, 1866-11-30
= Let..r Fron a BIaekfoOl lIIner.
WLLLL WALLA, W. %, Nov. 2Tth, ls6l

WALLA WALLA, W. IL NoNs Attni Aooo.
EDIron SrATEsnAN - Once more at home,
I cast my eye around the City Of WallA Walls
amazed to notice the changes which have oc>
CURED during my absence. The old scare Of
the last ERE, the much needed street improve
ments, and the beautiful new buildings erected,
are sufficient to command any Blackfooter like
myself to observe and say, there is no place like
home. perceive since my arrival that many
Of my friends labor under the impression that
Montana is played out. /, however, beg leave to
inform them, thar all such reports are as eIager-
ated as the one Ne had last year Of gold being
found there BY the gunny sack full; and even
to say Montana has seen its best days, would be
unjust and premature. Montana, In my humble
opinion, was, is, and will be a good country,
when Idaho will be dead and buried, with moth
ing left but Hong Kong L Co. to rejoice, and
toll gate keepers to mourh over its remains. Dis
eouraging reports OF all mining countries are
chiefly entertained and rapidly. circulated by
men who fail at FIRST sight to realize their ex-
pectations, aud turn back and curse the conn
try. We had numbers of that class, especially
from California, Oregon and Washington Terri
tory. There were, others again, who made time
useful, faced the seeming adversely with deter
minAtiou, and with good judgement and perse-
Verance, you 6nd them to-day well-doing citi-
zens Of Montana. To take goods apd lose there
on, is the natural consequence of an overstocked
mining country, and to go there to mine or pros
pect, depends upon the man and luck. Many
men left good paying diggings with the hope OF
finding better, and were disappointed. After
running about all summer, they now return to
the lower country, aud as matter Of course
curse Montana.
Business in Montana is all done BY quick sales
and small profits. Wages are lower thah on
this side. Freightiug is nothing in comparison
in payment to our freiGhters, for the population
is very large aud competitio1 cadses low prices,
Provisions of all kinds are very cheap, the Boise
City market prices being about alike, with the
exception of flour. The climate in Montana, ac-
cording TO thprmometrical observation, differs
from Walla Walla about Ito in spring and fall
23o in winter and 10 in summer, and is there
fore, very cold and unpleasant. Game and fish
are plenty and sell reasonable. Farming in
MOntdua is IN many parts not a safe investment
The weather is tUU ehangeable frosty nights too
frequent, and whatever escapes the icy grasp in
spr;ng is apt to he destroyed by grasshoppprs
during summer. Many farmers, who had fair
prospect OF good harvest, were attacked all Of
sudden by gFasshOppers, numerous enough 10
would advise no man TO go to Montana, uu-
less be is convinced that he needs a change but
ii you 60 there to do business, supply yourself
with legal tenders instead of sborels, picks, or
gum boots, aud do little crediting business,
They swindle each other all they can, then 90
down the river aud call it business. Men going
there to minei will do well to find work without
delay Don'tspeRd too much for LIQUOR because
greenbacks 20 at par in that line. Persons
goug there 10 freight, would advise to 90 10
Fort Benton aud buy their own cargo, otherwise
their stock aud cash will soon diminish.
The Vigilance Committee is still in operatiou.
and although they are often mi, i,represented both
ways, yet allow me to assure you, that an hon,
est man has nothing to fear, but persons with
long fingers are apt to get long neck also.
Tine market wages, and everything else this
past season, has been irregulari owing to many
forced sales for the want Of "eash money for
the freight" Banks are very numerous 10
MOnL'na, especially Helena which is the chief
business headquarters. Virginia City, 100 miles
from Heleun, Is the capital, aud if it dou't suns
port many banks, it supports the best paper ia
the Territory-the Montana Post Politics are
little thought spoken of on the other side
The malice formerly existing between the Ten
derfeet and Sefrisers has totally disappeared.
In conclusion, ] would advise all who intend To
60 10 AontanG next Spring not to 60 by Boise.
Rather wait three weeks longer and then won
will accomplish the journey in les. time and ems
dure less hardship via the Ceur d'Alene route.
Yours, as ever,