Idaho semi-weekly world. (Idaho City, Boise County, Idaho Territory) 1867-1868, 1867-10-02
Latest News from. Lemht.

From Mr. J. H. winfrey, who returned to this place
last Sunday evening" after stay in the Lemhi min.
ing region since last FALL we have received the fol-
lowing information concerning that lately noted but
now almost obscure section.
Mr.. Winfrey left Leesburg, Sept 10th. He says
there were between 800 and 500 miners at work at
that time in the various DISTRICTS and Of these nearly
wothirds would be likely to remain during the win
ter. The area Of ground mined is very extensive,
but the diggings average only from two to five dollars
per day. Water is pentfully supplied to most of the
claims and is sold for the reason that the
eral small bitches built and owned by the miners
themselves furnish all that is required during the
season. The best claims along Nappias creek; on
Arnots creek only fair Chinese wages are made, and
the other districts cannot at present be successfully
worked at all by white men. The claims of Douglas
& Co., and Judge Beatty, on Smiths Gulch, Nappias
district pay pretty WELL and the diggngs owned and
worked by John Clowry Co., in the Sierra district
hive paid very good during the season. but the latter
are lying idle for want of water. It is expected
that next year these claims viii pay handsomely
Leesburg is, comparatively, very dull. McNutt &
Phillips Montana irm-and four or five other mer-
camille houses, remain to carry on the trade. The
stock of goods hand is ample to last through the
winter, and in save small quantities to fill
special orders. It is believed that business will be
better next year. however, when prices will likely be
somewhat advanced, and competition will not cause
such heavy sacrifices as there occurred this year. An
influx of large numbers of Cinnamon is looked for
this Fall and next Spring, who can find ample en-
poyment in the mines without molestation from the
white miners. There have been several discoveries
of gold and silver quartz lodges in various districts
of that region, but Mr. Winfrey is not of the
quality of these discoveries.
Salmon City is almost deserted. Mr.. Winfrey
thinks the whole amount Of goods in the place not
large be found in the stores of any of the
principal mercantile houses of Idaho City. Frank
Kenyon had discontinued the publication of the MIN
ing Meas there, and removed his type and Press to
Deer Lodge, Montana Territory where he proposes
to publish paper.
There are few farming claims taken up in Lenlhi
Valley and potatoes seem to be the principal crop
Mr.. Winfrey did not see any wheat, oats barley,
and but few patches of corn. The Valley is about
thirty miles long, and from its opening among the
hills broadens out to two miles width where it Dor
ders along the Lemhi river, which empties in Sal
mon little below Salmon City. Walled in by hills
either side and plentfully watereds Lemhi Valley
calculated for present grazing future farming pur
poses. But there serious objection to that whole
country-that is, the severity and duration of the
wintry season. Mr.. Winfrey tells us that the
morning of Sept 18th ice formed inch thick in his
small tin cup. and very heavy frosts had nipped or
good deal of the vegetation.
On the way hither Mr.. winfrey saw and travelled
along the road with persons journeying from Mon
lar reports of the condition of things in that Terri
tory The mines were almost completely exhausted
trade stagnant, and very hard times and much
suffering were visible on every hand. dollar would
purchase more goods in Helena or Virginia cities
han in almost any of the towns the Western States
where prices always rule exceedingly low. To a
common phrase it appears that the bottom has fallen
out of Montana, and her inhabitants rapidly eav
ng preparing to leave