1899 - 1901 Sensational, Original Pair [2] of Significant Manuscript Diaries Handwritten by an American Gold Miner Battling Indigenous Bolivians, Peruvian Highwaymen, Thieves, Soldiers, and Adventurers of all Stripes Prospecting for Gold in the Andes

On offer is a superb pair [2] of original manuscript diaries handwritten by an unidentified American adventurer and gold prospector in Bolivia and Peru circa 1899 - 1901. The diaries, inscribed #4 and #5, with the others lost to history, tell the incredible story of the author's adventures and encounters with Indigenous Bolivians, thieves, highwayman, soldiers, and expatriates. In many ways, the times and places nted evoke Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Historians and researchers will be delighted given the long, detailed, and keen-eyed observations of the author. While this is non-fiction and a personal account, it reads like an old-fashioned novel full of intrigue and adventure. For example, our author actually pulls his revolver on a group over a mining claim. In another entry he believes he is being followed and writes his location for friends in case he is murdered, and his body is found. In another entry he finds an Indigenous man who fell off a treacherous mountain trail into a box canyon, and helps in his recovery. Almost every entry mentions his interactions with the Indigenous people of the area, and he is often asked to administer help or supply medicine to those he encounters. He also mentions the Federal Revolution of 1899 in Bolivia, and battles in the mountains, towns etc. There is so much more. In addition to those events he writes about his mining explorations in the Andes on foot with mules, and his battle with the elements and fellow miners. There is lots of cheating and double crossing taking place from those he encounters, which makes for intense drama. In most cases the author hires Indigenous guides, and travels with Anglo companions. They are frequently on the lookout for gold and attempt to make contacts with the local population. Our author had some connection with, and worked directly for The Inca Mining Co and Santo Domingo gold mine in Peru. He mentions both several times the diaries also a mill. RESEARCH INFO: "The Santo Domingo mine is located in that zone of the great rivers known in Peru under the name of 'Montana,' and situated on the east of the great Andes Cordillera. During the bonanza Mr. W. L. Hardison from California, a well-known American, engaged in the oil industry, happened to pass Santo Domingo on his way to other mines further in the interior, and, seeing the great output of the mine, he made a contract with the owners to buy it. Six months afterward the Inca Mining company, a corporation organized under the laws of the state of West Virginia, with a capital of $1,000,000, acquired the property and began workings on a larger scale. Nearly 18 months were devoted to the proper development of the mine, and in July, 1898, the old mill was completely modified and started continuous running, giving good profits and insuring the success of the enterprise." The diaries contain approximately 140 very well-filled pages each. The 1900 diary begins April 7, 1900, with a final entry May 14, 1901. The 1899 diary begins March 5, 1899, with a final entry April 5, 1900. Both diaries are bound in hardbound covered boards with red marbled paper, and measure 5 x 3 inches. The handwriting is immaculate and easy to decipher. Here are some snippets: "March 5, 1899, Borrow twenty four Bolivianos of Recardo. He can give me mule but no Indian. Want to sell him farm to Adams or don't think he would be as accommodating as he is. Also urges me again to employ his daughters husband and he offers me his sisters son of 9 years to cook & do chores for board or an adopted boy. Water reported high on Juliaco- road and likely impassable. Hire Indian to go with me and Bonito to finish drying peaches and prepare garden." "March 7, 1899, I can get neither breakfast or mule and in noon before I get started stop with pleasant gentleman in Charzani- He informs me the revolution is not over and Alonzo is still supported by the army showed me good gold ore and offers me half to prospect it for him. Takes no pay." "March 11, 1899, Wait long but finally start without breakfast. Bring bread at Jrancame- Pay Indian to let mule feed on her grass. Cross river in boat called balsa- and swim the mule. Road under water and return for guide. Again swim mule, much difficulty in reaching Taracos Accommodation with Governor Sugar for two cups of coca. Early start swim two more rivers and hire guide where road is under water. Egbert has not been here. Mr. Carmichel gives me interesting details of the war and present doings of our glorious country." "March 15, 1899, Mr. Carmukel arrives from Arizona to take charge of the Santo Domingo Mill. We help him find Mr. Pool ask for the Santo Domingo mine. Attend business. Go to Depot to help Mr. Carmichel get off. Also see an officer and wife off. See Dr. Hunter who advises us to be vaccinated. Pool boys draft with draft on Jose Sanchez. Much interested in information I give him and invite us back tomorrow." "March 19,1899, Rise early and take train for Juliaca- Gentleman reports battle at Charizami and all killed by the Indians. It startles me, but when I learn date I know its a false report for it is since I passed Charizami later on other reports the battle near La Paz. Call on Mr. G. Cannon who expresses interest in out prospecting and wants us to allow him a second chance of good." "March 27, 1899, Egbert tried and wants to sleep late. Sanchez brothers start for Puno for school. They especially Philipi very friendly to me. Indian woman sells us burros and I take them from the purchaser. See Governor to get Indian who tries to and called on another price. Calls in a friend and ridicules me because I cant speak good Castillano. I soon lose control of myself and want to fight them both and two Indians that enter, but Indians turn tail. Firm all over and the curs want to make amends but I move them aside and walk out." "March 29, 1899, Indian steals my old poncho, sheep skin and rope from back saddles. Jose warms me to have no business transactions of importance with Frederico Franch. Mule and burro escaped from the corral. Indian started in pursuit but returns with them late for which I compensate him. However it causes a late start. Hire Indian on the road who knows the river crossing. Put clothes on top of cargoes and cross river. Cold as the snow mountains it come from. Find some of our bread was stolen at Cojata. Stop at Indian house and well smoked." "April 9, 1899, Many little things to be done today but interruptions result in my accomplishing nothing. Bonito comes with potatoes send medicine to a sick woman , hunt the mule, Indian comes to sell cheese and guinea pig and wants treatment for what appears to be a light paralytic stroke. Bonito comes again and wants medicine for a burro and so the day passes and all I get done is the washing of my clothes. Bonito tells me a man fell of the bridge just below here and was swept away by the current." "April 16, 1899, Egbert sleeps late while I wash clothes Bonito helps get mule across river. Hire him to show me good timber tomorrow Bonito describes trouble between Recardo & Flores most empathically, Saze, Florio, was whipping his wife and would have shot Recardo had the latter shown his heels." "May 1, 1899, Blast blown out in crevice and Recardo cries because it did no good. Send Indian for dynamite and pull Recardo back in time to keep stone from hitting him. Go to work without breakfast and by noon can eat two dinners. Blast does little good and Recardo cries again disappears and finally returns and tells me next blast will do better for he went into bush and prayed but the next one also blows out in a crevice. Run a line for him. He wants me to help him sell his finca to Winslow or Glass. Sent mutton down to camp for which I paid well." "June 6, 1899, Glass sees one deer. Glass delays travel by leading way himself instead of letting Benito who knows the country lead. Leads us over a dangerous mountain peak. G shoots Piscacho- for supper." "June 24,1899, Glass leaves us in evident depressed spirits. Pass Recardo and almost have to strike him to make him settle fairly. Thinking he has called on his Indians for help draw my revolver to make them stand aloof in which I committed a grave and foolish error, for my temper should not be trusted with the control of my revolver. Egbert and I discuss pro and con the advisability of seeking work and decide to go to Santo Domingo mine but first prospect the Nuicor- so we will know if it will pay us to return to it when we have saved up some cash." "June 30,1899, Continue washing Egbert returns and reports being well entertained. Girl puts her arm around his neck to induce him to remain for breakfast. Glass has reported us as taking out lots of gold and the whole town is excited. A jug full of gold is credited to us. Numbers of papers and letter from uncle Scott and very friendly one from Mr. Laughlin in which he relates winning the title sent of Easton grant over T. B. Canton." "Sept 29, 1899, A letter from Al Lee written last June in answer to my letter and hinting for interest in my claim as he hears I have a good claim on Camata. Want a companion but on experience is enough. Leave Savage rifle with Marcos. Marco's child dies at noon. Indian music and dances going on since sundown yesterday. Three bands of Indian masqueraders appearing on the plaza in turns and at intervals all together when child is entered. All bands in different forms of dress and having brand of music and clowns. Want to describe dress as too varied for short description. This lasts till Monday morning without cessation night and day." "Oct 3, 1899, Cold and get late start stop on good grass some time. Mazordoma- of Accacunco pay $5.00 for Indian to linbani- I won't pay it and he wont give me directions so I go it alone and as former directions were take right had trail at Acconco and trail six leagues to Linbani I take trail right. Travel till night and am told in yet another 15 leagues to Limbani- trade for Indian guide for $ 2.00 and instructed to wait 400 yards further on till Cholorizomi near there. Wait till long after dark have been warned repeatedly and am afraid something is up so travel on half a mile and seek camping place. Arrange call with care so it is difficult for anyone to get near without making noise or fuss and am not afraid of any of them when awake. Don't think trouble is intended but no harm to prepare for it . Will write up diary every day at evening and if I do fall a victim to foul play this may perhaps fall into the hands of another or countryman if so tell where I last camped am now below the trail and above the little settlement the first on the East side for mountain track." 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