The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1866-06-15
Interesting Letter from Montana
"a Territory,

ar West contains much that will please our
readers, The writer IL an old sthOcl-maie
Of the senior EDITOR Ofshs Flag, and bis CON.
munication brings wildly back many sweet
memories Of the long forgotten past, and
causes US involuutarily to exclaim-
"Oi would l we're a boy again ~
HIS description Of society in his far-of noun.
tain city, we submit; 10 not the most aitFas.
tive. Nevertheless time will make changes.
vIRGIkiA err, Montana Territory, |
May 18th, 1896.
Carr. Csc. E. GMsnkN, I'D. Union HGs.-
DEAA FRlES9;-A several Ofmy old friends at
hons desiret TO hear some Information in re-
gard to this country, | will attempt in a
brief communication TO give an outline Of
this new but growing GoldtB Star Of the
weSt--Mohtana. You will excuse the phrase.
for our Territory will, asSuraIly, deserve the
title before long, as fully as Nevada does
that Of the Silver Star. AZ a new Territory,
Montana stands without a rival In the ln-
crease Of her population the development
OF wealth, and the general prosperity, enter
prise and industry Of her citizens. The emf
grant from the States as he leaves the
broad and monotOnous plains and enters
the DO riders Of Montana, 10 greeted with new
scenes, which, for wildness and grandeur
is seldom surpassed. Coming in from the
east, and reaching the summit Of the great
dividing ridge between Montana and Utah
there is spread cut before him q vast expanse
Of mountain ranges, extending far as the
eye can reach to the south and north aud rs
they rear their snow-capped peaks
high into the clouds, seem TO present ma
tural breaStWorks that would defy The endu-
Race Of man to overcome. But that great
attraction, OOLD, the star Of the world, for
which the hardy prOspectOr will endure ia
tigne, hArdshlps and privations lies buried
in these bleak hills and it, possession is but
the work Of time.
In this mountain region, there are like the
great Sahara Desert, oasis Of beautiful and
fertile valleys, where the labor Of farmers is
well repaid, and civilization and society have
installed themselves, where three years ago
the untutored savage contested possession
with the wild animals Of the mountains.
The eastern portion Of the Territory is ratll-
er sparse'y timbered, bu. abundantly watered
by streams AbOunding in fish the other por-
tion Of the Territory is both well wooded
and watereG. >,
The main attraction that has induced so
many to seek their fortunes in this country,
was the rich discovery Of gold deposits, in
what Is now called 'sAlder Caleb, , in 1869,
where now stands Virginia City, the capri
tai Of the Territory. 1t is estimated that
from the Gulch above RamAd siEces its diseoy-
cry, there has been fully 6Aeen million dol.
lars OF gold taken out up 20 the present
The prospects are, that II win last for years
to come. The next richest discovery was
made something over a year ago, on q gulch
named "Last Chance" where now stands
the aourishlng city Of Melena, with . pOpu-
lation Of about six thousand inhabitants,
and bids fair to doable that number during
the coming summer. This is but the begin
ming. Who can predict the futurel Every
day, | might say, there are new creeks and
gulehes discovered, teaming with ineIhaust-
IDLE wealth each new discovery adds but
fresh fuel to the ERE OF excitement, and daily
hundreds are added to the list Of prospectors
and adventurers. Forests disappear to bald
cities. Where = few years ago the deer and
antelope fed unmolested, now Craze the herds
Of the farmers. .j,t,.
Another branch OF mining, which, as yet,
has been but slightly developed, is the quartz
leads Of the country. Colorado and Nevada
can boast Of their rich leads, eIhaustless
mines, their ponderous mills, their immense
yields, and their big sale Of feet, but there is
a time coming, aud tina: not far distant, when
Montana win stand second TO none Of them
10 this branch Of wealth. An that Is re-
quired Is capital aud labor TO develop her
hidden wealth. forming g perfect net work
Of the richest gold and silver quartz leads
that have ever yet been known. There are
at present but few mills in this Territory to
the quartz, but many more are expect
ed 70 be erected during the coming summer,
and when they are established and &c. to
work, we can show as hir 9 record in miner-
Al wealth as any Of the older Territories.
As every rose has its thorn, so has every
country It's disadvantage. Imagine to your
Islf a community Of SOM thirty thousand
II every nation and every ~tongue-from
very part OF Gods creation, lAnd you have
in idea OF the inhabitants ofa mining
The new Of new gold mines, Il
matters not where, Is sufficient. That In
will start thousands OF wandering
,erSonS on the search for the precious metal.
thousands have come bere-tbousands more
vim follow their example they ONE BY
teamers, wagons, coaches, carts, and on
oot-any way TO GET here, for many think
hat a country so rich and productive, all
hat 10 necessary 10 TO come, and their for