** Lost Gold At The Dead Man's Mine ** A Miners Journal **

[geof_junk]

"I got up early this morning before any of the crew. I had decided to myself last night to move my gold out of here in case hooligans overrun us and find it. I don’t trust anyone when it comes to gold. I took my cache and took it miles from the claims where no one would ever look.."

When it comes to gold it is hard to even trust yourself. ?

[GhostMiner]

   The saga comes to an end this Saturday. Just a few more days to go.

[GhostMiner]

I've lost about half the viewers but many thanks to the ones who are still here. Social media is an interesting place indeed.

[Tahoegold]

New readers will be reading this story for years. And, probably re-reading it. Thanks for taking the time to post this Ghost Miner.

I know you said it was based on a true gold strike. And the amounts are as close as you can determine from some info you have. That's what makes this interesting. I can imagine myself there and visualize the action and the GOLD. Good stuff Maynard.

Still, the scale of the strike and what is done by hand is incredible. It keeps the gold dream alive. Like someone already mentioned. A good read to psyche up for the season! 

[GhostMiner]

5 minutes ago, Tahoegold said:

New readers will be reading this story for years. And, probably re-reading it. Thanks for taking the time to post this Ghost Miner.

I know you said it was based on a true gold strike. And the amounts are as close as you can determine from some info you have. That's what makes this interesting. I can imagine myself there and visualize the action and the GOLD. Good stuff Maynard.

Still, the scale of the strike and what is done by hand is incredible. It keeps the gold dream alive. Like someone already mentioned. A good read to psyche up for the season! 

Many thanks. After the ending I will be giving some info on the real strike and how it happened. 

[GhostMiner]

   SEPTEMBER 30   1936

   We had some frozen water at the camp this morning. Jacob and Will went out and checked the water pumps and lines and they were frozen in a few places. We stoked the campfire and made breakfast while we watched the sun slowly climb above the pines. By mid morning the sun had warmed the camp a bit and the water lines were thawed enough to start the pumps up. There was a little delay in the pressure as what ice was left cleared and by late morning we were mining. The gravels in the northern end of the pit seem to hold less gold. I have panned multiple samples and the gold is finer and in less quantity as far as I can tell. We shoveled away and tried to make hay before dusk. At the end of it all we only had an ounce but it was better than no gold.

   We sat around the fire tonight and talked about the cold weather. The temperatures were now dropping below freezing overnight but the days warmed enough to thaw the water. It took some time and our work days were down to washing gravel for maybe 6 hours and that included the gold cleaning. Production would no doubt fall. Then we talked about possible retaliation by hooligans. We had made lots of enemies and we always had to watch our backs. Dutch assured us he had us covered but it is hard if not impossible for one man to guard so much area. I told the crew that they should start thinking about ending our season soon. I am trying to finish the pit before everyone leaves but it may not be possible. Time will tell. Tonight the stars are shining and the temperature is below freezing as I sit in my tent with the stove going and a cup of whiskey to put me to sleep.

   TO BE CONTINUED .....................

[GhostMiner]

   OCTOBER 1   1936

   It was a clear and bright morning and the campfire was burning good. We fixed beans, bacon, and coffee and once again Will and Jacob headed up the mountain checking the lines. They came back shaking their heads and saying they were froze up solid. I figured we might not be mining until afternoon and told the crew to stick at camp until Will and Jacob gave us the word. I poured some whiskey in with my coffee and got set up close to the fire waiting for the sun to climb. By noon the lines were still froze and we all ate a good lunch. I kept drinking whiskey and was starting not to care if we worked that day or not. About 2:00 in the afternoon Jacob came back down to camp saying the lines were open enough to start the pumps up. I told him to fire them up and me, John, and Hudson headed up to the pit with our picks and shovels.

   It was a short day and I was half drunk to boot. We didn’t finish up the weigh until dark and we still managed to get ourselves another ounce. By the time we got back to camp it was dark and Dutch had the fire going hot. We had a good supper and me and Hudson and John sat by the fire drinking cups of Bushmills. We all knew the writing was on the wall but no one wanted to face it. Our season was nearing an end unless the weather turned warmer and quick. It was going to be another cold night.

     TO BE CONTINUED .......................

[GhostMiner]

   OCTOBER 2   1936 

    I woke up kind of early and crawled out of my sleeping bag and out of my tent to find about 2 inches of fresh snow. I checked the thermometer and it read 26 degrees. To top it off the wind was starting to blow and more snow was falling. I let out a few curse words and went back into my tent. We wouldn’t be mining today. John came into my tent after a while and we talked over the situation. I said we should ride it out for a day or two and see what the weather does. Dutch came over and said the road going out of here was not too good and if we got much more snow we might be snowed in for a spell. I just shrugged it off and told him we all had supplies and we’ll ride it out. In the back of my mind I was thinking this might be it.

   TO BE CONTINUED ....................

[GhostMiner]

For those of you who are still following the journal. There are two more days to go.