The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-12-18

..Fisk,s Men all at Work.-Deer
Lodge Valley and John Grant..Gen.
Conuer..The Snake Indians. Ahe
ss,var Lead of Utah..GOld and
Quartz Specimens
Can't James L. Fisk, DR.. w. D. Dibb and 1t,
Samuel Fl. Johnston, of Fisk's Expedition,
reached this city on Sunday from Virginia City.
They returned by way of Great Salt Lake city
and the Overland Stage route.
In conversation with 1t. johnson, who went
out as the Government historian of the Expe-
dition, we learn that the route pursued by Capt.
Fisk was in most part new one and proved
the best for the last season because it afforded
plenty of wood, water and grass. This route,
after leaving Devils Lake, going northwest,
then turned westward near the boundary line
to about long. 80 west, from whence it was in
a southerly course around the western base of
Bears's Paw Mountains to Fort Berton. For
long distance this route followed the course Of
the Wood Mountains, and che valleys of streams
heading therein. From Fort Benton they
travelled southwest, crossing the Rocky Noun
tains at or near Cardottes Pass, and thence
went south through Deer Lodge Prairie, and
again across the mountains and Big Hole Fork
or Wisdom river to Bannock City.
On the whole journey out they saw but few
Indians. and those all friendly enough. The
returning members suppose the story of their
all having been murdered by the Indians was
started by three deserters who left them at the
Wood Mountains and took away two of the
most valuable horses as well as other property.
They were indeed informed by Red River hunt
ers this side of Wood Moutains that a large
party of Sioux was one days march ahead of
them, but the Sioux got out of the way. As
Capt. Fisk and his whole party were in uniform.
well armed, and had howitzer and plenty of
grape and shell with them, they not only pre-
sented = formidable appearance, but would
have made a stout defence if attacked.
The largest party of Indians they met was
Broken Arms band of Assiniboineo, numbering
about $50. Broken Arm remained in camp
over night to have talk with Capt. Fisk and
to send u message to the Great Father at Wash
ington. His message was to the effect that the
land OF the Assiniboines was poor, only sup.
porting buffaloes for the Indians and not good
for thew neil. He hoped the Great Father
would not permit them to be driven from their
homes, bur he was willing the whites should
have road through his land and his young
men would not disturb them.
Coal was discovered in many places along tho
route. A fine seam crops out at Lake Jessie,
about one hundred miles west of Fort Aber-
crombie. three miles from Siblcy's Camp Atch-
ison. i seam ten to fifteen feet thick is eX-
posed along Antelope Creek $50 named by this
party in Wood Mountains. and at several
other places. Biologists must add another
grand coal basin to their maps extending from
the Minnesota boundary to the Rocky Noun
tains north of the Missouri River, and which
it is likely will prove to extend north into the
British Possessions. and have its centre of
greatest richness in Wood Mountains.
Arrived at BannOck City, the party found
that place temporarily half deserted, the great
rush of miners being to Virginia City and the
Sinking Water gold field. Virginia City they
found living specimen of the quick growth
of mining towns. 1t is a city in size rs we'll as
ia name, with all the luxurics and vices of city
life, and population Of over eight thousand.
The United States Marshal who had this sea-
ron completed his census, gave them the pop
lation Of Idaho Territory at forty thousand.
To thin large accessioDs were making every
day, it seeming as if Colorado would hc depop-
ulated 10y the thronging from shat Territory
towards Virginia City.
New discoveries of gold placers and yulches
were being made frequently. two valuable dis.
roveries being made while Capt Fisk was at
- L,,:I.l bad
been erected and the machinery for crushing
quartz was expected from st. Louis, along with
steam engine. The quartz from the DacOta
Lead. with the imperfect work of set of
wooden stamps, was yielding All average Of
$1,000 to the cord. And many instances were
found where persons had secured AZ high as
900 from Two bushels OF quartz. These. OF
course, were the best results, but the conf
dence OF the Bannock City miners in their
guartz leads is not to he permanently diverted
by the most tempting prospects elsewhere
The whole mining community of that coun
try, (Which may he described as the horse-sho
bend of the Rocky Mountains. which includes
Big Hole Prairie) are, however, interested in
the Yellow Stone country. Glowing accounts
have come from there of the richness of its
gold fields. But the miners who went out TO
explore it the past season were killed or driven
hack by the Crows three men being killed out
Of one party, and there is at Virginia City a
determination of hostilitics against the Crows
which will lead, it is thought, to descent
upon that tribe by an Independent force of 500
miners now being organized and prepared at
that city.
All of the boys who went out with Captain
Fisk were at work at six or seven dollars Q
day before he left them, and one happy fellow,
rejoicing in four mule team, let himself and
team, for drawing wood, at s20 day.
Premier, the guide. remained at BannOck City
70 hunt during the winter.
The scenery along the route was Of that
varied character to be expected On SO long a
Journey, but peculiar In the wildness of vol
canic mountains contrasting with the rich val
Ievs 1T their bases. The climate Of the gold
feld, according to the altitude, is milder than
Minnesota in many Of the valleys and through
cut the lower mining country, but on the
mountains approaches continual winter toe
closely for habitation. This party describe
Jaao. T ~<lno Prairie and Valley yvest nf the