Bullock or 1856 Pine Mine

It is reported that Carlos Foote had found the old shaft while herding sheep in the Rock Creek area, and for unknown reasons thought little about it. However, upon talking to Powell, both men became somewhat excited and as a result Clark Powell revealed the map [the map that Thomas Rhoades had found near the massacred Spaniards on Chicken Creek in the 1850’s] to this man, and then put it away. Foote told Powell that he could show him the shaft and then perhaps they could locate the other two mines. They immediately made plans for an expedition to the mine area.

Their expedition consisted of three men; Clark Powell, Sr., Roy Powell (of Provo, Utah) and Carlos Foote, and they started out on horseback from the Moon Lake Resort area. However, when first camp was pitched (about midway between Moon Lake and the old mine shaft) an argument arose. This apparently started when Roy Powell became reluctant on the way up, and said, "Oh, I don't believe there is a mine up there." An argument then ensued between Clark, Foote and Roy, whereupon Foote got up and said, "Well, I've heard enough. The shaft is there, but I won't argue about it. I'm going back you guys can go if you want." So, Carlos Foote rode out of camp early the next morning, leaving Clark and Roy Powell (brothers) behind to settle their argument. Later, Clark became disgusted and they, too, returned to their automobile at Moon Lake.

Then, in the summer of 1958, the Powells and the Rhoades', as well as a great many other people, were greatly alarmed to hear that Benjamin H. Bullock had found the Lost Rhoades Mine west of Moon Lake. Clark Powell, Sr. and his sons, Clark, Jr. and Pat, left almost immediately to investigate the situation. And, their fears were not without foundation-it was one of the old mines which had been drawn on the old Spanish map; one that Caleb Rhoades had once worked.

The question was, "How did he locate it?" Bullock's answer to that question became public in several newspapers, in which he also included a map. For example, one such newspaper (The Daily Record, Salt Lake City, Utah, June 23, 1958) printed the following:

Lost Rhoades Gold Mine

Discovered Recently

By Bullock Mines - Metals

Discovery of the lost Rhoades Gold Mine west of Moon Lake in Duchesne County, Utah, was announced this week by Mr. Ben H. Bullock of the Bullock Mine, Metals and Oil Corporations of Utah.

Mr. Bullock stated that the mine was located by instrument test and through use of an old buckskin map drawn by Caleb Rhoades. The map is owned by Mrs. Mary Steele of Goshen, Utah. The mine was discovered by Mr. Bullock and his son, Vein Bullock, 100 W. 960 N., Provo.

In an interview with Mr. Bullock, he stated that the mine was originally discovered by Indians living in that area. "Caleb Rhoades," he continued, "was liaison between the

Benjamin Hart Bullock-farmer and miner. Born Oct. 27, 1878. Son of Benjamin Kimball Bullock, one-time mayor of Provo, Utah. (Utah State Historical Society)

Indians and Brigham Young who was believed to have used the gold to mint money used by the settlers in the Salt Lake Valley.

"The gold vein," said Mr. Bullock, "is 600 feet in width by 2,000 feet in length in a contact vein between porphyry and quartzite. Operation of the mine will begin soon," he continued.

According to Mr. Bullock, "the mine was located by instrument test and through the use of an old buckskin map drawn by Caleb Rhoades." Yet, this may not be entirely true, for several conflicting reports have since been made, and by more than one person who was, at that time, involved in that operation. Therefore, the authors are inclined to believe that the truth of the matter is this:

Sometime after Carlos Foote walked out of camp, disgusted over the argument between Clark and Roy Powell, he met Mr. Ben Bullock, who was then in search of the old mine himself, and Foote told him about the old shaft on the mountain. Foote went on to describe a large pine tree which stood beside the old mine and which had "Gold-1856" carved deep into its bark; that he had also seen such a tree plainly marked on Clark Powell's old Spanish map; and that he had once offered to take Powell to the old mine, but had thought better of it. From this, it seems, Mr. Bullock and Carlos Foote entered into some sort of an agreement, by which Foote would take Bullock to the mine in turn for a silent partnership of the same.

It is reported that upon Bullock's copy of Mrs. Steele's old map (it in itself being but a crude copy of the original) Foote was to have placed three x's-in the order that he had remembered them from the buckskin map Clark Powell had in his possession. However, his memory had failed him to some extent and the "x's" (indicating the three mines) were placed entirely in the wrong locations; thus, the great confusion on the part of many who have since used copies of that map in their searches.

Although the other two mines were never located by the Bullock Mines & Metals Corporation, there remains no doubt but what they did locate, with Foote's valuable help, Caleb Rhoades' "Pine Mine"-a mine so often mentioned among Caleb's mining leases, agreements and maps.

This particular shaft was hardly large enough for a man to enter into it and, from the looks and appearance of it, did not seem to be very deep. In view of this, the decision was made to push some of the mountainside away with a bulldozer until the main vein was exposed, thus making an easy access to the valuable yellow metal.

Two men were brought in from Ogden with a bulldozer and mining operations soon began, and with each sweep of the bulldozer over the small opening, large crystallized rocks and a great amount of dirt and refuse tumbled into the mine. In no time at all, the tiny shaft was filled, and Bullock, for the first time, realized that the shaft must have been much deeper than he had at first supposed. With no evidence at all left to prove his claim that he had indeed discovered the Lost Rhoades Mine (or at least, one of them) to his angry stock-holders, his mining operations were temporarily called off. And, unfortunately, shortly thereafter Mr. Bullock passed away and the entire project was abandoned.

It is equally sad to note, that during Mr. Bullock's short-lived mining operation on Caleb Rhoades' "Pine Mine," the historical old pine tree which had "Gold-1856" engraved upon was also ruined-pushed over the side of the ridge and covered by tons of rubble.--Footprints in the Wilderness, chapter 12

The same could be said of another man who discovered yet another old mine on the same ridge in 1958, not far from the Mecham Mine. One or both mines could have been worked by Rhoades and both mines were located in the general area of the old pine tree which had been marked "1856."

This second discovery was announced in June of 1958 by Benjamin H. Bullock, of Bullock Mines, Metals and Oil Corporation. It was his contention that he had indeed discovered the old Rhoades Mine and that the mine had been located "by instrument test and through use of an old buckskin map drawn by Caleb Rhoades." According to Mr. Bullock, the gold vein was 600 feet in width by 2,000 feet in length in a contact vein between porphyry and quartzite.

This particular shaft was hardly large enough for a man to enter into it and, from the looks and appearance of it, did not seem to be very deep. Attempts were made to enter the old shaft with the use of a 55 gallon drum, which had been cut in half with a sling attached to it so a man could be lowered by hoist to its bottom, but it was discovered that, at about the depth of 60 feet, the shaft ended and a tunnel continued on into the mountain. Debris had fallen into the shaft nearly blocking the tunnel and there was no way to work around the sides of the drum to retrieve the debris because of the small dimensions of the shaft. Because of this, they were forced to re-group and devise a new plan of operations.

During this time of inactivity the decision was made by an outside party from California (claim jumpers) to reach the vein themselves in the fastest way possible. Hoping to make a clean haul of as much gold as they could immediately carry out before the return of the claim owners, two men from Hanna were brought in by that group with a bulldozer and in no time at all, it seems, the mine was destroyed; that is, with each sweep of the bulldozer over the small opening, large crystallized rocks and a great amount of dirt and refuse tumbled into the mine until, eventually, the mine was completely filled. The culprits then abandoned the project.--Lost Gold of the Uintah, chapter 6

Among lost mine and treasure maps which have surfaced over the years, one is somewhat of a mystery. It shows several streams with some small mountain lakes at their headwaters, and several "Xs" which some believe mark the location of mines or caches. The only wording on that map is a name, Joe Sulser. Those who know about such things say that map was drawn by Sulser in a Mexican jail cell somewhere in Sonora, only minutes before he faced a firing squad. Who Sulser was or what his problems with the Mexican Rurales may have been is now forgotten, but sometime long after that map was drawn, it came into possession of Warren Sulser of Utah Valley. Other than that name, Sulser, which is not a common name, there is nothing to suggest that Joe Sulser and Warren Sulser were related, nevertheless, it does seem odd that Warren Sulser in Utah somehow acquired a map drawn by Joe Sulser in a Mexican jail cell. (See Map O)

On July 10, 1958, the Uinta Basin Standard at Roosevelt reported that the Lost Rhoads Mine had been found in the mountains west of Moon Lake by Ben Bullock from Utah Valley. Benjamin Hart Bullock was born October 27, 1878, at Provo of Mormon pioneer stock. He claimed to possess psychic powers which he said led him to "an ancient Nephite mine in the Uinta Mountains," which mine he obtained gold from over a period of years. It was while in those mountains that Bullock said he discovered the Lost Rhoads Mine through the use of a map owned by Mrs. Mary Sulser, the widow of Warren Sulser. That front page story featured a map to the lost mine, which map was obviously a copy of the 1856 Pine Mine Map already well known to most treasure hunters. Those familiar with such maps couldn't help but notice the similarity between the Bullock Map, the Pine Mine Map and the 1851 Reinaldo Map. But strangely, the map printed by the Standard wasn't the Sulser Map which the newspaper article said led Bullock to the old mine west of Moon Lake. Why Bullock stated that he used the Sulser Map, but gave the Standard a copy of the common 1856 Pine Mine Map wasn't explained. Also, when referring to that map printed in the Standard, it was inferred that the three crosses below the pine tree symbol were mines, when in fact even then it was known that those crosses were graves of Spaniards killed by Indians.

According to that long and rambling newspaper account, When Enock Rhoads was killed by Indians near the narrows of Currant Creek, a map was found on his body, which map somehow came into possession of Warren Sulser. The only map which Enock Rhoads was known to possess was a small brown-paper sketch of mines located along lower Currant Creek. The story in the Standard did not explain that the body of Enock Rhoads was found by Mormon stockmen, who never mentioned any map being found on his body. But whether the map used by Bullock originated in a Mexican jail or was somehow recovered from Enock Rhoads' body, we know from Bullock's own statement that the map he used was the Sulser Map, and not the Pine Mine Map published by the Standard.

That Ben Bullock found an old mine is undisputed, but it was only that, an old mine. It may even have been a mine which Caleb Rhoads once worked, but it was not the famous mine which Thomas Rhoads brought gold from to mint coins for Brigham Young. Bullock's find was a very narrow shaft, dug in the manner of Spanish mines, in which only the ore vein and as little wall rock as necessary is removed from between the foot and hanging walls. Shafts or tunnels so dug are only as wide as the ore vein removed, and twist and turn as they follow the meandering of the vein. Little or no roof support was used in such workings, the roof being arched in a manner which is self-supporting. Bullock's shaft was hardly wide enough for him to enter, and was so cramped that he had little room to remove loose rock and debris which had fallen into it.

While Bullock was away from his find, someone, claim jumpers according to Bullock, tried to open that shaft, but in so doing completely caved the old diggings so that the entry portal was buried beneath tons of loose rock. Before financing and heavy equipment could be obtained, Ben Bullock died, at Provo on July 12, 1962. After his death, his son, Vern Bullock, continued to keep that old mine under claim, but no meaningful work was ever accomplished. With its entry caved and buried, and with environmental regulations being what they are, it is unlikely that anyone will ever reopen those old diggings.--Faded Footprints, pp. 126-127

Nearly all so-called Lost Rhoads Mine maps show Moon Lake or Kidney Lake as points of reference. Both lakes are shown on several of the maps used by Caleb Rhoads, including his Pine Mine map. One of his maps also shows Lake Fork and the Yellowstone River. Some of the Spanish mines shown on those maps have been found. The 1856 Pine Mine was found some years ago in the ledge rock country north of Pigeon Water and west of Moon Lake. Apparently its gold vein had been almost mined out during Spanish days, for that vein now runs into an iron ore body. The Paint Mine is located just north of the Pine Mine on a rough side trail which follows Brown Duck Creek west from Moon Lake. Its ore vein has also run into iron. As related earlier, the Rhoads and Powell families were life-long friends. Once when Abraham Powell asked Caleb Rhoads why he no longer worked some of those mines, Rhoads replied: "The ore is running out and iron is coming through."--Faded Footprints, pg. 126

John Ofstad is a fisherman and backwoods explorer from California, whose enthusiasm and love of wilderness takes him into back country where others hesitate to follow. Using the Reinaldo and Pine Mine maps as his guide, he hiked from Moon Lake into the Brown Duck Basin and then scaled the high cliffs below the Paint Mine. From there he located the Old Spanish Trail just as it is shown on those maps. By following that trail, he located Mine #1 [the ORO 1856 Pine Tree Mine] near the head of Slate Creek. He made a notation on his map that is exactly where the Hoyt Peak Fault allows igneous rock to break through the earth's surface. He found some magnificent crystals there, some more than a foot in length. --Faded Footprints, pg. 128

In the summer of 1958, Ben H. Bullock reported that he had discovered the Lost Rhoades Mines! The Daily Record newspaper of Salt Lake City, dated 23 June 1958, reported as follows:

LOST RHOADES GOLD MINE

DISCOVERED RECENTLY

BY BULLOCK MINES—METALS
Discovery of the lost Rhoades Gold Mine west of Moon Lake in Duchesne County, Utah, was announced this week by Mr. Ben H. Bullock of the Bullock Mine, Metals and Oil Corporation of Utah. Mr. Bullock stated that the mine was located by instrument test and through use of an old buckskin map drawn by Caleb Rhoades. The map is owned by Mrs. Mary Steele of Goshen, Utah. The mine was discovered by Mr. Bullock and his son, Vern Bullock, 100 W. 960 N., Provo.

In an interview with Mr. Bullock, he stated that the mine was originally discovered by Indians living in that area. "Caleb Rhoades," he continued, "was liaison between the Indians and Brigham Young who was believed to have used the gold to mint money used by the settlers in the Salt Lake Valley."

"The gold vein," said Mr. Bullock, "is 600 feet in width by 2,000 feet in length in a contact vein between porphyry and quartzite. Operation of the mine will begin soon," he continued.

Though Bullock reported that he had found the mine with the aid of the buckskin map and by instrument test, it would appear that the story of the discovery is not so simple.

As early as 1940, Clark Powell, Sr., a relation of Caleb Rhoades through Caleb's marriage to his first wife, Melinda Powell, struck up a friendship with a young lady named Sadie who lived in Carbonville, a suburb of Price, Utah. As it happened, Sadie was the younger sister of Sidsie Adams Rhoades, Caleb's second wife.

Sadie supplied Clark Powell with a copy of a map showing the location of three rich gold mines, which map she said she had obtained from Sidsie Rhoades before her death, and that it was a copy of the original which Thomas Rhoades had taken from the massacred Spaniards at Chicken Creek in 1857. By the use of the map, Caleb Rhoades had discovered at least two of the mines by 1859.

Sometime during the early 1950s, Powell came into contact with Carlos Foote who had discovered a vertical mineshaft in the area of one of the mines listed on the map. The two men decided to go to the mine and perhaps, by the use of the map, then discover the location of the other two. They set out on the expedition in the company of one other man, Roy Powell. On the way to the mine, however, an argument ensued between the parties, and Foote became concerned for his life, and he silently departed from the camp one night and left the Powells on their own.

On his way off the mountains, Foote encountered Ben H. Bullock whom he told about the shaft. He also described a large pine tree which stood near the shaft of the mine, and that had "Gold-1856" carved into the trunk. Foote had seen such a tree clearly marked on Powell's Spanish map, and he was convinced that this was an authentic Spanish mine. He and Bullock thereby entered into some sort of agreement for Foote to show him the location of the shaft.

Foote placed three "x's" on Bullock's map which he had obtained from Mrs. Steele, but unfortunately his memory did not serve him correctly and the marks were not in the correct location, causing much confusion to this day for those who still search for the mines.

Though Bullock Mines, Metals and Oil Corporation did not find the other two mines, there is no doubt that what Ben H. Bullock did discover was Caleb Rhoades' famous "Pine Mine," clearly mentioned in Rhoades' mineral leases and other documents.

Bullock's exploration of the mine revealed some interesting circumstances. The shaft was barely large enough to permit a man to enter, and Bullock improvised a "lift" by cutting a 55 gallon barrel in half and making a sling out of it by which he could be lowered into the vertical shaft.

At a depth of about 60 feet the vertical shaft ended and the tunnel continued horizontally into the bowels of the mountain. At this point the tunnel had been filled with fallen rock and all efforts to remove it from the confines of the barrel lift failed.

While Bullock returned out of the mountains to devise a new approach, claim jumpers entered the area with a bulldozer, hoping to scrape away the top layers and expose the vein, taking as much gold as they could and departing before Bullock returned. All they succeeded in doing, however, was to push the shaft full of rock and debris and to make it even more inaccessible.

A tragic side-note to this invasion was that the historic old pine tree with the inscription "Gold-1856" was pushed over the side of the mountain and permanently buried. Ben Bullock was blamed for this destruction, but the following letter, written by his son, Benjamin Vern Bullock (Benjamin VI), of Provo, to Gale Rhoades and Kerry Ross Boren (see Footprints, p.396), dated 25 October 1971, indicates that Bullock had nothing to do with it.

We hired a man by the name of John Munz, who lived on a ranch easterly of Duchesne, to haul two horses to our base camp site in his cattle truck. These we were unable to ride because of wind-fallen trees, so we tied them up, and I pulled my father up the mountain by him holding on to my belt—he was 80 years old at the time and crippled from a broken back and hip from a car wreck in 1950.

He and I found the location we wanted and when I located the claims (I) found an old logging road which made it possible for me to ride into the area on a tote gote; a little repair at the base of the mountain would (have) enabled me to drive all the way in my pickup...

We did not push over the tree with date & inscription on it. We did not have a bulldozer in the area and fill up No. 1 shaft, or any other shaft. At about the same time, an outfit from California operated out of Hanna with a bulldozer but...no heavy equipment was ever taken in by us. ...The heaviest piece of equipment we had, or caused to have, on the mountain was the 25th Tote Gote built by the Borham Co. of Provo. I rode and hauled out surveying equipment on it when staking our claims...

Ben H. Bullock died 12 July 1962 at his home in Provo in his 84th year. He never opened the Pine Mine, although his son Vern maintained the claims on it. Before his death, Bullock intimated that the reason for his abandoning the project was not so much lack of accessibility or financing, but because of something he had either seen or experienced at that place.--Gold of Carre-Shinob, pg. 112