Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-03-05
Our Commerce with Distant Interior
P0ints.

We have before made reference In these columns
to the shipments of goods, etc, destined to the
head waters of the Missouri by Dodge & Phillips
We are now informed that their destination Is
Virginia City, Idaho Territory, located between
the waters Of the jefferson and Madison rivers, 40
miles southwest from Gallatin-being at the three
forks which form the Missouri river, 100 miles
south effort Benton and $50 miles northeast from
salt Lake. The two chief trading points are "Vir
ginia" and Nevada" cities neither of which in
July last year could boast of any buildings. Now
Virginia City has upwards of 500 dwellings and
stores, while Nevada had over 800 in January last
and large numbers in process of erection. The
caravan Tor train) Is under the immediate care and
ownership of Il. d. Maltby, and consists Of 20
large wagons, each drawn by to IL mules, ac-
companied by proper escorts, driving l,5O9 head
of beef cattle-these latter being three-quarters
American blood, costing but sc per head. The
goods are sent from here to Los Angeles by the
steamer senator, and the cattle are being driven
across the country from Stockton TO meet them at
the same point Of departure The distance to be
travelled from Los Angeles is computed at 100
miles, occupying about so days, and the cost of
transporting the merchandise is computed at SOC
y tb-though were other teams than their own
used, II would cost much greater sum. In reply
to queries propounded to Mr. Maltby, we are in
formed that goods caR be conveyed earlier this
season by the route named than from either ST.
Louis or Omaha.
Last summer goods for this mining district were
conveyed up the Missouri 10 Milk river, (Fort
Benton lauding.) and thence by land carriage.
costing from this latter point Csc TO SOC per pound
freight. But during the fall, merchandise pur-
chased in Omaha for Virginia City, Idaho was
stopped by early snow and winter storms. The
locality of that country is such that Mr.. Maltby
expects to get these goods through to their desti
nation In advance Of those stopped on the road,
aud even in advance Of goods sent direct from
salt Lake. As regards the stock of merchandise
ut this latter point, (Salt Lake, goods were said
to be scarce Even in January last, our infor-
mant says there were but 100 bags coffee there,
little or no sugar bacon scarce and high, and flour
worth Sl2 per barreli though during last sum-
mer -four was delivered at the Boise River mines.
from Iowa, ut Sl4 per barrel.
The leading articles now going forward from
an Francisco by this truin are tea coffee, sugar,
liquors, clothing and other dry goods, but OF the
latter only very moderate supply. Upon IN.
quiring Of the parties rs to the relative value OF
staple goods here compared with rates ruling at
ST. Louis, we were informed that teas costing
there 10 January last al 81 currency, can be
bought here of even a better quality, at go cents
per pound. in gold ; and other merchandise In
ike proportion. Even Alcohol, O western staple,
can he purchased relatively cheaper here than at
that point These, and others, are the reasons
given us for buying the goods here and transport.
ng them across the continent, rather than TO buy
Them at ST. Louis, Salt Luke or Omaha-S. F.
Mer. Ga:ete