, 1866-12-21

Some. months since we noticed the discovery
Of new mining district near the head waters Of
the Palouse. The following letter eontains late
and reliable information in relation to the new
mining district;
GoLD CREEK, Nov. alst, 1885.
EprroR SrArEsMAN:-Thinking you would like
to learn what is going Oh in this remote corner
of Idaho, will attempt to give you a passing
glance at this young mining camp; it is a dis
tauce of about one hundred and ten miles from
Wala walIa, BY the way of Ksntuck ferry on
Snake River, aud q very good natural trail from
the ferry. One travelling from walla Walla after
he crosses Snake River, all be has to do is to
keep what is known as the CAmas Butte constant
" 10 bis front until be reaches Wagner's Ranch,
on the Palouse, then the road is very plain and
good to this camp. This camp now comprises
between seventy-6ve and hundred men; all are
at work opening their claims. As yet the wealth
et is quite pleasant. There are only three claims
now open, and all are paying well. Up to this
time most of the men that have had claims on
this creek, have been prospecting for something
better, or might say, a big thing. As most all
eouent in the opinion that there is very rich dig
giDgs near here; eEert thing indicates it; the
gold is both coarse and 6ns. 1t Is not an un-
common thing to pick up pieces from So SO to
$40. The gold is chiefly on the bed rock.
There is, as usual, town started, called
Hanksville, which more properly ought to be
called Big Hog EN-. There is a store, with a
good assortment of miners goods, kept by An
derson Co. All that are now here have good
comfortable cabins, and intend to winter in the
mines. No doubt you have heard very poor acs
counts of this camp, for no other reason than at
the time il was made known in Lewiston, there
was grand rush from that place Of merchants,
tailors, blacksmiths, bummers, saloon keepers,
hotel keepers and mechanics. Not one brought
pick, pan or shovel, and all expected another
Florence; they never prospec.edi and all went
back, after taking up the whole country, never
to return, without some poor, hard working
miner should strike it rich on or near their
ground It is the opinion Of all that are here
that with d full head Of water and ten honrs to
labor, that the ground would pay from eight
dollars to an ounce per day, and gold worth SIS
per ounce, and being near the WallA Walls mar
ket. Compare the cost of living in this camp
With any other and you will see that four dollars
per day is better here than eight at II greater
distance. There is another creek about fifteen
miles from here, called Gnat Greek, that prom
ises to be as good as this. There was about 80
men working there eight days ago with good
prospects.
There has been some rich float quartz found
in this vicinity, which Mr.. Hurry has tested.
Quite number of lodges are taken up. There
is plenty Of good white pine and cedar on the
creek.
might state that one>fourlh interest in the
discovery claim sold recently for $500 in coin
under pressing circumstances Two of the com,
pany had quarrel between them and fought
with an Ak. The wounds, however, proved
slight, but the party using the AK had TO leave,
therefore sold his interest for $780, MINER.