The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1866-10-27
The BledsOe Party Expedition.

Mr.. Al. Mcdonald, formerly miner on MOore's
Greek, near Pine Grove, in this county, and lately
of Montana, who. with comrade, George Fuller
of Cenierville, had just returned from the expe-
dtion, in search of gold mines in the Wind river
country, headed by Capt. Ralph Bledsoe. Mr.. Nc.
Donald and some others left Virginia City, Mon
tana, August LIST, and travelled along with the
Bledsoe and other parties to the crossing of the
Yellowstone, where they all entered into an or
ganization, forty~five strong. The expedition
Ijourneyed on across the following streams-Boul.
der creek, Saltwater creek, the Three Rosebuds,
and Clarks Fork, to Prior's Fork. They pros
pected along the banks of each Of these streams,
but found only Indifferent Indications. The gold
was scarce and scattered. From Priors Fork they
proceeded to the mouth OF the Big Horn Canon,
whence Wind river takes its name, and thence
down the canon forty miles, by a very rugged,
rocky, difficult Indian trail, to Fort Big Horn
Col Kinney was in command and the party were
cordially received and Hospitality entertained at
his post, After pretty thorough exploration of
that section without a successful result the party
turned back and proceeded to Stinkingwater, and
journeyed to its source. At the foot of the noun
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over from Prior's creek. This was late in August
The two parties prospected that region for four
FIVE days. They found barely the "color' in scat
tered spots But they found coal beds, and several
soda, mineral and hot springs, and in one place
steamiDg hot spring in the rock, which fumed
and pulled like steam engine From there the
joint parties crossed over to Gray Bull Creek, at
ob loft Iadc
petition and Mr.. Mcdonald has not heard of the
former party since then. Standifer had about fifty
men with him at that time. The Bledsoe party
then journeyed to Owl Creek, where they camped
for hunting purposes. They found plenty of deer,
elk, antelope, grizzlies, and bufaloes in large
herds. Capt. Bledsoe killed two grizzlies in one
day. Mr.. Mcdonald killed huge bear also, and
buffalo, the tongue of which he dried and brought
as present to us. The stream afforded plenty of
fine fish.
Early one morning large band of Indians were
discovered approaching the camp. Immediately
the animals were driven into camp and the men
set to work to prepare for fight. Breastworks
were hastily thrown up and their arms put in
readiness. A few of the chiefs came towards the
camp, declared themselves to be friendly, and de.
sired an interview. They were Sioux but profess
ed to be Arapahoes. They numbered Ito warriors,
had the scalp of Bannock victim with them and
were plainly on the war path, although they show
ed papers certifying to their good character issued
to them from Federal officers. After a parley,
during which they were kept at safe distance,
they departed.
After a stop of three days the party proceeded
to Meadows and Lodge Fork-the main fork of
Wind river. -Four days were spent in prospects
ing up the river and along its tributaries but with
poor success. AS in other places, little gold was
found, but not enough to warrant Chinaman to
work there While encamped, during a snow
storm, two Bannock Indians came in. After din.
ner Mcdonald and five Others accompanied them
to an Indian camp about three miles off. Before
arriving there party of about 3OO-Bannoeks
and Shsshones--m mounted, gorgeously attired in
war costumes and trappings, and armed to the
teeth, suddenly came upon them. Fortunately
for the six white men, the Indians were friendly
disposed towards the whites generally, but were
on the war path after the Sioux, who had killed
and scalped Bannock Indian few days before, |
and whose scalp the party had seen with the Sioux
on Owl creek. The Shoshone chief was Wash Ike, |
who gave General Conner so hard fight on Bear
river few years ago.
At this point there were few who split off from
the main party and took another route. The main
body, Of about forty, proceeded to the head of
Wind river, and crossed over the great divide, on
to the Rocky mountains, and to the headwaters of
Wind, Snake and Green rivers. All of this ex-
tensive region was prospected, but with no profit
able results. Finally, satisfied that gold did not
exist in anything like paying deposits in that
whole country, the expedition resolved to turn
back and make their way to the settlements
They journeyed down the South Fork of Snake
river, and crossed to the big lakes on the North |
Fork. Near the lakes they met the Patterson
party. who were on their way back from fruits
less prospecting tour OF the headwaters of Snake
river Mr. Mcdonald SAYS the big lakes are much
greater than is generally belieVed-the largest
being about thirty miles long and ten miles wide.
From North Fork the party continued to break up
and divide off. Some started for the East, some
for California and others for places in Idaho
Capt. Bledsoe Col. James Kinney, Mr. Mcdonald
aud George Fuller came into Boise City together,
and the latter two returned here, as noted. They
had no trouble with Indians during the trip.
On Prior's Fork Capt, Bob. Bailey and about 70
others left Standifer, and went down Big Horn
canon to Powder river, in the Big Horn nouns
tans since which no information has been had
from them
Mr.. Mcdonald gives an interesting description
of the vast range of country he has travelled over