The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1869-08-26
LOON CREEK-ORO GRANDE.

ence in prospecting and mining, we have
gathered interesting information in respect to
the newly discovered placers on Loon creek,
which have lately created so much excitement
in this whole region, and we presentit to read
ers as follows:
Mr.. Knapp left Loon creek on Monday, Aug.
10th, and came into Idaho City in four days
easy riding. He estimates the distance ut l3o
miles, and says it can be rode easily in three
DAYS by practised riders ON good animals. All
the way in he continually met parties or indl-
viduals bound for the new camp, mounted or
on foot, some from the various Basin camps,
and others from the Valleys and the adjoining
counties. At Deadwood ne met 10. Galatlon's
train with cargoes of merchandise, which lett
here few days before, and near there ne also
met party who were taking out the tools,
material, &c, for blacksmith shop in the
new dipgings. The road from Loon creek,
this way, leads up the creek, over high d-
vide, and down the mountain, total OF SIX
teen miles, and from that on to DeadwOod-
about fifty five miles-it is almost natural
wagon road, through succession of pretty
valleys, and wood and water are plenty all the
way. The streams afford fine fishing, and
along the route grouse and fool chickens
abound SO that the traveller need never want
for game But there is larger game, not 50 at
tractve to those who are not amply prepared
in every way either to encounter or escape
from the rarmints These are the bears-ot
the grizzly, black and brown species, Mr.
Knapp says 10. Galation one morning missed
a clay bank horse, and in quest of it thought
he saw the animal in clump of brush. With
bride in hand Jo. hurried towards the animal,
and in careless surety had got within few
feet of his object, when it rose up on It's hind
feet, faced Jo., and gave a snort as If ready for
war Gaation says he hadn't lost any grizzly
from his train; that he didn't want any bear
nohow; and that he dindn't think it right TO
take nybody clse's bear, anyhow So he didn't
try to put bride on that animal. He changed
front rapidly and made the best time his
/" game" leg permitted back to his camping
ground On Cape Horn creek, forty miles be-
yond Deadwood, Mr.. Knapp saw brown aud
black bears, and on Bear creek, fifteen miles
beyond Deadwood, he came close upon griz-
zly before he was aware of his bearshp's pres
ence With excellent discretion, Mr.. X. speed
lily got away from the spot, and was much re-
joiced to find that grizzly didn't follow him.
From Deadwood to this Basin, by way either
Of Payette Valley and Paceryille, or by the
Pioneer City route, the way ls so generally
The spot located for trading post, camp, or
town, in the new dggings, is called ORC Grande,
and is about two miles below the point where
the trail enters the creek dlggings in gong
from this direction. 1t is opposite the richest
claims SD far struck on the creek and when
Mr.. Knapp left preparations were being made
by Mr. Wentworth, q carpenter we'll known
here to put up the first house or cabin in the
camp IN the course of few days The house
will be occupied by 10. Galation for a store
and so far his is the only store in ORC Grande
The mining fields lie between two steep
high mountains which extend up and down the
creek and the space from base 10 base will not
average more than 500 feet All along on this
narrow creek bottom, and on the low and high
benches back towards the mountain bases, the
diggings are found, and claims have been To-
Gated for distance Of fifteen miles Four
Mining Districts have been organized, and the
Recorders chosen Nat Smith, of Pioneer
City, is Recorder Of one District. John Cody
Of Moretown, of another, and the other two
Recorders are from Leesburg, Lemhi. A
claim may be held six days without record.
after that time it must be recorded to be held
aud once recorded each claim can be held
thirty days without being worked. The claims
are all numbered in the order they are re-
corded, and the Recorders fee in each case IS
81. Nat. Smith had taken up all the rights for
mining bitches. The best claims yet found are
held by men from Leesburg and Montana,
but all who had gone from this region had good
locations, and were generally satisfied with the
chances. Usually pay dirt has been found at
from five to twelve feet depth, but in claim
owned by Henry Pierce (of this place. and
John Cody they had sunk twenty feet in search