The Placer herald., 1866-03-17
Montana Items.

During the week We have received private
letters from Montana, as we'll as copies o.
the Montana Post, printed at Virginia City
and The Radiator, at Helena. The appear
ance Of the latter reminds US Of the scarcity
Of printing paper in California iu the mem'
orable winter Of '52-it being printed on
dingy brown wrapping paper. The adver'
tisiug sad news columns indicate, however,
that Montana is more in advance, in settle
mont and all the appliance Of civilization,
than people on this coast have supposed.
Our correspondent writes US that Helena
is central TO the mining region that has 20
far been developed-bsing forty miles dis
tant from Montana and Confederate Clutches,
and same distance from Blackfoot and Nc.
Cellan Clutches. There are various other
rich gulcbes from five 10 sixty miles distant
at every point Of the compass. Helena is
$50 miles from Fort Benton, and same dis.
tauce from Virginia City, the capital of the
Territory, and lying equi.distant between the
two places, on the direct route Of traveI.-
Helena is located 10 beautiful country; pos
sesses the advantages Of plenty Of water and
good grazing; and Prickly Pear Valley, in
the vicinity, supplies plenty Of vegetables in
season. The city boasts Of good schools, as
we'll a. theatre supplied With good stock
company. Owing to the extreme cold
weather, mining has been kept back during
the winter, but all are looking forward to a
prosperous season when the Spring opens
Some of the quartz veins have been found
very rich in gold, and in Madison county
alone the Post notices that seventeen hun.
dred claims have been recorded With the
County Recorder. 1t strikes US that this
item is to be taken as against the general
distribution and richness Of the sur face
mines. PROJECTORS generally look for de
posi-. diggings first, and quartz veins last.-
But yet our correspondent, who has had q
California experience, predicts for Montana
"as fair a name for mineral wealth, AS was
ever enjoyed BY The same extent Of territory
on the globe. Her placers and quartz are
rich and extensive; and new discoveries and
additions 10 her mineral wealth and reputa.
tion are Of daily occurrence"
From the newspapers We learn that Indian
difficulties are engaging attention. Gov.
Meagber has called for volunteers to whip
the redskins, and plenty are ready to under
take the job; but the Governor has neither
money nor supplies with which to Sc. bat,
talon in the field, and the people do not Of
fer these needful articles. The Territorial
Legislature has been called to meet at Vir-
ginia City, March 5th, and Convention to
convene at Helena, 10 adopt State Consti.
tuition, on The 26tb. Bullet proof Mackinaw
boats are advertised to take passengers from
Fort Benton to Omaha, Nebraska, for $l2o
with board, and $40 without board. The
bullet proof arrangement is to stop the bul.
lets Of Indians who may salute boats on their
voyage down the Missouri.
Tho following are some Of the market
prices at Helena and Virginia City: Flour,
$50 per 100 lbs; bacon 65 cents per lb can
die IS cts; sugar so cts; coffee 81, OF; tea IS;
tobacco "a and $3.50 per ID; butter 81 ,25;
whisky $40 and $l2 per gallon.