, 1868-06-05
The sweetwater Mines.


We are kindly permitted to take the following
extracts from private letter, dated South Pass
City, May 18th, 1868: :"
South Pass City is situated on Willow Greek,
a tributury of Sweetwater, and about twelve
miles north of the South Pass Station, on the
emigrant road. 1t at present contains between
two and three hundred buildings, among which
are the usual compliment of stores, saloons, etc.
Four miles from South Pass City, on Rock
Creek is Atlaptic City, which is rapidly build
ing. The creek is taken up for ten miles for
placer mines, but as yet it is not sufficiently
prospected to tell whether it will pay or not.
There are four districts laid of, 10 which there
are located hundreds Of quartz lodes, but as yet
very few are developed enough to tell whether
they are good or otherwise the holders Of
course, talk of fabulous wealth, and count them
selves among,the future milionares, yet many
of them find it hard to keep in grub, money is
out Of the question, aud there are DO "digins"
panning out. The country is very dull, the snow
not being sufficiently of 10 prospect in the
mountains, yet parties are scouting around and
endeavoriug TO hud something. There are four
dry guches, said to prospect we'll, that have
been found, but as no water is yet on nothing
can be told. My opinion is that gueh mines are
very limited, and that until mills come in aud
test the lodges money viii be very scarce in-
deed. Reports say that mills will soon be in,
but we are not sure whether any will be 10 this
summer or not. Some two or three tunnel COM
panies are formed TO rnu into the bills 10 search
Of the "Caresa," "Young America" and other
lodes, People are preparing to sink on their
lodges, and already some are down from thirty
TO seventy feet, yet most of the people are en-
gagged iu building and getting out lumber. A
great many are leaving, ,dsgusted with the camp,
and going to Montana and other camps, yet
others are coming in so that the number here
remains about the same. Provisions are reason.
able, and, il money could be had the country
would be flooded, as it would afford 9 great
market for Cheyenne and Salt Lake,
To sum up the country at some future time
may be all right, bu. it needs capital to develop
it. The people here are all poor, and unIess
some o. the surplus money from the East comes
along, l am afraid that but little will be known
for some time to come. If man wants 70 make
ready money this is no place to cOT9.
The two thousand marching on for this camp
have not arrived, suppose that the STATEsHGs
will post US in time, so that the Tlaaist may make
a gallant charge towards the land Of the Saints.
presume that Brigham viii be glad 10 welcome
US back, as he believes it much the best for
the bretheru 10 be in the valley helping TO build
up Zion, than seeking for the filthy lucre in g
mining camp. .-
Wind River Valley is about twenty-five miles
north OF here, and is as nice valley as can be
found IN tDe mountains ouualo, deer, elk,
antelope and bear in abundance. Nothing has
been found, as yet, in the valley, but many hGYe
an eye to it and will prospect aud settle there
if the red skinks are not too bad.
A prospecting party leff here to-day to pros-
pect the country south, Tor a distance OF one
hundred and hfty miles. Among the number
are Pattengale, Standefer and Others we'll known
to WAIlA WRilaians. If there are any placer
mines in the couuuy think that We shall soon
6ud il out. 1t is reported that's military post
is 70 be established near here, and that troops
are nov there from Laramie, which will help to
enliEsn the eouutfy.
The railroad is pushing rapidly along, and the
company will endeaTor 70 make Green river be-
fore the commencement Of another winter
Already preparation Is being made TO begin The
grading, aud soon the echo Of the AZ will beard
all along the route getting out ties and leveliu1
the forest for the Union Pacific Railroad. Hopo
ing thai soon the great work may be completed
aud that the mines may pau out to the satisfac.
tiou Of the most sanguine, remain,
Yours truly HASx LEHNLN.