, 1862-12-06
From the Other Side.

Mr. H. left Fort Benton on the 2Sth of
October, and came by way of the Pr;ckly
Pear and Beaver Head mines, thence to the
Bitter Root valley and via the Coeur d'Al-
enc mission to this city-making distance
in the whole trip of 1916 miles in 81 days.
He contradicts the statement that he or any
other man has been scalped by the Indians
east of the mountains this fall. On the
other Land, the Indians, including the
Bo1nocks, manifest an entirely peaceable
disposition.
Mr.. H. brings the most fattering news
from the mines at Beaver Head, on the
Eeadwaters of the Missouri From perso-
nal inspection and positive knowledge of
what the miners are doing there, he ex-
presses the opinion that the mines are the
best ever discovered north of California,
equaling in richness those of Florence, and
rivaling them in extent There are about
four hundred men at work there, all of
whom are satisfied with their prospects,
The richer dlggings have but recently been
opened Some of the claims are paying as
high as $3.50 per day to the hand, and in
some instances where miners are making
these wages they are hauling their dirt
down the gulches from TIE mountain sides
long distances to the river. These claims
are the exception, the average wages being
from SIG to $40 per day. Water is plen-
ty, but as yet miners have not secured the
advantages of bitches. Floar and beef
was plenty in the mines but all kinds of
groceries were scarce, and most articles in
that line were not to be had in the mines.
Common leather boots were selling at $40
per pair.
Thirtytwo wagons, from Salt Lake,
loaded with provisions were hourly expect
ed at Beaver Head when Mr.. H. left The
excitement at Salt Lake in relation to the
mines was reported to be intense, and it
was expected that there would be general
rush from that quarter to the mines in the
Spring. News of the early discoveries at
Big Hole and Beaver Head had also reach
ed St. Louis, and a large emigration is ex-
pected from there 10 the mines early next
season.
Col. Andrew Dawson, of Fort Benton, is
making arrangements TO put on line of
seven steamers from st. Louis to Fort Ben
ton as soon as navigation opens in the
spring, and Hardness & Co, at Fort La
Barge will put on five steamers to run from
Benton to that point 1t is believed that
boats can navigate the Missouri to within
one hundred and fifty miles of the Beaver
Head mines.
The miners at Beaver Head had made
treaty with the Bannock and Snake Indians
About five hundred W, rriors were present
at the council, and the most friendly feel
ing seemed to pervade the assemblage, and
the Indians expressed themselves entirely
satisfied that the whites should come into
the country and work the mines and trade
with them-objecting only to having their
lands taken up for permanent settlement.
This will of course, in time breed discord,
but perhaps not until the whites get into
the country in sufficient numbers to pro-
tect themselves, from serious trouble on
account of Indian depredations. The val
leys along all the rivers on the eastern side
are described as fine agricultural districts,
and if the mines prove what we have every
reason to believe them to be, these lands
will be occupied for agricultural purposes.
The few mountaineers who have occupied
lands there have uniformly succeeded in
raising fine crops
The miners at Big Hole were reported to
be doing we'll and those at Prickly Pear
were making from SIS to so per day The
diggings at the latter place are not rich,
though so far as opened uniformly pay about
as above.
DIR. Atkinson lately went out on pros
pecting tour on the Saskatchewan river,
some distance to the north of Fort Benton,
and found prospects which he thinks will
warrant him in returning there to mine
next season. The DIR. also found gold on
many other streams in his journey north
but the best prospects were found on a
tributary of the South Saskatchewan
The miners of Bitter Root and Hellgate
have nearly all left for Beaver Head.
The farmers of Bitter Root valley are
making great preparations to lie able to
supply the miners on the eastern side with
provisions next season. Worden & Co.,
at HeIlgate, who short time ago took up
stock of supplies, expecting it would be
sufficient to last them all winter. have al
ready disposed Of their entire stUck-leav-
ing them with only few articles for the
Indian trade
Mr. Haggard intends hereafter to make
this place the headquarters for his express,
and will travel by way of the Coeur d'Alene
Mission to Fort Benton. He will leave for
Benton again in about ten days.
PAY-DAY.-The long-looked for pay
day at Fort Walla Walla has come at last
Major Francis commenced paying off the