The weekly union record., 1864-07-16
Letter from Elk City.
IpAHo TER.. june 20. 1864.

Id. I Nun nEN06D - Llc u NLC ~ t---
peasantest located mining camps that have
ever seen. Situated in delightful valley that
dame nature seems 10 have fitted up as Syl-
van retreat, surrounded on all sides by high
bills, or more properly speaking mountains j;
is truly delightful location. Long before the
sDow has resigned its hold upon the surround
ing country, the carpet of verdure is spread
and dotted thiekly with the lovelest Of wild
flowers Of every hue. The first view OF the
valley is picturesque in the extreme. Elk
creek, as seen from the mountain, seems but
silver thread thrown carelessly upon q green
carpet while the dark queen OF the forests of
FIR in the back ground are brought into stri-
king contrast with the variegated hues of the
valley. There are several hundred miners in
and ab out the place al present, all doing well
and the completion of the American river ditch
now nearly done-wil give work to as ma
ny more. In the early days of gold hunting,
in this upper country, this place got very
bad name, from the fact that there was. bat
very little gold discovered in the creeks here;
aud although the indications of good hill dig
giDgs were plenty, it would require the outlay
of capital TO bring water in so that they could
be successfully worked. Some few who secu-
red the small creeks and the most accessible
claims made money fToE the start, but By far
the greater portion Of the frs. emigration left
in search of other placers where capital was
not required. Those whose faith was large,
but purses small, as were the most of those
remaining, sci to work trying to bring water
into the camp but it was uphill work, and the
or three small bitches were completed late in
( the season, and the result of what work was
done before winter set in was satisfactory 10
the holders of claims as well as ditch owners.
At the present all are at work who can get
water, and many are running their claims night
and day. hear no complaint of poor claims
or high prices for water or labor, but all seem
satisfied, and judging by what can see there
will be no camp in this territory that Will pay
( better. True, some cf them will tell of bigger
strikes, while here we have few of extraordi-
nary big things, yet on an average We take
out more 10 proportion to the number Of men
at work than auy. The most Of claims here
are paying from S25 to $50 per day to the
hand, and will last for years.
/ The prospect of the early completion of the
American River Ditch is causing fresh de-
mand for laborers, and several hundred could
find work here at from FIVE 10 six dollars per
day the balance of the season.
Many who came h,re and took up claims
early, and afterwards left for the Boise Basin
when the excitement broke cut about that
place are returning TO this place and all seem
to concur in pronouncing it superior to that
region. They say that that region is com
pleeiy overrun with men from all portions of
the country. and that not one third can either
get work or claims and as q consequence they
are scattering off in all directions, aud now
and then party of ten or q dozen will come
into this camp thoroughly disgusted with
Boise, and glad to find place where work is
in demand
We have an extensive gravel range and
could water sufficient be had thousands could
find claims that would pay good wages. There
has been company organized for the purpose
Of bringing il the red river, but the estimated
expense IS so great that it deters men of small
means from the undertaking. II men Of eapi-
tai would take hold of the matter. | know OF
nothing that would be q better investment
The ditch would be something near twenty
miles long. aud would furnish large section
of country now destitute with water the whole
season; and ready sale could be had for all the
ditch could run. This ditch will be started
the coming spring by some of the principal
miners of the place, and vigorous effort made
to finish it during the year. Should this be
done. Elk City would be the best camp in the
whole territory.
This camp is SO situated that it will grow
better for many years, and five years from now
the mines Of this vicinity will yield treble the
amount Of any Of those yet discovered in this
region.
There is good trail from Lewiston to the
Beaver head country passing directly trough
this place. and much the nearest wsy although
at present not passable for teams. Mr.. Hill
Beachy and party guided By Wm. Palge-oue
of the murderers-pa passed through here a few
days ago, returning from a search after the re-
mains of Lloyd Magr1der and his i'll fated
companions who were so bratally murdered
last winter. The search was successful and
enough Of the remains were discovered to
identify some Of the parties and to fully cor
roborate the confessions Of Paige. 1t Will be
remembered by your readers that some doubt
was thrown upon his story by statements Of
the other prisoners, and some seemed to think