, 1863-07-25
THE WASHINGTON STATESMAN
Published Every Saturday Morning
From Fort Benton and Beaver Head.

The steamers, which left St. Louis in
May, for Benton, were unable to reach the
latter point on account of low water But
four steamers started from St. Louis,-in-
stead of the large number heretofore re-
ported on the way,-and only one, the
Shreveport, had been heard of at Benton.
She ran aground at place called Snake
Point, about l80 miles below Benton, and
was compelled to lay up. A portion of
her passengers had arrived at Benton.
They reported that when it was ascertained
that the boat could go no farther notices
were posted to the effect that the passen-
gers who remained on the boat would be
charged 81 per day for their beard. This
was probably necessary on account of the
scarcity of provisions on the b at; so the
\ only alternative was for the passengers to
obtain their supplies and start out on foot
for Benton, and await an opportunity to
get their baggage through. The freight
on the boat is pat up in such shape that it
cannot be packed on animals, and the only
probable chance Of getting it to Benton
is by small boats. The freight could be
wagOned up, but for the long stretches
without water. The point where the boat
is lying is not far from the mouth OF Milk
river. near the foot Of the s. big bend, and
four or Ave hundred miles below Benton
by the river.
The Missouri is very low at Benton, in
consequence of no snow falling in the
mountains last winter, and no rain during
the spring and summer.
A general drouth has prevailed on the
eastern side of the mountains. Wheat
that was sown at the Blackfoot Agency
last fail did not come up at all, and the
grass had not started in that vicinity on
the 10th Of June There will be no crops
harvested there this season.
About one hundred and fifty teams went
over from the mines to Berton. expecting
to meet the boats there, and to freight the
goods brought by them into the mines.
They were all lying idle-the teamsters
considering whether they would attempt to
go down to Milk river for freight. They
were asking Is cents per pound for ight-
ing from Benton into the mines and thirty
cents from Milk river
All the parties that crossed to Benton
this summer, with the intention of going
down to St. Louis on the steamers, were
still lying there when Mr.. NJ left. Some
of them had determined to 20 to Salt Lake
and take the stages thence to the States.
Travelling down the river in small boats
vas considered unsafe, on account of the
raarauding disposition of the Indians along
the river All the boats, with one ex-
eeption, that welt down last season were
robbed, and one party, of five or six men,
EOnl Salmon river, had about 1925 600 in
gold dust taken from them. The main OBJ
ject of the Indians, however, in robbing
the boats seemed to be to get possession of
the arms and ammunition Of the passen-
gers, as in most cases they allowed them to
pass without further molestation.
The mining prospects at Beaver Head
continue encouraging All who have claims
are making money, and the less fortunate
can find ready employment at S. per day.
New diggings, reported very rich, we've
discovered IN June on stream called
Striking water, about sixty miles from
Bannock City.
Several large tr' ins with goods and pro
visions had arrived in the mines from Den
yer, Colorado Territory. Suppli.s were
also coming in in considerable quantities
from Salt Lake. Provisions we're cheap
Bacon selling at 25c per pound, and flour
at Sc to So per hundred.
Emigrants from the States we're arriving
in the mines and reported large number
on the road,-about equally divided be-
tween Beaver Head and Boise.
A general opinion prevails among the
miners at Beaver Head that good mines ex-
ist on the Yellowstone river A party
went down there last spring to p aspect,
but were driven out by the Grow Indians,
and three Of the number killed and three
wounded
A silver lode, which Las every appeac-
ance of being valuable has been discovered
near Limhi, the old Mormon fort, on Sal
mon river.
About twenty men are at work on Gold
creek, on this side of the mountains. They
complain Of scarcity of water, and state
that if they bad sufficient water to run
sluices their diggings would yield $40 per
day. As tits, they are contented to work
for a smaller sum.
The season in the Bitter Root valley has
been favorable and the crop will be an av-
+, erage one.
LIVELY TIMEs.-In two or three more
weeks the mills in the valley will be in
active operation, grinding up the -four from
this years crop of wheat. Then the lively
times for the farmers will commence; for
the most of the flour for the mining re-
gions will be supplied from this valley. if