, 1864-06-03
THE WASHINGTON STATESMAN
More News from Kootenai.

NNOONS@~SN@s
We have this week later, and reliable
news from the New Eldorado of the North.
Mr.. George Gigey, well known to many
persons here as a reliable gentleman arrived
here direct from the mines on Tuesday eve
ming. He has been for several years in the
upper country, and in all the mining camps,
and expresses the opinion that the Kootenai
diggings are the best that have ever been
discovered ahead of either "Salmon" or
"Boise"
Mr.. Gigey came down after supplies,
bringing few ounces of the dust with him,
and will return in about ten days. The
mines are about four hundred miles from
here, on the tributaries of the Kootenai, and
on both sides of the main river. An extent
of about fifty miles of country has been
prospected, with about the same result on
all the small streams. The water is too
high yet for thorough prospecting and an
accurate idea of the true richness of the
mines can not now be given. There are but
few claims properly opened and but few
companies have got regularly at work They,
SO far as Mr.. Gigey was able to learn, were
averaging from SIS to $40 per day to the
hand. The gold is mostly coarse scale gold,
and the dirt, which is from two to six feet
deep, pays from the top down to the bed
rock He saw pieces taken from the bed
rock weighing from 50 to 81, but only one
piece weighing as high as 81, which was Ia
ken out by Antoine Plante. Pieces weigh
ing as much as 81 were quite numerous
The gulches have not yet been prOspeeted
and the mining thus far has been entirely
confined to the bars
The first diggings discovered this spring
are on small stream about ten miles from
Joseph's Plain, and from thence the mines
extend fifty miles, to the South fork of the
Columbia, on which paying diggings have
been found Beyond this no prospecting
has been done but Mr.. g. states that the
country, all round about, looks quite as fa-
vorable as gold-bearing region as the coun.
try that has been prospected
Josephs Prairie is beautiful farming
country, about J miles wide and 20 miles
in length, interspersed here and there with
timber. The Indians have small patches Of
land under cultivation, and manifest very
friendly and peaceable disposition.
There are about 200 men in the mines,
most of whom are prospecting, looking out
for "big thing" though all could get claims
at the prospects stated above. There was
plenty of provisions in the mines for those
now there, but 'big rush" would soon ex-
haust the supply. The miners generally
think they will not be able to thoroughly
prospect the country or get into the best
pay on the bars before the latter part Of
July, by which time the water will be down
SO as to uncover the low bars.
The miners had got down to the bedrock
in but few places. The most of the gold
has been obtained in the top dirt, or under
the coarse gravel on the surface of the bars
which overlies strata of fine sand In this
respect the mines are very similar to the
Columbia and Pen d'Oreille diggings.
ROUTE TO THE MINES.
Mr. Gigey wishes us to correct the state
ments published in the Lewiston Age, to
the effect that the nearest and most direct
route to the Kootenai is via Lewiston He
was connected with Capt. Mullans Wagon
Road Expedition for two years, as express
man and has travelled over nearly all the
country between here and the mines and
knows whereof he afirms He says to start
from Lewiston it would be nearer to 60 from
there direct; but in going from here OIL
from the lower country it would be just
eighty miles out of the road to go by Lew.
iston, OF about the distance that it is from
here to that place. The direct route from
here is by either of the Snake river ferries
to Antoine Plants thence to the upper
ferry on the Spokane; thence to the SEM.
yakatien; thence rs miles to the first cross
ing of the Kootenai; thence about l0O
miles to Joseph's Prairie thence 10 miles
into the first diggings. The road is now
badly overfowed between the Semiyakater
and the first crossing of the Kootenai and
the rivers between there and the mines are
also very high, but the waters will subside
so that the road will be in good travelling
condition in about two weeks from this
date.
The Age also publishes statement about
stagnant water on the Mullan road, which is
also incorrect The water is good, and good
camping places can be found every II miles
on the road. The most direct route, and
the only route that can be travelled at all,
with wagons is by the Mullan road from
here to Antoine Plante's, as every one knows
who has travelled over the country. Wag-
ons, by travelling this road, and clearing it
of distractions, can go within eighty miles
of the mines Pack trains will find little
or no trouble in getting into the mines.
Mr. G. saw Mr. Sherwood (who had been
sent up by the citizens of Lewiston) en-
eamped upon the banks Of the Kootenai.
Nor CoMPLIMENTARY.-I is stated that
VIM H. Wallace consented to the division
of Washington Territory because it set of
all the secession portion to Idaho. Now
that he claims to have been elected by the
secesh Gf at alD, and the same portion he
was so anxious to be rid of one year ago,
-1ro cho-,ld n,,,,ronn e hn hnd -ro nnornol Of