New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-12-08
TIE KANSAS GOLD MINES.


From an interesting letter to The louisville Coa1er,
written from The Mouth of ksv, Kansas Territory,
under date of Nov % We make the following extract:
THE reports about the gold mines OF Western
kansas are now well authenticated that there can
no longer be any doubt that the eastern sop ..
the Rocky MCuptans-about toe head waters oi tue
Kaw Arkapsas and South Platte--are ~ rich IN the
precious metals Fraser Riyeror any portion OF Ca-
ioruia Indeed, It is fact wei known 10 gcologl,-,
that in mountain ranges running north and SOUTH the
quantity of debris and deposit after an upheaval,
is greatar the east than on the west side OF the
mountain ard this fact, although not readily accouned
for is sufficient 10 induce the belief that the greater
amount Of the precious metal viii yet DC found on the
east of the Rocky MountuLs, whore tue greatest
deposits Of quartz and primary rocks which are the
matliX Ind home Of gold.
'The i1exhausblc supplies which NovMeX.co for
years has furnished. and which are now calculated
upon with much certainty and regularity annually,
the predictions Of agriculture, are coHoeoratve o.
this fact
Of the mineral region OF New Mexico, has been hem
med in by hostile bands of sayages-Cheyennes, Ara
paboes aud Utes-and hitherto we have had no re-
liable DATA s Of me gs5y paes IF FramSn in his ex
pl,raors through the mountains, and the reports Of
irappers and bun'ers. In fact, all Western Kansas Is
to.oay comparatively unknown, except to very few
MN. An impression has prevailed that all Of Kansas
one hundred niles west OF the Missouri River, was Il
barren pain, producing only buffalo grass, and nnit
for cultivation. But settlements already extend three
hundred miles IN the interior and the most favorable
reports 10 of its frtitythat it is equally cnl
tivable with any other parts Of Kansas; moreover,
that buffalo grass land which some have designated
as worthless is the most valuable for many produe-
tons. Those dry arid paina, also, settlements al
vance, disappear and tho treat sandy desert laid down
in Old maps is not here 10 he found, bat on tue
other hand well waeIei region.
"A gentleman directly from the North Bend Of the
Arkansas which occupies neatly the geographical
center Of tie Territory informed tie writer Il days
ago. tha, at region surpassed any part OF Kansas he
had visited.
Any one familiar with prairie courtry, particularly
that OF kansaa very well knows that al the thorough
fares Of travel avoid the streams, except near their
sources, On account of crossnss and keep upon the
high divides. Hence the erroneous impression which
has TO great extent. prevailed among travellers that
ksI -a- wae not well waicred
g H. conversation with n young man returned 10
WtsipOIt, No.. from piko'5 Peak, learn that the
county in The vicinity %. the Peak exhibits every evil
ccLcc al fertility and IL surprisingly beautiful. In
s.efd If a continuous range If mountains which he
had expected 10 behold lie found region OF hills aud
valleys wGtercl with crystal streams, and with
scenery varied and picturesque. He aso informed
NE that lie plenty OF game, ouumerang the ante
lope, Geor black tailed mountain goat vol etc. He
al-o Niste, tie silver mountain, 20 often described by
trayelers, and couoboratef fully the richness Of its
ore. In aoi,ion to the gold found by Lis party, cop
per. pure and mixed with TIE rock, Is ioun n seve:'
localitit IN great abundance, and two OK three cuk-
silver mines have been discovered.
H. regard 70 the r0rte, there Is 70 longer any Dis
puto about that Public opinion has settled down u
iVor Of tie grea. Santa le road starting rev mics
from the NJ ssouIi River, either at Independence or
We-port. Persons from the Eat Will come T. NJ.
Louis ascent the Missouri to tie mouth Of the haw,
to Independence Landing, sndthen strike the Santa
II trail At Independence or Westp'rton!y three or
four niles from the ryer-snd there they can supply
thfmsl Ives with maps, euisebo0kF stock, provisions,
camp tool, and every thing they may desire. Kansas
oity, Immediately at the mouth OF tie kaw, opposite
Wysndot City, kansss, IS probably the neares'
Cd mouutou trappers, French voyagers, and others,
fami.iar With every foot OF the road from whom all
Necessary ii formation can be obtained, end whose
company cu.des tesms,ers, and a-terdants can De
obtained i desired. Below | append table If dis
tances from the Missouri River to Pikes Peak, the
poiIt to which all greedy syee are turGsi;
Mlrs Hlee.
Bll cree, nal .,.... 9iPasres Fork, al station ss9
PIC d. c. e T "a ss Pr
coand. Cree vlase..lS peot. fof'.''..''' "a 81
L Arksu's nail stat 25l Pike. Pes god uosn,sin61o
"Pke's Peak Is situated in lat. % long. loJ',
tie great water she'd OF Western Kansas, where the
Arkansas, Kansas, South P-tte and Grand Gall
Rivers take ;hcir lire. II is duo west Of Westport,
No, ard il in VIII; il called the Arapaho District.
Ir5hs he C04sea Bl.g' ,iowG, Edg!s, Aer:-i
Ar. Rchtmen, who won't gu, with the Counci.
Bluffs train 10 The South Platte God Mines, returned
on tie I'd inst, being only eighteen days cat from
Tie NLC-, ais o4Ou9nl nom ioIly 70 lily cttcls UDm
tie boys in tue mines TO their friends il this place.
lie also brought back about 50 worth Of tue
dust" He arrived 1T tie miDes on the 3Dth Octo-
ber and left o. tie 9Th November.
Mr. Ricthmen says that .he miners WHO have been
there loDg enough TO get permanently located and a,
work, are making, without the al OF LcDs Toms cE
Rockers f!om s. ~ to s.0per dag.
Willie Mr.. Ricihman was there, he saw = ~ worm
q gold washed out Q. single painful Of ditt. ne
arees: Iieco of gold found while lie Wa ttsEe thai
c6ne under Iii. notice, ives worth fic. ga EIIers
have prospccled foE round gold and End ~ seYera
places, hut always il small pieces. IL uiLks "aen
can work IN the gulches in ,he mountains, Tia. roEIi
cold VIII be found il more abundance and in .lrger
pieces. IL experienced 20 diteu.,y II 99o1ins 10.
H. cane down the roth side Il the Plate River.
IL Will be cen fiat Mr. Reed had been there hut two
days wher Ls letter was written, and tie Council
Blf- boz. were busy buiips aims for Winter quar-
ter. and wee not prospectus iVf g".,.
" have been permitted t. make the following x