The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1869-09-02
LErrER FROM ORC GRANDE.

On last Thursday evening Mr.. J.P. Swim
(of the firm of Lauer & Swinn) returned here
from tour to the Loon creek region. He
brought with him letters from persons there to
friends in this city, and among the number one
from Harry Bowman, which we copy Ills
letter bears date Orc Grande, Idaho county,
August %, 1869, and says:
Iarrived here on the 18th, in four days from
Idaho City, and estimate the distance at l3o
miles. have been out prospecting every day
since got to camp, and as yet have not found
ANYTHING to be relied upon. The stream is
called Loon creek, and is one of the tributaries
of Salmon river. 1t contains about 1000 IN
ches of water at this time. The creek is about
twelve miles long, and claims are " filed" or
recorded the whole length. SO far the only
diggings struck are in the creek, or on iittle
side bars Those who have claims don't ap-
pear to use any exertion to open them, WIN
the exception of a few companies, VINO VIII
get ready to start to work IN about week.
After that shall be better able to form more
correct opinion of the diggings: Beyond doubt
there is rich ground here, and iew-say SIX
or eight-have very rich claims. In these %
and IS to the pan is often got, and those are
thing said. The holders of nearly all the re-
naming claims refuse to allow their ground TO
be prospected, but they ask enormous prices
for them These claims may or may not De
good. but no one can know till the test is made.
have no doubt but this will be good little
camp, but on account of the high water in the
early part of the season, do not think the
working season will be any longer than 1t Is
Boise Basin. The trouble here will be too
much water, and miners will have TO wait un-
til the water in the creek is low, SO as to work
them-say in July or August. But there VIII
be- this advantage: when the season ordinarily
ends in Boise Basin, il will just about com
mencr here, and thus full, long season can
be had by working claims III both regions
there and here.
According TO the Mining Laws adopted here,
claims are held without representation for
thirty days after they are recorded, and after
that time expires each claim must be worked
one day in seven The thirty days period of
the first holders will expire III a few days, and
as many of the claimants are absent, chance
will b. given 10 those present 10 take the
ground. ] will remain here for three or four
weeks yet, TO See ho"t he thing will turn out.
have tried Ia buy claim, but the price asked
is more than | shall pay.
DO not mink IL Is Soou place 10 ecHu o"'
any merchandise until more can be- asccrtaned
of the extent and average pa, OF the diggings
Money is very scarce, and nearly all here are
men who have had hard luck III other camps
and have come here Ia make a strike.
| would advise all my friends 10 remain
where thy are until things shall be- better de-
yeIoped Al present there is no chance I" get
a claim without paying big price tor 1t, and
not enough is known of the ground 10 justify
person in doing So. | will write you when
ever the claims are better opened and their
character can be fairly estimated.
W. ii. BOWMAN.