Legends of Texas Page: 14
279 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 24 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Texas Folk-Lore Society
history is that the mines were closed with the abandonment of the
San Saba presidio, 1769. However, inasmuch as the nearest mil-
itary protection was more than fifty miles away and was unable
to hold its own against the Comanches and other hostile tribes,
it is doubtful whether the mines were ever worked to any extent.
Hunter finds, on doubtful evidence, that they were still being
operated in 1812.7 Again, it is claimed that Mexico was prepar-
ing to reopen the mines when Iturbide fell in 1823.8
But with the evidence at hand it would be idle to go further
into the history of the mines. All that I myself know is what I
have read in and of Miranda's reports; and these reports were
the propaganda of an ambitious promotion seeker, made before,
not after, practical exploitation. The mines may have been
worked consistently for a while. They may have paid. Accord-
ing to one report in the Miranda documents, the ore assayed eleven
ounces to the pound.' Hunter says that a report made in 1812
by Don Ignacio Obregon, who signed himself "Inspector Real de
las Minas," announced an analysis of $1680 to the ton ;10 but this
Don Ignacio's reports of assays have been only a little less ubiquit-
ous than peddled charts." According to a recent United States
Government report, the Llano country shows no evidence of gold
or silver in paying quantities.'?
the Texas State Library nor the Library of the University of Texas. I am
indebted to Mr. E. W. Winkler for use of his presentation copy. Mr. Hunter
was living at Mason when he issued the pamphlet and had a rare first-hand
knowledge of the ground and of traditions as well as access to some original
documents.
TOp. cit., p. 47.
8History of San Antonio and the Early Days of Texas, compiled by Robert
Sturmberg, San Antonio, 1920, Chap. III.
"Report on Disposition of San Saba." Vide ante.
'00p. cit., p. 48.
"See, for instance, "The Lost Gold Mines of Texas May Be Found," by
W. D. Hornaday in the Dallas News, January 7, 1923.
12U. S. Geological Survey, Bulletin 450, "Mineral Resources of the Llano-
Burnet Region, Texas," by Sidney Page, Washington, Government Printing
Office, 1911.
But note the following dispatch in the San Antonio Express, February 26,
1924, p. 5:
"AUSTIN, Tex., Feb. 25--Sam Young, Llano banker, was in Austin Monday and re-
ports much activity in that region in the mineral line. Young says experts think they
have found gold in paying quantity,also graphite, and that capital now is being interested
in the deposits with the early prospects of real mining and shipping of valuable ores and
probably the refined products. Many small deposits of precious metals have been found
near Llano in recent years, but the new finds are said to be large enough to warrant
exploitation and give that section a new and valuable industry."
Thus history never tires of repeating itself; thus the dream of treasure
once dreamed lives on.14
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Related Items
Other items on this site that are directly related to the current book.
Legends of Texas (Book)
Collection of popular Texas legends, including tales about buried treasure, the supernatural, pirates, origins of Texas flowers, and other miscellaneous legends. The index begins on page 271.
Relationship to this item: (Has Format)
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
Dobie, J. Frank (James Frank), 1888-1964. Legends of Texas, book, 1984; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc67651/m1/28/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Press.