The Montana post., 1868-12-18
FRIDAY nORNING. DEC. 18Th.
TIL e CITY.
Prom Tuesdays Daily.

The LOST CHANNEL--It is well
known to most of our citizens that the mining
claim of Mezsrs. Taylor, Thompson Co.,
situated a short distance below the town, Il
the richest in Last Chance Gulch. 1t is also
known to many that Immediately below the
claim referred TO the pay rapidly decreases.
This state OF afasrs has lent probability TO
the suppo-ition that the old channel of Last
Chance 6ulch may not have been the same as
that which now exists, and that large depos-
its of gold might be found in the ancient
bed Of the creek by whoever should be so for
tunate rs to discover this old channel. Seek
ers after this hidden treasure have not been
wanting, and much money has been expended
IN efforts TO bring it to light. During the
past fall shaft was sunk near the Hot Spring
road and opposite Taylor, Thompson Co.'s
claim, for thepurpose of reaching the ancient
bed, but after attaining depth of between
sixty and seventy feet the water flowed IN so
fast that the steam pump, which bad been
erected, was unable to keep the shaft IN such
condition that IL could be worked, and fur
ther operations at the point named were suS~
peuded. The search was not abandoned, how
ever, but work was Immediately commenced
near Ten Mile Creek, between the Jewish
Cemetery and PattsrsOn's ranch, near the
upper Benton road, by Col. q. W. Keller.
This gentleman, exhibiting hIs faith by work,
commenced the running of a cut which has
already attained length of eight hundred
feet, and az tie end of which be Is about
commencing n tunnel. This tunnel will be
continued until il reaches bed rock, which
Col keeleT expects to strike about the first
Os February He Is already working IN good
gravel. and obtains such prospects as encOur>
age him TO believe that be will reach the an
cient bed of Last Chance Gulch, with its im>
mense deposit Of golden treasures, at no dis
tant day If these immense placer mines re-
ally exist, as Il supposed, they will be of
almost incalculable benefit to the City of
Helena and TO the Territory, adding, they
will, millions of dollars TO the wealth of our
country. For the energy which Col. keeler
Is displaying in his works, too much credit
cannot be given, and we hope that the eff
forts thus pat forth may he crowned with
that reward which they so richly deserve.
He who aids In the development of our
young Territory Is a public benefactor, and
as such should receive the warmest sympa>
thies and best wishes Of our citizens. Hence
il Is that we commend Col. KeeleT's enter,
prise, and express the hope that il may be
the means of giving TO Montana and the
world new and immense deposit of that
material which, although said to be the root
Of all evil, Is, nevertheless, the source of
much good
PHoroeRAFHs.-Wehad had the pleasure of ex-
WIN SUM- Nf tEc Va
very large and complete collection of mag
nifcent cabinet photographs of Montana
scenery at the ant rooms of J. L. Douglass.
This wonderful science of photography, which
has been brought to such sensitive degree
of perfection that the very growth and move
ment of plants are caught and imprinted
upon surfaces in vivid eolors has never been
more beautifully displayed than in the beau
tiful views of Montana scenery Even the
sunlight and shadow, that touch in delicate
penciliDgs of exquisite beauty these grand
scenes about us, are caught and left lovely
cAptives upon the paper that tells forever Of
the perfection of art and the beauty and
grandeur of this Switzerland of America
These views were taken by Mr.. c. r., Savage
of the celebrated firm Of Savage i 0ttinger,
of Salt Lake City, during his summer Trip
through the Territory. Mr. Ssvagp's fame as
a scenic Photographic artist Is national He
has few equals 10 this country and We know
of none that are hIs superior. He has ex-
pended much time, exhibited great care, and
displayed exquisite taste IN the selection of
his ubjects, which comprise not only the
Missouri Falls, cities Of Helena and Virginia,
Boulder and Priekly Pear Valleys and Fort
Benton, but every point of interest aud every
resting place of beauty IN the Territory.
Christmas and New Years are approaching.
The days are coming when Christian relatives
are expected, in accordance with the customs
of our Pilgrim Fathers, to present .speace
offerings" for family reasons, aud we know of
nothing that noun Slin friends can send 70
their eastern relatives that will Be so beeuti-
full and interesting a series of these views
They are cheap. a few dollars will purchase
a very complete collection We recommend
all who love art and admire the beauties of
Montana, to call upon Mr.. J. L. Douglass,
the courtly gentleman and accomplished ar
tist, who corrals the shadow ere the substance
retires, at this splendid art gallery.
Tom c. POWERS, EsQ-This indefati-
gable representative Of the only port Of Mon
tana, favored rs with = ve-y pleasant visit
yesterday, during which We learned manyvsry
interesting facts in regard 10 the commercial
prospects of Montana, which are so valuable
that we are prone % garner them, until
deurth of locals renders demand upon the
reserves Necessary Among other interesting
facts We learn that frsights next summer will
be As fouows: From Sc. Louis to Benton,
four cents per pound Chicago TO Benton,
fve cents through frsighh from ST. Lour 20 J