The first time I went to this mine was at night, so I was really anxious to see what it looked like during daylight hours. Quite a few people attended the hike. Before the hike, Ranger Jim told us a bit of the mine's history.
Back in the 1950's, a woman named Lelia P. Irish had staked a claim for the mine. She then claimed that the talc-like deposit found on the walls of the mine was a cure-all and actually made a lot of money off it. She even got the endorsement of a doctor by the name of Dr. J.F. MacNeil, who backed up her claims. She had also planned to build a resort in the area. Jim gave us a really interesting handout which includes a letter written by Lelia to the India Chemical Co. of California (who would distribute her "cure-all") outlining her plans for the resort and her plans for what she called the "White Hope" deposit found on the walls of the mine. The handout also includes a photo of the patent for her miracle cure, a photo of (who appears to be) Dr. J.F. MacNeil standing by the entrance to the mine, the site of the swimming pool, Dr. J.F. MacNeil standing in Apache Creek, a view of the camp, a 50-foot cactus, and the laboratory in Apache Park. In addition, the handout includes advertisements for the miracle cure.
He also gave us a copy of an actual claim. Apparently, one would simply leave a note in a jar or can at the entrance to any given mine. I believe Jim said they have the original of the following in the park's office. It reads -
March 30, 1958
Leonard and Gerlee M Kincaid
8317 N. 31st Ave
Phoenix, Arizona
and their children, do
stake out this claim.
Vance, Oran, Kincaid and Euloh
MG Kee, Mabel M Staddon,
Patricia J Harp - and Darlene M
Kincaid and their descendants.
Like last time, we went into the mine in groups of about five. We were also able to climb up to where the opening of the mine shaft is and look down into the mine. On the trail, Jim also pointed out the old Overton Trail as well as an old jeep road high up on the mountain which was barely visible. Very interesting hike!
Back in the 1950's, a woman named Lelia P. Irish had staked a claim for the mine. She then claimed that the talc-like deposit found on the walls of the mine was a cure-all and actually made a lot of money off it. She even got the endorsement of a doctor by the name of Dr. J.F. MacNeil, who backed up her claims. She had also planned to build a resort in the area. Jim gave us a really interesting handout which includes a letter written by Lelia to the India Chemical Co. of California (who would distribute her "cure-all") outlining her plans for the resort and her plans for what she called the "White Hope" deposit found on the walls of the mine. The handout also includes a photo of the patent for her miracle cure, a photo of (who appears to be) Dr. J.F. MacNeil standing by the entrance to the mine, the site of the swimming pool, Dr. J.F. MacNeil standing in Apache Creek, a view of the camp, a 50-foot cactus, and the laboratory in Apache Park. In addition, the handout includes advertisements for the miracle cure.
He also gave us a copy of an actual claim. Apparently, one would simply leave a note in a jar or can at the entrance to any given mine. I believe Jim said they have the original of the following in the park's office. It reads -
March 30, 1958
Leonard and Gerlee M Kincaid
8317 N. 31st Ave
Phoenix, Arizona
and their children, do
stake out this claim.
Vance, Oran, Kincaid and Euloh
MG Kee, Mabel M Staddon,
Patricia J Harp - and Darlene M
Kincaid and their descendants.
Like last time, we went into the mine in groups of about five. We were also able to climb up to where the opening of the mine shaft is and look down into the mine. On the trail, Jim also pointed out the old Overton Trail as well as an old jeep road high up on the mountain which was barely visible. Very interesting hike!
The entrance to the mine.
Looking down into the mine.
The walls of the mine.
I took this picture while in the mine looking out toward the entrance. You can see one of the artifacts to the right.
This is a cool shot I took while in the mine looking up.
A shot of the surrounding area.
A very dangerous mine. I believe I wrote about this in my last post. If that "rock floor" gives way it's a long way down.
You can see a few more pictures from this hike here.
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