, 1866-08-31
ITEMS OF NEWs fRom MoNTANA::

NEW GOLD DISCOVERIES = MULLAN ROAD
TRAVELLED BY wAGoNs-MIssoULA CITY
--AGR1oULTgRAL PROSPECTS.
We we're visited by Mr.. Nimrod Poston,
Esq, Of MissOula City, He'll Gate ROnde,
last Tuesday. We are indebted to the Squire
for the following facts concerning the He'll
Gate section:
Diggings have been discovered near the
head of the Bitter Root river, on stream
called Rock Hole creek, distant from Nilsson,
la City some bixty miles, and from Fort
Owen about thirty, Much interest was felt
throughout the Bitter Root and He'll Gate
valleys, and even in the Elk and Bear creek
region, in regard to these developments No
definite information has yet reached US. as, to
their character, further than that the new
diggins are shallow and, water in abundance
being available, are easy worked. 1t was
thought, form the nature of the ground, that
mining would be highly profitable, though
"prospects " should be light. The gold is
said to be fine, of ordinary purity for Mon
taua, and the diggins quite extensive. Two
or three hundred, probably, are now in the
new camp of Rock Aole; and large numbers
are continually thitherward bending their
way.
b Squire Postoh also reports several discov>
cries on, or near, the head-waters of the
Clearwater. The dscoverers had visited
Missoula City, and obtained rockers But
little information could be obtained from
these men-their motive for silence being,
evidently, to return, and secure their claims
before an excitement and consequent crush"
These are what are termed bar diggins. Of
course we can only conjecture as to the local.
ity; but, being near the head of the Clear
water, and near the Lo-lo Fork trail, they
cannot be more than seventytive miles from
Missoula City, nor over half that distance
from Fort Owen. We would recommend
Western friends, who intend returning this
fall. to Oregon or California, to 90 by way of
this trail, prepared for prospecting. Though
much more rugged than the Mullan route, it
is said.to be the shortest course by 2 huns
dred miles from points in Montana to WaIIa
Wala or Lewiston.
Reports of other discoveries were on the
wing when Squire PUston left Missoula; but
they were to indefinite tOo base statements on
for publication.
While merchants of Montana, Oregon and
Washington Territory, are speculating upon
and discussing the propriety Of removing the
fallen timber from the Mullan wagonlroad
and re bridging the streams, it seems the
necessities vi the Case have attained the de-
sired end. A large number of wagons-fam-
lily teams frOm North Idaho, Oregon and
WashingtOn-are now this side of the Miss
sOuIa river ferry, having successfully forced
their way through this So long bockaded
route. y. partial but effective opening Of the
road having thus made, many other wagons
Tll undoubtedly succeed early next spring
These newcomers, Of course, from having to
take cut-8Es to avoid insuperable obstruc,
lions, travelled much greater distance than
the actual length Of the road. But the pracr
ticHbility OF the route row being definitely
settled, we hope and believe the mercantile,
communities cf the Cuiuulbia-who are the
principally interested partieS-wil lose no
time in putting the Mullan road in good con.
dltion Tor wagon travel every mouth in the
gear that the SHOWS do not prevent.
The new grist'tnll of Worden s. Co., at
Missvuia City, will be in operation in about
two months. Under the skillful management
Of Mr., Newell, one Of the best mill>wrights
Of tne West, assisted BY our friend Philip
Shenan, and Mr.. William R4up, this estab.
lishment will, We are confident, turn off a
prime article Of flour, and be unsurpassed by
any mill 10 the mountains. 1t will contain
two set Of three'and>ashalf foot burrs
The He'll gate. farmers have enjoyed I'M
munity. this year frtm the grass hopper
p!agcc, and crops were never more promis-
ing. On this point, Squire Peston's lam
guage is. that " he has lived in three States
and Territories, and never saw more promisr
ing crops anywhere" He'll Gate Ronde is
prominent feature in Montana's present
wealth, and will add largely to her impor'
tance and national gth.-HcLena Ga
zctte.
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