davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
, 1862-05-17
1Dasbin9ton Statesman.
SATURDAY MORNING, MAY H. 1862
Powder River.

Miners are now returning in great numbers
from Powder river, and the news they bring in
relation to the mining prospects there isnot at all
encouragingj yet not wholly satisfactory as to
whether there are mines there that will pay
for working. While the great majority of the
testimony is against the dggngs, there are those
who profess a belief that when the snow disap-
pears from the mountains SO that prospecting can
be done to advantage, paying mines will be found.
Thus far all the prospecting has been done on
ground covered with from one to two feet of snow,
and of course it has been by no means thorough.
The waters are said to be very high, SO that pros
pecting along the banks and on the bars of the
river is impossible. The majority of the returned
POloderites with whom we have conversed report
that they could find the color in almost all of
the gulches along Powder river and seem to be
impressed with the idea that there must be more
extensive deposits somewhere in that region. -
This is not improbable In fact, we are not will
ling to believe that the men who have been min
ing there have been wilfully humbaggng the peo-
pie in relation to their diggings They have new
er reported them as exceedingly rich nor exten-
slve; but have expressed belief that with proper
appliances they could make from SIG to 500 per
day, in the claims where they were at work and
also that the prospects they had obtained else
where in that locality indicated paying dig
gings." These reports, as usual in all such cases,
have grown by travel,' and the misfortune is
that the great majority who have gone thither
have done SO expecting to find the diggings with
out prospecting for them, and placers as rich as
those of Salmon river. With such elevated no
tons, it is but natural, as an honest miner ex-
pressed it to US the other day, that they could
not come down all of suddent to S. or $40 dig
gings-'specially when Salmon river was still
ahead" This argument has its weight at least
and we are the more confirmed in the teliefth that
disappointed on their arrival there in finding they
had to do something else than stoop to pick up
the gold-the prospecting has been done as if
they expected to find nothing, from the fact
that large number of those who have returned
report that they did no prospecting themselves,
but that others did, and they have been satisfied
to turn back merely upon the representations of
those who have possibly been as little of faith
as they
We do not propose to enter special plea in
favor of the Powder river mines but the facts
before us-the statements ofmen, who are vouched
fer by good citizens that they have found good
diggings, and their exhibition of fine specimens of
coarse oOld obtained there the foot fbo+ ,,o,,
have gone there with too enlarged ideas of the
mines and done all their prospecting with snow
and high waters opposing them, and with minds
only half satisfied that they had gone thither in
stead of to Salmon-warrants the belief at least,
that the cry of humbug is premature
, 1862-05-17

LEwIsoN.-A correspondent writing
from Lewiston, under date of 18th inst,
says:
" In my judgment-resting on certain
contingencies-business will be great Y
overdone here this summer. Too many
merchants are coming here by half How
ever, if goods do not reach here faster than
they have the merchants themselves will
be undone. The river seems to be at a
stand-still to-day, and lot holders will pos
sibly be able in a few days to point out
their corners without TIE use of canoes.
Still, from all accounts, there is a heap of
snow in the Salmon mountains yet to flow
down this way; and if it should get as ex-
tremely warm up there as it was here du-
ring one or two days last week, our tents
won save US, and he who dsres then to
question our right to the title of &" The Sac
ramento of the upper country" shouli be
compelled to meet the angry waters face to
face This is certainly great town-that
is, it will be, if Snake river don't rise too
high nor fall too low
, 1862-05-17

WALLA WALLA, May 13, 1862


EDS. STATESMAN Il wish to make few inqui-
res relative to the state of finances in this county,
| have Just been informed that the revenue aris-
ing under the provisions of the license law has
amounted, during the past year, to near four thou
sand dollars. The inquiry naturally suggests it.
self to my mind, what has become of this money
to say nothing about what has been collected in
the way of taxes, ETC.
When consider the fact that there has not
been single legally laid out road in the county,
and not even bridge, of small or large dimen-
sions, built at the expense of the county, and no
other expenditures of public nature, l am puz-
zled to know in what manner the county revenue
is expended There is considerable inquiry upon
this subject at the present time.
The farmer who pays his lax punctually has a
Just right to expect proper disbursement of his
quota. If it requires the poll tax, the license tax
and the personal property tax, to support the
county machinery, for the credit of the county,
the sooner we go into liquidation the better. Let
US wine out aud commence anew.
With all the revenue Of the county to back it
UP and ray the expenses, the county scrip, which
ought to be equivalent to cash, has only nom
iral value. | have heard it said that it will not
command over sixty cents on the dollar, and is
dull at that 1t seems to me there is screw
loose somewhere. If some of your correspond
ents can give the desired information, the public
will be enlightened upon the subject, and the mind
of a tax payer relieved. TAX PAYER.
, 1862-05-17

FLORENCE, May II, 1862.
EDS. STATESMAN Like everybody else, | found
the road from Craig's mill to Camas Prairie in an
awful condition. perfect quagmi-e of mud and
water; across the prairie very good travelling, and
thence to Salmon river mountain the trail quite
dry and dusty. From the Mountain House, up
to this time, all the packing has been done by
men. At the summit of the mountain they put
their packs on pine boughs, sit down across them,
and let all hollis go, using their heels for searng
apparatus. New comers generally get astride Of
a shovel, as children do broOmstiek, and ride at
fearful rate down tie mountain. Some get into
ryngpans, and others fill up gold pans and go
down in that manner; but some get excited and
forget to stear themselves and are plunged head
long into the snow at one side or The other This
man packing or soul carting,' as it is generally
termed, is now On its last legs learn that there
are two pack trains within five miles of Florence.
which came up Salmon from the mouth of Slate
creek to within twelve miles of Florence and then
up on the south side of the mountain to what is
called the Lardoe diggings." From Lardoe it
Is supposed there will be a trail shoveled out.
Prospecting is generally conceded to be "payed
OUT IN this little basin. The country seems to be
literally dog up for miles around the diggngs
Many are every day taken with leaving for 9TH
er localities, and many more with hOmetiUeneSS.
Emigrants come in putting and blowing as if II ey
were afraid somebody was ahead Of them. After
prospecting few days they generally go to town,
perch themselves promiscuousy on the sunny side
of log piles, like so many wild turkeys, and at
every little noisy rumor they "put put-put out
The miners who are favored with paying claims
are taking advantage of the melting snow and
sluicing out their claims as If their good time had
come. Many take out thousand dollars per
day with one run of sluices Some claims pay
but very little-not more than IS or $40 to the
hand
Two trains, in order to avoid the bad road over
Craigs mountain, started from Lewiston three
weeks ago up Snake river and crossed Salmon
river al the mouth thence up Snake and across
the divide to Slate creek This route, which was
thought by some to be a good one is reported by
those Just in to be far worse than the saw-mill
route. Parties in by the Cold Spring trail say
they had no difficulty in travelling that route.
The "Dutchman has not yet been found but
an Indian has, who is TO start with a company of
white men tomorrow for a gold illahe,' which
he says is on the South Salmon. | am not IN
d1aning, but if anything is discovered will hear
of it and report accordingly
Respectfully, R. G. LEwEs.
, 1862-05-17

From CoLvILLE.-We learn that the
volunteers at ColviIle recently made des-
cent upon the town and broke open Mr.
Bigelow's saloon, and destroyed much val
liable property, They also broke open a
barber shop and destroyed it, and made at
tempts to annihilate other establishments.
We are not in possession of the facts which
led to the committal of these outrages ;
but if there are not palliating causes the
citizens there would be quite as safe under
the protection of the Indians as under that
of the volunteers.
, 1862-05-17
Grand Rondo and Powder River val1es

Grand Ronde and Powder River Vallies.
The following letter from disappointed
Powderite, should, perhaps, be read with some
allowance for prejudice" ]
EDS. STATESMAN For the information of
those who may be curious upon the subject, l
ask space to say few words in relation to the
Grand Ronde valley. | left the Dales for Pow
der river about the 1st April travelled through
snow, mud, rain, over mountains and through
water, until | reached my destination. Found
no gold, of course But that is "neither here
nor there )" though thorough prospecting, at
the proper season, may result in the discovery Of
gold in the latter place. At the Dalles, l was
told By honest @ dis-1nterested men that the
Grand Ronde Valley the most magnificent
of the vallies of the North Pacific fine grazing
country, with a climate the most salubrious
found it indeed a "magn6cent' country-for
ducks and geese A great portion of the valley
is now overfown, with water from six inches to
four fee: and upwards in depth, and where the
emigrant road passess it is utterly impossible to
travel. But limited portion of the valley can
be said to be good for agricultural purposes, and
that portion lies along the foolhils-strips ir, m
one to three miles wide-though much of this
is sandy, and not well adapted to the purposes
for which it has so great a name abroad. The
overflow lands, which it is natural to suppose are
the richest as to soil, may possibly be reclaimed
by dtching but this is an experiment for the
future pioneer to make. Those who speak OF
the Grand Ronde valley as a superior agricultural
country, or as possessing inducements in this res
pect equal, CT even approximaling to, those OF
the Walla Walla valley are unquestionably mis-
taken and if they speak earnestly and believing
ingly they have evidently never seen it in its
present condition. By the middle of the sum-
mer perhaps, the water on the overhowed lands
disappears, and after that time, until the fall
freshets. they may afford good grazing. But the
Grand Ronde valley, as it now is, can not truth
fully be called a superior farming country.
The Powder river valley is pleasant place, in
appearance, and from what | saw of its soil, |
jude that it contains sufficient strength for the
growth Of sage brush. Yours.
OK THE WAY
, 1862-05-17
From 1ewiston and the Minea.

Mr.. Mossman, who arrived in this city
yesterday, with dates three days from
Florence, furnishes us the following items :
Mr.. Jeff Standefer and party-who it
was reported here few days ago had found
new diggings-left Florence last week to
go in search of supposed rich quartz
lode, some $50 miles up Salmon river.
About four hundred claims are now being
worked near Florence, yielding, according
to report, from $40 TO $1,000 per day
Wagons had gone as far as Camas Prai-
rie, and would be able to go as far as the
top of White Bird hill-25 miles from
the mouth of Slate Creek. Met about $50
wagons between this city and Lewiston,
and from 1000 to $500 men-much the
largest train chat has gone up any week
this season.
The water at Lewiston was slowly re-
ceding. About one half of the town-site
had been covered with from one to eight
feet of water Many ofthe merchants had
been compelled to remove their goods to
'high places" But one hotel in the town
the Pioneer-was open, the others hav-
ing all been compelled to close on account
of the high water.
The remains of three men were found, on
the 13th instant, by Thomas Newland and
Charles Carson, twelve miles north of Tur-
ner and Newland's place, at the head of
the Pataha. The flesh had all been eaten
off the bodies by wolves, and nothing re-
mained but the bones and a part Of the
clothing, together with some old letters and
a memorandum book. On ay-leaf of the
book was written the following:
january Oath, 1862.
James B. Shaw, in company with Solomon
Brodman and Henry Dibbens. If YOU find this
you will please advertise it in the Christian .4d-
UOcate."
The letters found with the bodies indica-
ted the deceased were formerly from Siskiyou
county, CAL, and that the memorandum
book found was that of the men named.
Mr. Louis Marengo, at Tucanon, informed
Mr.. Mossman that he recognized the names
as those of three men Who stopped at his
house fifteen days in the month of January
last They had with them at that time
about 81, 900 vol tn of gold dust and coin,
and valuable gold watch. These articles,
it is supposed, have been taken by the In
dians as nothing remained by the bodies
when they were found but an old buckskin
purse and the other articles mentioned
The party had evidently frozen to death in
attempting to cross the ridge from Pataha
to Alpowa. Mr.. Mossman brought down
the letters and book referred to.
, 1862-05-17
POWDER RIVER MINES, April 28, 1862.

FRIEND LUD AS friend of mine is returning
to Walla Waa from here, will send you a few
lines. We arrived here on the 21st inst, after a
very hard trip, l can assure you. We had to
shovel our way though snow from one to four
feet deep for twenty-eght miles-that was from
the summit of the Blue mountains to Grand
Ronde valley. We found no snow in the valley !;
but very sof, and mirey from there to Powder
river valley. We had considerable snow and a
mighty sight of mud Now a word about the
mines. They are on the east fork of the river,
and are distant from the Grand Ronde valley
about flty-fye miles. have been round con-
siderable, and have prospected some, and think
that | am safe in saying that the men who have
told such marvellous stories about $40 to $50 per
day having been dug here have perverted the
truth, or in Pike county language, have lied like
the deUI l think, from appearances, that this is
gold bearing country, but different from any
thing that l have seen. We can find better
prospect on the top Of the ground than on the
bed rock and we can find the color in any of
the little gulches but as yet have not been able
to find anything that we think Will pay. The best
that has ever been made here any day has oeen
twelve dollars per day, and that only for one day.
The most of the men that came in when | did are
going back, badly discouraged, and many them
without striking lick washing pan of dirt
There are some twenty-five men in my camp
who intend staying couple of months and pros
pectine the country thoroughly. 1t is very diff
cult prospecting now. The streams are all very
high and the snow deep. There is no man on
earth that can tell what kind of diggings may be
found here. Respectfully yours
J. NJ. KIRKPATRICK.
, 1862-05-17

THE COMING CRoPs.-The unusual backward
ness of the crops This spring is source of general
remark-that the like has not been known here
abouts before. The late rains, however, have had
tendency to increase the prospect, and we are
informed by farmers that the grain generally looks
well, particularly the barley and oats. Much Of
the corn is still out of the ground, and late as
it is good deal will be planted yet. For the
growth of corn, we presume there is not better
place on the Pacific coast than the Walla Walla
valley.
, 1862-05-17

SENsAToN.--John T. Jeffries-" sensation
John lis making himself notorious by writing tc
the British Colonist that tie Oregon and Wash
ngton mines are "payed out" and advising ev-
erybody to go to Carboo. John is a sensaticnist
He has never given a reason for the great conf
dence he expressed few years ago relative to the
richness of the Similkameen and Wenatchee
mines but his deep faith in the Carboo diggings
may be summed up in the fact that he has cattle
for sale in British Columbia.
, 1862-05-17

Mr. L. H. Rector has kindly permitted US to
make the following extracts from letter from
Powder river, written by Mr.. ]. NJ. kirkpatrick.
The letter may be relied upon as fair represen-
tation of matters in that quarter, as viewed by
| the aufhOr.
, 1862-05-17

THE NEW RoADs.-The several roads granted
by the County Commissioners during their late
session. are in process of establishment The
viewers, together with their respective surveyors,
are at work. Mile-posts are being put up on the
road to Wallula, and if we mistake not it is the
intention to place mile-poss on all these routes.
, 1862-05-17

ORDINANCEs.-The Ordinances regla-
ting licenses, and the duties of Marshal and
Recorder will be found en- the fourth page
of to-day's paper. The first contains mat
ter of interest to most of our citizens
, 1862-05-17

FROM THE DALLEs.-We learn from
the Dalles that the lower part of that town
was overfown on Tuesday morning-the
water then being nearly up to the Una
tilla House, and still rising. The prospect
was that the town would be almost entire
lv submerged.
, 1862-05-17

HIGH WATER.-The Columbia, we are
informed, was higher at Wallula on Thurs
day last than it has been at any time du-
ring the five previous years.
, 1862-05-17

MINING ON THE SPoKANE.-There are
about forty miners at work at the mouth
of the Spokane river-making from five to
twenty dollars per day.
, 1862-05-17
E MPIR f
n OTEL AND RES RANT
MAIN STREET WALLA WALLA
JOHN sELBY, PROPRIETOR.

YgyrHE Proprietor takes great pleasure in "A
announcing to his old friends and patrons li;jA
AM the public generally that he has recently fitted
mp
NEW HOTEL AND RESTAURANT,
next door to the old Blue Mountain Hotel" Mock
pense has been spared to make this the
Best Hotel in Walla WalIa.
In addition to procuring entire new set Of dining
room furniture he has also erected additions to
his SLEEPING APARTMENTS and reftted and re-
modelled the old ones that they all well ven
tated and second to none in the upper country.
The House will be kept on the Restaurant principle.
Meals at all Tours, Day or Night.
Iced Creams, Oyster Soups, or any other xtras''
served to those who may desire them.
The proprietor returns thanks for the liberal pat
ronage heretofore extended him, and feels confident
that with his new Improvements he render the
soourn Of strangers with hlm in every respect COM
tOrtable.
Board per week, ten dollars
Single Meals, seventy-tive cents
Board and lodging per week, twelve dollars.
Lodging, per night seventy-fve cents.
Walla Walla, May II 1862. l'y
, 1862-05-17
For Sale !
Dissolution Notice.
FOR NEZ PERCEs MINES.

TNHE OREGON STEAM NAVIGA- VII
ton Co.'S Steamers will run the zzazzsaasaszzz-
Columbia river follows
THE STEAMER JULIA.
WOLF. ........................C Commander,
Will leave Portland every
Monday. " ednesday and Friday at A. NJ
Connecting Nith the steamer
IDAHO,
McNULTY .............. Commander, usl6@A
At the Cascades, =z&zsAz-==Aa
FOR DALLES CITY, Arriving same day.
, 1862-05-17

Wala Walla Lodge No. Z, A. F. q A. NJ. hold their
stated communications on the I'd and 4th Saturdays
of each month"; B. SHEIDEMAN, w. NJ
9. LkYDER Sec'y.
REMovAL.-1lrs. S. j Seaman & Co. have removed
their Millinery and Fancy Goods Store to the lower
end Of the city, next door TO the Drug Store.
, 1862-05-17
New STEAMtR
TENINO.
G6iE.
frs-ssa1sss1 -,

NEW STEAM'R vErz.
TENINO, N1AIsA4a
VIII Leave Des Chntes for Walua every Tuesday,
Returning, leaves Wallula every Thursday at A. NJ
Passage from Portland to the Dalles,. .,.......$ IS 90
Portage at Cascades extra.
Animals from Portland to Dalles, ...........5O 5 90
Passage from Des Chutes to Wallula ........ Is 90
~ No Extra charge for meals.
J. G. AINSWORTH,
ly Pres't o. S. N. Co
, 1862-05-17
Letter from Salmon River.

B. P. S.
, 1862-03-26


There has been brisk business doing through
the week The salcs Of foreign goods q auction
have been very large. Jobbers hare bought and
Sgs have Been s. Ct
at auction, buying largely there and st private Of
domestic goods. The spring business has now ial-
II commenced.
Printe are in very actire demand. New stylea
are coming forward, and are freely taken. The
supply is ample, and the demand go freely met that
prizes u nave sn about iour ssntz The azsa5s
bids fair to be large. 1t 1s known that there are
m attacks of goods left On hand IN the West, con.
sequently the demand, stimulated By the wealth Of
ton good., blesched and nnbieached are more ID.
quired for, and prices are more steady. Drills are
dun Fancy woolens are very active, with q large
wanted. and the supply is behind the demand.
ni.tares are resdy sale 1t good prices uld styles
demand for lov-priced goods. Black cassIme1ee,
With WaEy weaving. are quick Of sale. Meltons do
not abate II the CONSTANT demand presented
DeIa1nes are in moderate request
hare g Ts
active, especially ior low priced declines and cha
lies; Fine French silks are IN better demaud, but
millinery silks are dull Swiss silks offered al
been at auction, ard these have been very large
especially of French and German Ebrics, which
have been the great attraction Of the past week:
prices-rlain and fancy silks, very large cata
logue,. Paris worsted goods, and Ftenct
faconets and organdies.. Considerable cats
hare been sold at moderate p1lcea-the supply
being rather. greater than the demand. Frenct
ehawls brought improved prices as regards bro
square shawls are In request. German hosier,
ard gloves brought good returns; and Saxon1
woven dress goods attractcda brisk demand. beins
4$n1 @y-T T1$
buyers. who all competed for them. French BON
bazines are In demand at moderate prices.
, 1862-03-26
European Market, for preaassuas.

The lNsrk Ldns Ezpress of March 8 contains the
following review Of the Corn Trade Of Great Brit
AIM
The past week, with greatly reduoed tsmpers-
ture, has brought suitable check to the dangerous
&uIHardneas Of the season. Long experience re-
minds us Of the possibility Of severely cutting
froeta as late q the middle Of May, and more Sc
by the restraint Of undue excitement There IL
alao renewed prospect Of benefit to the samples
Of whGat which have 20 long been wanting in con-
ditl0n; and on this score many have been prevent
ed realizing who we're desi1ous to quit on mode
rate terms. So far As e1les are concerned, they
have still been slow, 8nd no Improvement
could be noted in prices, but rather decline The
general averages, however, ahbw that the con-
timed dulnees ofthe market has not resulted In
much depreciation Of value The calculations Of
ProcnrAble, ~ to the necessities OF the country
before harvest, ha7e exceeded our own previous
estimates, but there is an important consideration
which seems materially to affect the question, and
season. This has protected the valuable esculents
Ct the market gardens 30 entirely, that we think
the three past months savings on this score equal
at least to tortntshtss consumption Of bread, or
estimate be correct, we have to trace the exist
ence Of the present stocks Of foreign wheat to
this source. as they may be taken at about that
quantity. Now, had the gransries been nearly
instead Of being sti toleraby well stocked,
the short supplies Of English mnss hare made q
very lively trade and some1ise in prices. While the
plenitude 1asts the trade must be dun but what Is
fortnl2ht's stock spread o7er period OF seTen
months, which must yet elaQse Before has1est .
now, are importing at the rate Of one million one
hundred thousand quarters monthly, and We may
yet see lively and much dearer time before the
first Of September. On the continent there has
been little change, and France dnds heavy OF lower