, 1866-12-07
ss.iratcheuan MIns.

covery of rich mines in the SaskatcheWan conn
~. Already large numbers Of persons have (
been attracted to the nsH mining dislfict aud |
according to the latest Information, not less than
eisbt hundred miners will winter On Tie Snskat.
chewan. A party of adveutarsrs pho itiad out ,
atst. Paul, Minnesota, In the summer Of 1853 !
ard started With the purpose of reaching the
Frazer river couutryby WaylOf the iSaskatche- !
wan Pass, were the first to report the existence
of gold on the SaskatcLewan, and from that day
to. this the ieyeloPwsnt Of the mineral resources
of the district has only been regarded as ques-
ton Of time. The 81. Paul parry, Of Which
mention is made above, iWsre showed il and
compelled to pass the winter Of 1888 and 1889
in the Saskatchewan county, Early ID the
spring of 1889 they reached Fort Dalles, bring
ing With them specimens Of gold found on the
Saskatchewan. Until within the last year we
have heard Of no further attempts to ''prospeetH
the country. During the season just closed
member Of ProspectOrs, attracted from tbe Koot-
mai and other mining districts have Penetrated
to the Saskatchewan, and IL is from dheses that
reports highly favorable hate come back. With
another season we may expeeta lnrge emigra-
ton to those remote regions and hence we deem.
them worthy a L.isf nuIiee- should these miues
prove extensive, they will for several years fur
nish a market for our surplus products. Parties
who are familiar with the cOuntry, express the
opinion that supplies can be introduced from
Wala Walla at lower prices than from any other
point. The Red River country may time fur
nish supplies for the Saskatchewan disttiGb but
that can only be after the present mOngrel race
inhabiting that country gives place to indus.
trious white men. With the coming spring we
may calculate upon a considerable demand from
the Saskatchewan, to be increased as the coun'
try fills up with miners. From the journal Of
Father De Smet, who visited the Saskatchewan
in :he month of October, Is45 we extract the
following description of the country
The entire region in the vicinity of the first
eastern chain of the Rocky Mountains serving
as their base for thirty or sixty miles is eItrehe-
| Iy fertile aboundlng In forests, plains, prairies,
lakes, streams and mineral springs. The riv.
ers land streams are innumerable, and on every
side offer situations favorable for the construc.
tio1 of mills. The northern and southern
branches of the Saskatchewan water the dis
trict have traversed, for distance of about
three hundred miles. Forests of pine, cypress
thorn, poplar and aspen tree as well as others
of different kinds, occupy large portion of it,
covering the decliV.ties of the mountains, and
banks of the rivers.
These, ordinarily, take their rise in the highest
chains, whence they issue in every direction
| like so many veins. The beds and sides of these
rivers are pebbly, and their courses rapid, but
as they recede from the mountains they widen
! mad the currents lose something Of their impetu
osty. Their waters are usually very clear II
this climate wens are not unftequent Th'
country would be capable Of supporting large
population and the soil is favorable for the pro.
duce of barley, corn, potatoes, and beans
which grow here as well as in more southern
countries.
Are these vast and iunnmerable fields of ha.
forever destined to be consumed BY FIRE, or per
ish in the Autumna snows2 How long shal
these superb forests be the haunts of will
beasts? And these iuexhaustibIe quarries, thes
abundant mines Of coal; lead, sulphur, iron
copper, and saltpetre-cau it be that they ar
doomed to remain forever ino"tivs2 Not %
the DAY VIII come when some laboring ham
will give them value: strong, active and en-
terprising people are destined to 6ll this spa
cous void, The wild beasts will, ere louga Civ
place to our domestic animals hocks and herd
will Craze in the beautiful meadows that borde
the numberless mountains, hills; falleJs dh
plains of this extensive region. 4 large Por
tion Of the surface Of the country is borere
with artificial lakes, formed By the beavers. o.
our way, we had frequently occasion to remark
with wonder and admiration, the extent sa
height of theft ingeniously constructed dam
and solid lodges These are remains of the ad
mirable little republics, concerning which s
many wonders have justly been recorded No
more than half century ago, such was IN
number Of benvers In this region, that goo
hunter could kill hundred in a months space