The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1867-02-16
interesting News from Lemni.

Il
before our readers the following interesting
letter from Lembi county. The writer il
we'll known here, and his statements can b
credited
LREsBURs, LemEi OF Big Bend Diggings,
January I'd, 1867.
FRIEND UHDERwooD 81 arrived here on the Sil
of December twenty one days from Idaho City
With the exception of one rainy and two buster
ing days we had very pleasant trip. We found
from two to six inches of snow from Rocky
]. Camp to Fort Lemhi--a distance of 10 miles
Our stock done WelL Stock will winter well on
the river and in Lemhi valley. The climate is
about the same as that of Boise Valley without
the Boise winds. There IS great deal of good
farming land on the Lemhi river, which is about
the size Of the South Boise and IS miles long. We
travelled up Birch creek (which is As miles from
Lost Riverl 80 miles, and over low divide to the
head Of Lemhi river, thence down the Lemhi 1.-THE
middle fork Of SalmonJ to its mouth. There we
fOrded the Salmon river, which is about as large
as the Boise, runs rapid and is hard to ford. The
Discovery Camp are building boat there nOw~-4
From the river to this place the distance is fifteen
miles, over high hill. There is good wagon
road to the river and pack trail from there to
this place. There is town at the river which will
be the Boise City Of these mines. They have two
| large stores .here now.
Leesburg is 400 miles, by the way we came, from
Idaho City, but not more than 200 miles 10 di-
rect line. Bannack is 80 aud Virginia City $50
miles distant. There is an express that carries
letters and papers to and from B.nnsCk at 81 co.
Oar town is over half a mile long, contains over
100 houses, all built Of logs, with earth floors aud
roofs, has TIVE meat markets, two blacksmith shops,
but as yet no saloons restaurants or hotels though
considerable "ValIey TAM Is consumed, and next
summer think it will be an excellent market for
liquors. Small timber is plenty, but no large trees.
The timber is duplicate Of that of South Snake
river. Beef sells BY the quarter at l7c -four %
and bacon Coo per ID; groceries Is per cent above
Idaho prices; dry goods and hardware not in the
market. We have neither lawyer nor doctor.
Now for the mines. In this District there are
about 5000 claims recorded. Nappias Greek Ia
name signifying money 10 the Bannack Indian d.
alectl prospects wen for seven or eight miles, and
some claims paid from 80 to $40 when worked last
fall. One claim paid $3.50 for three men in one
days work, which is the best have heard Of II
helped Tom Wright to rock two half days. The |
frst day we got $50 81; the second, SO. On the |
following day Wright and another man rocked out
$4S IS, and he says he has ground that prospects
q great deal better, over on Bear-traek, 8 miles
from here. John Clowry told me some men we're
making 500 per day with rocker on Rapps 4 |
Arnold's creek. They get good prospects on Alder
creek, 10 miles OF in another direction. The Re-
corder told me, on Sunday last, that he could get
from 20 to 80 cents per pan in dirt from 10 inches
to feet deep. New discoveries are being made
every week. The gold is coarse-from cent to
Sand goes current for $lS. The lowest assay
yet made gave $l8 40. l think the mines are as
extensive as those o: Boise Basin, though not near
as good. However, there will be q great deal Of /
gold taken out here next summer.
We have population of about 500, and more +
are coming every day. II the mines prove to be
Is good as the people here think they are by next
tall our population will exceed that of Boise Co.
The mines are well watcred. Several bitches have
been dug, and Others are in contemplation. One1
arge ditch, three miles long and carrying 500
inches, is almost completed. good deal Of the ,
soId IS quartz gold. and when the snow goes off
some rich leads will undoubtedly be found. Ruby
'ver and argentiferous gaIena are found on the
1ver' So far most of the gold has been found in ;
creeks and gulches. There are but few bars that
prospect well, and no hill diggings have as yet
'een discovered, that know Of, though am ex :
'ecting to hear every day of their discovery. I
hink they are here, as there is heavy wash all
'ver the country. In some places the bedrock is II
granite, while in others it is tough, ferruginous
lay. The creeks have more fall than thew do in
Boise, and the gravel is not SO deep-ranging from
to 10 feet. The mining claims are the size Of
hose in Boise, and every man that discovers gold
new creek, gulch, bar or hill is entitled to a
discovery claim. The ground needs no represent.
tion until June, when jumping will commence.
8 some men have as many as thirty claims. and c
Will be impossible for them to represent all.
These mines are in the big bend of Salmon riy. Z
r, and there are six different districts, with some
GOD ground known to be in each of them. How !.
nany of the 5000 CLAIMS recorded in Nappias dis.
net may prove good remains to be tested. From E
mat have written you can form your own CON, :,
lusions with regard to the future OF these mines.
S. 8. HAWTHORNE.
s.