Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1869-03-19
From the Gold Mines.
HELENA, MONTANA, Feb. 18th, 1869

HELENA, MONTANA, Feb. 18th, 1869.
FRIEND CHRoNICLE-Whata remarkable
winter This is the expression of every
person and it is becoming as familiar as
good morning. A majority Of persons are
troubled with colds, owing to the damp
state of the atmosphere. The weather is
not warm enough to take off the little snow
we have, neither is it cold enough to cause
those used to being out of doors to wear
an overcoat. We are agreeably disap-
pointed in enjoying such temperate wealth
er in mid winter, and our thoughts of the
future are fraught with forebodings Of ex-
IRENE cold. Once there was cold March,
and what has been may be again.
We anticipate no lack Of water for next
season, for upon the mountains there is
from two to four feet of snow.
Times in a business view are dull, both
in Helena and the surrounding camps.
Those working in the Placer mines are
piling their dirt to wash IN the spring, and
consequently are not realizing any money
at present.
| Some parties are engaged in prospecting
their quartz lodes. They report very Ia
vorably, but never knew man who, IN
his own estimation owned poor lead.
The ''town site" question has been COM
promised. The miners rights are to be
respected in the issuing of deeds. Endless
contentious and litigations are in the pros
pective.
The city has, on several occasions, mar
rowly escaped destruction by fire. Once,
the fire had so charred the head of whs-
ky barrel that man could punch hole
| through with his finger. Night before
last a log stable was destroyed, but as
there was no wind blowing at the time,
the fire was prevented from communlcat-
ing with the surrounding buildings. FIT
teen minutes later in one case, or light
breeze in the other, would have caused
heap of ashes in the place of a city. The
alarm of fire is almost of nightly occur
renee Carelessness and accidents are the
causes, and you are liable to hear at any
time of great conhagration. We have
no means to combat fire but with hooks
and ladders, and these are seldom to be
found Water is very scarce article here
at this season of the year. Every one
BUYS water for their own use, and stran-
ger might pass by athirst, unless ne buys
a key to the hydrant.
| The people of Montana are not all honest
or peaceable. Some steal as profession,
others because they are hungry. Some
fight because of whisky, others as pro-
fession. THE 3lst ult., being Sunday,
witnessed very discreditable affair, name
ly, a prize fight, and right in the heart of
the city. Two dollars and half was the
admittance fee, anG the house was crowded
A. g To- fho ~
not, no one interfered, and the affair ended
satisfactorily to all but the vanquished.
The people of Montana are not immor-
tai, for many are killed by accidents.
Many who sought the mountains to stay
the wastings of consumption, have found
grave. Mountain fever is the chief dis
ease indigenous to this country. Com
paratively few cases are fatal. From the
three causes named result more deaths
than frola all other causes combined
Weddings are rare, owing probably to
the scarcity of the fair sex eligible to that
sacred undertaking. Births are more nu-
merous, but l shall mention but one case
as an instance of the healthy quality of
Montana atmosphere. The episode oc-
CURED in the family of poor man, on or
about the 18th ult., and to the effect that
the population had increased three in num-
Der. Three girls at one birth, aggregate
weight, pounds. At present they are
doing well.
The evening of the I'd inst. was one of
gaiety in Helena. The acting governor,
Jas. Tufts paid US visit, and grand re-
ception was given to him and the men,
oers of the legislature, thank offering for
the passage Of the capital bill l presume.
Tickets to the supper, $40 each. 1t is re-
ported that an edict was passed imposing
fine of $50 upon any one found sober in
the morning. Nobody was fined, but the
bill footed up 600 bottles of champagne.
Out of the chaos Of report will endeav-
or to give you an idea OF the excitement
raging here, about White Pine" and
Rootanai. G. B. w.