket" Mine 54 Gold is Discovered in :��; Washington Territory The Town Came To The Railroad 31 Auburn, A Town Lost in Time 8 By Nancy Wilson, Curator, By George Greely By Louise Steams, Director, .·. The McLoughlin House Oakland Museum :< The Golden Rogue .. 18 True or False, A Hair Raising 24 Blue Mountain Crossing By Bonnie Eisley 48 Adventure 7 Bohemia, There's Still Gold Here 42 Grand Union Hotel By Dusty Rhodes by John Watson Granite, A Living Ghost Town 30 Virginia City, Montana Information supplied by Andy Mash 44 23 Buried Treasure Near Pendleton By Todd Moyer Califomias Famous Argonauts 26 Hells Canyon Massacre 38 46 Virgina City, Nevada By Glen Turner By Wayne Westfall By Todd Moyer Camels in Arizona 22 Klamath River Still Yeilds 34 44 Utah, Where Silver Was King by Sam Johnson Treasure By Wendall Hall 23 Canyon City, Born in a Gold Rush 53 Warning 39 Colorado, Tales of Boom Days Washington's "Lucky Lady" By Todd Moyer By Randy Jackson \ 25 48 The Comstock Lode Where To Pan Gold in Oregon By Ross Maguire 17 Wyatt Earp, Man of Legend The Coos County Gold Rush 20 By Sarah Brent 50 Crazy Horse Memorial 51 Deadwood, South Dakota By George Harvey :) 9 The Ed Scheifflin Story E from material submitted Stanley R. 7 Following 12 ':�..: Gold is aU around �.f����fJ us though we're not aware of it. Gold is a trace element in many plants and animals. Soil contains by Roger R<�ml} �HQMtdlWtFt *Potential Sites 9\GoldMining Sites GOLD FEVER old can be cast, carved, One third of the gold G ever mined, about rolled or hammered as 1.1 billion ounces is thin as 1/100,000 of an inch, in government thinnest of any metal. While vaults around the world. The mint in gold is 19 times heavier than Fort Knox, Kentucky water it can be hammered so is the home of most thin it almost floats. of this nations gold Gold has been used throughout his reserves. tory. It was used for jewelry cups and GO LD FEVER, it ornamentsfor centuries. Gold has been gets into your blood found in the tombs of ancient Egypt and inspires you to dating back to 3,500 B.C. The coffin of search for treasure, Tutankhamen was made of gold and always hoping to weighed 242 pounds. strike it rich. Maybe Gold was the treasure that spurred its your turn, you'll the explorations of the early Spaniards never know unless and even Columbus. The early Span you try, its still out iards sent ships loaded with iron pyrite there somewhere. back thinking it was gold Iron pyrite is TheGold Prospector commonly known as "fools gold" They drawing by Frank Murdock, P.O. Box 2406, Missoula, MT59806-2406 learned "All that glitters is not gold" Write or call for information on ... first hand. Gold has been found in every state. In America one of the first "gold W�ere Ta Pan Far Gald In Oregan rushes" occurred in 1799 in North Carolina. A 12 year old by the name of 1-Quartzville Recreational Corridor a - Eagle Forks Campground Conrad Reed found a 17 pound nugget Western Cascades Pine Ranger District in a stream just 40 miles northeast of Your Metal Detecting Salem District BLM Halfway, OR 978 34 Charlotte. His father sold the nugget to 1717 Fabry Rd SE Books & VARIETY (503) 742-7511 a jeweler for $3.50. The Georgia gold & Salem, OR 97306 b- McCully Forks Campground rush was in 1829 and of course the 18 49 (503) 399-5646, Free Site "A Store for Every Season, West of Sumpter gold rush in California helped settle Prospecting Headquarters Butte Falls Recreational Area Something for Any Reason" 2- Deer Creek Campground the west. Prospecting Gold Pans & Dredges SWOregon North of Phillips lake 6 Gold. After the California gold rush Equipment Medford District BLM Powder Keene-Gold King Books • Maps • Souvenirs • Gifts River Recreation Area there were more, Arizona, New Mex 6 3040 Biddle Road Greeting Cards • Party Supplies Below Mason Dam ico, Utah, Washington and Oregon fol Metal Detectors Mfg. of Nugget Jewelry • Costumes • Crafts Medford, OR 97504 Baker Ranger District lowed. The gold rush in Colorado in 6 Office & Art Supplies • Toys (503) 770-2200, Free Site Baker City, Or 978 14 18 59 at Pike's Peak opened Colorado to Applegate Ranger District 3- (503) 523-4476 settlement. Thousands went to Ne For Hobbyists & Commercial Use SWOregon c- Antlers Guard Station vada in the 18 60's, then to Idaho and 6941 Upper Applegate Road Unity Ranger District Montana from 18 61 to 1866, and the Jacksonville, OR 97530 Unity, OR 9788 4 Black Hills of South Dakota occurred in (503) 899- 18 12 (503) 446-3351 the 1870's. The last great gold rush was D & K Detector Sales, Inc. 4 Fee Sites Charge is $1.00 to Alaska in 18 97. per day for panning 13Jog SE Division Gold today is used for many things, Wallowa-Whitman National Portland, OR 97236 (503) 622-3280 4- Gold Panning is also permitted on jewelry and dentistry use the most. Tues- Thurs 10-5 Forest NEOregon nearly & rivers 9am - 6 pm Mon - Sat all streams running Many other industries use gold as 800-542-GOLD Friday 10-6 Forest Supervisor throu ds on 68212 E. Hwy 26 gh campgroun BLM, and well, for computer circuits to radiation Saturday 10-3 P.O. Box 907 USDA e land in (503) 761-1521 Welches, OR 97067 Forest Servic Oregon. shields on the helmets of astronauts. . Baker City, OR 523-6391, Free Sites 6 Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 GOLD 7 GOLD Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 Ouarlzville Bohemia, Fallaw 10 Simple Rules 1-lf you are not sure about the area Written By road would take those who or the land status where you are Martha Steinbacher, Director had determined to enhance Therels Still Gold Here interested check with the closest East Linn Museum their fortunes to Oregon City, State, BLM, or USFS office first. An August 14,1960 copy of the Sun Sublimity, across Potter's by John Watson may be gone, but the historic mines are • 2- Be sure if you open a gate that day Oregonian had an interesting arti Ferry on the South Santiam In 1858 Frank Bass and William still here. More importantly you can you close it behind you. cle about Quartzville. It said and thence by way of Fox Prai Oglesby discovered the first gold in still find gold here. There are (lpproxi • 3 -Get permission first if you wish "Oregon's State Highway map shows rie and Meadows to the sum the Bohemia District near what is to mately 60 patented gold claims.on pri to cross private land Quartzville to be located in the moun mit of Gold Mountain. But the day Cottage Grove, Oregon. In the late vate land and some 300 unpatented 4 -Take your trash out with you, tainous region of Eastern Linn County road was not even partially 1800's and early 1900's mining claims on public land in the district, its don't leave it behind. completed until September, • about 34 miles from Foster. A good Thestory of the Lone Burro Express was so reached its peak in this area. Millions important that before you start you 5 - Stay on the open roads if you 1865 when the stagedelivered scenic but crooked black-top road unusual that it published in Ripley's famous of dollars worth of gold has been ex make sure you are panning in an area drive in. Miss Dimick and M. Keller, the • leads to the locality, but where when Believe It Or Not. The faithfulold burro tracted by both small time prospectors where there are no active claims. Be 6- Don't disturb the plant life, if its you get there, is Quartzville..... Now the first ladies to travel the route, traveled the 12 mile trail between Quartzville and major mining interests. sure to check for claim stakes as most growing, let it grow. place is so very dead that even the and 600 pounds of freight to and Robert's Station, Oregon alone carrying the Before the gold rush school was in claims are well marked. You might not • 7 - Remember public land belongs ghosts have fled". The Oregon Specta Quartzville and Bryant City supplies and daily mail for the miners there. only part of the year and even church hit a bonanza but you just might get to us all, enjoy it, use it, love it and tor for February, 1849 reported discov (the first red-light district in services were not held every Sunday. lucky. share it. East Linn County). ery of gold in the Santiam Country. it was so mixed with antimony, contro Gold changed all that, soon there were According to the Cottage Grove • 8- Do not disturb sites of historic August 25, 1864 a poster This yeilded $4.00 a day for those who appeared in versy and acrimony that it couldn't be churches of several denominations Ranger District Brice Creek is very or scientific value. If in doubt leave panned along the streams. "Small pick Salem that almost shouted, "Ho! for separated." and school a full term. A livery stable, good for recreational panning. If you it alone. ings." Quartzville." All persons wishing to go Then in 1894 W. B. Lawler started to blacksmith, general store, flour rriill, stop at the District office you can get a • 9- BE CAREFUL WITH FIRE. If In 1860 Asahel Bush's Salem paper to this region of riches were to meet at construct a twenty mile road from the and saloons, a hotel, even a sawmill guide listing regulations and sugges you light it put it dead out before reported 500 miners were panning the courthouse armed and equipped. rail head at Gates to Quartzville where soon sprang up to supply the miners. tions for the amateur prospector. Al you leave it. gold in the Santiam country forty to Also every man would furnish his own he planned to build a twenty-stamp The population swelled to some 3,000 ways keep in mind that there is danger • 10- Enjoy yourself fifty miles from Salem, "color up there rations for the four days, a horse and mill, establish a post office to be called people. Soon there was a doctor, tailor, around both active and inactive min up to $2.00 a pan." About this time a other necessities gratis. Amiden to escape the stigma of and more. Slabs of wood were laid end ing areas, so use good judgment. Re reporter for Bush's paper, perhaps Quartzville was platted, at least on Quartzville and build housing for 100 to end to serve as_ a main street so that member that any equipment you see Bush himself, returned to Salem from paper, in 1865. No records of that plat miners. Quartzville was back in busi the wagons could negotiate through should be considered private property this alluring region of potential riches can be found in Linn County Court ness. Their initial outlay was $100,000 town. Those sl?bs gave rise to the and "claim jumpers" are not popular. along Quartz Creek. He acknowledged house. Notices on trees named those and during the first year they made towns nickname of Slabtown. For information before you start con , that there was "Some gold, less grub who claimed lots on vague streets in an most of this first cost. In 1896 produc It isn't booming now but you can still tact the Cottage Grove Ranger Station and no whiskey at all and the lack of unidentified area of brush and stumps. tion of gold was reported as being in find gold. The old timers leading their at (503) 942-5591 stimulant was a great calamity. Really, But after 1866 came cold reality and a excess of 3,000 ounces. horses or burros laden with treasure it was unsafe to drink chilly Santiam host of warm expectations were pain "Legless" Jim Church, whose frozen "Thar'sGold water without addition of the warming fully chilled. Santiam mining stocks limbs were amputated as a conse in ThemHills" influence." He had departed the auri came to be regarded as nothing more quence of trying to get outside and -The rough freous region, he said, not because pan than waste paper. Those who held bring relief to snowbound and starving and rugged life Somethingfor Everyone! ning failed but for "reasons of his stock got it out of sight and tried to just miners, drove the six-mile freight of an early health". forget. Two men who were badly af wagon from Gates to Amiden over prospector was Hummels • Crystal There was a big problem - how to get flicted visited Quartzville in 1869 to Lawler's steep and dangerous road. often lonely , Cairn Gnomes haul away wrought iron from the to the Quartzville mines. A new route Late in 1897 Lawler's enterprise failed. but the Music Boxes Jewelry to the Santiam mines and Quartzville quartz mill as the only salvage worthy The saloon and red-light district at romantic • at the base of Gold Mountain, 90 miles of the cost of transportation. nearby Bryant quit too. Amiden post lifestyle was Myrtlewood from Portland was proposed. The new When J. Henry Brown, the historian, office closed June 16, 1902. The second rewarding. Oregon Jams & Jellies visited Quartzville in 1871 he observed gold rush to South Santiam country T-shirts Souvenirs the place to be in decay, a ghost town was over. • Original artwork more where the bats and owls roosted in and QUARTZVILLE During the Depression unemployed titled "Thar's Gold vacant buildings and where gaping, MINING PRODUCTS men moved to Quartzville and mined in Them Hills" by exhausted tunnels 1-5- Exit 174 W ASSAYS W DETECTORS �-� had the appearance as extensively as their limited re Marge Mayes, W W CLAIM INFO DREDGES of hideous bores. Col. J. W. Redington, sources would permit. And now the . Artist, Crown Art (541) 942-9023 W CLAIM FILING W SLUICES Order Line a mining expert summarized the again in the W PANNING 1·800·417·6306 miners are active Quartz Works in Haines, 1·800-942·9023 "PROSPECTING 945 LESSONS SUPPLIES Other Business Quartzville boom of the 1860's by say ville area still chasing that elusive min Oregon. Gateway Blvd. Sweet Home, Oregon 503-367-8408 97424 ing "There was gold there all right, but eral called GOLD. Cottage Grove, OR GOLD Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 9 8 Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 GOLD • d Schiellelin Stu he own Came D e Bl a ad he by Louise Stearns, Director From material submitted by Stanley R. Boyle goes on "The Coffee Creek Ed Schieffelin was found dead on the Osborn, Caretaker, Canyonville Pioneer Oakland Museum camp had been deserted for years be steps of his cabin, slumped over his Museum fore Ed arrived in Canyonville. But gold pan. He had apparently died as he In the late 1860's an agent for the Ed Schieffelin made the first big sil Schieffelin, the prospector, was inter was assaying some ore. The official O&C Railroad arrived in Oakland, ver strike that resulted in the founding ested. He is reported to have told local cause of death was listed as a heart Oregon and informed the merchants of of Tombstone, Arizona. Inhis "The Ed residents he came to Douglas County attack although one of his brothers be the few stores that the Railroad would Shieffelin Story" printed in Pioneer to find the "lost channel" that carried lieved the chemicals he used in the as be built thru the country in a year or Days in Canyonville, Vol. 2, Lawrence the gold from the ledge to the creek -to say might have been the cause. Others two and he wondered who owned the Boyle tells of Schieffelin's continued him, the mother lode". speculated that the excitement of his land it would occupy. One of the mer town of Oakland was located about a been altered, most retain their 1890's search for gold after Tombstone. Much of the information about gold discovery might have led to his chants volunteered to take the agent to mile north and east of where the rail look and appeal. Two boast cast iron According to Boyle's report Schieffe Schieffelinssearch was told to Boyle by death. Whatever the cause Ed Schieffe the farm and introduce the agent to the road would be built. Mr. Brown then fronts with fancy work. The town is on lin returnedto Oregon the for last time local residents, descendants of pioneer lin took the secret location of the man, a Mr. Barnett.Mr. Barnett said he made another deal. He offered the mer the National Historic Register and ef in 1897. "Canyonville had had its days families who remain in the area. Ed mother lode with him to his grave. wasn't interested in any railroad and chants a free lot for their businesses if forts are made to retain the historic of gold fever - reputed strikes, placer was often the topic of conversation and Many have looked long and hard for didn't want one coming thru his prop they would move to the new site and flavor of the town. mining, the works. One of the most the stories are well remembered. Boyle Ed's treasure but it is still out there just erty. The merchant, Mr. Alonzo proceeded to plat the rest of the land Typical of many small towns in the talked about is still the placer diggings continues " Ed Schieffelin chose his waiting to be found. Brown, being a true capitalist, saw a into lots to sell for houses. The build Pacific Northwest, Oakland has lost of Coffee Creek and its short tributary, new camp wisely. From it he could Editors Note: To read about Schieffe splendid business opportunity and of ings were loaded on sleds and dragged the lumber mill once in town and is Texas Gulch. Coffee Creek was discov now easily reach the headwaters, not lin's Arizona discoveries turn to page 35. fered to buy out Mr. Brown on the spot to the new site and a new town sprung now relying heavily on tourism. The ered in 1852. The name has an interest only of Days Creek, but also Myrtle The books' Pioneer Days in Canyonville for $5,000.00. up at its present day location. town has thousands of visitors each ing origin. The story goes that a group Creek, Deadman Creek and especially Vol. 1 & 2 are fo r sale at the Canyonville The problem then facing Mr. Brown The railroad arrived in 1871 and the year and efforts are under way to pro of renegade Indians was causing Coffee Creek and Texas Gulch. He Museum. Funds are used to support the and the other merchants was that the town prospered into a thriving ship vide more for tourists to do. In the trouble among the peaceable Indians. could prospect streams, tributaries and museum and park. See ad on this page. ping center and mail terminus. Fires in meantime, residents are still enjoying The settlers organized a posse to drive gulches in all directions, and with a 1892 and 1899 destroyed the wood the quiet life many small towns pro away the troublesome renegades. Dur minimum of hiking. This vast expanse \-\AR�r.f�t90J\! buildings and were replaced with lo vide with good schools, churches, and ing the chase one of the pursuers be Featuring Vegetarian Cuisine of mountain wilderness must have - Lunches-to-go - cally made brick. These buildings organizations for all ages. came violently ill, and the posse been a challenge to him. Bulk Foods· Gourmet Coffees . Medicinal Herbs. Spices stand today and although some have Naturopathic Consultations by appointment stopped at the small stream. The sick Tough old prospector that he was, he Dr. Rowan C. Dunnigan, N.D. man kept moaning, "Oh, God, I wish I accepted the challenge and found it Naturopathic Consultant 134 SE 1st . Oakland . 459-0423 had a cup of coffee!" So the men named exciting and satisfying and -difficult. the stream Coffee Creek." "Found it at Last," he wrote in his di Gold was later discovered in Coffee ary, words for other prospectors to re Creek. A vast amount of gold - several member and heed. "Richer than millions of dollars in gold dust is said Tombstone." This was no chance dis to have been taken out of Coffee Creek covery of a rich prospect. To Ed Schief and its tributaries, Texas Gulch, Gra felin it must have been the culmination Box 3 • 207 N.E. Locust St. ham Gulch, and Granite Creek. Texas Oakland, OR 97462 of a lifetime of searching - a prospec "Look For Our Large Sign" 459-3995 Gulch was the largest producer." tor's dream come true." • 38 Space RV Park • 250 Slot Machines • 24 Hr Top-Rated Restaurant PARK Canyonvi{{e Pioneer CO • Live Keno Museum OREGON GOURMET • Free Admission P.O. Box 704 " High Stakes Bingo 421 S.W. 5th Street • Jackpots Up To Canyonville, OR 97417 $25,000 EXPRESS® Beef SteakJerky By Exit 98 6 Great Flavors • Sweet • Spicy • Teriyaki • • Cow CREEK 100 rooms with private Gold Veins 503-839-4845 Jalapeno Natural Red Chili Pepper balconys overlooking the We use only U.S.D.A. Choice Beef GAMING CENTER South Um qua River. Come in for your FREETASTE SAMPLE p On 1-5 bit 99 Pool • Sva • Exercise Room 375 Harvard • Blvd. Roseburg, OR 97470 • Home Cookin' & a (503) 839-6670 In State 1-800-548-8461 Exit #124 off of Interstate 5 friendly smile • Best Biscuits & Gravy fax 839-4989 Out of State 1-503-839-1111 Ph. 503-673-7517 in the Northwest 146 CHIU MIWAU:TA LANE show o earth s gold (S0"3>) 8"3>9-62.64 • Homemade pies, cakes Fax Illustrations h w ' molten core move toward • CA.NY NVU.U: 97:,:4:...::1..::..7- 503-673-8331 Canyonville, OR 97417 & cinnamon rolls 402 MAIN ST. PO Box 283 O OR .,1 Toll Free: the surface of the earth. Then erosion and water move the gold Exit 98 1-5 No FRILlS, JUST �URN GOOt> GRUB AT A FAIR UIC:E! Canyonville, OR 97417 1-800-898-7666 down mountain streams and ravines. • 10 Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 GOLD GOLD Historic Western Trails • Vo.l. 2 11 Gald Cains liThe BeaverS11 Finding Gald Roseburg Stages Victim al By Nancy Wilson, Curator metal worker and die maker. The dies Is Simple? The McLoughlin House were made from old steel wagon tires Black Barl since no other metal was available. An Early pioneers who came to the Ore By Art English gon Country brought little cash with other member was a blacksmith who Maybe! The CaliforniaStage Co. completed them. Many different items were used melted the raw gold into sheets which the first overland link between Port as a medium of exchange - beaver could be rolled out to make the gold en so it is said. All you need to land and Sacramento in 1860. This pelts, cattle, tools, grain or anything coins. Kellog, McGregor, Taylor, Rec W "Here I lay me down to sleep do is to go where it has been found 710 mile road closely parralled todays else they could find to strike a bargain. tor, Campbell and Smith's initials are to wait the coming morrow. before. And of course it helps if you I-5 corridor. It took 500 horses, 30 wag This way of doing business was quite on one side of the coin along the edge Perhaps success, perhaps defeat know a little about what you are ons and 28 coaches to keep 'the stage unhandy and not very practical. Often with a beaver on a log in the center and and everlasting sorrow. looking for. road operating. Way stations and over the men could not agree on the quality "O.T." for the Oregon Territory and the The very rare and valuable $10.00 Oregon I've labored long and hard for bread, Not all that glitters is really gold. Iron night stops were about every 12 to 15 and value of the medium of exchange, date 1849 below. On the flip side - the Beaver Coin. About 2500 of these were made at for honor and for riches, pyrite known as "fools gold" has miles. The trip took 6 dusty, tiring, and a bitter argument might occur. name Oregon Exchange Company the Oregon City mint. The last one found in but on my corns too long you've fooled many an novice prospector into bouncing days to complete. The population of the Willamette around the edge, and the value of the the demolishing of the old Masonic Temple at tread dreams of wealth. When looked at There were stage robberies on the Valley was about 13,000 in1848. When coin in the center. The coins were Salem, Oregon, was sold to a California Coin You fine haired sons of B- -s!. closely pyrite does not really look like line believed to have been committed gold was discovered minted in a building collector recently for $13,500. But come what will, I'll try it on, gold at all, it is brassy in color and by the infamous Black Bart, known as in California, many along the Willamette Courtesy of The McLoughlin House my condition can't be worse; changes color as it reflects the sun. the gentleman bandit. Three of the men left Oregon to River where a paper mill and if there's money in that box Sometimes it even looks tarnished. But coaches he robbed were from Rose seek their fortunes. stands today. The money nia gold into legal tender, many of the its money in my purse. GOLD ah, it never changes, it AL burg and one from Lakeview. They Since the men were was called "Beaver beaver coins were taken south and Black Bart" WAYS looks like gold. were robbed close to the Oregon Cali some of the first to Coins". melted into gold bars. A nice profit was Bart didn't want to prospect for gold Gold is,also heavy, it sinks to the fornia border. Black Bart, whose real reach the gold fields, Meanwhile the Ore made by the seller of the coins with anymore, he let others do that, he bottom of the gold pan, if it floats or name was Charles E. Boles, was finally they were in on the gon Country was be many cashed in by the Federal Govern found his own way to get his gold. washes out of the gold pan easily it caught. Boles had served honorably in ground floor and coming a territory of the ment. may be mica. Mica comes in several the Civil War, prospected for gold in many prospered. On United States. Because Few of the total number of beaver colors and is sometimes mistaken for Montana, and in about 1875 started returning north they the coins would not be coins are left today. The Oregon His gold by inexperienced panners. robbing stages in California where he brought back virgin legal tender, 8% more torical Society owns several, some are The unique $5.00 Oregon Beaver Coin. Gold can come in many different had professed to be a mining engineer. go1 d dust and nug- gold than face value was in private collections. But you just 6000 of these were struck with shapes and sizes, nuggets like odd He was sentences on November 21, gets which resulted included in the coins so never know where a beaver coin might homemade dies in the Oregon City shaped seeds of varying sizes, wires, 1883 to 6 years in San Quinton. When in large quantities of no one would be cheated tum up! In 1988 a family in Gladstone private mint in 1849. The replaced the crystals shaped like feathers, fragile he was released he disappeared, not to raw gold in the Ore- if they were to accept the was having a garage sale to sell off beaver skin as a medium of exchange. and beautiful, or even just flat flecks of be heard from again, although 3 other gon Country. coins in trade. items that had once belonged to the color. If you were to get very lucky you stage robberies occurred. A group of Oregon Five and ten dollar man's mother. A number of pieces of might find a nugget as big as your fist, Bart left a note in the strongbox from City businessmen decided to sponsor beaver coins were struck; 2500 ten dol jewelry were placed in a basket, includ it doesn't happen often but it could and the stage robbery of ofJuly25, 1878 that their own mint - the Oregon Exchange lar coins and 6000 five dollar coins. ing an 18 carat gold bracelet with a & that is the fun of prospecting, the said; Company - and produce coins made of When a mint was established in San charm. Luckily the first patrons at the GOURMET KITCH EN dream of striking it rich. unalloyed gold. One of the men was a Francisco in the 1858's to coin Califor- sale were friend, because they recog Tasting Room June through September nized that the charm was a $10.00 bea Open Daily 11 to 5 ver coin. Being good honest friends, The Place To Stay In Off-Season: Wed through Sunday SUN£HINEOLD WESTBLDG. SHOPPE£ MALL The Right they told the seller, and he immedi $ Roseburg Noon to 4 Place 9 NE Main St. . 1 NE Main St. Idleyld Trading Post ately removed the bracelet from the ·· Dining The Right SECOND &!ta"l? ONE-OF-A May through September "Up where the fishing's good!" sale. The beaver coin was banded, it HAND - ,._� KIND Price Wed through Sunday �Tackle Shop/Live Bait had not been pierced, and was in excel GIFTS II to 4 BEST WESTERN �Groceries/Deli ' lent condition. When the man had the in "walkable" Winston - Oregon The Garden Villa Motel �Chicken/Cold Drink� bracelet appraised, he found it to be On the Applegate Trail We Combine Great Food KLAMATH INN Exit 125 With Quality Wine �Fishing & Hunting License worth between $30,000 and $40,000. IDLEYLD PARK 1-5 Independently Owned & Operated , LODGE & RESTAURANT Private Dinners, Parties & He tucked it away in his safety deposit +Lodging Call For Reservations Today! INDOOR HEATI;D POOL • HBO Special Events Year-round Fu�o�:�ce Open Daily box to perhaps help his grandchildren +All meals cooked to order (503) 672-1601 by Reservation 4061 S. 6th Street � s;�;�����m + Air conditioned dining room go to college. +Live music on weekends 1-800-528-1234 679-9654 Klamath Falls, Oregon 97603 + Open 7 days a week • 7am-9pm So remember, when you're out and +All credit cards accepted 760 N.W. Garden Valley Blvd. 1-5 exit 119 (South of Roseburg) Phone Reservations about - history is always surrounding On scenic Highway 138-20 miles east of Roseburg Roseburg, OR 97470 2nd left at Winery Lane (503) 882-1200 1-800-528-1234 We sold a $5000 Idleyld Park, Oregon • (503) 496-0088 Powerball ticket! you, and special treasures can often be found in unexpected places! -:II Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 13 12 Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 GOLD GOLD Fallowing lllialdenll Faalprinls By Roger Ramsey Split some firewood and lugged it in, My great-grandparents Joe and Amy enough to fill the kitchen bin. Dysert, purchased 7 mining claims on Coyote Creek in 1879 , for $600.00. In Cleaned the lamps and put in oil, 189 0 this became the town site of Gold steU/ed some apples she thought en, Oregon, which is located 3lh miles might spoil. east of I-5 at exit 76, Wolf Creek. One Churnedsome butter, baked a cake, hundred ten years later, I bought the then exclaimed, "For mercy's sake, Golden town site for $42,000 dollars. the calves have got out of the pen." When I give tours and entertain people Went out and chased them in again. here I feel as if I'm following in my great grandparents footsteps. Gathered the eggs, and cleaned the One miner named Pettengill wrote in stable, his diary in 1880, that he and three returnedto the house and set the other miners walked for three hours to table. attend a dance at Joe Dysert place on Cooked a supper that was delicious, Coyote Creek, and then danced until2 and afterwards she washed the A.M.. dishes. I have worked in the timber industry for thirty years, which provides me Fed the cat, sprinkled some cloths, with a comfortable living here in Gold darned some socks that were full of en. However I realize that I'm riding 1915 Esterly Mine near Waldo, Oregon. Don Cameron at leftwear ing a gold holes> upon the shoulders of my great great pan for a hat. My grandfather Clay Ramsey, at right, was a foreman at the Then she opened the organ and 1915 ESTERLY MINE "CLEAN-UP" - The photographer used a mirror to get grandparents Stephen and Mary Esterly for 16 years. Photos courtesy of Roger Ramsey began to play, into the picture. In the gold pan are 3 pieces of solid gold, after they came out of Dysert, who came to Oregon from Mis "When You Come To TheEnd Of Grandpa Ramsey's retort pot, which I have here at Golden. The center piece of souri with their son Joseph, who later at the cougar, with all the pups fighting blood or water in this ditch, now you A Perfect Day" gold filled the pot, which holds 3 measuring cups fullof water. married Amy Inman. They all endured it. Stephen had given Joe charge over just take your pick." The man rode Golden and meet Roger Ramsey in person. many hardships that have made my his pups, so there was only one thing away and wasn't seen again and Joe Here at Golden, Oregon I have a 1/ 2 they would bring every piece to me life much easier and more comfortable. to do. Joe waded into the fight and went back to work. hour video in the church, built in 1892, and ask if it had gold in it. He has done a lot to restore Golden and has When Joe was 16 years old, his father proceeded to beat the cougar to death Now, what was Joe's wife Amy do for people to watch when I'm not here. The youngest boy found something many interesting tales to tell. Stephen's hound had pups. Joe said with the barrel of his rifle. Inthe proc ing while Joe was working so hard in When I'm home, I have a lot of fun interesting and showed it to his "I'll train them for you dad." One day ess the cougar clawed Joe on his back. the mine to provide for his family? My showing people around. For instance, brother, who said "I don't know what A Family Joe was working the pups and they Over the years when Joe would tell this grandmother answers this question one day a brand new Mercedes pulls it is, but I will find out for you." He Restaurant went after a cougar. When Joe caught story, he would remove his shirt and with a poem that she wrote about a day up with California license plates. It was came up to me and said "What is this?" up with them the pups had the cougar show the scars on his back as a witness in her mothers life. a mom and dad with their2 young sons I tried not to smile to wide when I said cornered up against a large log. The to any doubters. who were dressed for downtown L.A., "Well son, here in Oregon we call that cougar had already hurt one of the One day, Joe was digging a mining Mama's Mama more than Golden. When I mentioned deer poop." By Mabel Dysert Ramsey pups, but Joe couldn't get a clear shot ditch for his placer mine. A stranger beaver dams on Coyote Creek, well Editors Note: Be sure to stop by and see rode up on horse these 2 boys weren't go Mama's Mama on a winters day, back and says ing home without seeing Milked the cows and fed them hay. "Hey, you can't a beaver dam. Earlier I Slopped the hogs, saddled the mule, Wolf Creek Country Store dig this ditch here had explained to the �ollltllfSpeciali_y !lJ'£_ and got the children of!to school. and run water in boys the difference be A Gallery of Gifts it." When Joe saw tween hardrock mining � -' Gourmet Pizza Did a washing, mopped thefloor s, that this man was and placer mining. I ot� Local Oregon-made arts A� -' Great Fresh Salads washed the windows and did some showed them a piece of a stranger to the � Steaks • Pasta • Seafood and collectables chores. � uattedUtI) -' area he cocked his quartz ore, explaining 2965 NE Diamond Lake Blvd. Cooked a dish of home driedfruit, -' Great Wine List shovel back, came how the gold leaches out Roseburg, Oregon 97470 pressed her husband's Sunday shirt. boiling up out of of the rock into the Closed Sundays (503) 862-2000 the ditch like a streams. On our walk 3: Swept the parlor, made the beds, � 681 I Williams Hwy badger and said, (503) 673-1952 baked a dozen loaves of bread. Grants Pass, OR 97527 "Stranger, I'll run 14 Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 GOLD 15 GOLD Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 . The Thousand Dallar Nugget THE littlest f���- -� \11 _ ttky _BIGGEST �, � i"Pl'in" By Larry L. McLane, Author of lies approximately four miles west of help set up a full fledged hydraulic Dtscount Store , _ "First There Was Twogood, a Pictorial the present Interstate 5 freeway in mine. Water was pumped from a dam in the Valley! f\1fA• fijdjV History of Northern Josephine Sunny Valley, Oregon. on Brimstone Creek up the mountain Jt: ·-••/ County" The mine more accurately described so a hydraulic giant could be used. Gifts • Pinatas • Toys • Souvenirs was on a hillside somewhat higher One of Bob Goff's tasks was to teach Paper Supplies • Novelties Clothing and More than the Creek. The old time miners the Burns how to properly pan for rave Creek and its Wholesale - Retail G long since gone told of how the Stove gold. When it came Mrs. Burns turn to tributaries in Northern pipe Mine got its name. It seems that learn this art, Bob picked up some Mon-Sat 1 0 - 5:30 Sun 12-4 (503) 474-0657 Josephine County, Oregon, prior to the coming of the 0 & C Rail loose dirt and gravel for the gold pan, 214 NW 6th St. Phone & Fax road, mining pipe was too expensive to as he was putting dirt and gravel into are well known and Grants Pass, OR 97526 Ray & Judy transport long distances, so this mine the gold pan he discovered what documented as having been locator improvised by joining stove looked to be a rock covered with red very large producers of Gold, pipe joints to carry water around the mud, but, as he went to throw it out he both in placer and hardrock hillside from up Brimstone Creek to knew by the weight that it was no or 1Wogood mining fo r over one hundred supply water to hismine. However, as dinary rock. Bob, keeping a poker face First There Was water pressure was lacking he used the then took the gold pan and its contents A history of the settling of Northern Josephine County years. available water to run through his to a panning area and instructed Mrs. from 1851 until the demise of Burns in washing some of the original towns. anything that ap $29.95 Morrison, Mrs. Burns, Robert Burns, and Bob Graff + $4pstg/hndlg {503) 479-2069 peared to be rocks Leftto right: Earl Sexton Ent. . 1187 Placer Rd ·Wolf Creek, OR 97497 clean before dis carding as they on the purity and Northern Josephine County" This work is may be gold just ounce depending � $1,015. At this time, 1995, a history of the settling of Northern covered with was valu d at the New York gold market varies from Josephine County from1851 until the de mud. .-----sunny per ounce making this mise of some of the original towns. It in The inevitable $388 to $390 over $13,000 cludes early mine discoveries, happened. As she nugget worth something 0�eted Briel In todays homesteading and pioneers. There are maps Country Store was hunkered dollars in todays market. � 1/e it would be of mines, homesteads and towns. There are down washing the market of specimen gold An Old FashionedGeneral Store Groceries • Ice • Beer • Wme anyone's guess as to it's value possibly 775 photographs including early mining large hand sized Antiques & Collectibles • Movies to rent Many other activities, towns, merchants and home rock, the more she exceeding the $13,000. nuggets were found during this pe steads. Larry's book is 432 pages of text and 479-0253 washed the bright ---·.. _ ,_;.,_ as chicken eggs, but photos in an 8.5 x 11 format and is well 235 Sunny Valley er it got, until it fi riod, someas large Exit #71 and the big one. worth the $29.95 plus $4.00 shipping · nally dawned on none held thethrill of Sunny Valley, OR Editors Note: This storywas written by handling. Please see ad on this page for the her that this was Larry L. McLane who has written "First address. no ordinary rock, There Was Twogood a Pictorial History of in fact it was a huge nugget. The realization caused her to let out a poQQow the pwttee!t gpUtltat the ©�tegott ©utpogt scream that ech Nugget from Stove Pipe Mine at Leland. Photos courtesy of LarryL. McClane oed up and down Gourmet Foods • Wines & Tastings • Gift Baskets the Brimstone Micro-Brew Beers • T-Shirts • State & Historical Videos However, it was nearly eighty years sluice box. Canyon. Bob had Books • Myrtlewood • Pottery • Souvenirs after gold was discovered on Grave This mine sat idle for many years known from the start what this mud Creek that in the summer of 1934, dur until it was purchased by Robert covered rock was, but wanted her to We Ship UPS ing the Great Depression, one of the six Burns. He and his wife were pre have the thrill of discovering the huge largest nuggets ever discovered in viously employed in the oil fields of nugget. Man-Sat 9AM-6PM,Sun 11AM-4PM ' Southern Oregon was found at the Oklahoma City. As they were green This nugget weighed nearly three Stovepipe placer mine,one of the older horns to the mining trade, they em pounds troy weight and contained 34 137 Southwest G Located In yet lesser known mines on Brimstone ployed Bob Goff as mine foreman to ounces and 7 penny weight of gold._ Grants Pass, OR 97526 Historical Downtown Creek, a tributary of Grave Creek, that teach them the art of gold mining and Gold at the time was about $30 per 474-2918 16 Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 GOLD GOLD Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 17 WARNING! DANGER# In And Araund Abandoned Mines SHAFTS a Last Cabin Mine fall down an abandoned The rungs may be missing or rotted. to death is only a little scarier than mine shaft can be deadly. The ground Ladders attached to the walls of a shaft being TRAPPED. By Ted Wharton, Secretary around the openings is often loose and can be very deadly as they may pull EXPLOSIVES may have been left be Gold Hill Historical Society mside the shaft you can bounce off the away. hind when the mine was abandoned. "The cabin wasn't lost, it knew walls on the way down. Frequently BAD AIR contains poisonous gasses Never handle anything that looks sus where it was, it was just that down thru rocks and timbers knocked loose by a or not enough oxygen. Gasses can col picious. Even old pros are afraid of old the years the prospectors, miners, fall can hurt or even kill. Stay away lect in low areas or along the floor. explosives, old dynamite sticks and crooks, scoundrels, gamblers and op from old shafts, they are sometimes When you walk you can stir up the caps can explode if stepped on or even portunists couldn't findit". ready to collapse and take you down. mixture and create a mix lethal to you touched. Our story begins in 1853, when gold Many old mines have a shaft inside a on your return trip out of the mine. It RATTLESNAKES may have made was first discovered in various parts of tunnel, these can be espeCially danger takes little effort to go down into a shaft the old tunnels home, to cool off in Jackson County. Miners and prospec ous as you often can't see them until its but the effort to climb out can cause summer, or maybe to hunt other ani tors fanned out onto all the streams in to late. dizziness, followed by unconscious mals. Remember any hole or ledge, es the county, panning for free gold WATER is another hazard. Many ness. Ineither case if the gas doesn't get pecially near a mine shaft, could hide a (placer gold). Extra rich pickings were times there will be standing pools of you the fall it causes may. · snake, and even baby rattlers are poi found in the smaller streams flowing water inside tunnels which can conceal TIMBER in old mines can be weak sonous. into the Rogue River, near the site of holes in the floor. You cannot tell how from decay even when it looks like it is FINALLY, don't try to rescue some the present city of Gold Hill, Oregon. deep that water is by looking. Also in good condition. Mines can look solid one yourself, if you get hurt or stuck in One such stream that was especially Josephine Applegate Wagon Committee there may be water at the bottom of a but falling timbers are a constant dan the process then there will be two in rich, drew hundreds of miners. They Wagon Master - Jack Gundlach and Quarter Master - Linda Beauchamp shaft so if a fall doesn't kill you, you ger. danger and no one will know where to were so thick they were elbows to Photo courtesy of Linda Beauchamp still could drown. CAVE-INS are always a danger. Ina look for you. pants' pockets, which prompted one Creek, beyond the last placer dig, and Within a few days, miraculously, as LADDERS in old mines are not safe. cave in the possibility of being crushed extra mo4thy miner to proclaim they blazed a trail thru dense undergrowth he had visualized, but never dreamed were " as thick as sardines". Thereafter, and among heavy, old growth virgin would happen, he discovered the rich it was called Sardine Creek. By the forest. He followed the ever dwindling continued on page 18 "Best Burgers on the Rogue!" 1870's the free gold and easy pickings trickle of water, of the West Fork of the Pool began to peter out, with the boom dy creek, prospecting the channel and Shuffleboard Open 7 Days ing down and the multitudes fanning likely veins on the steep, nearly-vertical . a Week out to other areas. A few die-hard pros hillsides, as well as, into shallow side 582-1815 pectors, sourdoughs, so to speak, gulches. Traces of gold prompted him 6401 Rogue River Hwy. at Savage Creek didn't give up so easily. Some with to continue the search. Working his EXPERIENCE IT! knowledge of geology and geography way from one camp to the next, Barney deducted, and correctly, that the and his burros finally broke out into a Experience the thrill and adventure of an exciting jetboat trip down Grants Pass, source of the free gold had to be in the small basin, with beautiful open OR 97526 the fa mous Rogue River. Enjoy the natural scenic wonders and mountains. Then began the search for glades, springs of fresh water and variety of wildlife on your trip through sp ectacular Hellgate Canyon. veins of gold in the rock formations, green grass, for his burros. There was such as, quartz and granite. As a result, "Dine in or call ahead fo r orders to go." much wild game in evidence, so he Scenic and Dinner trips Pizza • Spaghetti • Dell Sandwiches several rich ledges were found. Broasted Chicken • Beer, Wine &..Soft Drinks made a semi-permanent camp and be Join us during the affordably priced from $21 - • , • Open I 1 am 1 Sun Thurs EASYACCESS TO One such prospector, Barney Kirk gan prospecting the surrounding 1995 Heritage Days Celebration $39. Multiple daily departures, patrick, ventured up stream on Sardine draws and ridges. in Grants Pass, Oregon and May through Sept. 30th have a great time! At Our Annual Celebration · Featuring: . Historic Re· ·Dancing enactments . Old West . Wagon Train Poetry ·Rodeo ·Food . Pack · Storytellers "Q].talityRooms at Affordable Prices" Competition 953 S.E. 7th St., AC - Pool - HBO For Applications to enter Grants Pass, OR 97526 Non-Smoking & Family Units "One of the Best Selections events, parade, pack competition For Reservations: w/ Kitchens of Myrtlewood in Oregon" or logging show please call today. (so3) 479-7204 (503) 582-1 120 . (800) 822-2895 479-6664 For More Information 6285 Rogue River Hwy Downtown - 332 NW 6th St. nr:�� Call: Grants Pass, OR 97527 (Corner of 6th & "D") Grants Pass Visitor's & convention Bureau Acrossfrom Sava ge Rapids Showroom & Factory Count Park on Scenic Hwy 99 1 -800-648-487 4 y Dowell Road, Grants Pa ss, Oregon 503/476-5510 1785 Ask for Kathy & Don Butts, Owners 18 19 Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 GOLD GOLD Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 Last Cabin Mine ... continued trompa ge ... continued frompa ge 18 17 The &alden Last Cabin ... The &alden Rogue vein from which, down thru the centu the snug little cabin, with periods away continued fr om page 18 ries, the bulk of the Sardine Creek gold from the site to dig on the gold vein. By how gold, silver and lead are mined completely restored. Today, sur old had broken off and was washed down the time the cabin was finished a sec Rogue getting drunk with other miners. Dur and milled, over one mile of tunnels. rounded by green lawns this lovely stream. His elation was without ond winter was upon him, but he had equipped with the latest ma hotel has regained all its charm. The by Bonnie Eisley ing this period, while under the influ- Mill fully bounds, but at the same time, a grim is noted for its Oregon opened up enough tunnel to allow him . ence of drink, had let his tongue slip, chinery." Gold in the Rogue River ex dining room foreboding It was 1898 when gold was discov is a new owner seized him. With the fear to work in the foulest weather. His leaking out some information about tends its length, all the way to the cuisine. Today there his discovery would become known, ered on Elk Creek, a tributary of the Prospect Hotel and its stash of gold was building up, so he hid his cabin and the mine. Realizing then Pacific Ocean at Gold Beach where and host at The Rogue River. Between the year of 1909 continues. he did not rush to town to file a claim. it some distance from the cabin, in a that he had let the cat out of the bag and you can pan gold dust in the sand. tradition of excellence to 1918 almost $24,000 in gold with country has lured It was taking a chance, but he felt it stout canvas bag, in a crevice behind a knowing he had enough gold stashed The Rogue Elk Hotel fell into disre The Rogue River some silver and lead was recovered. and tour would avoid his little basin being small waterfall. away, Barney decided to close up the pair after McDonald died in 1945. To miners, fishermen, hunters crowded, The McDonalds brothers came to the world for many like the "sardines" on the During the ensuing years, his snug mine and quit mining. It was about day the Rogue Elk Hotel is owned by ists from all over the Rogue River country in 1913 and knew main creek a few months before. little cabin with rock fireplace served 1900 when he blasted the mouth of the the Hazeldons and is open for business years. Zane Grey, Jack London, Wil they were home. Norman McDonald Hoover Foreseeing these possibilities even him well and the abundant wild game tunnelshut, camouflaged it with brush as work on the restoration continues. liam Jennings Bryan, Herbert purchased 600 acres on the river and this before his strike, he had been very eva provided plenty of fresh meat. It also and limbs, then closed up the cabin. He Another stage stop on the road to and Teddy Roosevelt all loved soon there were three homes on the River of No sive during his trips to Jacksonville for enabled him to make jerky and with gathered up all the gold, sold the bur Crater Lake was the Prospect Hotel. area. Movies such as the property. The road to Crater Lake ran Wild show supplies, and when quizzed, he gave the staples he packed in, it would carry ros in Gold Hill and caught the next Construction started in 1890 and the Return and the recent River out sketchy right past the McDonald land and in Rogue. Who and erroneous leads as to him thru the winters. Still fearful of train out of town. As time went by hotel opened in 1892. By the 1970's the off the beauty of the where he 1915 Will McDonald decided to build you will was mining. As winter closed discovery, it was said he continued to people began to realize BarneyKirkpa old hotel had fallen on hard times, even knows, this could be where in, Barney a summer resort hotel for travelers on here just waiting realized he wasn't prepared travel devious routes to and from his trick was gone and had not returned. though it was listed on the National strike it rich. Gold is the long, dusty trip to Crater Lake if you don't find to spend the winter in the area, so eras mine. At times he realized he was be He was never seen or heard from Resister of Historic Places. In 1985 John to be discovered, and ing all evidence from Medford. The resulting hotel had place that will call of activities as best he ing followed, but always was able to again. Thru the years curious people and Carol Record purchased this it the first trip its a could, he moved down its grand opening on July 22, 1916, it and time again. into the valley lose them around Wilcox Peak, the hunted for the cabin, but few, if any, grand old hotel and with much hard you back time became the main stage stop for Crater near Jacksonville for the winter. Pan highest point near the cabin and in rug ever found it and search as they would, work and dedication to detail it was Lake travelers. ning in the streams and keeping calm ged terrain. no one ever found the mine. so as not to reveal The McDonalds purchased 22 unpat his strike. The next After a few years and after the gold Around 1901 the Smith brothers op ented mining claims, the Al Sarena or spring, eager to get back to his mine, he fever around the established settle erated a sawmill on Sardine Creek. returned by a roundabout route. Buzzard Mines on Elk Creek from the ment of Gold Hill died down, a few They sent their teenage sons into the Applegates. This was an incorporated Studying the small basin, he found a people learned where the cabin was woods in search of good saw timber. spot, near claim which allowed the family to log a spring of fresh water, that located, but not knowing about the One son, Lee, who years later became was so situated the land. When that right was chal that it was hidden from gold, thought nothing of it. His only my uncle, had as a boy in 1896, acciden lenged the case went to court and the They say a pot of gold , lies at view in any direction. The ridges and regular visitor in those years was a tally came upon the Kirkpatrick cabin family won. It is no longer possible to natural draws would veer any visitors government trapper named Riley and met Barney and his wife, Sarah the end of each rainbow, incorporate a mining claim but it did away from the spot. Here, he started. a Hammersley, who kept Barney's se and remembered the big grove of fir work once. Will McDonald offered Otten you'll have searched cabin, a sturdy log, shake and cedar cret. In about 1884, Barney married a trees. He, therefore, went in search of tours of the mine to visitors, saying bark structure, dug into the hillside shy local lady named Sarah, who was the cabin, which he soon found. Still for it, believing it was so. "Visit the famous Sarena Mines. See among a large grove of Douglas fir older than he and who had, due to a Al intact, but empty and vandalized of it's But, soon you may be trees. Working alone with only hand buggy accident, lost her arm. She was continued on page 19 contents. The big trees were still there. asking, "What do they think tools, it took him 2 years to complete beautiful, but very self-conscious, so Later roads were built and the timber they know?" -·· - •.. the remote cabin, with few visitors, was cut, but not much thought was Th e historic suited her fine. They lived there many given to the cabin, which was used by You've looked until you've happy years. Then in about 1898, Sarah an occasional hunter, trapper or pros given up, and still it wasn't so. CEfk fell ill and died. pector. Brokenhearted Barney turned to In 1946 my uncle told me about the drink and spent time in local saloons continued on page 21 continued on page 19 1-800-944-6490 So, when you start to tire, then just say what the heck, & Mexican Restaurant KAIRE Prospect Historical Hotel International, Ire. 391 Mill Creek Dr. Prospect +Open All The Time +Entertainment 7 Us locals know the rainbows +Banquet Facilities nites a week Prod�tcts that care OR 97536 KAMPGROUND abolltthe way ymt end in a place they call +Gift Certificates Chris Dull, owner look and feel. Take Highway 62 to Prospect 27395 Hwy. 62, Tr ail, 0R'97541 (BOO) KOA-7608 • Ka mping Ka bins SE Rogue River Hwy. Beneficial Products Tr ust Prospect. 515 Executive Distributor Lodging, Fine Dining and a Nearby : Rafting, Fishing, • Te nt Sites Grants Pass, (503) 878-2768 OR 97527 l-800-23 1-4457or (503)560-3589 Superb Sunday Brunch .. - •.. Jet Boats, Crater Lake • Pull-thru's 476-1313 or 476-1668 137 lst Street, Prospect, OR 97536 GOLD . 23 Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 GOLD Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 22 Klamath River Buried Treasure Near Pendleton? still yields There are tales of buried loot from the weary traveler. Another stage robbery was said to several stage robberies that occurred in While the horses were being changed have occurred at Dead Man's Hill be treasure the vicinity of Pendleton. One such at the bam across Stage Gulch, at Pros tween La Grande and Pendleton. In tale, recounted by John Vert and Mrs. pect Farm, someone in a shed nearby this one some $6,000 was taken and Jim Britton of D&K Equipment in Lee Moorhouse in a book titled Remi was busily sorting express papers by never recovered. Is it still hidden some Portland likes to get away to do a little nisces of Oregon Pioneers reads: the light of a candle. The following where? Who knows. prospecting of his own as often as he "A stage robbery that created a good morning it was discovered that the A stage robbery on the Umatilla In can. Aneleven day trip last year to the deal of excitement occurred at or near place was strewn with burnt matches, dian Reservation in 1876 resulted in Klamath River in Siskiyou County of Prospect Farm in 1880. An employee of tom waybills and other papers. another story of hidden gold. The rob Northern California produced some Wells Fargo was accused of the crime. Some place down the line, the rob ber got away with approximately nice gold. Jim en joys the great out On the day that some very valuable bery of the valuable express was dis $3,000 in gold dust and were said to doors and getting away from the hustle express was sent from Baker City, H. P. covered. have buried it close to where the rob and bustle of the city, sitting on a river Page, who was an official of the com Page was apprehended and brought bery occurred. bank, thinking about the old timers pany, announced his intention of going to Pendleton for trial. The jury took a Is there gold in the hills around to Portland charitable view of the circumstantial Pendleton? Maybe, at least it seems As the stage was rumbling along in evidence and the defendant was ac some has been buried here. There is the dusk over the sage-covered hills, quitted. The position with the Wells certainly a rich history in the area, the Jim Britton with his gold pan and "pay northwest of Pendleton, Page, who Fargo Express was the last place of Oregon Trail passed right through dirt" on the banks of the Klamath River. was on the box seat beside the driver, trust that Page ever had." what is today the center of the town. Jim won't tell us exactly where on the decided to have a nap in the boot. A According to old timers the loot may Go find that buried treasure and be the river he goes, he just grins. cozy, sh ered place was the boot of have been hidden or buried in or near one to prove the stories of long buried Photos courtesy of Jim Britton t�_lt the old Concord coach and the mail Stage Gulch. There is no proof of that, treasure are true. sacks a sufficiently comfortable bed for but it might be worth looking into. and the tales they could tell, how they mined, where they mined, did they re ally get it all. 300 Slot He reminds us that some of the sto Canyan City, Barn in a Gald Rush Ma chines ries miners tell, like the one about the Live Keno In June 1862 a company of miners the old Sels Brewery, a former saloon gold being gone, are just tales, maybe from northernCalifornia were heading and brewery which operated in the late to keep others from finding the gold. east over the Strawberry Mountain 1800's. The yellow former schoolhouse Jim decided on this trip to just have at Range, when one of the men discov on Rebel Hill marks where early set High Stakes Bingo it and that decision paid off for him.It ered gold on Whisky Flat, half a mile tlers loyal to the Union tore down a Card Room could pay off for you to, if you've been south of Canyon City. Miners from all Confederate flag erected by sympa Restaurant dreaming about it, wishing you could over flocked into the area and the new thizers to the south during the Civil GiftShop go, remember gold has bee� found in Using a surface dredge for his own prospecting helps Jim in his business as settlement quickly became called Can War. The old '62 Hall on the south edge allfifty states. No matter where you are OPEN 24 HOURS well as in his mining. It helps you yon City. According to historical re of town hosted decades of rowdy too, because Jim knows what works and there is an area nearby where gold has how it works. He sur£:knows cords, more than $26 million in gold dances and community celebrations. 7DAY S AWEEK how to make this equipment pay. been found before. So, as Jim says, was taken from Canyonville Creek and The information above is from the I-84 Exit 216 East of Pendleton, Oregon "what the heck, the nearby mountains during the gold sign pictured. Canyon City has a fine 1-800-654-WILD just go for it". Af Th e Right rush of 1862-1880. museum containing much information (503) 278-2274 ter all if you don't Place F.A,.VELL MUSEUM One of the earliest churches, St. about the towns past. Above all, there Th e Right find gold, at least Thomas Episcopal, built in 1876 still is more than likely gold still here to be Price OF WESTERN ART AND ARTIFACTS you get to spend a Wh ere the pavement ends and the We st begins... stands near the center of town, as does found by those willing to seek it out. day outdoors. BEST WESTERN Contemporary We stern Art And maybe, just Miniature Firearms Collection & maybe you too KLAMATH INN Artifacts covering 12,000 years to present. • Regional Books Once you see it, Independently Owned & Operated GIFT SHOP: GALLERY: will hit "pay JIM'S • 1i·avel • Fiction wild horses won't INDOOR HEATED POOL • HBO Indian Jewelry, Books, dirt". •. Original Oils, � • • & Cooking History keep you away! 4061 S. 6th Street Sculptures, Unique Gifts Watercolors, Carvings, ANTIQUE CRAFT SHOP • Children 's Books Va cuum Repair. Sales& Service Klamath Falls, Oregon 97603 imd Souvenirs Limited Edition Prints Collect Old Cars, Tr actors & Old Buggies Hand Crocheted Items · Custom Orders 503-276-7323 Phone Reservations 125 West Main 1-800-762-9096 Monday-Saturday 9:30-5:30 (503) 882-1200 (503) 575-0331 39 SW Dorion • Pendleton, OR 97801 1-800-528-1234 Klamath Falls, OR 97601 (503) 882-9996 PO Box 31 , 110 S. Washington St. Canyon City, OR 97820 GOLD Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 24 . 25 Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 GOLD The Blue Mountain Ashwaad, Hame Crossing The Last Blue Buckel MineI The Grande Ronde Valley had been al The "Red a welcome site the the pioneers of the Fact ar Fictian Oregon Trail, but now they must face Jacket'' Mine the Blue Mountains, a formidable chal By Jonathon Bissett about the discovery of gold relates that lenge. The wagons had Located about 20 miles south of already crossed On August 25, 1845 history was one William F. Helm and his family, 1, Shaniko is Ashwood, a mining town 751 miles, the valley of the Wil including five brothers, one sister, his made when one thousand people with ' lamette, still ahead, whose history goes back to the 1870 s. so on they went. some two hundred wagons and 2,000 mother and father, were members of The steep trail strained the oxen, horses Thomas Brown was tending sheep head of livestock, cattle, horses and the Meek party. Helm stated that his and pioneers. near Trout Creek when he picked up a mules, voted to take a "cut-off" from family had painted all their camp u ten · In 1844 Lee's Encampment piece of quartz containing gold. In was es the Oregon Trail. Stephen Meek had sils blue in order to identify what was tablished by Major H.A.G. short order over 400 ounces of gold and Lee, and, in convinced this group that he knew a theirs. One day as they were camped 1863 a stage station was built by about 6,000 ounces of silver were re broth short cut to the Willamette Valley by on a tributary of the John Day River ers Harvey and Alfred Meacham. covered. The "Oregon King" mine way of trails that had been used by many small, shiny yellow pebbles There was good water and plenty claim was staked and operated for sev of trappers and Indians for years. Meek were found at the waters edge. No one grass at Emigrant Springs. At Emigrant eral years off and on under different even went so far as to draw a map of knew these pebbles were gold, it was the pioneers could, on a clear day owners. Hill the route. On the banks of the Malheur still three years before gold was to be see Mt. Hood and Mt. Ashwood itself became a busy min River near where the town of Vale discovered in California. The pretty ing town with the normal array of sa stands today, they separated from the pebbles were gathered in a blue loons, hotels and livery stables. rest of the train and started out on the bucket, but when the wagons moved Growth was due not just to the first unknown trail. on they were forgotten and left behind. mine but by the continued search for The train followed the river for The pioneers thought the stones were gold and silver in the hills. The "Morn ._,.�.;> ' about 20 miles over some of the worst worthless and the ones that were left . ing Star" mine was located and stock in ground they had yet traveled. Wagons were tossed away, except for a few, it was sold all over the United States. Bill Billie McClure of and animals broke down and some which had found their way into tool & Sumpter present More notable perhaps was the "Red Living Historydemon had to be left behind. There were sev boxes. If it had not been for those few strations at Blue Jacket" mine. Prospectors named it Mountain Crossing Interpretive eral deaths among the group and sev stones the story might have ended Park that because of the reddish ore that eral burials were held. They ran the there. outside LaGrande, Oregon. occurred there. wagons over the graves, hiding traces The men who were said to have seen To the miners the red ore was just ( eft) Oregon them from the Indians. the remaining nuggets include some � Trail ruts are clearly of waste, to be thrown away in their quest vtstble. at Blue Mountain The most credible of the stories very familiar names, William G. Crossing site. for gold and silver. It was only many T'Vault who became the Editor of the years later that this reddish ore was Adams. Their Oregon Spectator, the first newspaper journey was almost In Pursuit al determined to be cinnabar, the source done. on the Pacific Coast. He was later to be of mercury. The cinnabar was mined The Grande Ronde Postmaster General, and a member of Valley was de Historic Trivia for use in two world wars. This could scribed by John C. Fremont the territorial government. Mr. James as a place be a good area for the modem prospec "where a farmer would delight to es By Na ncy Wilson, Curator continued on page 27 tor with a gold or metal detector. tablish himself", Captain Bonneville The McLoughlin House had earlier explored the area and was enthusiastic about its beauty. Some How many ways were twenty years after the first wagon there to reach the gold trains passed this way the town of La fields of Californiaor to If you were hertyou could Dl)oy NorthA�tt erlca'ssteepest fraltiWay, cabi"s. �ttariMa. fl�hiiiQ. boatiiiQ. horses• Grande was named, some of those pio caltlpiiiQ.111 1111-golf. go-carts. restaurallts. hlldiiQ."earby galleriesa"d ltiUS8UitiSa"d ... �ttuch 111orel neers had returnedto the beautiful val come to Oregon? See the answer of page 27 Follow 75 Scenic onmiles Highway 82 from La orGrande fiomHallWa y/Bakertravel WallowaMountain Loop Scenic Byway ley of La Grande Ronde to settle' Eagle Cap Chalets 432-4704 �Flying Arrow Resort 432-2951 agreeing with the earlier explorers. Matterhorn Swiss Village 1-800-891-2551 �Stein's Cabins 432-2391 There are several areas where you Cabins, Condos, Wallowa Lake Lodge 432-9821 �Tamarack Pines BIB 432-2920 Wallowa Lake State Park 432-4185 �Park at the River 432-8800 can still see the Oregon Trail ruts in this Chalet Rooms Methodist Camp 432-1271 � Scenic Meadows RV Park 1-800-438-7831 area. Blue Mountain Crossing easily Indoor Pool & For brochures and info rmation. please write to: Wallowa Lake TouristCommittee, Box 853, Dept. H, Joseph.OR 97846 accessable from the I-84 and is open to Hot Tu b � Excellent OfT-Season Rates � visitors. Here you are at the gateway to �U!iji< (503) 432-4704 the mining areas of the Blue and Wal 59879 Wa llowa lake Hwy. Wa llowa Lake OR 97846 lowa Mountains. joseph, GOLD GOLD Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 26 27 Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 Narlh Pawder Hell's Canyan Massacre Last Buckel ••• The town of North Powder was es continued from page 25 tablished in the 1870's at the site of thr By Wayne Westfall sentative of the people of Wallowa Powder River crossing and the main County. The canyon at that time was a The recent discovery of court Terwilliger, who built Portland's first street of the town is the Old Oregon hide-out for horse thieves and outlaws. records by County Clerk· Char frame building. Terwilliger Boulevard Trail. The killers were looking for the gold R. Cornelius lotte Mciver from108 years ago, is named for him. Thomas It was near here, on December 30, dust the miners, who were workingthe document the massacre of who served twenty years in the state 1811, that the Astoria Party of Wilson any mine tailings at Robinson Bar, suppos legislature. Cornelius was named a Price Hunt party was trapped by win where from 8 and 31 Chinese in edly had hidden away. It is unlikely _ Colonel in the Indian wars, and the ter. A Iowa indian woman, Marie He lls Canyon. there was or is any such cache as ac town of Cornelius is named for him. Dorian, the wife of Pierre Dorian, a The discovery has created quite a cording to experts Hell's Canyon has - William Helm himself became a Meth French-Sioux scout, gave birth to the stir in Wallowa County. Many theo little gold and what there is, is so fine odist minister as was another of the first part white child born in the Ore ries exist about what actually hap its called 'flour gold' and its almost people to have seen the nuggets, Theo gon Territory. This party helped estab pened in late May of 1887 and each impossible to recover. philus Powell. There were others time new information if released lish a route, followed in part, by the it The exact details of the crime may equally reliable to have seen them. draws pioneers who came later. more interested treasure hunt never be discovered but some things The "lost" mine was never found. The I.O.O.F. building, a local historic ers, history buffs, and even looters to are known, the outlaws killed Chinese Me. Helm became convinced that the site constructed in 1889, is being re the area between China Bar and Deep miners, hacked up the bodies and little stream where the stones were stored to its more original appearance, Creek, where the alleged atrocities Baker City, Oregon - on dropped them in the Snake River. Bod found were in fact the sight of one of Collection of Gold Nuggets found in vicinity of today it houses the Odds & Ends Shop took place. In center top is the famous ies and body parts washed up on the Oregon's major gold strikes onCanyon display in lobby of U.S. Bank, Baker City Branch. a local antique and craft store. The story is that a group of Chinese 1913 by George Annstrong. shore of the river for months, some say Creek Where Canyon City now stands. "Annstrong" nugget, weight 80.4 ozs. found June 19, Little did the pioneers know that the miners were murdered by seven Wal years. The Chinese may have been tor type of shiny yellow stone that was thrown away by travelers on In three years time $15,000,000 in gold It was this Blue Mountains they crossed near here lowa County outlaws. It is important tured as their killers were trying to find display can be viewed during nonnal was discovered, or rediscovered. Mr. the "Lost Wagon Train." The gold were rich in gold. to stress here that the men who com the location of the gold, and the events Bank, Baker City. Helm spent several years mining there. banking hours. Courtesy U.S. National mitted this crime were not repre- may have occurred over several days. According to Hubert H. Bancroft, a According to a quote attributed to F. a· ·· · Western historian "The first gold dis amrvmm1�•�• K. Vincent, the federal official who covery in Oregon made by an Ameri Trivia Answer Eastern Oregon conducted the investigation "It was the can, if not by any person, was made Museum most cold-blooded, cowardly treach frompa ge near the headwaters of the Malheur 25 On· The Oregon Trail ery I have ever heard tell of on this River by what is known as the 'Lost Through the years we have all been - household, coast, and I'm a California49er". News Like a Grandma's Attic with Wagon Train' in the year 1845" pub taught in school that the miners and mining, farming & pioneerarti facts of the event caused a national commo lished in his history of Oregon Vol. l, pioneers had three ways to come West OPEN 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Daily Boating Hiking tion and strained relations between the page 512. - the Isthmus of Panama, around the \ April 15 - October 15 United States and China. Of the seven Trail. But - there Camping Hunting So if you want to hunt for a bonanza Horn, or the Oregon or by appointment alleged villains, three left the Wallow a it may have been found or maybe not, were three other ways to travel- espe (503) 856-3233 Fishing Skiing country and were never tried. Those who knows for sure? All that is known cially by the gold seekers headed for The people and businesses North Powder welcome you. tried were acquitted and the crime was is that it was there for the taking, per California. An easy way to come was never punished. Only 19 miles to scenic Anthony Lakes. haps by you. to travel across Nicaragua. A ship took There are no interpretive signs or you about 75 miles up a river where Eastern Oregon Antiques & Collectibles & markers in the area as yet, but if you miles to a Wa nda & Bruce Kaufman TheOdds Ends £hop you did have to walk several Buying, Selling, Appraisals -- are interested in looking around its al portage, then you boarded a boat for a (503) 856-3211 We Handle Estate or Movmg Sales ��ie- -- Antiques • Collectibles • Gifts right. Please be sure to remember that -- 75 mile or so trip across a lake to the (503) 898-2506 -- Local Handcrafts (JJ Art SHANIKO The Bear's Den •. . its illegal to dig or remove anything way was a c._{ or - I'C!!. Pacific Ocean. The fifth PO Box 3 - 300 2nd St. . (503) 898-'274-9 (503) 898-'2'515 Op en Thes-Sat 10-5 · . 165 E clltreet from an archaeological site so all you long, dusty trek across Mexico! Free "!/�[lj>t, tAY Me morial Day-Labor Day • · - . - • •. clllli\RON 0TANfORD HISTORIC- Other times by appointment can do is look. land and gold enticed many thousands WESTERN • WILDLIFE NOSTALGIC The massacre was shocking by any of men, women and families to move HOTEL CARDS • PORTRAITS standards, today or in 1887. It does Featuring Bed & Breakfast! west to Oregon or California. For WORK POWDER RIVER MOTEL This two-story hotel is built of handmade brick COMMISSION (503) however point up how attitudes to • 898-2829 with 16" walls, located in Shaniko, an authentic whatever their reasons, we owe them a ALL MEDIUMS • � •� � Direct Dial Phones, Cable TV 916 Front St. ward immigrants, especially anyone GHDST TDWN debt of gratitude for helping create a Vid.eos & VCR's, Laundromat P.O. Box 1 perceived to be different, were largely Gift Shop • Antiques • RV Park 24 Hour Restaurant nearby Hosts: Jean & Dorothy Farrell & fa mily United States that would then reach Haines, OR Singles-Doubles-Queens negative at the time. It would be nice to Shaniko, OR 97057 (75 miles south of The Dalles) �.. (503)489-3441 from shore to shore. 97833 850 2nd Street . North Powder - A- believe that time has changed atti RESTAURANT The sixth way was the trail promoted Phone (S03)489-3415 or tudes, since our world gets smaller by the citizens of Fort Smith, Arkansas, 1-84 EXIT 285 AT HWY 237 1-800-483-3441 every year. a southern route into California. GOLD Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 28 29 Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 faces, luckily l ll blocked by the iThe Ghasl 01 The Dredge door. Without even wanting to Written by Stephen R. Alford, find out what Park Ranger had splashed, or Sumpter Valley Dredge State Park even wondering Antiques - Collectibles Toriana E. Vinson, Crew Member where the water Miscellaneous New & Used Oregon Youth Conservation Corps could have pos- Used Books Mill St. The lights used to flicker, footsteps sibly have come .....______....;.______....,. 130 Connie Marshall, Proprieter from, we ran were heard, Unknown sounds would Photo courtesy of Sumpter Va lley RR Res oration, Inc. Sumpter, Oregon across the deck, emerge in the still of the night makihg 503-894-2415 the people of Sumpter aware of a pres and to safety not ence, a presence known only as Joe caring if we got wet, and most certainly He subtly turned and walked into the Bush! not ever looking back. darkness. Calling out again, I, without It goes back to one horrifying acci While working late one night, thinking, began to follow. After me taking a few steps off the back porch, dent. An oiler aboard the Dredge #1 pounding at the keys of this very same was working hard at the job at hand, computer, darkness had seemed to he seemed to vanish into the night air. the gears that he worked so hard to come without warning. Something I assessed the situation and without pot Inn keep in good working order would caused me to pause. As the hair on my further hesitation I decided to go Located In The Heart of Eastern , home. Joe Bush seems to be a friendly Oregons's Liveliest Ghost To wn seem to reach out and grab him, lead neck did a back flip, I turned to face the 14 Large Units •Cable TV • AC • Free Coffee ghost, but as we further the renovation ing himto his death. Quite some years window directly behind me. Opening Guided Snowmobile Tours 179 S. Mill St. • Sumpter, Or�gon and two dredges later, the young man the door, I saw a silhouette of a man efforts on the Sumpter Valley Dredge, would seem to return to take his right standing somewhere around thirty we hope we have his approval, and we 894-2522 ful place aboard the Sumpter Valley Oregon's newest State Park, Sumpter Dredge, Sumpter Oregon. yards away, staring straight at me. I hope that one day Joe Bush can finally Dredge guarding the same gears that called out, "Who's there?". No answer. rest in peace. • 894-02250 z took his life, preventing the same twist pass them by. They would hide around workers followed the sound, which of fate. the comer and wait, expecting some was now being heard climbing out the Christmas Eve, 1945, would be an one to appear. They then planned to stacker. A large chunk of ice broke unforgettable night for the graveyard pull the hat over the ears of their vic loose and fell into the pond making a shift of the Sumpter Valley Dredge. tim. The steps had come within four large splash. "Nothing to worry about, Quiet and Sha dy · Op en Ye ar Round 640 S. Sumpter Hwy. - P.O. Box 504 S�rT-PTEB!l feet. Much to their dismay, as they Joe Bush just ran off the stacker." The Two men would watch the dredge Sumpter, Oregon 97877 � ' peered around the comer to see who Q . � '-----"J�·� )� �� over the holiday. As it has been told, other gentlemen shouted, "Joe Bush, if Puii-Thrus & Full Hookups · Cable TV HEART the men did their rounds and were was coming to visit, there was no one you're anywhere around here give us Close to: Dredge State Park, Hunting, In the of Oregon� Gold Country! Fishing, Shops, Stores, Sumpter Valley Home of Sumpter Dredge State Park Sumpter Va lley Railroad! there. No snow tracked in from out a sign." Just as the word "sign" left his & settling in the winchroom to take a Steam Railroad, Snowmobile trails! Hunting • Fishing • Camping • Wa gon Rides • Cross Country Skiing break. Their break was soon to be inter side, no marks from where snow mouth, the overhead light bulb burnt (503) 894-2328 • Snowmobiling • Gold Panning! rupted by footsteps. Was it the dredge should have melted off onto the floor, out, just like that, causing their neck · k;��------���------��--=-��----, master coming back to check on them, nothing at all, except for the fact that and arm hair to stand on end. The sto SUMPTER Sumpter Valley Real Estate or someone bringing supplies from the door was left wide open. Now the ries go on and on, but to this day Joe PHOTOG RAPIDOS In the heart of gold panning country. Mining claims for town? No matter, the two young men question was, who left the door open? Bush still lives somewhere aboard the sale. City lots, rural acreage with and without home, rec- reational timbered land are available. Specializing in the were not gonna let this opportunity If it was neither of them, then who? Sumpter Valley Dredge. As personal AND EMPORIUM . Costumed Old Time Photos Sumpter, Unity, Dale, Greenhorn, Granite, Bourne. Whit- Who left in such a hurry as to leave the experiences have happened to quite a . ney and Black Min. areas. · Ftne oA rt ograp Ph t h G ld NY t · 0 ugge s Lorraine Wells, Owner/Broker ':I• " ··�, door open on such a cold night? So few people, we have had our own · Placer Gold Jewelry · Alpaca & Llama Rugs o\�;G<>�"ii Verlee Corona, Sales Associate · Other Unique Gifts ;;���- many questions. This was not the only while working. While cleaning up the Denise Laird, Sales Associate • Located one block off Mill St in the "Old Stone Cellar" . time "Joe Bush" had proved his pres front deck of the dredge, with a bit of . 441 s. Mill St Sumpter, OR 97877 " .). SUMPTER, OREGON · (503) 894-2435 HOME OF THE ence. sarcasm, we would peer through a hole SUMPTER VA LLEY RAILROAD & Joe Bush had now become well in the front door, calling out to Joe · • SUMPTER VALLEYDREDGE STATE PARK Ice Cream Deli Espresso known to all of the dredge workers, Bush, as if to egg him on. As boredom (503) 894-2236 Restaurant � 30 miles west of Baker City and it seems as accepted his presence. soon struck us, we laughingly went Motel • Saloon � Fishing & Hunting Supplies They just wished they had some way back to our duties. We soon decided on Ann Allison A (503) 894-2244 Propnetor ov-N:fe.,_ . -ST�: � State Liquor Store of knowing when he was around. On one last attempt to call him before quit 0 "-"'tilt P. O. Box 61 - Consignments � Groceries• t_(.J another occasion, a splash was heard ting time. Calmly looking through the 363 S. Mill St. -J . �� P.O. Box 31 Ray & Darlene Maher � "The Mini-Mall of Sumpter" corning from the bucket line, followed hole once again, we yelled out one last Sumpter, OR 379 Mill St. Phone: (503) 894-2214 97877 Fax: (503) by footsteps venturing down the gang time for the day. As his name was STAl l N OR 97877 P.O. Box 38 • Sumpter, OR 97877 (503) 894-2362 plank and towards the stern of the yelled, echoing through the dredge, a ship. Deciding to investigate, the night sudden splash of water hit near our 30 Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 GOLD GOLD Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 31 Auburn A Town Last in Time From information supplied by Andy Mash Some of the By Nancy Wilson, Curator ing. They stayed on in the Auburnarea of the Granite Store. group stayed on The McLoughlin House to work the tailings left by the original Located on the 10 6 mile long Elkhorn in the area while owners of the claim to take out the last DHve Forest Scenic Byway, Granite is others headed on traces of gold. n 1845 Stephen Meek convinced a group of Oregon Trail right in the very heart of the gold belt out to the Boise J In a number of different areas of the of the Blue Mountains. Basin. Rough cab � pioneers to· take a short cut across eastern/central Oregon Elkhorn Mountains curious walls of Gold was discovered here early in ins were built, \1 fr om the snake river to The Dalles. About two hundred wagons stone can be found. The Chinese 18 62. A group of 50 miners had left the and a route to the joined up and later became lost. Some of the pioneers died fr om stacked the rock as they moved along gold fields of Marysville, California nearest trading the beds of the creek. The most impres heading to the Boise Basin of Idaho. post (at Walla starvation or from thirst, and many hardships had to be sive area can be found north of the They were joined by others as they re Walla) was lo endured by the survivors. Somewhere along the way some of ghost town of Granite where the "Chi vealed. Stopping in The Dalles, the cated. The mining the children picked up several shiny pebbles along a creek bed nese Walls" cover many acres of group purchased all the available continued until ground. horses. Still when they headed out the ground froze. and placed them in a blue bucket. Theywere lost along the trail, Today, all traces of Auburn have many of the miners were still on foot. "Along about only to be remembered after gold was discovered in California. long disappeared. A few tombstones The route they traveled from The Gold Marker and sign found are said to still remain in the cemetery Dalles followed the south side of the in Granite, Oregon Henry Griffin and some friends vember of 18 62 - the first post office in as a reminder of those who caught John Day River from its mouth at the formed a small company in 18 61 to go all of Northeastern Oregon. "Gold Fever". Henry Griffin who Columbia River. This area had not yet Rich placer mines supported Granite into eastern Oregon to seek out the The Chinese followed the miners to helped to start the gold rush was bur been· settled by white men. and in the late 18 90's several operating "Blue Bucket Mine". Not having any the gold strike - working in restau ied there in 1883. The ditch that once Following the North Fork of the John quartz mines caused Granite to boom. success, .�he men split up, and Griffin rants and in laundries. They were hired served the miners now is used for irri Day to the mouth of what is now Gran By 1900 the town had 2 hotels, 3 stores, and David Littlefield journeyed on to as laborers to work in the mines and gation. ite Creek, then up to the mouth of Clear 5 saloons, 1 drug store, a livery stable the east. Some eight miles west of were inaccurately called "coolies" - a But have all traces of gold disap Creek (which they named). The men and many permanent homes. Baker City - as the crow flies - the men corruption of a Chinese term "ku-li" or peared from "them there hills"? No traveled about two miles further, onto With gold valued at between $20 .67 discovered gold in Blue Creek Canyon. muscle strength. There were some of Way! There's still gold to be found in a "heavily wooded flat" and made to $35.00 per fine troy ounce some The area became known as Griffin's the residents in many areas of the west small quantities, and many people still camp. One of the men A. G. Tabor sug- · $2 ,000 ,000 was recovered by placer Gulch. who resented the Chinese workers. mine the area - my husband and I have gested test holes be sunk in the area. mining by 1914. Lode mining pro Thousands of miners poured into the The Chinese were very frugal and the mineral rights to one hundred acres GOLD was struck On July 4, 1862. duced another $2 ,200 ,000 . Between mountains to seek their fortune - and managed to save some money to send of land just over the hill from the site of Granite City Hall 1938 and 1951 dredge mining on Gran of course, gamblers and ladies of ques home to China and also to establish Auburn. We will never be wealthy, but ite, Clear and Bull Run Creeks is esti tion followed. It is said that in 18 62 two their own business. In 1857 a special tax its fun to find small nuggets large mated to have recovered well in excess enough to pick up with your fingers March you could see small groups of Frenchmen working the creek found was levied on the Chinese for the "right of $5,000 ,000 at $35.00 per ounce. and dust in the bottom of the gold pan. men coming into camp on skis to trade about $100 ,00 worth of gold nuggets to mine". In 1858, the tax was extended Yes, "there is gold in them thar hills". Believe me when I say - one can still get for supplies. In a short time, for quite a and dust. to include selling, trading, or any All it takes is a little knowledge, a little "GOLD FEVER"! distance along Granite Creek, it looked Soon the population in Blue Canyon means the Chinese used to make a liv- hard work and a whole heck of a lot of TheGranite Store like a one street town, they called it reached close to 5,000 . The men called luck, and you may have it. Independence. a meeting and resolved to plat a town called Auburn. The name possibly .-.------� came from a town in the Sierra Nevada Comfortable Dining In Historic where many of the men prospected MASH'S DOWNTOWN BAKER CI1Y during the gold rush in California. A main street was laid out and building LUNCH & DINNER I lAilT lots were sold on both sides of the * Great Steaks & STOlE street. The claims in the area were * Good Food Mexican Dinners called the AuburnMines. ,JBreakfast served all day & Friends * Domestic & Imported A reservoir was made high in the ,JOpen 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.-Every Day! *Groceries Beer & Wine mountains above the town, and a ditch ,JT- Shirts, Souvenirs, Espresso * Gas & Propane *Cocktails was dug to move the water to the min ,JVisa, MasterCard, Am Ex, Discover & Diners Club * RV Parking Located at Main & Church Streets DINERS ing areas. The town became the second Located on CamQ_bell Street at the 1-84 Freeway .:J 1111 City Cent )· � regon * Hosts: Andy & Wa yne Mash 523-4266 largest in Oregon and was the county ( T,� �2� ��� f . • · S Granite Route Box 20 Sumpter, OR 97877 2190 Main St. Baker City, Oregon rn-.CLUB - � seat for Baker County from 1862-1867. A post office was established in No- 32 Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 GOLD GOLD Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 33 Wyatt Earp, The Man of Legend Last Gald Treasure By Sarah Brent Grave af • • ·�!'}•• • He was a mari not to be trifled with markers of «· ' - "'.;,. ., but his fame followed himwherever he Billy Clanton, Flagstaff went, even the remotest areas of the Frank by Art Miller California desert. Wyatt Earp and his McLaury and In 1913 on a summer day, one of wife Josephine, after leaving Tomb Tom McLaury the local men of the Flagstaff area stone, Arizona, wandered the west. killed at the said he had found the money from They even traveled to Alaska where gunfight at the Lost Stage Coach Robbery of they made their fortune. They fol the OK Coral 1881. He was buying drinks for the lowed the gold rush to Tonopah, Ne on Oct. 26, house in Flagstaff's Black Saloon vada in 1903, where he had his last fling 1881. and said he "witched" for it with a at the big time. Wyatt and Josie drifted willow fork. He had a lot of money south after that in their camp wagon, in his pocket when he collapsed into Arizona and died after his fourth drink. A Wyatt and Josephine loved prospect doctor pronounced him dead at the ing for gold and they did discover min- scene. Treasure seekers rushed to his campsite near Veit Spring and found no trace of any diggings. The Pack rats, stage had been robbed between Di ablo Canyon and Flagstaff, the loot vultures and was $125,000 in gold and silver coins and bars. The United States cald hinder Army tracked the outlaws and killed them in a gun battle, but no praspectars money was ever recovered. Cap tain Hentig led the fight with the But nothing can keep outlaws and he was later Life size mannequins show visitors what happened at the OK Coral. them from working killed by In the lind ol a lifetime dians. erals in the Whipple Mountains near Maybe, had there not been a gunfight The lost Parker, Arizona. Josie told friends in Tombstone, Arizona on that fateful Reprinted by· permission from Fisher treasure may day, October 26, 1881, supposedly at World Treasure News "prospecting was in my blood", she still be bur loved to reminisce in later years about the O.K. Corral, Wyatt and Josie might Cold winter nights, two legged vul ied out there roughing it with Wyatt out there on the have been able to live a normal life of tures and even cactus-rolling pack rats waiting for desert they both loved. Eventually the times, meeting the challenges of weren't enough to keep Pat McCor someone they headed back to California, built a life. It wasn't to be, fame followed him mick and a friend from working their with a lot of little cabin and settled in a little town always, but in his later life he did man find. And after 18 nights of hard work determina called Vidal, later the name of the town age to live a life he loved. Jimmy the two prospectors came away with tion and per Mitchell a newspaper man with the was changed to Earp in honor of thousands of gold nuggets - the find of haps a good Los Angeles Examiner is quoted as say Wyatt. a lifetime. gold detector Though Wyatt and his wife only ing "When history ain't like the myth, "One hundred fifty, 200, 300 nuggets to find.At to I go with the myth" . Seems like many wanted to be left alone to live out their in one night was not uncommon" days values years in peace, prospecting for gold, writers did, still do in fact. lot McCormick said. "It was a heck of a its worth Wyatt Earp died 48 years after the his background followed them. The lit of fun." could exceed famous gunfight, peacefully, on Janu erary world found him, and eventu They struck it rich in the Bradshaw one million ally Stuart Lake's book "Wyatt Earp, ary 13, 1929 in a small tourist cabin at Mountains around Prescott, Arizona dollars. Frontier Marshal" was written, partly 4004 W. 17th St. in Los Angeles, Cali on a cold, winter night in 1991. McCor Territorial Prison in Yu ma, AZ is now empty of prisoners from material dictated by Wyatt to his fornia. Josephine lived to be 83 years �ck prefers prospecting at night be- and open to the public. An awe�ome experience that can cause good friend John Flood. The book old, passing away in Los Angeles on continued on page 34 goose bumps as you read the stories of the prisoners here. made Wyatt even more famous. December 19, 1945. 34 Historic Western Trails o Vol. 2 GOLD GOLD Historic Western Trails o Vol. 2 35 Camels in Arizona? TOMBSTONE, ,The Tawn Taa Taugh Ta Die'' tion problem. Camels could carry 800 " The last campsite of Hi Jolly". By JoAn Jackson pounds and live on most types of for The validity of using camels over The very sound of it calls to mind the age, they could also travel up to 75 mules was challenged. Six camels and Old West in all its garish, glorious and miles a day without water. After ap twelve mules, both groups to carry 1 I 4 infamous splendor. Tombstone lies on By Sam Johnson propriation of funds by Congress, the tons over a 60 mile run set out, the desert hills 4,539 feet above sea level purchase was made, the camels ar camels arrived 2 and 1/2 days before The land south of the Gila River was between the San Pedro Valley and the rived in Texas and were a great suc the mules showed up. a natural shelf of gold, silver and cop Dragoon Mountains. The climate is dry cess. The Civil War brought the end of per. The task of supplying miners and with warm, some would even say hot, Homely beasts with very bad breath camels supplying the mines and min transporting supplies across the great summers, and plenty of sunshine in the and a bad temperament, the camels ers. Some camels were sold to the min winter. Southwest desert was a major problem were hard to handle. The skinners and ing operations, many were just turned When in the early days of the west. So rough you first see Tombstone today packers hated them traveling along loose to fend for themselves, roaming you find that was the terrain that it tore up the feet most of the buildings still with the horses and mules. Another the deserts of the Southwest. It is imag in use of the horses and mules in a short time. were built between 1879 and problem was soon evident, the Ameri ined that an old prospector, after a long 1882 Feed was unavailable and had to be with a few new homes and busi cans could not speak Arabic and the days search for gold, relaxing and nesses packed in by the mules and water was thrown in for good measure. camels refused to learn English. The watching the evening sun go down, Benches very scarce. along the main street are un governmentsoon was forced to import sipping his homemade mash might der the Jefferson Davis, the Secretary of War, shade of roofed sidewalks that Arabian camel drivers for the task. have seen the silhouette of a camel off invite you to who later was to become President of sit a spell and ponder the One camel driver named Hi Jolly be in the distance and remarked to him past, The Confederate States, suggested to and if you're very lucky, an old came well known in the Southwest. He self "This homemade brew really has timer Congress that camels be purchased for will stop to talk about the old died in 1902 and is buried in Quartzite. a kick to it" days. the task as a solution to the transporta- �e Tombstone of today is not The inscription on his tombstone reads the town it used to be. A fellow soldier said " Instead of a . . . continued from page mine, you'll find a tombstone." to Ed Gun Pack rats 32 figh ts are staged in the streets of Tombstone today giving visitors an "Old Schieffelin in 1877 as Ed left Fort cause the "two - legged vultures" scare us off," McCormick said keep the "two-legged vultures" from West" experience. Huachuca. Ed was aware of the danger (claim jumpers) can't see him. Moving on, McCormick dragged his finding their gold patch. posed by marauding bands ' of to obtain funds and to persuade his "I must assume at all times that other detector coil and left his Gold Bug They rested on weekends when it "You're one lucky cuss" and indeed he Apaches, but he was determined to go brother, Al, and Richard Gird, an as was because the "Lucky Cuss" prospectors are watching, only too turned on as he walked. In an unlikely was more likely the "Vultures" might "looking for turned stones." When Ed came sayer and influential see them working. All their work was mining man, to out to be one of the richest mines in willing to clean my nugget patch for spot, between the first wash and their across rich looking ore , he remem join him in his venture. me ...at no charge!" McCormick said. destination, McCormick's detector done under the cover of darkness, and Arizona. Mine after mine was staked bered the warning and said to himself They were quite disappointed when, To avoid detection while working, went beep. so far, the location of the gold patch has out, such as Tough Nut, Goodenough, " Here is my Tombstone." That's the after arriving back at Tombstone, they the As he swung the detector, beep after remained a secret. East Side and West Side. The town of prospectors wore small adjustable name he gave the place when he re found the claim to be a shallow pocket. beam flashlights fastened to their beep was heard. Nuggets started turn "We had to quit showing the nuggets Tombstone was laid out in 1879 only corded his claim, then he headed north They named it "The Graveyard" be heads with elastic bands. The small ingup by the dozens. By the end of the to our friends," McCormick said. about a mile from Ed's first camp. Ed cause "they buried their hopes". Perse lights limited the visible search area - a night, the excited prospectors had close "They kept trying to find our spot." Schieffelin and his partners sold out verance paid off however, and soon Ed benefit when nugget hunting at night. to 300 nuggets. All were small, all were The two prospectors also found nug after the first million. To find out the Arizona did strike it rich. His brother noted "Since you have a smaller area to see, 4-8 inches deep, and all were sitting on gets in three other nearby washes, but rest of his story see page 9. you work that area much more thor end, protruding from fissures in the these nuggets were lying down and byTorn Bisset bedrock. were far less plentiful than the nuggets oughly," McCormick said. "If you use Arizona's first gold rush was in a lantern, you tend to get distracted The two prospectors didn't get much taken from the first spot. McCormick 1858 about 20 miles from the junc sleep during the next three months; believes the first spot, with its nuggets F.X. Aub because you see more features. Besides tion of the Colorado and Gila Riv rey they were busy working the find of a sticking up on end, is the open end of that, the 'vultures' are able to see you." ers, on the Gila. lt was a rich find of' In 1853 Francis X. Aubery, who be F. X. Aubery As the two prospectors swung their lifetime. Caught in the grip of gold fe an ore vein that could extend some was killed in a knife placer gold and soon the town of came famous for histories longest ride, fight in a Santa Fisher Gold Bugs at the bottom of a ver, they got off work at 5 p.m., jumped distance into the ground. Fe saloon over a news Gila City sprang up. Miners were led a party heading for California letter that may have promising wash, cacti began rolling in a pickup truck, grabbed a thermos of McCormick is hoping a winter freeze suggested his panning up to $20.00 a day in 1861. across Northern Arizona. During the story of that journey might down the slopes; Pack rats, responding coffee and drove 40 miles to the patch. will crack open the bedrock that holds not have By 1864 the town was being torn crossing they met a group of Indians been the truth. F. X. was defenitly a to some instinctive, territorial urge, Still far from their nugget patch, the the tiny nuggets in their upright posi down by lumber robbers because using golden bullets to hunt rabbits tion, uncovering more nuggets under mountain man and a �pirited pioneer. were chewing off the round, cholla two men would exit the pickup, load the placers had play ed out and and other game. Aubrey traded a mule As neath. But for now, the patch is played long as the tales of the history of the cacti, and rolling the spiked balls down up all-terrain vehicles and head for the lumber was so valuable. for a pound and one half of the gold southwest endure Aubery's into the wash at the two men. work area. with only the moonlight to out, and McCormick is happy with his name will bullets, and got more gold, about $1500 appear many times. They were hoping this tactic would guide them. Their lights were off to take - the find of a lifetime. worth, for some clothing. GOLD GOLD Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 37 toric Western Trails • Vol. 2 36 His A Briel Hislary al GOLD in Tuolumne Caunly • Home of the "Jumping Frog By Ralph "Sierra" Shock Contest" Owner & Operator of Gold Prospecting • Pan For Gold • Visit Big Trees Expeditions-J amestown, California State Park In the summer of 1848, Benjamin Wood of Oregon led a party of miners up a creek. Just south of what is now Highway 108/49 bridge over the pre sent Wood's Creek, they discovered a 75 pound nugget. A mining camp called Wood's Crossing was the first gold camp in Tuolumne County. It is sometimes referred to as the Plymouth Mariposa County Rock of Tuolumne County and is lo cated just one mile down the highway from Gold Prospecting Expeditions of Chamber Jamestown. It has been reported that $15 million of of 'gold has been taken from Wood's Commerce Mariposa Office North County Office Gold brought into our store to sell, Jan. 2, 1985; P. O. Box 425 P.O. Box 333 11 pounds of nuggets worth $140,000. Main Street 5158 Hwy 140 5007 Photos courtesy of Ralph Shock Mariposa, CA 95338 Coulterville, CA 95311 (209) 966-2456 (209) 878-3074 Those who be and beans cost an average of $1, a came rich dur shovel cost as much as $20; and a pair ing the Gold of blue jeans were $23. Rush were Gold dust, which served as a me mostly suppli dium of exchange, was not usually ers of mining measured by accurate means. The tools, provi amount of gold which could be held sions and gen between the thumb and forefinger was eral merch called a pinch and was about a dollar's andise which in worth. A teaspoon passed for an cluded liquor. A ounce, a wine glass full was $100 and a plate of pork full tumbler was called $1000. Home of Gold Prospecting Expeditions, Jamestown, CA . Visit Jimtown 1849 to Creek (the dollar amount taken from RUSH reports written in 1849 when gold sold Gold Mining Camp GOL California for $8 in coin or 16 per ounce in trade). Redding,"The Great Way" to far Later that same year, a miner was Pan for Real Gold! northern California Family Trips looking for his lost jackass when he 'X' Park, site of 1850s • Visit Shasta State Historic School Field Tr ips found several gold nuggets. Now 'X' gold rush (located 3 miles west of Redding) iskeytown called Jackass Gulch, the miner took 'X' Special To ur Bus. Group Rates • Gold pan at nearby Wh 1,000 ounces out of 100 square feet! 'X' Helicopter. Tr ips For further information on things to see and do p and eateries contact: s1NCE 1972 as well as accommcrdations By the spring of 1850, nearly 12 tons Phone: 209-984-4653 . Redding Convention of gold had been taken out of the area. Reservations: 1-800-596-0009 & Visitors Bureau No accurate records detail all the great Fax : 209-984-0711 ...... n • Ph: (916) 225-4100 e-mail: [email protected] ';_:.;.;.:<� finds because only a small percentage • or 1-800-874- 7562 18170 Main St. PO Box 1040, Jamestown, California 95327 Fax: (916)225-4354 of the notable finds were ever reported. 38 Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 GOLD GOLD Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 39 Califarnias Famaus Arganauls Tales of Colorado by Glen Turner Boom Days by Todd Moyer In the early days of the 1849 gold The glorius boom rush many of the hopeful Argonauts town days in the mining district (miners) seeking treasure in the gold s of the Colorado Rockies are filled with fields, rushedto the gold camps, places stories of hu mor, tragedy and with false front buildings, boardwalks, community spirit. The AmericanWest 1840 and muddy streets. Some carneto mine of to 1899 was wide open territory the miners like Philip Armour with his were anything could happen. butcher shop in the Mother Lode area. A grocery store in Placerville helped Pass the salt please Mark Hopkins get his start. Levi Alfred Packer is the only Strauss, a young immigrant, decided to man ever tried for cannibalism. In the make long wearing pants to stand up winter of 1873, Packer led five men on to the hard wear of the miners. Strauss a gold prospect scouting party, into the used canvas from the covered wagons San Juan mountains near Lake City, and tents which was very durable and Colo rado. He was the only one to the pants lasted longer than anything return. Packer claimed everyone left him that was available in the mining Cripple Creek, and he was forced to live off the land. Colorado camps. Mr.J. M. Studebaker didn't get Several weeks later an Indian carne his start building cars for the American by the neck into town with strips until you are dead, dead, of human flesh he were written. Several poems. And public, it was building the wheelbar Mining equipment on display dead." a found along Packer's trail. Colorado university, disgruntled rows, needed by the miners in the gold The town over at Angels Camp The hanging did not take place. folk were increasingly suspicious over the quality of the cafeteria food, camps, that started his fortune. Packer re was granted a new trial and Packer's story. That spring, a Harper's named it to the "Alfred Packer Cafete Because of the lack of gold coins be (right) Core from mine drilling Weekly sentanced to 40 years for manslaugh photographer discovered a ria." Little did Packer know that his fore the mints were producing them, a ter. gruesome, grisly sight when he name, and appetite, would man wanting a drink would simply found live on But wait, theres more! In later years, the remains of five bodies; their heads through history. open his gold pouch and let the bar large hands. The extra gold he could a group of Denver Republicans crushed and strips of flesh cut from organ tender pinch what gold he could get "pinch" might pay his wages. Some ized the Alfred their bodies. Packer Club. Two plays continued on page 40 between his thumb and forefinger as were a little careless by spilling a Packer was arrested and es payment. This method was called little gold dust on the floor while Potential Sites caped. He was recaptured in i::f Mining Sites "pinch" or "pinch for payment". The taking it to the money box. One en �Gold Wyoming several years later and usual payment was about 75 cents to had spilled the gold, he then cleaned terprising bartender supposedly put returned to Lake City for trial. He r-----��������------�----� .. � <:) $1 .00 average depending on the size of on his rubber boots and went out the his boots in a bucket. The story goes �����--�--- --:���\t was convicted. The judge was a the bartenders fingers and thumbs. It back door and walked in the mud sev that he "panned" $100 a week from Democrat and reportedly said, was rumored that a bartender had a eral times during his shift. Upon re that bucket with this novel method. "Packer, you rotten so and so, good chance of being hired if he had turning to the bar he walked where he there were seven Democrats in the county and you ate five of tii VISIT BEAUTIFUL iii them I sentence you to be hanged. PLACER COUNTY C�nvention & Visitors Bureau DEATH VALLEY HISTORY • RECREATION • HIKING • MINING Visit and enjoy The Majestic AWESOME ADVENTURE • AND MORE Calarada 14, 162 ft. high Mt. Shasta. For more information Placer County Visitor Information Center 800-926-4865 or (916) 926-4865 Call or Write: 1·800·427·6463 Pine Street, Mount Shasta, CA by Bob Roberts 300 96067 CA Ii DEATH VA LLEY t.!.. 13460 Lincoln Wav.Auburn 95603 - i Cherry Creek in 1858 CHAMBER OF (Down town Denver) COMMERCE EL DORADO COUNTY . A rich placer strike The place to find unusual P. O. BOX 157 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE made on Clear Creek sent 50,000 n a d delightful gifts... SHOSHONE, CA 92384 542 Ma in Street, Placerville 95667 people to the Pike's Peak area in • Museums • Marshall Gold Discovery 1859. BlackHills Gold (619) 852 ..4524 Rich gold bearing quartz was State Historic Park T-Shirts • Souvenirs c�S also found along Te copa Hot Springs, • Historic Placerville • Gold Bug Mine the Continental 24-hour Film Processing Shoshone and • Gold Panning • Historic Hotels Divide, founding the town of Cen 158 Weed Blvd. • Weed, CA (916)938-4678 Furnace Creek, California 621-5885 • 800-457-6279 tral City. . Spr�ngf,..: GOLD Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 GOLD Historic Western Trails • Vol. 40 2 41 Tales al Calarada . . . continued from page 39 Flarence l Nat On Other Maps Taday The ice man cometh around the country. by Samantha Worthington This area yielded so much The ice palace covered five acres gold in 1860 using a "rocker" supposedly rocked On the western edge of the Gospel that it has been said it was The Leadville Ice Palace was built in (that's four-and-a-half football weighed by out $4,600 in one day, and at that time Hump Wilderness Area lies one of the the pound instead of the the most majestic setting in the world.; fields!), had eight foot thick walls ounce. gold was worth $8.00 an ounce, today richest gold finds in North America. The area is south of Lewiston overlooking the upper Arkansas River and was 50 feet high. The design on that would amount to over $200,000! A State Road 14 which leads to valley with a sweeping view to Mt. was similar to a Norman castle the Ghost gold pan of Florence gravel could net Town of Florence which Massive and Mt. Elbert. Located at with arches, buttresses and battle was created as much as $500 worth of gold. by, and flourished during, 10,200 feet in �levation, Leadville is the ments. Wails, floors, ceilings were the gold The bones of this old ghost town are rush. Its not on any map highest incorporated city on the conti all ice blocks mortared with water. today so you still there for the modem prospector might need to check with the Historical nent, and the Ice Palace was just as The octagonal comer towers were with his modem metal detector or old Society or Department of Geology unique as the town. for fashioned gold pansand diligent work. information. It was erected dur With the equipment available to pros This area has not become as famous ing the winter of pectors of today this area could be as some for its deposits 1895-1896 by the citi of gold but it where you find your Bonanza ! zens and businesses should have. In 1860 a placer miner of Leadville in an ef fort to get out of the slump caused by the Theremains of Romley, Colorado. Oralina Creek# A Bonanza repeal of the Silver Every winter takes it's destructive d by Doug Henson Act in 1893. Towns toll on ghost town buil ings. their return East. This was the area of Gold was first discovered and mining camps (Photos by Todd Moyer) in Idaho Idahos first gold rush. Idaho was being on a tributary of dependent on silver the Clearwater River. settled by Mormon pioneers in the The Clearwater ore were suddenly frost and ice described as, ;'like the glis was the route taken to south while at the same time thou the Snake River tossed into a depres tening of a large bed of diamonds." by the Lewis and Clark sands of gold hunters came in search Expedition in 1806. sion. The ice palace Outside at night the lights turned the They rafted down ing the streams for their fortunes. on the way West, would be part of a ice palace into a dream of beauty. then followed it on It wasn't until 1858 when th� Coeur winter carnival de But alas, like an ice cube in warm d'Alene Indians were finally defeated d signed to bring in lo Cabin in Ruby, Colora o. So named fo r the iron ore weather it melted. The carnival com by the U.S. Army and placed on a res cals and tourists from deposits that gave the surrounding peaks their reddish mittee that had built the ice palace had ervation that the exploration for gold appearance. hoped it would last until July, but sum in NorthernIdaho really began. In 1861 mer came early that year and the Lead {::{Potential Sites Lewiston became a supply and outfit 90 feet tall and 40 feet ville Ice Palace was closed by April. ting center for the miners. Elk City and across. Ore samples Three months of festivities had come to 9<:Gold Mining Sites Pierce had gold strikes in 1866 worth were frozen into the an end and so to did the largest ice about $7 million. It was 1861 when walls and ice statues structure ever constructed in the very rich placer mines near the Salmon adorned the hallways. world.. continued on page 42 Glad it wasn•t a fly Inside the icy palace was a large ice skating The town of Mosquito was first set rink, a ballroom, a res tled in 1861 and elaborate plans were taurant, and various made for its future. A meeting was other rooms. Bands held to pick a name. But the 250 resi supplied the music for de�ts couldn't decide on a name after dining, dancing and several had been suggested. skating. Leadville At the next meeting, the secretary = hosted parades and opened the book of the minutes from _ iii����� parties every weekend the previous meeting and found amos f ...... = ; 'ih�· "F; �� $;��;� ...... __},., = � �� C�}l�- · · . for the out of town quito squashed between the pages. In Playground of the Pacific Northwest. ;.:, ' -=: ==� For a free Visitor's Guide to the visitors. The interior fact, the mosquito was crushed righton ==� Coeur d'Alene, ca// 1 ·800·232·4968 The old schoolhouse of Malta, Colorado (near was illuminated with the blank space they had left for the Leadville) in an approaching snowstorm. electric lights and col new name of the town. They liked it, G Mt. Massive in the background. ored spotlights that and the name stuck. CoConventioiu d'ALVisitors BureauTENE § Coeur!i: d'Alene, Idaho bounced the light off the ...... GOLD GOLD Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 43 Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 42 Dralina Creek . . . continued frompa ge 41 and By 1870 one third of the territory thousand by 1864 and the wooden River at Florence and Warrens started one half of all the miners were Chinese. town of Idaho City burned and was producing, $16 million in gold was re the The animosity was great and in 1867. rebuilt four times by 1871. covered there between 1861 and Chinese for years of 1866 and 1867 many · The gambling halls were famous By early 1863 the Boise Basin at Idaho were lynched and the killings blamed their notorious Madam's' and dancing City had a gold strike that created the on the Indians. It was claimed that the girls. Shakespearean plays and melo towns of Placerville, Rocky Bar, and Chinese mixed their gold with another dramas were a welcome break from Atlanta. By 1866 these strikes had pro and alloy, which enhanced its weight everyday toil and the grizzly grungy duced over $20 million in gold. The that is what led to the killings - but who life of the gold fields. population of the area had grown to 16 the truth. Baker • __ __,__,...... --�� knows *Potential Sites 9<;Gold Mining Sites Sheriff, Gang Leader, Thiel & Murderer By Dennis Richards abuse, a Vigilance Committee was trying to elude a band of Indians he Henry Plumber was one of the Wests formed. Now the tables were turned and some other men stopped for a bite most polished and dangerous villains. and 24 men were appointed to an ad to eat. The others scoffed at William for Plumber was a gambler, he was elected visory jury. Immediately the most bra going to the creek to pan for gold while Sheriff of Bannack during the 1860's. zen of the outlaws and a known killer, waiting for lunch to get cooked. His Custer's National Cemetery Little Bighorn Battlefield & He was the secret leader of a gang of one George lves was arrested. Ives was discovery led to the recovery of $70 in the Black Hills of Thisba ttle was the result of gold being discovered outlaws that robbed the stage line that a cool customer, and fearless from liv million in gold by 1893 and the birth of the Indians. Montana and South Dakota, sacred ground to ran regularly between Bannack and ing a life of danger and violence. He the first capitol of Montana, Bannack Virginia City. The gang killed most of was quickly found guilty and was and to the founding of the gold towns the passengers on board the stages to hanged less than an hour after the ver of Virginia City and Nevada City. Wil avoid being identified. dict, justice was very swift. His last liam Fairweather was penniless when Grand Union Hatel Taday Bannack became the capitol of Mon words "I'm not guilty". Within two he died. tana. It has been said that in the area weeks five more heartless souls were boomed in the This hotel was visited by nobility around the town there were countless hung and sent on the way to their des early 1860's as a from Europe and by wealthy Ameri bodies of prospectors that the Plumber tiny. point of entry to cans. The dining room of the hotel was gang had robbed, killed, and buried, to Henry Plumber fell to his knees in the newly discov famous for the fine linens, & crystal hide their crime. These bodies were tears when he was arrested and said he ered placer mines they used and of course the gourmet never counted when the crime spree would leave the country forever, if of western Mon food. was tallied up. In a little over 200 days they would just spare his life. Plumber tana. Supplies Quote from historic Marker at Fort of crime the Plumber gang was blamed confessed his many murders and de were freigh-ted Benton " Captain Clark with members for killing over 100 people, that's better clared he was to wicked to die and he out by ox teams. of the Lewis and Clark Expedition than one each day and that is only the wanted a jury trial. His begging and An early ob camped on the site of Fort Benton June bodies that were found! begging did him no good, he was server stated 'Per 4, 1805. Because the Sheriff and his deputies hanged on the gallows that he himself haps nowhere Originally a trading post of the were all thieves and crooks the people had built earlier as Sheriff. else were ever American Fur Company it became were afraid to speak out against their Allthis wouldn't have happened if it seen motlier moccasined trappers, voyagers, head of navigation on the Missouri bility, attackers even if they lived through the were not for William Fairweather's crowds of daubed and feathered Indi seekers and bull drivers ....on the River with the arrival of the first steam gold experience until after a long period of gold discovery at Alder Creek. While no- " ans, buckskin-arrayed half-breed of the boating season' ... boat from St. Louis in 1859. She face GOLD GOLD Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 45 Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 44 In Utah Silver was King Potential Sites but Montana) � Virginia City, Montana (nat Nevada, By Wendall Hall Gold Mining Sites Col. Patrick Conner's regiment of � by Todd Moyer nack. Feeling Federal soldiers were assigned to In lucky they The gold and silver camps of Mon dian control and map making, but they stopped byside tana produced more than rich ore, often went prospecting instead. The a creek for the sometimes they gave us colorful stories boom town known as Park City was night to try out to pass on from one generation to an the result of one of their finds. The the panning. other. 1 soldiers reported 11We tied a red ban Only one of A group of seven prospectors left danna to a bush where it could easily them ended up Bannack in the spring of 1863 headed be seen to mark the place". When the doing any pan for the Yellowstone River to find their assay report was done it showed there awoke on the ning for gold fortune and fame. They were 96 ounces of silver and a lot of . themselves and he was just morning of May 1 to find is empty today - a stark reminder gold and lead to the ton When the find looking for Bannack, Montana's main street and captured by either, is a Montana became public in 1870 it started a rush. ' .:....'·.:· .. surrounded or bust of the Gold Rush days. Bannack know one enough color to of the boom Crow or Sioux Indians, is open to visitors. Soon makeshift housing went up, lin buy some to State Historical Site and knew for sure. What they did know ing the muddy road that ran the length in were more than a bacco back was that the Indians would brew up their own 11tanglefoot." of the canyon. ' town. . ,,\ little upset at the trespassers. They would mix a quantity of boiled Within ten years this rough camp That prospector made mining his The men were herded into the Indian two plugs of tobacco, had become a city with churches, its gold; lots and lots of mountain sage, the medicine man's tory. He found and a gallon own water system, and stages traveled village and into one box of cayennepepper < their claims and !· were sure they gold. They staked tent. The prospectors of water. They would sell this whiskey between town and Salt Lake City. Dur- named it Alder Gulch for the dense ( were goners. One of the miners, who 25 each. There is no re ing this period mining continued at a �: the site. The substitute for ; ��.11( growth of alder trees at ' possessed an uncanny ability to handle many tavernkeepers were hectic pace. It wasn't to last. As the first ' men agreed to say noth port of how must not have tasted too bad. discovered shallow mines began to ing of their discovery shot, so it and mules worked deep play out it was necessary to go deeper when they arrived at Cats, horses, of Montana. The cats hung and deeper into the earth. When the Bannack the next day. in the mines the mice that were eating miners reached the level of the water They wanted to stock up around to get the horses and mules. They table mining became impossible, the and return to work their the feed for down there. mines flooded, and one by one they claims in secret. loved it mules, of course, were being shut down. The biggest While in town The horses and Sure. mine ran out and Ophir died many of the were used to haul out the ore. They owners worked together to build they ate well, dressed fancy stone and brick buildings, lived underground with clean stables, drainage tunnels and the miners were well, and drank well for built in boom days, became the feed and fresh water. At one point, able to returnto work. men who before they left towns tombstones. at least a thousand horses Another mining area Conner's regi had done nothing well. there were in the Montana ment is credited with discovering was At Alta, Utah legend has it the the lucky prospectors and mules living The ore wife of the regiments surgeon mines. They would pull up to six at East Canyon. The soldiers had heard tried to slip out of town picked up a chunk of quartz and said each car with a ton of ore. tales told of silver bullets used by the the next morning but cars at a time; at different levels and Indians and ran the Indians away from Ills this what you're looking for". It were followed by three They worked shaft where the ore the area. The soldiers named it St. was and the discovery touched off a hundred men. pulled to the main ion Hall built in 1870. to four wild rush of prospectors. This was in Granite, Montana Miners Un to the surface. Each Louis and by 1870 it became necessary Before reaching Alder was transported Photo by Todd Moyer driver who would to plat a town and form a mining dis Little Cottonwood Canyon at an ele the prospectors animal had its own Gulch ore vation of over 8,500 feet. The snow in tend to the animal and handle the trict. The name was changed to Ophir in and held a meeting with the poisonous snakes without danger to gave the animals after the fabulous mines of King Solo the winter would get so deep that that everyone car train. Frequently two live rattle followers. It was decided miners built towers atop their cabins himself, discovered would become attached to their drivers mon. The individual mines had names would stake two claims each, there to provide a winter entrance. snakes kept for ceremonies, and like pets. A deep affec like Miner's Delight and Wild Delir jumping, and they (or vice-versa) into his shirt. When the would be no claim and one ium giving you an idea of the prospec Today copper and zinc have taken stuffed them Two tion grew between them; with would all live happily ever after. the place of silver and are mined in Indians threatened the miners go to work without theother! tors view of their discoveries. ain't bad. For want of to wouldn't the crazy one (miner, not out of three it best: The boom really took off on August the region. The old mine tailing are their lives, born. old miner's ballad said and bacco monry Virginia City 'was An being worked as well. But remem Indian) pulled out the snakes My sweetheart's a mule in the mine. 23, 1870 when a 11hom" of silver was Speaking of tobacco ...In Virginia ber, you find gold where it has been threatened the Ifldians. The Indians I drive her with only one line. found. The lodes at Silveropolis, where heyday years, the 1860s, one out found before, and there was gold in thought he was evil and released the City's dashboard I sit the ore assayed at $24,000 a ton in ten was a saloon. Some On the fearing evil spirits would of three businesses car lots, and Shamrock and Chloride those hills along with the silver. You whole group run And tobacco I spit, times the whiskey supply would can be sure somewhere in these invade the tribe. All over my sweetheart's behind. Point were staked. When the ore finally Balanced Rock, ouside of Moab, Utah. and the supply wagon was a few The prospectors high-tailed it out of low mountains there is gold to be found. out yet, so the tavern keepers there and headed back toward Ban- days GOLD Historic Western Trails • Vol. 46 Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 GOLD 2 47 Virginia City, Nevada (nat Mantana, but Nevada) Gald In Nevada by Todd Moyer seepage would fill the mine shafts with fights, even bear-dog fights. One time 199 Nothingin the world of mining com water that had to be pumped out at a bear broke loose and chased its owner 3 pares to the silver strike of the Com great expense. Along came Adolph Su around the ring. The audience sitting stock Lode at Mt. Davidson, beneath tro. He reasoned that since the mines on the main floor scattered and Virginia City, Nevada. Nothing. It cre were way up on top of the mountain he climbed the poles. The folks sitting in ated millionaires, publishing empires, could drill a tunnel from the valley the stands cheered the bear on! railroad tycoons, banking · magnets, floor near Carson City, up through the Comstockians drank enough liquor and helped finance the civil war. Life mountain to the bottom of the mine to float a battleship. Really! Most of the and living in the mining camp of Vir shafts, and gravity saloons were known ginia City wasn't always easy, but it would naturally as "bit houses," be was interesting. drain them. cause they would Heat was a constant problem down It was a great charge a bit for a in the mines. Up on top at ground level idea, and it worked! drink. A bit is twelve in town, it was boiling hot in the sum Mine owners payed and one-half cents. mer and bitter cold in the winter. But him a fee and Sutro Some places were in the mines it was always hot, sticky connected to the two bit houses, but hot. Down at the 1500' to 2000' level it bottom of their they included a free was usually 110 degrees. At the 3000' mine. If they missed lunch. level you could run into temperatures a payment, he The stagecoach in of 130 degrees and the rocks and out of Virginia were painful to grab. In the City was specially Crown Point mine, one level built by John Stude had a constant temperature of baker. The roads 150 degrees! were rough and rug Working in mine levels with ged and needed a temperatures as extreme as comparable wagon. these, was rough on the miners. He called it the It was like working in a sauna. Washoe Wagon, and The miners had barrels of ice it was made out of cold water, somewhat ade the Territorial Enterprise. wood, wrought iron quate ventilation, and relief pe Photo by Todd Moyer and came specially riods from a double-gang equipped with very system, where two men did the powerful brakes. work of one. In spite of dress would close The road was so wild that one of the ing down to their shorts in the the door and wagon drivers kept mending his heat levels, the perspiration re-flood the clothes with copper harness rivets in would still remove their body mine! Not stead of thread and buttons. This, al impurities and leave them a only did it legedly, gave the idea to Levi Strauss chalky white each day. Men as- Abandoned mine equipment cure the water for his famous pants. signed to these levels were Photo by Jim Hathaway problem, but Samuel L. Clemens came to Virginia Far Mare lnfarmalian Abaul Nevada physically fit and would only it added fresh City and ended up working for the Virginia City work a week at a time before .being air ventilation, and an escape route for Territorial Enterprise. This was not one McCay School of Tonopah Chamber miners in case of a disaster. But the Chamber of Commerce moved to a more comfortable level. of the mainstream newspapers of the Mines Museum of Commerce Some of the miners would make pets project took too long to complete and day, never was. The paper was well V&T Railroad Car, P.O. Box 464 University of Nevada, Reno 301 Bower Ave. P.O. Box 869 of one of the many mice infesting the the mines had as deep as they needed known for embellishing the truth, Virginia City, NV 89440 Reno, 89557 NV Tonopah, NV89049 and production was slacking off. (702) 847-0311 mines (sounds like they needed some sometimes even concocting whole sto (702) 784-6988 (702) 482-3859 of the Montana cats). The rats, how Besides the gambling halls, saloons ries. When Clemens first started, he ever, served a purpose: they would and hurdy-gurdy houses, there were signed his articles as Josh. He soon sub Carson Valley Goldfield Chamber Beatty Chamber other forms of entertainment in Vir warnthe miners of cave-ins when they stituted a Mississippi River steamboat Historical Society of Commerce were squeezed out of hiding by ground ginia City. Among them wrestling, phrase meaning "two fathoms deep" of Commerce P.O. Box 193 115 Columbia P.O. Box 219 prize fighting, cockfighting, badger 119 E. Main P.O. Box 956 shifting. as his name, mark, twain. The new Genoa, NV 89411 Goldfield, NV 89013 Beatty, 89003 Flooding water was always a prob contests, greyhounds chasing coyotes, moniker stuck and Mark Twain was (702) 782-2555 NV (702) 485-9957 (702) 553-2424 lem. Underground springs and natural target practice, bear fights, bear-bull born. 48 Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 GOI.D GOLD Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 49 True ar False The Camslack Lade New Mexica &aid a Hair Raising Tale As early as 1828 there was gold min By Ross Maguire California who found that, based on ing reported in New Mexico. The Span By Dusty Rhodes the sample he received, the ore con An old hand at prospecting, Henry ish and perhaps the Indians had A mine explosion in Virginia City tainedalmost $1,000 in gold and $3,000 Comstock was out just riding his mule probably sought the treasure of gold probably saved the life of one of its in silver per ton. The two miners, one day when he stopped at a spring many years earlier. Between the years McLaughlin and O'Riley had found miners. He wasbadly hurt in the explo known locally as Old Man Caldwell's. of 1848 and 1977 there were approxi sion and lost an eye, all his teeth and as one of the richest sources of precious Watching two prospectors, Peter mately 2,394,900 troy ounces of gold a result of the medication he was given metal ever to be found in the world. O'Riley and Patrick McLaughlin work, recovered in New Mexico, ranking the in the hospital,he even lost all his hair. Soon the entire area around the origi Comstock got off his mule to take a state 12th in gold production. In 1915 When he recovered he got false teeth, nal claim became known as the Com look around their diggings. What hap production in New Mexico peaked at upper and lower plates, a glass eye, stock Lode. pened next is became legend; Com 70,681 troy ounces. The Chino and News of the strike set off a stampede and he even a wig. stock quickly saw the unusual amount Continental copper mines have been as miners from Calofomia rushed in to He took tostage driving in the 1870's of gold that was in sight. Soon he was the source of most of the gold produc (mining didn't appeal to him any running his fingers through the gold, stake claims. By June of 1860 there tion in recent years. more) and his stage was stopped by were 10,000 people in the little.mining and picking into strange looking The gold belt of New Mexico is 50 to town of Virginia City, Nevada which hostile Bannock Indians during the "stuff". Realizing immediately what a 100 miles wide, running from Hachita Bannock Indian War. While the Indi was named after Old Virginny. One of discovery this was he proceeded to in in Hidalgo County to Elizabethtown in ans were contemplating his fate, which form the miners that they were work the veryfirst Californiansto arrive was Colfax County. The area includes not George Hurst, father of William Ran ,_ I was probably his demise, he removed ing on his ground. only Elizabethtown but the Central, j: his wig and gave it to one of the Indi Comstock claimed the land for him dolph Hurst, later of newspaper fame. Lordsburg, White Oaks, Pinos Altos, Lovington ans. Without hesitation he removed his George had heard of the fabulous • �I self and his two old friends, James Nogal, Cochiti, Organ and Old and teeth and gave them to the Indian as "Old Virginny" Finney and Manny strike from the assayer in California Hobbs• New Placers, Hopewell, and Las Ani and arrived in Nevada ahead of the � well. The Indians were stunned to say Penrod. Comstock surely must have mas districts. There are several active li the least,( they probably had assay report. Hurst bought out never been silver tongued because soon there mines in New Mexico today. Some I, McLaughlin's share for only $3,500. seen a white man with removable was a five man partnership. Old Vir gold is being recovered as a by-product · - ll· Other Californianswere equally quick, ·-·-. · · ·�� · parts). When he pulled his glass eye ginney soon sold his share to Com of copper in Grant County. Some cya out of its socket and offered it too, the Comstock sold his share for only stock for a bottle of liqueur and a blind nide heap leech mining is occurring in $10,000 and O'Riley, perhaps a better Indians broke and ran, dropping his horse. Caton County and also at the Ortiz wig and the false teeth. The partners mined for several days busisnes man, sold his for $40,000. • Cliff Dwellings • Gila River mine in Santa Fee County. In the Stee • City of Rocks • Ghost To wns Its hard to know if many white men and recovered quite a bit of gold, but Hurst continued to buy other rich min ple Rock • Wilderness Tr ips district in Grant County as • Museums told this tale in the 1870's but its for ing claims throughout the West, in they soon ran into a vein of heavy blu well as the Bluebird mine in Santa Fe sure the surviving Bannoks probably ish quartz. In June they sent a sample creasing his wealth. they are lode mining. found before. You could be the one did. of this odd material to an assayer in There are many small operations making the next big strike and if you Chamber of Commerce II 03 NorthHudson • Silver Cily, liM 88061 producing varying amounts of gold. don't and you just have funtrying, well 1-800-548-9378 The thing you must remember, you The Elusive Tombstone seeing beautiful New Mexico, will will find gold where gold has been have made your trip worthwhile. ol Billy The Kid Billy the Kid's tombstone was stolen in Discover Albuquerque! 1950. For 26 years it remained a mystery For a free Tbe artof baving fun. until 1976, when Joe Bowlin recovered it Visitors Guide Albuquerque in Granbury, Te xas. Stolen again in ca II Convention and Visitors Bureau February of 1981 it was recovered February 12, 1981 in Huntington Beach, California.Governor Bruce King arranged fo r Sheriff"Big John" McBride to personally return the marker via Texas NEW MEXICO, USA International Airlines. Chamber of Gateway to Enchantment Commerce officials, with JarvisP. Garrett, son of Pat Garrett officiallt reset o on the Santa Fe Trai I! the marker in "iron shakles" May 30, �! �� 1981. As you can see by this photo it Raton Chamber & EDC, Inc. Call for a free PO Box 1211 Visitors Guide won't be going anywhere now. Raton, New Mexico 87740 Taos Pueblo, New Mexico 1·800·638·6161 Historic Western Trails Vol. 2 GOLD GOLD • Historic Western Trails Vol. • 2 51 Alabaster Madel al Crazy Harse Memorial 1'.".. . . ' Milbank. His tragic end set him lasting into a mountain, · free and because of it B he will remain forever creating a monument that will in the hearts of his dwarf Mt. Rushmore, men are people. making the dream of a memo The monument rial to Chief Crazy Horse, dwarfs Mount Rush Oglala Band, Lakota Sioux, more. The face of come true. Crazy Horse is 22 sto ries high, his out Crazy Horse was born in Rapid Val stretched arm will be ley about 1840. He was a leader in the almost as long as a eternalwarfare of his people. His fights football field. The against Fetterman in 1866, Crook at the project is being done Rosebud and Custer on June 25, 1876 with private dona were classic examples of his tactical tions. You can watch judgment. the work in progress. Crazy Horse signed no treaties, lived Be sure to visit the in the outlands, spurned the soft life of fine Indian Museum *Potential Sites the reservation and remained inde of North America pendent of the white man. When Crazy Gold Mining Sites while you're here. 9-<; Horse surrendered in April of 1877 he vowed to fight no more. Crazy Horse ��� \cr.>� GUIDED MINE LEVEL TOURS Deadwa was stabbed fatally in the back by a 'II • Legends of the We st come to life l'i ad on Deadwood's Historic Main Street. GOLD PANNING (Gold Guaranteed) l guard while he was struggling with a & � Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane made O en daily Memorial Day friend. p their names and found their fortunes here. weekend through September Saulh ' Dakala Crazy Horse was a great warrior, a Located on US 85 and Main Spend a day in the beautiful Black Hills. Street in historic Lead, hero to his people. He lived his life with Just miles from five national parks, byGeor ge Harvey South Dakota. Reasonable purpose and he lived very modestly. including Mount Rushmore. individual, family In187 6 the J. B. Pearson party located & t r rates! For a vacation destination with a history ou the first gold claim in Deadwood, it of fun and games, make your NEXT STOP yeilded $20,000 in gold dust. In June of Visit Indian Country DEADWOOD, South Dakota. For more the same year information, call l-605-578-1876 Black the #6 mine yeilded -· - �-::;;-;,·:.� �--�- ..: $2,300 in gold in one day. The Home Zuni Pue blo · El Morro Nat'/ Monument · Ancient Ruins · Red Stake Mine Rock Sta te Pk · Historic Rt. 66 · Authentic Tra ding Posts Mining at Lead in the Black Hills DECOl\ADIE PLAYWOO IN THE PAST D has Free Brochure McKinley County · New Mexico yeilded over $20 million in gold a � NEW MEXICO (605) 584-1605 Gallup Convention & Visitors Bureau • • 1-800·242-11282 National Register of Historic Places P.O. Box694 323 W. Main Lead, SD 57754 year for over 100 years. It was first ell. 66 PO Box 600 · Gallup, NM 87305 discovered by two brothers from Min nesota named Moses and Fred Manual • 0�EST4x-�• along with Hank Haney and N ex With a Heart of Gold Engh. They sold their discoveryin 1876 + WAT CH OPEN PIT MINING IN for $70,000 ACTION to George Hurst of Califor + SEE THE LARGE NUMBER OF �o\d Af1·�.. nia and Lloyd Tevis of the Central Pa HISTORICAL SITES �SURFACETOUR�(9 cific Railroad and Wells Deadwood, South On Main Street in Fargo Since the first cry of "Gold" here Lead-the gateway to Spearfish Express Lead, South Dakota Company and James Haggin. These Dakota doesn't in 1876, Lead has been the mining Canyon-is known as the Mile High Conducted by and for tbe Lead Civic Association men already look to much center of the Black Hills. Miners came City-a mile high, a mile long, and a May 1-Sept. 30 No holiday tours. owned two other large from arounq the world to work in the mile deep. Free Core Samples! mines and later bought the Anaconda different today mines, and their ethnic backgrounds was discovered here in 1876! Homestake Mine in Montana.This than it did 100 Deadwood-Lead Area C of C Gold was the begin are reflected in Lead's neighborhoods. is the longest continuously-operated gold mine years ago - 735 Historic Main St. ning of the Hurst family fortune that except in the world. A modern hardrock mine, Tc ,.lay, botlt surface and underground was fo r cars. Deadwood, SD 57732 350,000 later expanded by george's son gold mining is carried on ... in, around, Homestake produces over ounces of (605) 578-1876 gold annually. Six to seven tons of ore must be William Randolph Hurst of newspa and under the milled to get a single ounce of gold! per fame. GOLD Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 52 GOLD Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 53 Placer gold accumulates along Stevenson stream channels where the Lihe is historic gold mining area On the Columbia River and among velocity decreases rapidly. Reprmted from the 15th annual Visitors the mountains and cliffs of the Colum . These melting gla Guide fo r Upper Kittias County, Courtesy ciers formed a river bia Gorge. It was in this area that pio of the N.K.C Tribune neers had to drag the rafts, carrying 600 to 800 feet wide Liberty is the center of a year around Gold usually moves their wagons down the Columbia and in many places recreation area. Hunters, rockhounds, River, out of the water. Here the water the bedrock of this in a straight line, a campers, snowmobilers, bikers all find route of the Oregon Trail, had to port old channel is far up law of physics. Liberty one of their favorite places. age past the Upper Cascades of the the mountain side One of the more important attrac Columbia which were just west of to above the present tions to Liberty is the lure of GOLD. days town. These rapids presented a creeks. Gold was discovered on Swauk Creek major barrier to river travel. When Lode gold is found Gold always moves almost by accident when a prospector Bonneville Dam was built the Cas in various forma toward the center of a from the Okanogan mines camped cades were drown in the resulting lake. tions. Quartz and cal circle because the flow of there and while dipping water from The Stevenson family settled in the cite seams have water is slower there. the creek found a nugget. This hap Gorge in the 1880's and founded the yeilded large pened more than 100 years ago and Raised sandbars in the town on the old Shepard donation land amounts of gold. gold is still being found on Swauk stream from high water claim, Stevenson had purchased the Many stamp mills Creek and its tributaries. indicate slower water at townsite for $24,000 in 1893. By 1900 and arrastras were Gold is found in the form of nuggets the time of flooding. Good the town had grown and had many built for crushing this �nd the highly prized wire gold. This ore. Wire gold is possibilities for gold business establishments. In 1893 the IS also one of the few places in the found in pockets of panning. county records were clandestinely world wher� gold may be found in its ochre along the out- taken from the town of Cascades, be Originally established as Williams Creek in 1880. It was crystalline form. cause of a dispute over rental fees, and renamed Meaghersville in 1897. In 1912 the Post Offi ce cropping of basalt. The rea shows evidence of many Stevenson became the seat of county � was moved from Old Liberty on Swauk Creek to The Red Top geologic changes over the centuries. government. Meaghersville and Meaghersville became Liberty in Mountain agate beds That this ares was once a lake is shown There is gold mining today just out accordance with Post Office regulations. are well known for by the sandstone and shale common of Stevenson in the foothills of the Tribune) the blue agates found throughout the area and by conglom- (Photos courtesy of N.K.C. mountains. You can be sure that there there. Quartz crystal . . is still more gold to be found by ambi speCimens, Jasper and agates may be tious individuals willing to get in and erate forma- found at Crystal Mountain. hunt for it. More information about the tions near the The excellent campgrounds in the area is available at the local Chamber summit of area are very popular, with many fami _ of Commerce. Blewett Pass. lies spending their vacations and While you are in Stevenson and Volcanic ac weekends there. Many miles of logging Skamania County be sure to stop at the tivity is shown roads are used for summer pleasure new Columbia Gorge Interpretive by the basalt driving and in winter are used for Center. formations or sno:-v�obiling and snowshoe hiking. "iron dikes. " ':'1s1tors to the area today may view The area was LI'f'ILB BI'f Ol' BVBR'Y'IHINe SHOIPPB rehcs of the early mining days and gain HoM EMAdE Food Gifts • Toys • Books covered by ice a better understanding of the condi of Greeting Cards SUQUAMISH 9 lines m during the BAkEd Goods Candy Basket Candy � tions under which early-day miners MUSEUM glacial period. and their families lived. There is a Bill & Dee Rike, Owners 74 Russell Av e, P.O. Box 447 (509) 427-4670 Stevenson, WA 98648 Experience the History of the Pacific No rth It was the sm�ll museum and other buildings N.W. Jeanne Bligh (509) 10th 2nd St. west Indians through the "Ey es of Chief Seat melting of which are preserved in their early-day Stevenson, WA 98648 tle " and his descendants, the Suquamish these glaciers sta:e, as well as mining equipment Western and Fu ll people. Browse through the Book and Gift that formed which can be viewed. Native American Art Service Shop and enjoy the authentic craftsmanship Custom Framing the rich plac Florist of the local In dians. Guided tours available. And be sure to visit with Mr. and Originals & Limited F}\WN'S Edition Prints Fresh & Silk Arrangements ers found �s. Guse at the Liberty Grocery and Silver & Turquoise Jewelry • • T (360)598-3311 ext 422 along Swauk, Potte ry Gifts -Shirts Plants Gift Store. They are happy to fill visi P.O.Box 498 Unique Ladies Clothing 24-Hour Service You can buy gold prospecting supplies Williams and tors in on the history of the area. Art Gallery 15383 Sandy Hook Rd. Fa wn & Kevin Bligh at the Liberty GiftSho p. Baker Creeks. & Trading Post 280 SW 2nd Ave ., Suquamish, Washington Stevenson, WA (509) (509) 427-7754 427-7788 GOLD 54 Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 GOLD Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 55 Gold Is Discovered In Washington Territory *Potential Sites �Gold Mining Sites Washingtans The "Lucky Lady'' by Randy jackson for mining and digging a tunnel. It took cook and by 1885 she owned a restau National Mining five years to dig the tunnel 1600 feet rant, a cow, and a stove, she was deter n 1896 at a place into the mountain and find rich J called ore. mined to be rich in life somehow, Hall of Fame This now was the richest silver ore in Wa rdner function the her dreams had come true. a Coeur d' Alenes , it was 30% solid sil &Museum restauran In 1890 Mr. Hutton was able to start t owner, Mrs. ver. The Huttons received $750 that his own bank, the Scandinavian Bank Hutton, was year as their in the right place share. Soon it was half a of Spokane. Mrs. Hutton spent money at the righ million. t time, almost like on everything fromlimos to This a mansion, is a true rags to riches story. Mrs. winning the lottery today. she bought everything she dreamed of Hutton had been raised poor Mrs. Hutton met near when she was a poor girl. a man who went Youngstown, Ohio She gave a and had heard the lot of broke and wanted to sell his her wealth for the blessing of • mining stories of fabulous Chamber of gold discoveries in others, h claim. She bought a 1 6 share organizing and supporting commerce I in the the Coeur d' Toppenas Alenes. In 1883 she bought many claim for $500, a lot of money charities and worthwhile causes the Jlest still in 1896. a ticket on the Northern She and her new Pacific Rail including partners picked blue the women's right to vote. lives in the City of road and came west berries at the age of 24. She became on the miningclaim to buy tools well known figure in Murals and Mu seums " She was lively, intelligent and a good Washingtons history. P. O. Box 28 ,�.. (509) 865_3262 To ppenish, WA 98948 56 Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 GOLD GOLD Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 57 The Wyaming Toppenish and Fort Simcoe D"i1{ Towe( aka . . • • Sun,danc� By Steven Davies of Highway 220. The park was estab Trails r . '' lished in 1953. The 200 acre site is Cicely, .., by HenryYoung : leased from the Yakama Nation. The r he site where Fort Simcoe stands Newcastle• '.·- T Interpretive Center depicts history Alaska The wagon trails through Wyoming today was used by the Yakama Nation with displays, artifacts and photo were full of hazards to the pioneers. as a camping area because of the cold There were many hardships in living graphs. The park is open daily April 1 The museum in Roslyn became the spring water in a very dry area. There outdoors for months and the difficult to September 30. October 1 to March recipient of Augsberg clock, made fa was grass and timber close by and the terrain slowed, but didn't stop the 31 it is open weekends and holidays. mous in a 1992 episode of Northern weather was good in the valley. The great migration west. The wagons av For more information you may call Exposure, on April 1, 1995. The lock is name comes from the Yakama Sim-ku � eraged between 15 and 20 miles a day Fort Simcoe State Park at (509) 874- a replica of the Habrecht Carillon of ee or Sim-kwee the name for a spot on while they were on the plains but as 2372 or Washington Parks Information 1589, a small version of the great Stras a ridge 3 miles northeast of the fort. they proceeded west, past Fort Line at 1-800-562-0990 inside Washing burg Cathedral clock in Austria. The Construction on Fort Simcoe started Laramie, the mountains became more ton or outside Washington call (206) replica contains many items not f und on August 8, 1856 and served as the � numerous and higher. 753-2116 in the original, a soup can and a dmner advance post for the 9th Infantry Regi The Indians, Sioux and Cheyenne, Another must see just off Highway plate to name a couple. ment. The fort was built as hostilities . feared what was happening due to so 97 in Toppenish is the Yakama Nation There are many other items on dis between white settlers and Indian many wagons Cultural Center. The Center acts as a and people crossing tribes increased. The fort at The Dalles play. Roslyn was a coal mining town their land. Game was becoming scarce storyteller, allowing visitors to see his __£ with a rich history. While you tour .· ..,· Q1' could not protect the entire region. on their traditional hunting grounds . ;;; .. ].., *Cheyenne tory through the eyes of the Yakamas Washington's gold country be sure to .,.....,�, -·· _liioi...;;.;;�J.;;�-.i..---_:B:•g�gs_,;.,..���il-.._ .. The 34 murals on the buildings of and grass they needed for their horses i\i.U..__ ....� ,;,, ._:� :,..- __ ...... - themselves. The story is of survival stop in and visit Cicely and meet the Toppenish reflect the era of the old was being trampled or eaten and the struggle of this native culture folks that live and work in this friendly by the *Potential Sites Gold Mining Sites west, portraying events from that time. stock pulling the wagons or 9<; to adapt while still maintaining their little town. being Guided tours owned and operated by herded identity as a people. west with the pioneers. Fre trail went through the favorite hunting Mike Ring are available. Horse and quent This was sacred ground to the Indians Nipo Strongheart, the grandson of Indian raids on wagon trains oc ground of the Sioux of the Powder mule drawn covered wagons, stage curred and land that had been granted them Ta Chi Num, a Yakama leader, became as they tried to protect their River country, northwest from the coaches, even a trolley and a wagonette land by treaty. This last blow to their way of a well known movie actor, he worked from this invading horde of white North Platte River past what are today with interpretive narration by knowl men. life led eventually to the battle that was in Hollnvood for 40 years and was Finally a series of treaties signed the towns of Buffalo and Sheridan. edgeable guides are available. Toppen between to become known as "Custer's Last seen in many films. Strongheart, who 1851 and 1865 gave the wagon Forts were built to protect the trail in ish offers a real Old West flavor to the Stand." A stage line, the Cheyenne and grew up in White Swan and called the trains safer passage. cluding Fort Reno and Fort Phil visitor. Every Friday Marshall Drillum Black Hills Stage & Express Company Yakama Reservation home, was an Hostility resumed anew when gold Kearney in Wyoming. The Indians (AKA Dave Foster) checks out the lo started service to the gold fields. authority on American Indians. His was discovered in Montana 1866 and were so hostile to the Bozeman Trail cal business people, anyone not Twenty four stage stops on the 237 mile legacy of more than 10,00 vol mes of the Bozeman Trail was opened. The that finally, in an effort to restore peace, dressed in Western garb is fined $5.00 � run between Cheyenne and its last stop books and artifacts was the bas1s of the the government was forced to accept on the spot. Toppenish is a must see in Wyoming at Canon Springs. From Centers museum and library. Visitors Chief Red Cloud's terms, close the trail place for travelers in this area. there it went into Dakota Territory to come from all over the world to learn and abandon the forts that protecting Today at the fort there are five build Deadwood. The route followed more about Yakama Indian culture. it. ings remaining for you to visit. Fort roughly todays Nebraska - South Da Gold was discovered in the Black kota border. Simcoe State Park is at the western end Hills of Wyoming and Dakota in 1874. Wyoming's Best, Genuine West Toppenish's premiere narrated mural tour! DUBOIS Tours 7 days a week: 1 Oam-noon-2pm-4pm Roslyn Clock (Photo by NKC Tribune) To urs depart from behind Bouchey Parkway across from the . Mural society office. See To ppenish's 34 world famous htstoncal � Delicious homemade food murals with entertaining and info rmative narratton. � Devils Tower, Wyoming was an Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner HCl•rslep;aclldn,g • Fishing • Wildlife 2 Stage Coaches • 4 Covered Wagons '-% important landmark for Plains Pristine PUBLIC TOURS �-� Open 7 days a week Backcountry (4-10 APRIL-NOV. 1 • 1 in season Indian tribes long before the white Historical Museum 15 Visit our Shop! National Ask about our Private To urs Gift man reached Wy oming. It was called Bighorn Sheep Center . Weddings . Anniversaries . Special Occasions (509) 649-2763 Dubois Chamber of Commerce . Corporate ·Reunions �·AN OASIS lt Mateo Tepee or Grizzly Bear Lodge We also provide dignified funeral escort in lhe P.O. Box 632, Dubois, WY 82513 2nd Pennsylvania Roslyn, WA by the Sioux. spirit of the Old West. & • 98941 777-6323 (307) 455-2556 58 Historic Western Trails • Vol. 2 GOLD Ne ws of gold strikes in Ca lifo rn ia fa nned th e fla mes of Forest Service Regional Stale Offices of B.L.M. U.S. Depl of Interior desire to search fo r gold th Offices Arizona: New Mexico, Oklahoma & Texas: ro ugh out th e world. Th omas 2400 Valley Bank Center U.S. Post Office & Federal Bldg. Jefferso� one Northern Region of our most Phoenix, AZ 85073 P.O. Box 1449 in telligen Federal Bldg . . t Presiden ts once Santa Fe, 87501 rem Missoula, NM arked, ''It will take 40 & genera Rocky Building, Room E-2841 Oregon Washington: tions to settle th e West'� 11177 W. Way 729 NE Oregon St. After gold was discovered in 95825 P.O. Box 2965 Ca lifo rnia in 184.9 it took only Portland, OR 97208 two. Utah: Probably th e luckiest University Club Bldg. .Prospector to search 136 East South Temple th e wildern ess Salt Lake City, UT 84111 fo r gold and silver wa s Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska: Ed Schieffeli� 2515 Warren Ave. th e discoverer of P.O. Box 1828 ���� th e To mbstone, Cheyens, WY, 82001 Arizona � fo rtune. He died May 12, 18.97 in So uthern Oregon Published by searching fo r gold and le Northwind Publishers ft a dia ry sta ting he had fo un d a rich vei Sponsored in part by Oregon n of gold, richer th an Portland, OR Merchants Association To mbstone and took th e lo cation of it to his Southern Region • gz:ave e was fo und Design & Layout by � dea d on th e steps of Suite 800 hzs ca bzn slumped Holland Graphics over a gold pan of rich 1720 Peachtree Rd, gold ore. Linda Holland, Lisa Kind, See story on page S Atlanta, GA 30309 Todd Moyer and Adam Simpson Eastem'Region' ' Photography by 633 W. Barbara Winslow Milwaukie, WI except "credited" work Alaska Region Federal Office Bldg. P.O. Box 1628 Juneau, AK 99802 Screened art this page by Frank Murdoch Wile every effort has been made to ensure the Publishers. All rights are reserved, no right to repro accuracy of Historic We stern Tra ils Vo l. 2 Gold duce in whole or in part without prior written permis Edition and all material contained therein, Northwind sion. In the instance of stories, photos and artwork Publishers disclaims all liability for any errors or supplied by and credited to others, their copyrights and - omissions. Contents copyrighted 1995 by Northwind all rights of reproduction and ownership are retained. On e of th e Wests most To obtain additional copies of Historic We stern Price: $7.95 per copy dangero us and polish ed Tr ails Vo l. 2 Gold Edition, please see the Plus $2.00 shipping & handling villa in s of th e gold rush businesses whose ads appear in this publication or Please allow 4 weeks fo r delivery. days was th e Sh eriff of your local bookstore. Mon tana, Henry Pl umb Please write for information on obtaining er. If copies are not available in your location send check He was also th e lea der copies for retail resale of Historic of or money order to: a gang of killers th at Northwind Publishers We stern Trails Vo l. 2 Gold Edition. / kille d 102 citiz P.O. Box 301511 ens in s Be sure to include your phone number. mont Portland, Oregon 97230 � hs, mostly fo r th eir gold. See story on page 43 GOLDr GOLD GOLDr th e in sp ira tio n ' and determ ina tio n to fin d gold or · own gold, crazed th e im aginations of prospectors, gamblers, th ie ves, stage robbers, gunfigh ters and women of · th e ba wdy houses. GOLD FEVER sp awned th e grea t migra tio n of th ousands westward and th eir gold discoveries left behind the ghost towns, left lik e th e tombstones in a cemetery across th e west, as a remem brance of th e wild and untamedera o:£ our past. �\ ��