The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1867-12-05

The Touring mills are particularly men


toned. a so so
The grazing lands are spoken Of a.
among the finest in the world, their nu-
sritious grasses serving to keep cattle
and stock in good condition during the
entire winter. The number of cattle
grazing on these lands is estimated at
4O, 900. a'
The entire number of people in Mon
tana is estimated at 10000, with the
probability that this number will be in
creased 70 10000 in 1867, should there
be no Indian troubles on the plains.
In speaking Of the timber lands, it is
earnestly recommended that they be
surveyed at an early day and placed in
market, thus allowing them to be pur-
chased and saved from the fires which
thougbtless and malicious persons now
frequently set III them ~--ese
Building stone. consisting of granite,
limestone, and slate. is found in all por-
tions Of the country, together with the
materials for brick, slate for roofing, and
fire clay.
OF the mountain passes, the lowest
now known are the Deer Lodge and
Muilen's, both of them practicable for
railroads without tunneling, the former
being elevated 5000 and the latter 6 900
feet above the sea-
10. springs are mentioned IS being
o1y in tho Tar
ritory. The greatest number are on
the headwaters. Of the Madison, on the
south east branch, near the confines Of
the Territory. This stream, on account
of the great number of hot springs, was
called the Fire Hole River On one
bran ch there are several hundred springs,
some Of which are geysers or spouting
wells, and Of a very high temperature.
The Sinking Water River derives its
name from large spring of sulphuret-
ted hydrogen at its source.
Bituminous coal has been found on
the Big Hole River. about sixty miles
from Bannack City, in Jackass Gulch,
on the east side of the Madison river,
and at Summit District, near Virginia
City, the veins being from three to four
feet in width. Coal also exists on the
head of the Yellowstone river. Brown
coal, or Ignite, is found in great guam
titles on the banks Of the Missouri and
Yellowstone, valuable as common fuel,
but of no great value for manufacturing
purposes. It is also found on the head
waters of the Teton and Marias.
Iron has been found on Jackass creek.
Copper abounds principally in the vi
cinity Of the Muscleshell river. The
width of the veins is from three to four
feet. Placer copper has been found on
Beaver Creek. near Jefferson City, which
shows some splendid specimens.
Z SILVER MINES
"The first discovery Of silver mines
in the Territory was made by Prof. Eea-
ton, Of New Yoak, on Rattlesnake creek,
opposite the town of Argenta. The
mineral was argentiferous galena.-
About the same time silver was discov-
cred on the head Of Prickly Pear creek,
above Beavertown. Subsequently,, lodes
containing both gold and silver ores,
were discovered At and near Yirginis
City. in the Madison range of mountains;
on the Jefferson, the Pricklv Pear, Ten
Mile, and Boulder creeks; and also in
the vincinity of Helena. The most re.
cent discovery is on Flint creek.
branch Of He'll river. On the head of
this stI cam a district has been found
ahoundins in silver lodes, the assays of
which have been of astonishing richness.
Great activity is exhibited there at
present in prospecting, developing the
iodes, and building mills and furnaces.
Many furnaces are being put up in diff
terent parts of the Territory"
The first placer gold mines worked in
the Territory, were found on the He'll
Gate river in 1862. In the Fall of that
year the mines at Bannack were discov-
cred. In May, 1863, the mines at Alder
Gulch were struck. From these latter
mines about twenty million dollars have
been taken, up to the present time
About q year afterwards mines were dis
covered on the Prickly Pear. where Hell
ens now stands. Many other particulars
which are already known to our readers,
but which prove very interesting to
Eastern readers, are here inserted in the
report. When provisions and labor be
come cheaper, many gulches will be
worked which are at present untouched.
Large amounts Of money have been ex-
pended this season in the construction
Of bitches, and in preparations for gulch
mining next year. The result OF these