, 1865-06-02
Important Gold piscoveries.


From the Lewiston Radiator of date May 9th,
we copy the following article relative to the dis
covery of new and rich gold mines in the Occur
d'Alene mountains, distant about l25 miles
from Lewiston. The Radiator says the widest
excitement prevails there about the new mines.
The news has also excited considerable stir
in the Walla Walla valley, and if the reported
new discoveries turn out to be anything like as
rich and extensive as expected, a large number
of persons will soon take up the line of march
But here is what the Radiator has about the
diggings;
''In our last, we gave inkling of rumors
concerning the discovery of gold in the Coeur
d'Alene mountains; but as the reports were
not as definite as we could wish-a disposition
having been manifested by the knowing ones, to
hide from the public what they knew of these
new gold felds-we referred to the matter with
cautious breYty, resolving to be on the alert for
further particulars. What began in whisper
ings has developed into the widest enthusiasm
and excitement Occur d'Alene' is on the
tongues of all who are foot-loose, while those
who are chained down by business engage
ments can scarcely brook their feverish incli-
nation to rush away with the multitude. There
is no doubt but parties here have been told,
upon condition of secresy, many facts of which
we are not in possession, as every day platoons
of horsemen, with blankets, provisions and
tools, may be seen making hurried departures.
There is general hustle of men buying horses
and selecting outfits, whose countenances show
that Eureka is the sentiment of their hearts,
who will shortly follow. Expressman Davidson
arrived this morning from Orc Fino, and states
that the fever has reached the mountains and
prevails all along the road. Coeur d'Alene,
from the mountain to the valley, is the watch
word, now
Our Investigations, which were prosecuted in
the most reliable quarters, result in this That
three distinct gold-yielding basins have been
discovered, ALL OF WHICH PRODUCE
COARSE GOLD, AND ONE ALONE is OF AS
GREAT EXTENT AS THE ENTIRE PLACER
DIGGINGS OF THE BOISE COUNTRY, and
far exceeds, in richness, Florence camp in its
palmiest days, which many supposed to be the
richest spot of auriferous earth ever discovered.
These new diggings are situated between lati-
tude Al and 4S and longitude ia and Il6, be-
ing, at the farthest point, not more than l25
miles from Lewiston.
The Moose Greek mines are on the head of
Moose Greek, between the North forks of Clear
water, on the eastern slope of the mountains
They were discovered by Mr. Burnside and
others late in the fall. Mr. Burnside is one of
the most truthful of men, and is willing to make
affidavit that dirt washed from seven different
holes prospected frem twenty-five to fifty cents
to the pan. He intends starting for this point
with party of friends Immediately. Many,
guided by his directions, are already on the
road. These Moose Creek diggings are not in
cluded in the basins referred to above.
All kinds of exaggerated stories are rife,
which we will not give to the public as facts
One of which is, that one man, in a short time,
took out FIVE pounds of solid gold with rocker
A gentleman, direct from one of the basins, who
got supplies and Immediately returned, informed
the proprietor of the hotel d'France that the ba-
sin he had prospected was over ten miles in
length, and barren Of timber, being an undua-
ting, prairie-like country, similar to Florence.
Though a miner, of experience, he pronounces
these by far the richest gold placers he ever
saw. Mr.. Alfred Bell, an old mountaineer, who
is now in that region, has written a letter here
TO his brother Thomas Bell, advising him to
drop everything and go up there Immediately.
he is now route In his description Mr.. Bell
says the indications are like those Of Kootenai-
slate bedrock, great depth of washed gravel,
and prominent quartz indications everywhere
Mr.. Bell estimates the distance from Occur d.
Alene Mission to these placers at about forty
five miles.
From want of space, we must forbear more,
until our next. In the meantime, readers may
rest assured that these reports are more than
usually well authenticated. Parties now hur-
rying to the new fields will send back a messen-
ger with exact facts as soon as possible"
In addition to the information here given by
the Radiator in regard to the new Ell Dorado,
there is other evidence, from various sources,
going to show that there are extensive gold
fields in the range of country spoken of. Among
this, the Mountaineer, some two or three weeks
since, received information from Major John
Owens, who wrote from the Bitter Root country,
to the effect that he (Owens) was about to start
for rich gold-bearing section that has been
known to Father De Smet for twenty years
1t is now believed that the new discoveries said
to be made, are within the area alluded to by
De Smet, in his journal, and that the mines are
as rich in gold as he thought them to be- At
any rate, everybody inte: ested in the develope-
ment of the mines Of the upper Columbia, will
look forward with some degree of impatience
for the confirmation of the good news already
current in relation to the new gold discoveries,
hoping, too, that no discouraging accounts will
be brought down to dispel the fond hopes and
expectations of an anxious public, who even
now regard the new mines as being established,
and no "humbug"
Among the most important items in the East
ern telegraph news of this week, is the state
ment that President Johnson will not permit
the ftloyal negroes to vote" We support the