Johnny Lang
Johnny Lang was an American cattle driver who discovered Lost Horse Mine in Joshua Tree National Park.[1] He claimed that he had moved to the area because his brother had been gunned down in New Mexico with six other cowboys.[1] In 1890, in the process of herding their cattle, they lost their horses in what is now known as Lost Horse Valley.[1] He tracked them to what is now known as Keys Desert Queen Ranch, which at that time was believed to be occupied by cattle rustlers from what known as the , but did not find the horses.[1] He then claimed he then met "Dutch" Frank, who claimed he discovered a rich gold claim but was afraid to develop it because he had been threatened by the purported rustlers.[1] Lang and his father bought the rights to the mine, purportedly for $1,000.00, and named it "Lost Horse".[1] He claimed to have taken on three partners as back-up, out of fear of the gang of purported rustlers or having his claim jumped.[1] The four men filed their claim, set up a two-stamp mill and began to produce substantial amounts of gold.[1] Lang's claim and mill were then sold to a Montana rancher named J.D. Ryan.[1] Much of this history was provided by longtime Joshua Tree area resident William F. Keys, for whom Keys Ranch was named.
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- American cattlemen
- American gold prospectors
- Joshua Tree National Park