"There's gold in them thar hills"
A fascinating story was told around the year 1868 in Brigham City. A man named William Neeley, who lived in Brigham City and had a homestead in Mantua, was returning home from Mantua, across the mountains, when he stopped to rest. He noted a ledge "from northeasterly in the mountain" that appeared to be pure gold. He broke off several pieces but was only able to bring one piece down the mountain with him. He reportedly showed this piece of gold to Lorenzo Snow, Alvin Nichols, and other men in the town.
He decided to take the gold to Salt Lake City to show a watchmaker and jeweler, George Bywater, who was a cousin of James Bywater of Brigham City. The gold was tested and noted to be as pure and rich of a gold specimen that had ever been found.
William then decided to show the gold to Brigham Young and was told that the gold was for a sacred purpose and that William would not be able to find the ledge again.
William told his friend, George W. Parsons, about the gold and took him back up the mountain to show him. He thought that he could easily find it since he had hiked the area many times. He thought that he had found the spot several times but was confused when it wasn't there. He ultimately was unable to find it again. The homesteaded property was noted to be on the west bench of Mantua near the road leading to Devil's Gate. George reported that they had passed the foothills east of Brigham City and then went up the ridge by Dunn Canyon. George Parsons decided to swear out an affidavit about the event and it was signed by his wife and other witnesses.
A spring on Neeley's homesteaded property still bears his name.
Descendants of Mr. Neeley reportedly still share the story...
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