-221-

the archives of the State of Coahuila, at Saltillo, Mexico.

    “The records gave a careful description of the property and its location. They showed that it was worked for forty years prior to 1791, and that it produced during that time more than $7,000,000 of silver ore.

     “Accompanied by a Mexican guide, he left Saltillo for the Chispa Mountains. It was a 1ong and fatiguing trip, and the two men experienced great hardships until they reached the little Mexican settlements along the Rio Grand south of here, where they made their headquarters while they made expeditions into the rough country north of there in search of the mine.

     “The records showed in a general way where the mine was situated, but the exact spot could not be found until a Mexican sheepherder one day informed Boyd that he could show him the ruins of an ancient smelter. These ruins were situated in a deep canyon, and after a patient search Mr. Boyd came upon the mouth of the shaft.

Ladder Made of Hides   

    “A crude ladder, made of the hides of wild animals, still hung in the shaft, and other evidences of a sudden abandonment of the mine were seen. What occurred when Mr. Boyd attempted to explore the mine is told in a letter which he wrote to James E. Meade, who resided in San Antonio at that time, but has engaged in business here for several years. The letter said:

     "’A horrible and most astonishing thing has happened to me when I attempted to explore the mine. My moze (servant), Pedro, let no down to the bottom of the shaft, a distance of about one hundred feet, by means of a rope.

     "’The candle gave poor light, but I could see that a great deal of net ore still remained in the workings. I had started to explore one of the drifts, when a noise like the bursting of a thousand cannons sounded