, 1862-03-29
Letter from Slate Creek.


MEsSRs. EDITORS.-I again take up the " Grey
Goose Quill" by the light of few dry sticks to
give your readers, especially the interested ones,
few facts from this portion of the country. IT e
weather here for the past three or four days, has
been bad, and the crossing from this place to the
mines worse than it has been for the past winter.
showing and blowing is the order of the day
add to this the scarcity of beef and cloth tents and
you have US here exactly. In letter from my
brother yesterday, he writes that it is impossible
for any work or prospecting to be done here for
six or seven weeks and that there is nothing in
the provision line TO be sold nor begged. The
old saying-you know how itis-a dollar pound
is played out, and name your price, or anything
you ask, has taken its place. A few gallons OF
whisky has been brought in at great expense
and risk of health, that helps little, as there is
no beef cattle here yet.
If grub does not come in soon, and that within
two o. three weeks at furthest, | am fearful that
we will have bad tmes-no whisky, no tools, but
beef bacon, -four, sugar, coffee and dried fruit
this last article will he in good demand, as num-
bers are suffering from scurvv. Goods can be
packed to the sawmill and can be hauled on sed'
to this side the Camas prairie, and we have enough
horses to pack up to this point. Mr.. French took
train down the river; also, Tracy & Cos. mes
senger, Mr.. Yates, went the same way, having ar
Indian guide, being so heavily loaded with orc il
required animals.
Let those below who have any interest in Us
send forward stuffs as soon as possible, and those
who contemplate coming remain for six weeks
vet at least before they come to this country
say to you once again, be warned in time, as yor
will be the sufferer, and you will find very little
half starved themselves.
Some diggings have been struck on Salmon
river thirty or forty miles above this point, est
mated to pay from five to twelve dollars per day
on the bars and in some of the guches putting
into the river
From experience in all three of the mining
camps l would safely say that the miner will dc
better to try Elk City or Orc Fino before coming
to Salmon river, at either camp you can get
work or dggings, and when this present portion
of the mines is worked out and forgot as one OF
the has-beens you will find that Elk City and Orc
Fmo will open forth with bright prospects The
head waters of Clearwater have been but barely
and there are hundreds of claims
abandoned and miles of ground not touched
which will pay from So to so per day, and you
can get that if sou will be content not speaking
of hill diggings not opened, and abundant water
privileges. There is fair supply of provisions,
tools and clothing at these points new, and that
is quite an item.
Let every miner who can bring his horse as he
assists matters beside carrying grub before present
wants, he also enables you to penetrate far back
where plenty of the orc exists. Your horse can
find in the mountains enough to eat any place
when the snow is off Let the miner avoid giving
his horse or horses to every one who says he has
a ranch, as it would be better for you and the an
lmal if you would shoot him, and then you would
know where to find him. Band together some
10 or 20 and pay some man good wages TO watch,
sleep and eat with them; you may then get some
benefit from your horses. You can now do as
you please have given you the hint.
now state to those whom it may concern that
from this point to Snake river is about Is miles
over a rocky divide, and that there is a trail over
which the Indians ride, and that they travel from
his point to the Grand Ronde country but no
wagon road can ever come 10 this place across
rom Snake river. hut good mountain pack trail
,an be made. If we can get goods and stuffs
lere, no matter how, it will satisfy us settle the
Dad amongst yourselves. | state the above as
acts, not interfering with the question of roads.
Let the miner, packer and traveller not forget
lis gun coming up here. Rememb er, the Indian
Agent has said you can get no aid nor COM
ort from him, as you are violating the laws OF in
efcourse with the Indians and consequently
'lCoNlilS thC OhltCu SldteS LdWS' AS Tienu OF
,eace, say, bear little from them, (the Ind-
lns) avoid giving them whisky and guns, and
ome prepared yourselves. This Summer we have
small account of long standing to settle with
he Snakes-we will collect principal and interest
It the same time. SINE TREMORE.
FoR THE MINEs.-The vanguard of the
to the mines are now daily
passing through this place. The majority