USA > Wyoming > The history of Wyoming from the earliest known discoveries > Part 57
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
This was not the first visit of James to the South Pass country. During the late summer of 1865, Maj. Baldwin, with forty picked men, explored the country about South Pass, the head of Strawberry creek, the head of Beaver creek, Little and Big Popo Agie, going as far north as Big Wind river, and James and Sergeant Shoemaker were of the command, and it was on this expedition that they were im- pressed with the idea that there was gold in that section. Maj. Baldwin became convinced not only that there were rich quartz veins in the country but that placer gold abounded, and this was why he was willing to outfit the party of prospectors. During the summer, fall and winter the gold prospects of the South Pass country was the princi- pal topic of conversation at Fort Bridger. Men who passed through, going either way, heard much about these gold discoveries. During the fall of '65 a man named Eddy, con- nected with the Overland Telegraph Company, made what he considered a rich find over near Rock creek. He had some knowledge of silver mining and thought he had found a silver lead. This rock was sent to Salt Lake and the as- sistant superintendent of the telegraph line sent it to Vir- ginia City and had it assayed, but it only ran $6.85 per ton.
During the summer of 1865, Lewis B. Chapman, a sol- dier of the Third California Infantry, accompanied by Ezra McAtee and Samuel Connor, started from Fort Bridger to find the Great Tar Spring which Captain Bonneville had mentioned. These three men were hired by Judge W. A. Carter, Major Stover, L. B. Scott and others at Fort Bridger
645
South Pass Gold Discoveries.
to find this renowned oil spring and locate it under the then existing mining laws. They went by the way of South Pass, turned north at that point and finally reached the valley of Wind River, now known as the Lander Valley. On the road they were joined by three men, one of whom was the no- torious outlaw, Mountain Jack. When they reached the valley they met Major Baldwin, who was at that time in command of Fort Bridger. The major had with him a de- tachment of forty men and he was on his return from Wind River, where he had been scouting and prospecting. Chap- man and his companions had great difficulty in finding the "Great Tar Spring," but were finally guided to it by the strong odor of the oil. They at once erected a stone cabin which they covered with a roof of cedar poles, and taking samples of the oil they returned to Fort Bridger. The Mountain Jack spoken of was without doubt one of the most desperate characters ever in Wyoming. He was a soldier in General Johnston's command and deserted while going through Wyoming and joined the Shoshone tribe of Indians. This man, under all circumstances and on all oc- casions, considered the law of might, right. If he met an emigrant who possessed any property that he took a fancy to, Jack never hesitated to possess himself of it, and any show of resistance on the part of the emigrant was met by instant death from the unerring pistol of the outlaw. The traders in the country feared this man more than they did a whole tribe of Indians. On one occasion he went into Judge Carter's place and told him that he wanted a loan of $200. The Judge understood his man and at once counted out the money. This was his method of making what was styled in those days, forced loans. From 1857 to 1865, he was the terror of the mountains. In the year last named, and at the time of his visit to the Wind River Valley, he went to Montana and was run out of that country by vigilantes and came back to the Shoshones. During the winter of 1866-7, W. A. Johnson and a man named Jackson went from Ham's Fork to the Lower Popo Agie with a stock of goods to trade
646
History of Wyoming.
with Indians. They took up their abode in the Three Cabins and were soon afterwards joined by Archie Blair and his brother Duncan. Mountain Jack met Johnson and Jackson at Green River and went with them to the Three Cabins. Jack did not remain, but went over to the Shoshone village, where he lost, by gambling with the Indians, several hun- dred dollars worth of goods which he had brought with him. After this loss he returned to the Three Cabins and soon after arriving told one of the Blair boys that he had come there for the purpose of killing Johnson, as that trader had reported him to the vigilantes in Montana. Blair sought an opportunity to warn Johnson, and it was agreed that Moun- tain Jack must be killed by Johnson or the latter be killed himself by the outlaw. Blair went into the cabin where Jack was sitting by the fire with a buffalo robe over his head, Indian fashion. He paid no attention to Blair, who took down a gun from some hooks on the wall and placed it in the corner by the door. Johnson soon after came in, took up the gun and blew off the top of Jack's head, and the out- law's body fell over into the fire. Thus died Mountain Jack, and his death was an event which produced rejoicing among the early settlers. The real name of this desperado was said to be Jackson Alvese. Lewis B. Chapman, who knew him well, says that his death at the hands of Johnson was justi- fiable, and it was well for the latter that the outlaw did not look round when Johnson entered the door, as Jack al- ways carried a revolver in the breast of his shirt and in a position to draw it at a moment's notice .. He was always prepared for any emergency. It had been noticed by many persons that when the outlaw was in company with others and strangers approached, his hand invariably went inside his shirt front, and this was followed instantly by the click of the lock of his revolver, and thus he waited the advent of newcomers.
Lewis B. Chapman is one of the few survivors of the Third California Infantry, which was composed of some of
647
South Pass Gold Discoveries.
the best Indian fighters ever in Wyoming. Connor loved these grim warriors because they were true as steel, and while he was Colonel of that regiment they learned to idol- ize him. Chapman was mustered out of the service at Salt Lake, returned to Fort Bridger and entered the employ of Judge W. A. Carter, hauling wood, burning charcoal and cutting hay to fill government contracts. In the year 1874 he left Fort Bridger and took up his residence in the Lander valley and remained two years, then went to Miner's De- light, where he lived for seven years, when he returned to the valley and made his residence in Lander, where he still resides.
It should be stated here that, during 1865, Tom Ryan, a soldier in the Nevada volunteers, went with his command through the South Pass country. He had heard the story of the rich mineral in that section and being a miner, he made a discovery of fine gold quartz on the Carissa, but not having an opportunity to develop the property he after- wards reported the find in Salt Lake. Being known as a re- liable man, his disclosures created no little excitement in the Mormon city, and the result was a considerable com- pany organized there in the winter of 1866 and 1867, and early in the spring a number of men started out with the avowed purpose of finding the place where Ryan had uncov- ered the rich gold quartz. In this party were H. S. Reedall, Harry Hubbel, J. W. Lawrence, Frank Marshall, Bill Hick- man (a noted Mormon), Porter Rockwell, John Smith, Homer Roberts, Richard Grace, and a large number of others. Min- ers from Montana who had heard the news of Ryan's discov- ery were early on the road to South Pass. But in the excite- ment we must not lose sight of Maj. Noves Baldwin, who had all along remained firm in the faith that wonderful gold discoveries would be made in South Pass. He having been mustered out of the service in July, 1866, at once se- cured a license to trade with the Shoshone Indians. He lo- cated the same year near the mouth of the Popo Agie, tak- ing his family with him. He remained there until the spring
648
History of Wyoming.
of 1867, going back to Fort Bridger on account of Indian troubles. Of his family and their connection with pioneer work, I shall have more to say farther on.
Through the early spring of 1867 there were constant arrivals at South Pass, and as soon as the snow left the tops of the hills the prospectors spread themselves over the country. On June 8th H. S. Reedall, Harry Hubbel, Capt. J. W. Lawrence and others succeeded in finding the Carissa lode, which Tom Ryan had told about. The rock was rich beyond anything that any of the party had before seen; the walls were well defined, and there was every probability that a great producer had been discovered. The news spread like a great conflagration all over the camp; nor did it stop here. Prospectors hastily sent word in all directions to their friends at home, and then commenced the rush to the new mining camp. New York, San Francisco, and all in- termediate points in a few weeks were well informed of the great strike at the Carissa. The little army of pioneer min- ers in the camp dreamed of wealth even beyond that which falls to the lot of men the most fortunate, but this happi- ness and exultation was of but short duration, for in July a war party of the Sioux tribe of Indians made an attack on the men engaged in sinking a shaft on the Carissa. The ex- citement of the discovery had driven the fear of Indians from the minds of the white men, and consequently they were un- prepared to meet the wild charge of the painted savages. Capt. Lawrence rallied the miners and attempted to hold the position, but his men were without arms and practically defenseless. Their only weapons at hand were picks and drills, but with these they made a bold stand until Capt. Lawrence fell mortally wounded. His followers, realizing that they would all be killed if they remained in the mine, rushed out and down the hill toward Willow creek, which they crossed in mad haste. Keeping on, they finally reached the Sweetwater, the red devils close at their heels. Here Tony Shields, another of their number, was killed. At this point the Indians turned back. The Carissa party were
-
J. D.WOODRUFF.
ROBERT ME AULEY
CAPT. H.G.NICKERSON
649
South Pass Gold Discoveries.
now joined by numerous prospectors who had become aware of the affair at the Carissa. Some of these were armed, and this fact instilled courage and confidence among the whites. The Indians in their retreat gathered up a lot of horses and other stock belonging to the prospectors and miners, and with these disappeared. They evidently were apprehensive of an attack by a band of Shoshones who were known to be in the neighborhood. The little band of miners was in no condition to return to the mines, as they had reason to ap- prehend that the Indians were waiting for them, so they kept on to the west, hoping to meet a party which had some days before left Fort Bridger, bound for South Pass. The following day this party came up, and with them the miner's and prospectors returned to the camp. The surviving part- ners in the Carissa at once returned to work, but each man armed himself and a guard was posted on a high point in the vicinity. The duty of this guard was to warn the miners of approaching danger. The prospectors likewise went out armed, two going together. One of these kept watch for Indians while the other worked.
In September, Captain A. G. Turner arrived from Cen- terville, Boise County, Idaho. He at once took a prominent part in all matters relating to the mining camp. Turner was a man of ability. Born in Alabama, he left his home and went to California in early days and in 1862 located in Centerville, Idaho, where he entered politics and was a can- didate for Delegate to Congress in 1865, but was defeated by E. D. Holbrook, a brother of Jack Holbrook who was af- terwards one of the discoverers of the Miners Delight mine.
During the fall the town-site of South Pass was laid out and the first permanent buildings erected. The season was short, but much was accomplished toward making the miners comfortable for the winter. Quite a number of well built houses were finished and an abundance of wood for fuel was cut in the hills and hauled into the new town. Before the snow covered the ground the army of prospectors had discovered and located many promising properties.
650
History of Wyoming.
When winter set in a good supply of provisions had arrived, and this stock was added to by the hunters, who brought in buffalo, elk and deer meat in great abundance. The winter passed off pleasantly and everybody was at work getting ready for active mining operations in the early spring. At the Carissa shelter had been provided and all hands were kept at work pounding the rich rock in mortars and when spring arrived it was found that $15,000 in gold had been taken out in this primitive manner.
The news which went out that fall after the Carissa strike resulted in a grand rush from every direction to the mines. Early in the spring of 1868 miners from Colorado, Montana, Utah, Nevada and California came flocking in to South Pass. Some wonderful strikes were made early that season. The Young America was discovered by Francis Zeriner and Geo. Arnett, which turned out to be a good producer. The Carrie Shields was discovered by Capt. A. G. Turner. It was a rich mine and flowed a golden stream for a number of years. The Mohamet was located by Roberts and Gildersleeve. Tom Ryan, who had been discharged from the service, came back to South Pass to find that his rich mine had been located by other parties, but he spent no time in repining and was off among the hills to make another discovery. His practical eye soon detected a rich vein which he located as the Carter lode. I do not know how much gold Ryan took out of this mine, but it was afterwards relocated and called the "Robert Emmet," and it is now known as the "Gould and Curry." This mine has first and last been a great producer. Jim Duncan that season lo- cated what is known as the Duncan mine, which afterward came into the possession of James Smith and is now owned by his widow. Tozier and Eddy that year erected the first quartz mill in the country. It was much needed at the time. This mill was located on Willow creek, a short dis- tance below the Carissa mine. The saw-mill, that indispen- sable adjunct to every mining camp, came early that season. The Halderman mill also soon followed on the same creek.
65I
South Pass Gold Discoveries.
The Hinman mill and the Decker were located on the head of this stream. By the middle of May South Pass contained hundreds of houses and thousands of people. I have heard many figures given as to the population at that period, but as they were all guess work I will not specify the number. The Indians, while all this was going on, were not unmindful of the great opportunities which the condition of things presented for them. The well-organized outfits which had come in to the country possessed an abundance of fine horses, and these had been placed in charge of herders and sent into the hills. During the latter part of May the In- dians made a raid and carried off a hundred of these fine horses and mules and at the time gathered up a large num- ber of other horses pasturing among the hills. The miners were well armed, but being without mounts were unable to pursue the savages and were obliged to make the best of it. An armed party, however, went after the thieves but was unable to overtake them. The value of the stock taken was estimated at the time to be not less than ten thousand dol- lars. This was a serious blow to the camp, as the horses and mules were needed to haul in goods for the stores, as well as tools and mining machinery. The miners redoubled their vigilance, but scarce a month had passed before the hostiles made another raid. There had been large accessions to the camp and consequently there was again an abundant supply of horses and mules. These they took, also a consid- erable amount of mercantile goods and money. The Indians took a northern course on leaving the mines and on reach- ing the Little Popo Agie they entered the stone cabin of Frank Morehouse, which they plundered. Morehouse had gone to the hills to hunt his horses. They soon found him, killed and scalped him, and robbed the body of $1,500. Soon after passing Morehouse's place they met William Rhodes, who was driving a four-horse team. They at once killed and scalped him and stripping the clothing from his body and the harness from his horses made off with them. On the Cot- tonwood they met a man known in the camp as "Dutch
652
History of Wyoming.
Henry," whom they also killed. They visited the cabin of an old Frenchman named Deveraux. The old man had planted a garden and was in his little patch at work when the Indi- ans came up. They killed him on the spot and horribly mu- tilated his body. On August 9th a freighter known around the camps as "Uncle Hirst" had been after supplies with a four-ox team. He had reached, on his return, Three Cross- ings, a place on the Sweetwater, when he was attacked by Indians. He had a heavy load of goods for one of the new mercantile establishments at the mines. The Indians shot and mortally wounded the driver, Dave Hayes,and shot Hirst in the heel. The two wounded men made a vigorous de- fense and succeeded in driving off the savages. After the Indians had left, Hirst placed his wounded driver under the wagon in his blankets, unhitched his cattle and drove them into South Pass. Hirst returned in company with Maj. Baldwin, who was going after supplies with a train of wagons. The Indians attacked them at Ice Slough, and af- ter a spirited engagement, Major Baldwin was driven back. A man named Leach, connected with the train, was wound. ed. William Tweed, now of Red Canon, was interested with Hirst in the freighting outfit, and hearing of the Three Crossings affair, went out with Hirst, William Rose and another man to rescue the wounded teamster and the property. When they reached the wagon they found the man dead and the goods carried off. They now proceeded to take the wagon to town, but the Indians, who were lying in wait, vigorously attacked the party. The savages, being well armed and in overwhelming numbers, compelled the four men to retreat to the willows which were near at hand. Rose was mounted on a race horse, and having great confi- dence in the animal's speed, thought that he could outrun the Indians; he therefore followed the road to South Pass. Some of the best mounted of the enemy turned in pursuit of him, and then commenced a race for life. Poor Rose dis- covered that his great confidence in his racer was misplaced, and like many another, found that he had staked his all on
653
South Pass Gold Discoveries.
the wrong horse. With whip and spur he urged his pet forward; but, alas, the two foremost Indians were close be- hind and shots from their rifles barely missed him, but the Indians were getting the better of the fight and finally a shot from one of them struck Rose in the back of the head and he fell from his saddle, being killed instantly. The In- dians' pursuit of Rose created a diversion which enabled Mr. Tweed, though wounded, and his companions to escape. This affair aroused the people of the whole mining district and twenty-seven men, well mounted and armed, went in pursuit of the savages, but they had flown. They buried the bodies of Rose and the teamster and took the wagon to town. This was the first fight with the savages. They had tested the metal of the white men in an open fight and by a greatly su- perior force had defeated them. There were plenty of brave men in the camp who were willing to pursue the savages and punish them for their murderous conduct, but the ques- tion was how to find them, and so the matter dragged on and the search for gold was resumed, but nearly every man armed himself and procured an abundant supply of ammuni- tion, and a strict watch was kept for the appearance of any hostile band.
The William Tweed who figured in the foregoing inci- dent was the first man to bring his family to South Pass. He arrived early in the spring and thus Mrs. Tweed became the pioneer mother of the mining district, but quickly follow- ing this family were a number of others, and South Pass became a prosperous little city of happy homes. The hotel, the saloon and the gaming establishment came as if by magic. The South Pass hotel was opened by Dr.W.C.Irvin, John Thompson opened the U. S. Hotel; the Eclipse Hotel was started by Capt. Sherlock; Mrs. Caroline Chapin (now Mrs. James Kime) became the founder of the City Hotel; the Kidder hotel was started by a man of that name. The first store was built by Cotter & Houghton. They dealt in miners' supplies, which meant everything. Houghton was afterwards elected the first sheriff in Sweetwater county, in
654
History of Wyoming.
which county the mines were then located. Marks & Meyers opened a clothing store; Hugh Frank also started a cloth. ing establishment. Maj. Noyes Baldwin, Sidney Ticknor, Louie Engler and Henry Crutcher each started general stores. The display of saloon signs became very numerous and it was not long after when the following establishments were in full blast: The "'49er" saloon and restaurant, started by Robinson & Sherlock; Fritz Rittich ran a like place; Geo. Hirst the Keg Saloon; also one kept by "Fatty" Smith; another by Castle & Giles; A. W. Furgeson, a saloon and restaurant; Frank Gilman, W. H. Bright and Geo. Shakespear & Brother all ran saloons; the Magnolia saloon was run by Charley Sickles; John Donnelly had a saloon and restaurant; Charley Sowers ran the Elephant saloon, and the Occidental was run by Pat Walsh; Louis Goodman started a wholesale liquor establishment. There were three meat markets. The first was opened by William Tweed, the next by Dave Hamilton, the third by Pat Murphy. George W. B. Dickson and Calvin Lightburn opened a general store and Dickson became postmaster. He afterwards became a de- faulter to the government and suddenly left for the diamond fields of South Africa. The summer of 1868 was certainly a prosperous one. The Carissa mine was producing a large amount of gold and placer ground was being worked in the gulches and along Willow creek, Rock creek and other streams in the vicinity. Prospecting had been pushed north for some miles with considerable success. During that year quite a number of men, who afterwards became prominent, took up their residence in South Pass. Among others was Eugene Amoretti, who came July 4th. He at once showed his faith in the country by the purchase of mining property. He located his family at South Pass, and it was here that his son Eugene was born, being the first white child born at the mines. This pioneer boy will appear later in connection with the stock interests and also the mercantile business of Fremont county. Mr. Amoretti entered actively into business of various kinds, and early gained the reputation
655
South Pass Gold Discoveries.
of being an enterprising, far-seeing business man. He de- veloped mining properties, erected a stamp mill and engaged in the mercantile business. At one time, he owned the Star mine, Eldorado, Washington, Tollgate, Hunkadori and later the Caribou. The Eldorado was a good property and out of it Mr. Amoretti made some money, but finally lost the ledge. After this he went to work on the Caribou and took out a thousand tons of ore which it was thought would run $75 a ton, but only milled three dollars. This was in consequence of the richest ore being refractory and the free milling pro- cess would not save the gold. He afterwards struck a very rich vein in this mine and took out forty-eight tons of ore which ran up into the thousands. This ore was sacked and awaiting shipment when someone stole the entire lot, leav- ing the identical number of sacks filled with low grade ore. This circumstance induced Amoretti to confine his attention to his mercantile business which he had established in South Pass and which had been successful. He started another store at Atlantic, still another at Miners Delight, and later one on the North Fork, and still later established a large mercantile establishment at Lander. B. F. Lowe had se- cured title to the land on which the original town site of Lander was located and he turned over to Amoretti a con- siderable portion of the property in consideration of having this enterprising citizen locate there and assist in building up the town. Amoretti at once built a large store and three residences and eventually sold $46,000 worth of town lots, all out of the land turned over to him by Lowe. The ambi- tion of this pioneer town builder knew no bounds, and yet all his plans were carefully laid and he worked them out with the greatest care. He encouraged men to open farms, assisted worthy men to establish themselves in business, took measures which resulted in the building of a large flouring mill, and induced men of enterprise and capital to locate in his town. He was one of the principal promoters of the Lander Electric Light and Power plant. When the time came, he established a private bank, which afterwards
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.