The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1865-03-11
From Last Chance Gulch.
HELENA. Feb. l8, l86s

HELENA, Feb. IL, 1860.
EDITOR PosT The trip from Virginia
to Prickly Pear has been we'll described by
former correspondent, so that | shall not
enter into a detailed account of the trip.
We left Virginia city at 10 a. M, on Mon
day, February 18th, with four mule team,
with thirteen passengers and luggage. The
roads were in excellent condition and the
snow not very deep. we arrived at the
crossing of the Jefferson at noon on Thurs
day, and We're treated to capital dinner
at Mr.. Rohrbacher's. He is at present
building good, substantial bridge near the
old crossing, and expects to have it finished
IN the course of a month and ready for
travel. This is much needed improvement.
There was no snow in the valley of the JEFF
ferson, and stock, of which there was plen-
ty, was in good condition. Ranches line
the road on all the streams from the Jeffer-
son to the Prickly Pear, with plenty of con-
veniences for travellers, and plenty of good
hay for teams. The Boulder valley which
is some five miles wide and ten miles long,
is one Of the most beautiful in the Terrific
ry. Ranches are all taken up. Some
splendid leads have been discovered at the
head of the valley, and good diggings
on Boulder and Elkhorn creeks. -
Jefferson, the county seat Of Jefferson
county, is a place of some eighty houses,
and is thriving settlement. Near Jefferson,
or Prickly Pear, there are two saw
mills, in process of construction. But lit
tie is known in regard to the richness of
this creek as no one has been able to reach
the bed rock on account of the water. But
companies are forming, and during the
coming season it will be thoroughly tested.
Montana, ten miles below Jefferson, is laid
out in good style, and consists of eighty or
one hundred buildings. II is at present
dull, on account of the stampede to Last
Chance. .-- ...
Last Chance gulch is seven miles from
Montana on the Fort Benton road. The
town, (Helena), is at the mouth of the
gulch, and is already ahead CT any other
town this side of Virginia. Over one hun
dred houses already up, and over one hum
dred in process Of construction. Buildings
rent as high as 5000 per month, and town
lots are held at 5000 apiece. This gulch
is some eight miles in length and venture
to say, is tho best looking gulch in the Ter
ritory, Pine timber is abundant in the
gulch and OIL both sides. The gulch varies
from three to ten rods in width, and wagons
can drive the whole length of it on the bot
tom. But few claims are opened and these
vary in depta from thirty to sixty feet in
depth. Wages are low. 50 for windlass
men and 81 for drifters. There is scarcely
any water in the gulch, and this is its
worst feature. Claims have sold as high as
$ll 900 for 800 feet. Others have refused
to sell from $4,000. There seems to be no
work in the gulch, except for few feet on
the top. The balance of the way is through
sort Of cement of broken lime rock mixed
with earth, until they come to the pay dirt,
which is five feet in thickness. No drain
bitches are needed, as the bed rock is per-
fectly dry. Shafts are being sank on near
ly all the claims. A company are now at
WORK bringing water lin. from Ten Mile
Geek. This however will benefit only the
lower part Of the gulch. ,Sfs