The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-02-05
A Word More About Idaho.


season. In setting forth the great impor-
lance of Capt. FIsK's proposed new route
to the gold fields of the Rocky Mountains,
we have aided, in speaking incidentally of
the remarkable productiveness of the gold
mines of Idaho, to stimulate gold fever
which threatens to work great harm to in
dividuals and communities, and we &C
cordingly feel it to be our duty to present
few plain suggestions to those who pro-
pose to join the gold-seekers of the Noun
tains.
Every man must judge for himself
whether his condition at home is such as
to justify him in venturing the perils and
hardships of an overland trip and life in
a mining community and country, in hope
to benefit himself. But every one, when
so many are dazzled by golden visions,
may not clearly understand what these
perils and hardships are, while very few
seem to take them into consideration.
1t should not be forgotten, that, except
in the immediate neighboorhood ofthe few
settlements in Idaho, powerful and hostile
tribes of Indians hold undisputed sway,
who vindictively pursue and kill every
white man who ventures into their country
with implements of mining or husandry,
nor that the discoveries of paying gold dirt
and quartz are fully occupied by the pres
ent population. 1t is true the whole
mountain country is believed to be rich in
gold ore and other minerals. But the new
corners of next season will have to push
out from the settlements and prospect for
gold among these hostile Indians.
Again, gold mining may be truly said
to be tile hardest kind of manual labor.
Every reader must know that handling a
pickaxe or long shovel all day is hard
work Added to this, the gulch or placer
mining is pursued below the earth. The
miner Kinks a shaft from six to twenty
feet to the pay dirt just above the bed
rock, ard from that runs his galleries in
every direction. The work in these gal
leries is peculiarly hard and unhealthy.
AS tor the quartz mining, which is, accord
ing to the location of the quartz lode,
either above or below grounG, it is no
easier work than quarrying rock at home,
and, besides, can only be successfully fol-
lowed by men who have the capital to put
up stamp mills and hire laborers.
If the emigrant intends, Instead of
mining, to engage in agricultural pursuits,
he is limited by the hostility of the Indians
to the country within the outlying mining
towns, where the choicest lands are al
ready occupied, and where there is really
very little land fit for farming. The valley
Of the Yellowstone and the agricultural
country east and west Of that river, must
first be conquered from the Grows before
white men can undertake to occupy it.
The simple wants of the miners require
but small proportion of merchants and
mechanics, and professional men and office
seekers will run risk of starving in such
community. Muscle and endurance are
absolute essentials of success refinement
and education, if not entirely unnecessary,
are comparatively useless.
No one ought to start for the mining
country without taking with him years
supply of provisions and clothing, and
wise torethought would dictate the taking
also enough money to pay passage home, if,
after years trial, success does not appear
certain. EXorbitant prices are charged in
tie mining country, even in proportion to
the high wages of labor, for all articles of
use, and no old miner would venture there
without taking with him his own supply.
Then, the society of the country and
the manner of living should be considered.
Society is rude and primitive in the ex-
treme, and disorganized, for with the
thousands OF honest laboring men who
flock to the mines, come other thousands
OF gamblers, thieves, and sharpers and
villains Of every degree. Such crimes as
murder and highway robbery may be per-
petrated almost with impunity in such a
country, and yet criminals have grown so
bold and reckless, and the deepest crimes
are so frequent in occurrence, as to render
it probable that there will soon be organ
lied in the Big Hole country another Wig
lance Committee to rival the famed CAL
ifornia one in it's mixture of justice and
vengeance upon offenders. The dwellings
of the miners are mere shanties or shell
tiers, with none of the conveniences of
civilized life. The only pleasures
of association, with the mass of
them, are found in cards, poor
liquor, and fighting. There is no
stability of population, and therefore no
inducement to make permanent improve