, 1861-09-05


particular:
Srz PERcEs MINEs,
Oro Fno City, W. T., Aug llth, '6l.
To The Editor Of the Puget Sound Herald:
| will give you a few items concerning the
route from Stcilacoom to Oro Fino City, also
concerning these mines. We left S;eilacOom on
| the 2Gth 1i June, and, after sundry nishaps ar.
rived in Ono limo City on the 2jth Of July. The
trail across the Cascade mountains, through the
Nachess Pass, | do no; think very good one,
but by others it is thought good in comparison
with many mountain passes in California. call
it one hundred miles from Stelacoom to the head
waters Of the Nachess. We travelled down this
stream thirty-tve miles; then left it, and, taking
northeast course, thirty six miles more brought
us TO the Yakima river. This we crossed and
followed down about six miles; thence We took
due cast course fifty.iour miles, and struck the
Columbia river ten miles above Priests Rapids.
We had plenty of grass all the way, but very
little water and no timber. Crossed the COlum-
bia and travelled down it fifty miles to Howe :
Ferry, on the road from Rock Creek to Wal'a
Walla. Here we left the Columbia and travelled
east fifty miles TO the Peluse river, and twenty
miles Up Peluse river to Big Spring. At this
point We left the Peluse travelled east ten miles.
to Lost Creek, over the best grazing country
wv NhN buNh UP AOoN SNSShV WIN NOOu,
water and grass all the way, and very rich soil.
Leaving Lost Creek, we travelled on the same
course twenty miles, and struck the Clearwater
twenty miles above the mouth; thence up said
stream sixty miles due east to Oro Finn City
making the whole distance Oil miles. \ refer
ence to the map shows that the party travelled
very crcuitous route, increasing their journey
considerable
There has been q very large amount Of work
done on the road from Lewistown to Orc Fino,
evincing determination on the part Of the peO.
pie to put the roads in the best possible condition
Some twelve or fifteen wagons have been brought
in here, but Il is a bad road for wagons; great
deal Of money will have to be expended yet be-
fore 1t can be made good wagon road.
Most Of the mil ers here who have claims and
work them arc doing well. The claims that are
open, take them !, as far as have seen, average
about $40 per day to the man. There are some
big strikes, say from $50 to S75 per day to the
man. That's on Rhodes Greek. All the miners
on this creek are doing well, and are in q fair
way to make q pile, as the Caliiornians say
There is o great excitement about the South Fork
Of the Clearwater. II is supposed there are two
thousand men up there, but ! cann"t tell you
how good the diggiags are. The reports are con.
ticting; some tell Of big strikes, and think good
mines will be found there this season. The only
trouble-at present is that the diggings are not
extensive enough for the number Of men who
are up here, but think there will be diggings
enough discovered this season for all who wish
to come. Ny opinion is that next summer will
be the time to make money here.
The supposition is that there are twelve thou
sand people up here at present. This may sound
large but 1t is what the old miners estimate them
at Idonot wish it understood that am trying
TO get up an excitement; am only telling you
simple facts. so far as l know and have been in
formed by responsible men.
There is plenty Of provision in the mines.
Flour is worth from 10 to 1sc. per pound; bacon
35ci beef - to 16c; sugar 80c.; coffee 40c.;
tea - per h., and everything else in proportion.
0ro Fino City has about four hundred houses
and tents at this time, and is improving very fast
There are about fifteen hundred inhabitants in
and around Orc Fino, but no Cinnamon. There
are sixteen stores, eighteen saloons, six bakeries,
four hotels, three restaurants, two smith shops,
two shoe shops, one tin shop, four meat markets,
two express Offices, five laundries, two bankers,
and four doctors. Fortunately there are no law
yers yet
Respectfully yours.