The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1863-12-25
CAPT. FIsK's SUCCESS.

The route pursued by Capt tisk's party
of this year was the most favorable one
that could have been followed, and, in
avoiding the parched basin of the Milk
river. they escaped many of the hardships
that others have met in journeying over
land the past dry season; the care and
caution of the leader were appreciated by
his followers; and when the party reached
the end of their travels no man among
them was dissatisfied CT found himself
deceived. The men who went out with
the Captain last year gathered around him
upon his arrival at Bannock City, with
cheers for him and for the old flag, and he
was assured by all of their general success.
1t is but low estimate to say that the
discoveries made by the party of 1862, and
by those who were drawn to BannOck City
and neigborhood by their reports, have
yielded in the cne year since over
$15,OOO,OOO in gold.
THE GOLD FIELD.
The Idaho gold field, to which so much
attention has been directed by the remark
able discoveries that have been made there
of virgin gold and gold bearing quartz, lies
partly within the great horse shoe bend of
the Rocky Mountains, which includes Big
Hole Prairie, and the headwaters of Wis
dom river and Jefferson fork, which unite
below to form the Missouri. 1t lies within
lat. A deg. and 46 deg north and long.
33 deg. and 81 deg. west. In the south
west corner of the great bend, in the
mountains, between the sources of the
Horse Prairie and Red Butte creeks, tribu-
taries of Jefferson Fork, lies Bannock City,
the entrepot of the mining country OF
Idaho, east of the Rocky Mountains.
BANNoCK CITY.
The city is situated on small stream
called the Grasshopper, which winds
through a canon between lofty mountains
whose tops are often covered with snow
when summer warmth prevails among the
miners below. The miners dwellings are
mostly primitive in style, being built of
logs and rooted with poles, grass, bark or
turf While the gulch diggings of Ban
mock City are not counted as rich as those
of Virginia City, they furnish paying en-
ployment to hundreds, and there are Occa-
siOnal instances of remarkable yields, such
as are rarely believed when put in print in
figures. The quartz leads are, however,
proving exceedingly rich in gold, and will
make gold mining a permanent and relia-
bic business there. New quarts leads are
being opened in the mountains in every
direction, and extensive preparations are
making for the use of improved crushing
machinery another season. Col. Hunkins
had the building ready and was expecting
the arrival of steam engine and two
stamp mills from St. Louis when Captain
Fisk and party started on their return.
Another engine and stamp mill was on the
way from St. Louis and expected to be set
up and at work this fall. Captain Fisk
brings with him specimens of quartz ores
from the Bannock City mines.
The population of Bannock City in May
was 1000, but the discovery of the richer
gulch diggings at Virginia City drew away
all but those who had the best claims,
though most who went away left their
claims represented. The present popula-
ton will not exceed 800. Wages at Ban
mock City were s. to $S day, with pen
ty of work Board $1.5O to 81 day,
not including lodging, which every man is
supposed to provide for himself.
A ST. PAUL MAN.
The postmaster at BannOck City is N.
P Langford, formerly of this city. AS
Bannock City is considered mining head
quarters of the country, most of the mail
matter passes through that Office, and the
position he holds is therefore lucrative as
well as honorable
VIRGINIA CITY.
Virginia City, the chief point in the
Stinkingyater Diggings, is located in a
mountain canon on small stream which
flows into Stinkingwater Greek, at about
twenty miles from its confluence with JEFF
ferson Fork. 1t is sixty-fve miles north
east from Bannock City, and has popu-
lation of over six thousand inhabitants
The Virginia City mines, paying claims,
extend fifteen miles along the stream, and
are as rich as any gold mines ever discov-
cred. The majority of the claims aver
age about $l5 day to the man, while
some of them pay as high as $50, $75,
and even 500 day to the man. In ex-
ceptional cases $3.50 and as high as $500
to the man for the day, have been sluiced
out. In some places the bed rock is
twenty-five feet below the surface, involv.
ing about $5, 600 expense in opening such
claims, but they have all paid well. Up
to October, the aggregate product of gold
from the banks of this stream was $780,
600 to 100000 per week. The Virginia
City mines were discovered in June o1
this year by party returning from the
Yellowstone country, and were the first
of the Stinkingwater mines prospected and
worked.
OTHER MINES.
Bevan's Gulch, fifteen miles north o1
Virginia City, in the same mountain range,
on q small stream which flows into the
Stinkingwater. These mines extend siz
miles, and are easily worked, having but
three feet of stripping, with four feet Of
pay dirt above the bed rock. There were
about four hundred miners here in Octo-