Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1865-01-07
Mere Precious 1etal Discoveries
Gold ard sitter Fyelds ~
UVRshtMgssss Tsrrtieru.
onIleo Of Gold and Silver Bear.
Inn QWastz.sexcltement
Among the Miners.


ritory, Nov. 49,
The people q Puget Sound ere nov h
the midst Of the greatest excitement ever
before witnessed in this country, consequent
upon recent discoveries Of extensive and
rich gold and silver bearing quartz lodges,
on the western slope Of the Cascade range,
not more than forty or fifty miles distant
| from this place, and within twenty or thirty
miles Of water navigation on the sound.
The discovery WAS made BY Mr.. George
Carpenter, 10 company with two other
prospectors," ON their way across the
Cascades from the eastern side. coming
over the NaGchess pass. The party had,
by accident, traveled OF tho main road some
two or three miles to the south, when their
attention was attracted by an unusual show
of quartz rock, exposed near the surface by
the upturning Of the roots Of large fallen
trees. Iron examination Of the quartz,
they discovered plain indications Of both
gold md silver, and, having secured . few
specimens for the purpose Of testing, they
hurried into Steilacoom and Immediately
sent the specimens 10 Victoria to be assay
ed. The assay return being even better
than anticipated, Mr.. Carpenter immediate
" started in return to the place of discov-
cry, taking with him Hon. Sam. McCaw, Of
Stcilacoom. aud one or two other friends,
but before reaching the ledge, however, the
news had spread, and some forty or fifty
persons met there almost simultaneously
Claims were Immediately taken up and
mining laws enacted-copies Of which we
hope to receive soon for publication. About
one thousand pounds Of the quartz was
I~r,,-hk :nAn Ao,1 1ack ~s,aa1 h,v
Messrs. McCaw and Huggins. and is now
on the way to San Francisco to be thor
oughly tested. There is no doubt Of the
existence Of gold and silver in this rock, as
particles Of gold can be distinctly seen with
the naked eye in many places. The ledge
lies northwest and southwest, and is said
TO be from seventy-five to one hundred feet
in width, and has already been traced dis
lance Of three miles, in an unbroken lead,
and We doubt not can be traced much fur
ther in few days. 1t is probable that
four hundred or five hundred claims have
already been located, and perhaps several
thousands will be before spring. Intense
excitement has seized upon our people, and
almost every ono who can leave home has
gone, or is about to go out in a day or two.
The distance is but short, and the route
easily travelled, as good wagon road leads
from Steilacoom to within dozen miles Of
the mines already. Much strife and specu-
lation has commenced regarding town sites
and trading points. and lively race has
begun between Stelacoom, Seattle, and
Olympia. the citizens of each claiming pc.
culiar advantages over the other. With
this, however, We have nothing to do, only
rejoicing in the fact that discovery has at
last been made which will unquestionably
benefit and build up the whole country and
every section and town thereof The quartz
is not found in lodges as in California, Ne
yada and other places, but the whole mounl
tain seems to be composed Of the same char
actcr Of rock rs that in the discovery claim
The discovery claim is on the highest point
Of the mountain, the summit Of which is
perhaps three hundred feet above the wa
ters of White river, which runs at its base.
About eight miles Of the mountain has been
explored and claimed. The quartz from no
other part, except the discovery claim, has
been tested. Much depends upon the assay
return from the half ton Of quartz sent last
week to San Francisco. Capt. Hale, late
superintendent Of Indian affairs, returned
from this mountain on Wednesday last, and
he says there is no doubt about the richness
Of the quartz. The captain is said to be
good Judge Of the article, having had some
experience in Washoe stocks, and his judg-
mcnt is much relied on. Many parties have
gone out there. located claims and returned
to await further development and favorable
weather to begin operations. The people
Of Stcilacoom and Pierre county have COM
menced the opening of a wagon road direct
to the mines. Hon. S. McCaw and party
are explor ing new route to avoid the cross
ing of Mud mountain" that terror to all
who have crossed the Natchess pass. A
town has been laid out ut the foot Of the
mountain