Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1861-01-26
The Nez Perez Mines-The In~dians-The
Prospects Of Amity with Them-The
Route to theMines, and Table Of Distances
from Portland.

from Portland.
At the present time there is much
hope entertained that the Nez Percc
mines will prove a source OF incalcu-
liable wealth to Oregon and Washing
ton. The confidence already inspired
will induce large numbers to go there
when spring opens. Already we can
see preparations making for a trip
there, both by miners and traders, who
expect to reap a rich harvest the COM
ing spring and summer. This leads
us to publish such information Is We
can CLEAN from the best authority, which
may give to the miners and traders the
data for operations to be conducted
upon the most advantageous plan.
No man desires to make a leap i'll the
dark, and especially where he is to in
vest his time and capital.
The Ncz Perez mines have been sus-
pectcd for some years past, from the
fact that Indians have, from time to
time, exhibited quantities ofdust which
they reported to have obtained some
where in the Bitter Root Mountains !;
but they always manifested an opposi-
ton to the whites going there to pros
pect, and thus men have been deferred.
a little more than a year ago, a few
mcn prospectcd in the vincinity of the
Salmon River, and found evidences of
gold in paying quantities. Not until
Captain Picrcc's party made their trip,
last summer and fall, was anything
definite known of the whereabouts of
these mines. They, about twelve men
in number, spent about six weeks in
exploring on the western slope of the
Bitter Root Mountains, and found nu-
mcrous points where the dust could be
obtained, and many places which aboun-
dcd in quartz rock, indicating the pres
cncc OF quartz leads. Their means of
testing were not adequate to the enter
prise they had undertaken; but they,
after considerable exploration, came
into q small ravinc OH of the north
forks ofthe Clearwater, and there found
rich prospects. They mined some three
or four days and took out Il fair guam
tity of the dust, and meantime, learned
that for the distance of three or four
miles up and down the %ravinc, equally
as good prospects existed. The bed
rock lies only about six feet below the
surface, while the dirt composing the
lower stratum, two or three feet above
the rock, is rich paying dirt.
They were compelled, from want of
food and sufficient preparations, to re-
turn home to Walla Walla; but came
with the purpose to 60 back as soon
as they could procure the necessary
outfit. This they did, and about the
middle of November most of them, in
company with about forty others, left
Walla Walla to 60 there and winter.
Intelligence has, from time to time.
been received from them to the effect
that they had constructed for them
selves cabins, opened claims, and were
employed in mining and constructing
a long sluice for future operations.
They are reported as averaging from
So to SIS per day, to the man, when
Mt work.
Their location, as before stated, is. on
one of the north branches of the Clear
water, on the western slope of the Bit
ter Root Mountains. They are dis
tant from Walla Walla about $50 miles,
in a course nearly due east or q little
north of east. They arc we'll elevated
in the mountains, which arc density CO.
vcred with pine timber, except in small
patches where cammas and grass pra-
ries and swamps are found. The eli
mate is colder han in the valleys be-
low, but, nevertheless so mild rs not to
prevent work this winter.
The mines are on the Nez Pcrccs'
Reservation, as claimed by the author
tiles. The Nez Perez Indians are nu-
mcrous, wealthy, and skilled in war,
and some of them instructed in the arts
Of peace. They have always been
friendly to the whites, and r free
from the little vices which characterize
many other tribes. They number about
1000 souls, about one-fifth of whom
are warriors. Their wealth consists
chiefly in horses and cattle. The Gov
eminent has an agency among them,
and is now ~instructing them>in the art
of agriculture. The agency OF head
quarters of the Reserve is on the Clear
water, near the junction of the Lapwa,
and about 100 miles from Walla Walla,
by the road usually travelled.
At first tho Indians were extremely
hostile to the miners going upon the
Reserve /; so much so, that they serious
ly threatened war upon them. But
through the labors of the Indian Agent
and the commander of the military, a
conditional permission was granted by