The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1865-04-22
'Prickly Pear Correspondsncs.
am PRrckLY PEAR, April 1, 1865. Q


EDITOR Posr :-Whatis the matter over at
Virginia, that every body seems to be stam-
peding from there to this part of the countryp
y 1t because you have city Incorporation,
r is it |" the accursed thirst for gold ?''
fiundreds are thronging hither daily. We
cannot tellwhat all will do. To be sure, our
valleys arc broad-sonae of our gulches rich
lime, means, and energy will develop the
richness OF our quartz, but if immigration
pours in upon us at this rate, this part of
the country will be completely overdone.
Many are, perhaps, transient visitors, while.
others are upon a "wild goose chase %
hoping to capture that wandering fowl,
from whose breast to pluck the golden
feathers. We think this goosely bird will
undoubtedly evade the grasp of many. y
We were up to represent our claim on
Tender-Foot, Lump, Emigrant or Humbug
gulch, on last Saturday. The gulch is
known by many different names; which is,
perhaps, all it ever will be noted for. The
number present was variously estimated
from one thousand to fifteen hundred per-
sons. The prevailing sentiment, ir the
morning, was to hang the Recorder. This
probably would have been done, had the
crowd been little drunker. However, the
Recorder was relieved of his Office, and an
other appointed; the multitude began to
disperse; claims were jumped; new laws
passed; the former Recorder was reinstat-
ed, and general confusion followed. We
waited until those who were sober started
away. and those who remained got too
drunk to pass any more laws, when we left
for home, breathing freer and deeper.
We have not yet seen an almanac this
year, but the soft, balmy breeze, beautiful
weather, spring grass, budding trees, the
busy preparations for coming industry, the
vesper song of the early frog which is borne
to our ears upon the evening air--all con-
vince us that spring has indeed come. A |
few scattering banks alone remain as
q vestige of grim winter.
This is representation day here. The
usual lethargic feeling common to this
sleepy hollow, is the most prominent fea-
ture observable. The claims have been laid |
over until the first of June. We presume |
they will again be laid over from time to |
time, then from time to eternity, and after |
wards made real estate, which will probably |
be the ultimatum. During our short life |
we have visited the different mining
from the British Possessions to
Mexico, endeavoring to read men and |
things as we ran; but it battles our brain
to point out, even in the midst of the Dig |
ger Indians of the far west, a locality where
there is as little energy displayed, as here.
The only reason we can see for such a state
of things is that we have among us large
of men, (?) (dead-heads, bum
mers or stoughten bottles would be more
descriptive terms to use), the majority of
whom are pilgrims, whose motto is, to get
possession of all they can, and keep all
hey can get-developing nothing, doing
nothing, but reclining lazily upon the
south side of bank and waiting patiently
TOR others to prospect that they may reap
he benefit. This, 20 use German term, is
1usgiespiet. This is now the working sea-
'on, and if the claim-owners do not work
heir claims, another man has right to do
t. Three companies have been working
to try to prospect the creek, and
We hope to see others come who will take
he claims that are unoccupied and 90 to
work on them. At the meeting to-day, after
he motion to lay over the claims had been
discussed, many persons became
lisgusted at the absurdity of the move, and
eft. Thus the majority of the bona fde
miners Of the gulch took no part in the pro-
eedings whatever, and those who wish to
axe claims on the gulch for the purpose of
working them, can, We think, get backing
nough to hold them.
To-day we made the acquaintance of Mr..
trait, our present County Recorder, whose
department and thorough busi-
ess turn warrants US that we are safe in
redicting he will make good and honest
ficial, and, as he has "quartz upon his
rain," we wish him all the success his !
ndeavors may deserve. 90
Provisions of all kinds have advanced to
fearful price. Flour is fifty dollars per !
ack, and as much more as the merchants :,
onscience will allow him to ask. Board
lg is twenty-four dollars per week, and ,
verything else Except labor) pro rata. ,
verybody here is making money either in or !
ut of pocket. Everything is lovely and !.
1e goose" THAT golden one) will hang {
Ugh, until the first of June, no preventing
rovidence intervening. h.o -mos IEN
Yours respectfully, RoyER. !
A TEXTILE material, the product of the
.ulberry tree, has recently been discovered =