Weekly Trinity journal., 1872-11-23
TWO MONTHS IN THE CASCADES
A World of Wealth UncxpIored.


MessrS. Hughes, Franks, Mercer and
Harney, four gentlemen of our acquaint-
ance, living in the southern part of the
State, returned from two months tour
of inspection and prospecting, in the
Cascade range OF mountains east of this
city. 1t has long been the supposition of
Pioneers OF this part of our coast, that
the wealth of California existing in the
Sierra mountains did not terminate alb
ruptly with the boundary line between
the two States, and the intention has often
been expressed in our hearing, by differ
ent examiners and others, that at some
period it was their intention 10 organize
\ party to explore what seems to be an
terra inco9RitO, Of Oregon. Believing
rs they did that already discovered quartz
lodges, lodes of plumbago, and different
minerals exhibited rs having been obtain
ed in this section, presaged the existence
of mines and gems as rich and plenty rs
the first FL Dorado which peoplcd the
Pacific Coast. Among the most enthusi-
astc were the four gentlemen above men
toned, men who have trund ed their
rockers in the golden wales OF California,
and with pick and pan delvcd with the
adventures of the Northwest in mnnv of
their "strikes." These gentlemen started
in company, about the middle Of August
last, completely fitted out for mountain
eering, and prospecting, with two pack
animals only, for carrying stores. etc
They went to near Oregon City, and tax
ing the Foster trail for the Big Sandy,
followed it from the first crossing near
Revnew's to its source Mt Mount Hood.
They report nothing of interest found ON
that river. They tested the sands of the
stream in different places, MS they did also
the bed or channel sand in other streams
that flow off to the east aud south east
from Mt. Hood, but report nothing more
gltterlng than mica to be found in any
of them. Leaving the old emigrant road
through by Bnrlow's Gate, they struck
out southwark through the Cascade range
bearing to the left of Mount Jefferson
without any trail other than that of wild
animals, occasionally found in >wales and
rugged passes. This was the difficult and
what they hoped tor-the interesting
difficulties besetting the journey rivals
the wanderings of Ponce dc Leon, or
De Sofa, and the evidence they bring
with them OF the immense treasures which
lie hidden in these wids are far more
substantial than mere fame or story.
Forty or fifty ounces of beautiful shot
gold, and dust, and blu.h-gray quartz
literally scanned with gold, beautiful am
ethysts, II blood red mineral closely re
scmbing ruby, emerad-, II variety of
agates, are all exhibited by these gentle
men rs trophies Of their journey. Last
but not least, they have what they claim
To be velitabe diamonds, two or three in
number, and certainly il we may Judge
by their beauty in the rough state, they
have good cause for their belief. The
gentlemen say their dust and shot gold
wore obtained with rockers on the different
streams they passed, and that the quart
and precious stones were surface gican-
ings. They have marked we'll their
course and report a determination to re-
turn again next season in company with
Others who wish TO see for themselves.
The party, besides prospecting, enjoyed
great deal of sport in the month of
August, but as they found hunting and
finding treasure nobler sport they spent
most OF the time after their first "hnd,"
on the Sd Of September, in prospecting
and they were compelled to make haste
in order to get out Of the mountnins be.
fore the Winter SHOWS set in. They re-
turned, as before stated, yesterday, by
the southern Oregon trail, proof in mp
pearance Of their hardships and rough
experience.
This, more than ever cohvinccs us in
the belie'that Oregon's wealth is as yet
undiscovered.