Owyhee tidal wave. [volume] (Silver City, Owyhee County, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1869-1870, 1869-10-14
Letter from Cope.
MOUNTAIN CRY, Oct. Sd, 1856!

soihe interest 10 the people OF Owy-
hee to know how things are working
in this portion of the country; hence
| avail myself of the opportunity
afforded me, through Mr.. W. B. |
Scott, who is about visiting your
town, of sending you a short COM
munication.
Mountain City and surroundings |
contains about 700 inhabitants,
about one-fourth of which is of
floating character. There are some
ninety-five tents, of all dimensions
and shapes, inhabited by various
nationalities. Almost every person
you meet considers himself mil
lionaire in prospective Z; it is devout-
ly to be hoped that the expectations
of each will be realized. We have
one hotel, five boarding houses. six
general merchandise stores, some
twenty-five drinking saloons, nearly
all of which keep an abundant sup
ply of oysters. sardines, crackers,
&C., which is most tempting in
ducement to the honest miner, TO
| cause him to remain in the saloon he
may select to play the tavorite game
of Z" sell out" which is most indus
triously engaged in by the entire
male population. Provisions of all
kinds are abundant, and selling at
fair prices. Freights are lower than
they were two weeks ago, and goods
are arriving in larger quantities than
heretofore. There need be no fear
of lack of supply the coming win
ter, as the merchants are vieing with
each other as 10 who shall have the
most complete supply. Fire-wood
is abundant, is obtained at dis
lance of from five to eight miles,
and sells at from IS to sl2 per cord,
the former fir and latter mahogany.
There is unusual activity among our
people at present, all of them being
employed in improving the condition
of their homes preparatory to win
ter, indications of the sudden advent
of the same having already been
seriously felt.
| am glad to find SO many of our
old Idaho friends here, most OF
whom have solid evidences OF their
| industry. The Nevada portion OF
our population look with a Jealous
eve at the increasing prosperity oil
Idaho men, fearing, as they well
may, that Idaho men already hold
the balance of power. Among the
many old Idahoans here | might
mention the following names A. ),
Cope, John A. Lyle, VIM. Duncan
F. Mellinger, ]. II. Lucas, Thomas
Lynch 1.-THE two latter having then
: families with them), I. B. Fitzhugh
w. B. Scott, and last but not least
Dick Tregaskis, name already sufli
, GENTLY well known to require NJ
J, further remarks. Dick says he like
the place and intends coming back
Across the Owyhee river anda lit
tie below this town is located a nlc'
little town known by tue name o
Placerville. 1t is situated on tn
land claim of Mr.. j. II. Lucas, an'
= is recognized as the favorite spot 10
those having families upon which t.
n erect their buildings. Mr.. Job +
$. Dive. of your town, has about com
Il pleted the finest building in the dis
=, a triet at this point. He also has b,
is far the best selected assortment 0
provisions, clothing, hardware, &c.
: to be found in the place. He i as
sisted by his gentlemanly and oblig
ing clerk, Al Cage. Success 70
8 them is certain" Mr.. Lyle, G
[ your town. is bringing in ditch I
supply the placer mines. It vii
~ soon be completed, and will cos
some $4,000. He has also eomplei