Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1864-02-19
IEAssD.

cry one is now interested in this subject
though very few, comparatively, have any
definite knowledge Of the locality, route o.
travel TO reach it, Sc, and thinking an article
on the subject would be Of general interest
have taken considerable pains in procuring
such intelligence on these points, as would be
acceptable.
In the first place, then, Idaho is Terrific.
ry less than year old, and was carved out
of three other territories. w ashington, Da-
kota and Nebraska. The Rocky Mountains
divide it little west of its center. 1t is
bounded on the north by the British Posses
sions, on the south by Utah, on the east by
Dakota, and on the west by Washington
Territory. Idaho contains $4,000 square
miles,-o in other words, its area would
make six States Of the size of Iowa. The
route now travelled to get there is long and
tedious one, being almost due west to Salt
Lake City, and then FIVE hundred miles due
north to the confluence of the Big Horn with
the Yellowstone river. A Capt. Fiske, of the
U. S. Army, who has just returned from Ida.
no where he was engaged in making Govern
| ment surveys, states route is quite feasible
through Central Minnesota to Big Stone Lake,
on the eastern border Of Dakota, thence on
a nearly direct westerly course through Da-
kota and Idaho to the mouth Of the Big
Horn, in which vicinity the richest gold fields
abound. This route is much nearer than the
one by Salt Lake City. The ST Paul Cham.
Der OF Commerce have made an appropria-
ton for publishing map Of the route through
Minnesota. Persons going there should bear
in mind that the journey is perilous one,
especially for small parties, on account of the
hostile tribes Of Indians that infest the route.
The warm weather of that locality is of short
duration, and the cold season very long and
severe, and in view Of the great influx of
population provisions and supplies of all
kinds will be very scarce, and command fab
ulous prices There are only two settlements
Of any considerable importance in the terri,
tory,-Bannock City and Virginia City.
each containing between four and five thous-
and inhabitants. The number Of miners
now working in the different mines is csti.
mated at 5000.
That these mines are very rich there is no
doubt, though doubtless their wealth has
been greatly exaggerated; yet, if the half
that is told of them be true, they surpass
any gold diggings yet discovered in the
world. Captain Fiskc, whom we spoke of
above, says that he has visited that region
twice, and has had ample opportunity to in
form himself upon these matters. He states
that he saw nine hundred dollars worth Of
gold taken from single painful Of earth,
and is confident, from what he could learn
from reliable sources, that there has already
been mined $25, coz in gold. Mono of
this treasure has as yet been shipped out of
the Territory, for want of proper and safe
escort. If anything like this has been taken
out in the eighteen months Of operations !,
shows richness of production tbs.. beggars
the palmiest days of California or Australia
The mining has been confined principally to
gulch work, but the quartz is rich, and would
Yield as well as the best in the world.
Another authority says that in another
year Idaho will produce enough gold to pay
the interest on two thousand millions of the
war debt. The mines Of Virginia City are
! fifteen miles in extent, and each claim con-
sists Of one hundred feet front on the creek,
extending back on each side to the base of
the mountain. There are about 5000 people
at this place, though many are engaged in
other pursuits than mining. The average
yield Of the mines is $4,000 per week.
At Bannock City the mines are four miles
in length, and each claim has Fifty feet front.
/ Though all he true that is claimed for it,
we would not advise men who have good sit
uet;ons and fair incomes to join the rush to
! Idaho. The perils and vicisstudes you
would be compelled to encounter would be
great, and you would peril health, life, and
what capital you might have besides. Some
remarks from the Chicago Journal on this
point, are so sensible and pertinent, and ex-
press our views so well, that We give them
entire:
1t is always safe for young man who is
doing even tolerably well, to "let well enough
alone" If he is economical, steady and in
dustrious, or Of good business habits, he will
| do hot bio i ~,
alive employment here or anywhere, than by
pulling up stakes TO go OF on wild goose
gold mining chase into the wilds Of the far
West. 1t is not the miners, the workers,
Vho usually get rich in gold mine districts,
but the shaIpcrs and spectators. IF you
have capital, you can use it to good advant-
age here, while in Idaho you will be in some
danger Of losing il all. If you have no cap
ital, you will have just as much uphill work
to earn and save money in Idaho or any
where else, notwithstanding your extravagant
dreams Of finding gold in humps and piles.
as you would in Chicago or any other place.
! If you are well situated now, don't go to
| Idaho; but If, from love Of adventure or
for the want of profitable employment here,
you desire to 60 there, running the risks that
necessarily attend such a wild chase, why,
! 90. As for US, we would rather content our
selves with doing toleraJly well hQre, to rely.
ing upon uncertain promises Of doing re1y
well there.
Our readers will remember the account re.
Gently published Of the robbery of the Nal
den Mass. Bank, and the murder of the
cashier. The murderer and robber was the
postmaster of Maiden, Edward W. Green
He was arrested, confessed the crime, and
most of the money has been recovered. The