The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-02-13
THE TRIBUNE.
THE NEW COLE DIGGINGS.
Rich Discoveries on the Sweet Wafer.
Great Excitementa among the Min.
ers Of Montana, Idaho and
COInPaHo
Correspondence, Chicago Times.l


Correspondence, Chicago Times
Ranger Jack is frontier character
well known to the miners of Montana
Idaho and Utah. Ranger" whose rea
name IS Smith, came down from tn
mountains a few weeks since to visit hi
parents, who reside in Iowa. Ranger
has been In the mountains since he was
youth and perhaps there is no person
living who has taken more active par
In exploring and prospecting our vas
mountain domain than this same Smith
L accidentally met Smith to-day in OF
tumwa, and having been acquainted with
him for two years in Montana, have i'm
plicit confidence in his statement concern
ing the new diggings.
An old California miner, called Doc.
Leonard, was known to have taken out
several thousand dollars In dust, some
where in the Wind river mountains, III
1S62-Leonard went to California in the
fall, anu the secret of his lonesome sum
mers toll among the Indians would have
died with him had not some miners at
Fort Bridger len route for Mantana) no.
ticed his we'll filed purse, and while I'M
der the influence of chain lightning whis
key, heard him say something about min
ing in the Wind river mountains. The
miners, Smith being among the number,
went on to Montana, and nothing more
was thought Of the occurrence until last
summer, when a party consisting OF Ed
dy Smith, Kai. Gallagher, Tom Rein,
Jack Common. and few Mormons, out
fitted at Fort Bridger, and started to find
the Californian's Ell Dorado. After
searching several days on the tributaries
of the Sweet water, they came upon min
ing signs on Strawberry creek. An old
sod cabin, dam III the creek and an old
broken wheelbarrow. convinced them that
they had found where Leonard had OBJ
tanned his root of all evil Prospecting
soon commenced, and in short time Il
number Of rich leads and placer mines
were discovered. A war party of Sioux
appearing soon convinced them that they
had important business back to Fort Bird
ger, and during August the Indians held
undlsputed possession. But the news
soon spread. Miners from Utah, Idaho,
Nevada, aud Montana began to arrive ; a
large party was soon organized, and again
left Bridger for the new diggings. On
the arrival of this party, the Sioux soon
found that they had important affairs to
transact IN some other part of the coun-
try. Two towns were Immediately laid
out-Forest City and Shoshonee a dis
trict organized; laws passed: officers APP
pointed.
The mines were found to extend over
one hundred square miles, or twelve miles
in length and nine in width. Only a
small portion of the surrounding has yet
been prospected The quartz is the same
that is found in California, containing free
gold, and, if the leads develop as they
prospecto on the surface, it VIII be the rich
est gold mining camp ever discovered.
There is quartz enough to run hundred
mills for the next century. Among the
richest leads Smith mentions the Cereca
supposed to be worth $1,000 per foot
the Miners Celight, Mountain Jack,
King Solomon, Badger. Mahomet and
others. But few miners remained during
the winter. Nearly all improved few
idle months and came to the States, by
way of the Uuion Pacific Railroad. The
placer mines, SO far as yet discovered, are
neither rich nor extensive. The best dis
coyeries will not exceed SD per day to
the man Only four paying gulches have
yet been discovered.