Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1867-02-07
Idaho--A Record of -Four Winters
in that Territory.

from the idaho Times
The general impression abroad, judging
from the eastern papers, is that the climate
of Idaho is very severe Having had an
experience of over four years, we are able
to give correct idea of the climat :, as
well as the health of our territory IA the
fall of 1852; when we first arrived in the
Boise Basin, we experienced perhaps, one
of the severest winters ever known in Ida
ho. The snow fell to the depth of from
three to six feet on the level, and remained
on the ground for five months. The wealth
er was very mild; no severe frosts or sharp
cutting winds as is usually experienced in
the Eastern and Western States. The
mining streams were, however, closed
against all mining operations. During the
summer of 1868 the weather was at times
very warm, but evenings and nights were
cool and pleasant.
The following winter, the snow fell to
very nearly the same depth as the previous
winter, but the weather being mild, did
not materially interfere with the construc-
ton of bridges and tunnel mining.
The winter of 1865 was lengthy, but un-
usually warm and pleasant. Notwithstand-
ing the great depth of snow, which fell
early, before the frost had fairly penetrated
the earth, mining was commenced early in
the spring. The great body of snow
thawed faster from the bottom than from
the surface, yielding an amount of water
which lasted five weeks longer than any
previous season.
Last winter was, perhaps, more severe
in the valleys than in the mines, the snow
at times, being from 12 to "a inches deep,
operating severely on stock on various
ranches. The ranch owners, having judged
the future by the past, had not provided
sufficient food and shelter for the demand.
The coming winter promises to be open
and rather disagreeable in the mines, and
will, without doubt. be the mildest winter
ever experienced in the valley; better prep
arations are being made for the comfort of
stock; hay is stacked up in barns con-
structed to accommodate more than were
kept in the valley in any previous winter
The general health is better in proper
ton to the population than in any other
portion of the United States. Three
fourths of the graves filled in this Territory
has been the work of the assassin, ,unavoid-
able accidents, or carelessness of the ad-
venturous gold seeker. Our hospital in
mates show plainly the above state OF
affairs. Nine-tenths of them are afflicted
by their fellow men. This last evil is fast
being remcdicd by the more stringent en-
forcement of our laws the offenders are
being speedily brought to justice, and the
fear of the law before them is having vast
influence over their wicked hearts.
At the time the mines were first dis
covered, miner would hardly think Of
appearing upon our streets without pistol
or knife attached to his belt, which were
frequently pressed into service with the aid
of several doses Of lightning whiskey.
These implements are now very consider
ately left at home, and the "manly art OF
self defense substituted in their stead,
changing serious affairs to that of sport,
and not endangering the innocent bystand-
ers, who have generally proven to be the
victims.