, 1855-08-31
The Ft. COlvlIle Gold Mines
The SnOqualmie Pass, sc.


Pen dOrielle river, and its tributaries, east
Of the Cascade mountains, in this territory,
Anxiety seems to be on tip-toe-large par
ties are hurrying forward in orderTo test
their reality-all would seem to be life and
hustle along the Columbia river-large
stock of goods, and miners supplies, pack
animals, &c, have been lodged at the
Dalles, and elsewhere along that river,
where buildings are being rapidly construc-
ted-new town sites are being laid of, and
from all accounts. everything would seem
to bear somewhat the semblance of Califor-
MIA in the memorable year of 40; but
whether utter disappointment, or like re-
suits will follow, remains to be seen.
From the Oregon Statesmen we learn
that the Willamette valleyis in consequence
of the gold furor, being depopulated with
a rapidity and completeness no one would
have believed possible that the price of
horses and mules had increased not less
than one hundred per cent, and that most
articles required for an outfit had advanced
enormously.
By a late number of the STANDARD we
are informed that the farmers of Oregon
found much difficulty in procuring harvest
hands, save at enormous wages-many of
them having determined to harvest their
grain single handed, assisted only by their
families-participated in, in many instances,
by the mothers and daughters" Does all
the reports from The gold fields, thus far,
Justify the desertion Of so large portion Of
the population of these territories from their
former fields and workshops? Docs it re-
quire 1000 or 5000 men to prOspect coun-
try, in order to ascertain the extent or rich
ness of diggings in given locality !? or is
it necessary that that number of persons
should be enlisted to ascertain the reality Of
its existence in the Fl. Colville country?
The ouly positive evidence that has yet
reached US at all, as to the ertet of gold in
that direction, is, that two small bars on
the Pen d'Orielle, yielded compensatory re-
turns for the time and labor devoted in
their "panning out y aud rnmar, with ~
thousand tongues, has been busily employed
ever since this fact was made known to the
public, with Indian, and other stories,
which may and may not prove true. True,
many gentlemen Of Oregon and this terri
tory, Of means and acknowledged sagacity,
have taken their departure for the reported
mines, prepared for protracted and salts
factory exploration. This, nevertheless,
does not establish the fact Of extensive gold
fields in that region. In a short time,
however, the truth will be made manifest,
and then we think it will be ample time for
all our citizens having the "gold fever"
and who "tarry yet in the wilderness" to
grid their mining armor on, and strike out
on the nearest and best route for the field
Of their future golden operations.
OF the fact of the existence of gold in the
direction referred to, in given quantities
all doubt would now seem to have given
place to settled conviction and should
further development give evidence of its ex'
istence in paying quantities, the natural
question with our citizens is, how are we to
reach the fields by the nearest and most
practicable route? This is question that
concerns not only the people of our owl
territory, but those, also, of California and
elsewhere, who may have determined to di
rect their course towards them.
With view of arriving at conclusion
on that question, a party of fifteen or twcn
ty, one of whom was Chief Justice LANDET
Of this place, left Seattle few weeks since
with view of exploring the Snoqualmit
pass, Of the Cascades, and decide upon it,
adoption for wagon road or pack TRAIL
That party has returned, and although We
have been unable to obtain the data rela
tive to the examination, the report is very
favorable. Ii is stated not to exceed sixty
FIVE miles, by way Of the road cut from Sc
attic. to the head waters of the Yakima, be
yond the mountains and wagon road, il
is reported, can be easily made through
the pass to that valley It should be re,
membered that from the Yakima to TIE
Pen d'orielle river, it is said to be plain
open country, besides, tie route firm Ats
Sound, through the Nah Giles pass Is said TO
be about $50 mules nearer The ColviAe country,
than By tOay Of The ColNmbio rirey. We
learn that party has started ont over this
new route the present week for the mines.
Should this prove to be good route to
the mines, as that though the Nah Chez
pass has already proven, we doubt not but