Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 95, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 August 1907 — ETIQUETTE OF DESERT MINERS. [ARTICLE]

ETIQUETTE OF DESERT MINERS.

Ifever Aik a Man Where Hie Claims Are, Says a Death Valley Miner. •“Never ask a man anything about his mine because he won’t tell you If you do. It isn’t etiquette to ask such questions on the desert” Thus spoke J. Heinemnn, late of Beatty, an old-timer in Death Valley and the desert, now staying at the Hotel Munn, says the Lbs Angeles Times. He still has properties in that region, prospects he calls them, but he haß sold his business at Beatty and is stopping a while here in the haunts of civilization. t “You sec, when one miner meets another on the desert they stop, talk and pass pleasantries, one tne other how he’s getting along and he will say ‘good’ or ‘hard luck,’ but that’s about nil. Neither asks for details or where one has his claims located. If any one wants you to knpw he’ll tell you without being asked. If not, he won't tell you if you do ask. “The fact is that if a man has a great body of low grade ore that he must have a force of men to work mid ship to the smelters he must record it. But if he has a rich spot with free gold easily handled it is not necessary and many times one doesn’t care to have the world know about It and have everybody coming to dig all around. It" often leads to troubles and litigations, jumping and all that sort qf thing. “If a property is in the mountains- 1 It lg more necessary to record it, for it is easier found. A man can be followed in the mountains, but never out on the desert. I would like to see the man who could follow me on the desert If I don't want him to. I’ll give him a chase that will make him very sick of his Job. Of course, In such cases a claim Is never left unguarded If any one should stumble upon it by accident. In such case possession will be nine points of the law. “This is not only about mines but also qbout private, secret water holes. You know some of these givq so little water that once known to the general public they would be of no use to those who went to big trouble finding them, or to any one else very soon, so they never tell. Let one who has such a place hidden find one In need he will share his water and If necessary, be will go and bring back a supply, but the other fellow doesn't know where it comes from. Thut’s the finder’s secret. “Of there are public watering places, especially along the stage routes. Some wells have been dug by individuals or companies who sell water. Lots of money has bean expended in this way. (The water problem la Indeed a serious one on the desert. "At some of the camps water Is hauled by team and sells for ns high as $9 a barrel. People who don’t know think that Is a terrible price, but It really leaves a very small profit for the long haul and the time lost and feed of teams. Often much of the water with which one starts Is used up by the horses en route.”