The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1864-04-14
THE GOLD LOCALITIES,

Gold has been discovered and profit
ably worked at intervals in a district
in the central part of Idaho, on both
sides of the dividing mountains over
space of 200 miles north and south and
over 300 from east to west-a district
larger than the State of Iowa. The
best localities are east of the noun
tains and on the head waters of the
Missouri, and but shortdistance west
from those of the Yellow Stone: The
other principal localities are west Of
the Bitter Root, Salmon and Clearwa-
ter Rivers. THERE'S, however, another
rich locality over 200 miles east ofthe
mountains, which will be further de-
veloped this year, if defense against
the Indians. can be, obtained. The
locality is less than 900 miles from the
Mississippi. Still another gold region
occurs on the eastern border. of Idaho,
and in the sneighboring portion ofHe-
braska, on the head waters of White
river, among the g Black Hills" The
term Black Hills has been applied to
d largo districtbu little explored, but
known to beaa goodgold region since
1858, butno worked on account Of the
Indians. This locality is only. $50
miles in direct line from Dubuque.
The two localities named are near a
newly proposed route to Idaho.
VALLEY OF THE YELLOW STONE. I
Gold is not the only attraction for.
emigrants to Idaho. The rich valley
Of. the Yellow Stone, with those of its
tributaries, some of them 300 miles
long, offer great inducements to the
stock grower and agriculturist. For
many years all products will command
a high price, while mining and the
trade incident to it are carried on
Tho climate is mild, and the average
OF temperature corresponds to that
several degrees further south in the
States cast of the Mississippi. The
want Of market facilities for obtaining
supplies will make a large demand for
all agricultural products until farmers
are numerous or railroads approach
that region, while the navigation of
the Missouri and Yellow, though prac-
ticable, will not 6Aaterially lessen the
value Of heavy articles required by a
large population. afE AlEy
PRESENT ROUTES OF TRAVEL. J.
The only safe route to Idaho at
without a military escort, is
by way of Platte river to Fort Lara
mie, to the South Pass, and ON the
Oregon road to its intersection of the
road from Salt Lake city and to Ban"
mock. By this route the distance to
the first town-Bannock, is 1,l60 miles
from Omaha, or about ], ,435 miles
from Burlington or, Davenport and
over 900 from Chicago This route
is toofar South and Heads the emigrants
over 400 miles out of the way. An
other route from st. Paul, following
q part of the way the route of Gov.
Stevens in railroad explorations to
Fort Benton, is nearly 400 miles too
far north besides being difichltin it's
to the gold mines. - sgA-
The increased distance by these
routes involves great loss Of time in
the best part of the season, and hence
the, emigrant public are seeking gov.
aid to open q shorter way,
and to protect it for the first year in
developing the gold directly west of
Southern Minnesota, Wisconsin,, Nor
thern Illinois and Iowa.
oosl9na THE PROPOSED ROUTE. 70
The geographical position Of the
settled parts of the Northwest, and the
necessities of trade and travel in view
Of. the rich mineral resources Of the
Yellow stone country, indicates that at
no distant day a travelled route will
be opened from the Missouri, at or
near Sioux City to Fort Laramie, and
also o route up the Missouri, leaving
that river near the mouth ofthe White
or Big Cheyenne rivers and following
the valley Of one Of them to the Black
Hills, and continue thus westward to
tho valley Of the Upper Yellowstone
and over the plain beyond it to o1the
mountain passes near the best known
ALL ,sao,;ona and near The head val