Lost Saber Gold Mine in Arizona

A Captain stationed at Ft Whipple asked to escort the prospector with his detachment to as far as Rose Peak (Now Antelope Peak) as the Apache were recently active in the mountains nearby.Saber agreed and stated that his recent discovery was just a days ride from Rose Peak. Once at the peak and having camped for two days, the military escort continued their patrol and Saber returned to his mine. This was the last time the citizens of Prescott ever seen John Saber alive.

During the late summer, a Chinese laborer collecting firewood from one of the many mining camps came upon a dead man sitting upright against a Ponderosa Pine, his horse and a pack animal hobbled nearby and heavily dehydrated. When others arrived they noticed that this was the man’s camp and that there was no sign of foul play. While going through the dead man’s clothes, they found documents, a book and a pocket watch identifying the man as John Saber.

Upon closer inspection they could see the cause of death, Saber was bitten by a rattlesnake and had a slow, agonising death.

In one of Saber’s pack’s was 100lbs of crushed rich gold ore which was ready for smelting. Obviously he was making his way into town to have his discovery properly assayed and possibly even file a legitimate claim, but sadly never made it.

No attempt was made to find his mine during that time as the Bradshaw’s were so active with the Apache raiding the mining camps and local ranches.

The Saber mine has never been found and the only real clue we have is that it is a day’s ride from Rose Peak (Now Antelope Peak). If this mine was found, I believe it would be quite the discovery!

If while on your adventures this weekend you find yourself near the Bradshaw Mountains and happen to be near Antelope Peak, maybe stop and take a look around. You never know what you might find!!!!!

(Please follow and respect State, Federal laws and Private Property, A lot of this area is Private land and Federal Mining claims so if your unsure it never hurts to ask permission)