New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-08-09


Correspondence Of The N. Y. Tribune.
VIRGINIA CITY Madison Co, !
Montana Territory, May 1868
am not positive as to what circuHl-
stances first led the discovery OF the mines OF TINS
res,ou. but believe IL had long been suspected that
fAere were mines here, perhaps from hints dropped
Nv old mountaneers and trappers at any rate about
three years ago. parties from California and Colorado
simultaneously arrived here and found gold The first
diggngs of any magnitude were at Bannack, about 20
mikes west Of this place but some mining in small
way was first commenced In Deer Lodge Valley on
the western slope, and the Boder Greek on this
side Of the mountains before the Banuack mines were
discovered These, Of course. were then abandoned
for those; but the Bsnnack mines not being extensive
"prospecors' started in all directions seeking for new
diggings which led to the discovery OF this locality
called Alder Gulch, Creek, upon which stands this
city, with Nevada some two miles below, and stll
below that two or three miles is Junction City, while
n the head of the Creek is another camp called Summit
City, All places where mining is carried on are called
IN mining phrase camps" and by general Western
yule all or any small cluster of huts cities. The
great wealth of this locality cannot be questioned but
for some time in the beginning of last season 1t was
believed that Bannaok aud this were the only two
ylsces where gold in any quantities was deposited
With the minor exception Of Bivins Gulch, about or
10 miles north Of here; great disappointment to the
svarms OF emigrants who crowded into the country
early last the natural consequence OF this
at that time universal belief. Lodes were then but
Ite suspected Of being here having been found
at Bannack. Of any consequence, until near Mid
ssnrner when the belief began TO obtain that Lodes,
after ALL would constitute the real wealth of the coun
try Some fine ones had been found on the Bolder
fbe Paft1a ate firth of
tAe Beaver Head River aud others. also Mill. Rams
Horn and Indian Creeks tributaries of Sinking Water
Greek. Then commenced the jurore for lode discover
Sos and the whole country was soon swarming with
Svespecors who early succeeded in finding Of the
best odes of gold and silver in different localities that
have yet been found anyrhsre These Proky Pear
Greek, tributary of the Missouri, Willow Creek
tributary Of the Madison River and Warm Springs on
or near said Creek and Summit Valley District at the
head Of Deer Lodge Valley the Western Slope OF
mountains and in addition TO lode discoveries there
Asve been quite recently found some Of the richest
enches and placer dggings yet known perhaps in this
erany other country, and in great abundancei these
are on both sides Of the mountains. The richest per-
Daps this the side, and ere pinci.
YaIy gulches and creeks running into Pricky Pear
twelve fifteen Of them, great and small, with
an average much richer than even Alder Guleh, IL be-
Ing uncommon thing to get 500 TO the pan of
Art; some have gone as high as $50 to the pan.
The other discoveries the other side, in Deer
Lodge Valley, and are known Silver Bow diggngs.
being Silver Bow. Upper Deer Lodge Greek,
which flows down from the Summit Valley District,
mentioned above; German Guch which runs into Deer
Lodge Creek and Little Blackfoot Creek which also
rms into Deer Lodge some miles below. all Of which
are known to be good
Twill try 10 give you some idea Of the topogra-
ply Of this region which will render the foregoing per-
1aps little ineligible; taking the head Of the
Missouri River, the junction Of the "three rivers
- it here frequently called starting point. Here
stands the city % Of Galatn just at the junction Of the
Jefferson Madison and Gallatin Rivers. These, as is
wen known, form the great Missouri River which from
this point due north eighty miles before it
turns the east The Jefferson is the most westerly the
Madison the middle, and the Galatn the most eastery
these two last rise on the same watershed that
separates them from the waters Of the Yellow Stone
River and So also does Of the tributaries Of the
Jeaerson-the Sinking Water. which receives Alder
Greek The other branches Of the Jefferson rise in the
main chain of the Rocky Mountains, the largest and
longest Of which is big Hoe, this river intcrlOcks
many miles with some Of the heads Of the Columbia
River and u.s. in fact the main branch head of the
Missouri; although Lewis and Clark believe, named
che Beaver Head stream the principal head. This
ytrcam-Beayer Head-runs in many places nearly par
Rael with and not more than four miles from Big Hole
but ii is the smaller stream OF the two The City OF
Bannack is on a tributary of Beaver Head called Grass
hopper Creek and some fifteen miles below, it also
eeives Rattlesnak @Creek and some fifteen twenty
miles above it takes the waters Of Horse Prairie Creek
shove which it is called Red Rock Greek. The first
Sodes Of any magnitude after those at Bannack were
found on the Rattlespske among the discoveries Of
which was our present delegate TO Congress, Col
Mclean who is, believe, largely interested therein.
have doubt Of the vast wealth Of this territory
both mineral land agricultural are it's mineral
sources approaching full development. The two
great drawbacks obstacles to its progress In that d.
secton are first, the absence of capital to test and
prove our odes and secondly. the strong probability
nay. absolute certainty. that capitalists will be SO in
formally bitten and robbed by class Of fellows-the
fungus growth Of all mines-who are determined to
make living. and fortune il they can, by thoir Wits
instead Of their labor that it will for time keep CAPT.
tal ont Of the country. These are the real 5ummv, of
che mines, and composed Of all sorts Of men, al the
vves'ion' furnishing very liberal quota. These fell
lows are all Of what they call "Jse,"-no matter
what their feet consist Of whether granite lime, State
or quartz lodges anything that may be brought in to
them by the swsrms Of ignorant sincompoops. whom
they can hire eep TO go out prospecting for lodes
nine tenths Of them not knowing quartz from any other
sock; and this "pdeai" trash viii be the very first
chat viii find its way to market with want Of prEnx
And now. right here in this connection. would give
word Of warning and caution TO your eastern CAPT.
sasts Tel them to buy nothing purporting b lode
property from this Territory the recommendation Of
anybody but their own proper and intelligent ageats
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