The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1873-04-17
A GLANCE AT IDAHO TERRITORY.
Her Geographical Position, Resources
- Climate and scenery.

Climate and scenery.
1d.ho rarr;tnrv of which probably less is CORRECTLY
Known abroad than Of any other portion Of tn
national domain, of equal extent and Importance
lies between the 42d and 49th parallels of North at
ftudc and between longitude ITO and lit west IRON
Greenwich. It is bounded on the east by Wyoming
and Montana; on the south by Utah and Nevada; OF
the west by Oregon and Washington, and on tn
north by the British Possessions; and OF course par
takes IL some degree Of the reculiarities aud &C
knowledged excellence of each OF those countries
The form of the Territory is triangular and it has
superficial area Of about 10000 square miles. TIT
Organic Act creating Idaho Territory was signed by
the President and took effect the Sd day of March
1868. since which time, with an average aggregate
population of less than 10000. all told, her mines
have contributed to the golden stream Of the world
commerce more than $50 DOC. 600. At this time, witt
population of less than 5000. including Indians
her annual yield of the precious metals is estimated
BY Mr.. D. F. Wagner w.. +. Co.'S Agent in this city
and very competant authority. at S6.OO0.0 oO-tht
product of the labor Of about 1000 men. This is be
lieved to be greater YIELD in proportion to the time
consumed aud the number OF men employed and
facilities used. than is shown by any other mining
Avs"
Report on the Mineral Resources West OF the
Rocky Mountains" made in 1867. WILL indeed. shoH
that the mines Of Oregon yielded at that time q
greater return, for the labor done and the number
of hands employed than any other one Of the States
or Territories reported But Idaho stood second
on the list-her annual yield being put down. at that
time, at $1,000, 600; number Of hands employed,
{. 000 Oregon, employing in her mines only 1000
men. showed per annum yield of So 100000. Still.
when it is remembered that mining was then an in.
dustry of seventeen years standing in Oregon that
her miners had every preparation and facility for the
proper and successful working Of their mines. and
for saving the gold. which long experience could
suggest and means procure: that the seasons there
are such that labor in the mines be, aud is, pros
ecuted with comfort and profit to the miner the en-
tire year, while here in Idaho. all mining operations
have to be suspended in tho mountain districts dur
ing period of from four to six months every year.
and that mining at that time more venture
than an industry; and when the further fact Is con-
sidered that, Notwithstanding the number of men
engaged in mining here has decreased by about one
third the annual production of gold and silver is
not materially lessened it will be readily conceded
that our mines scarcely second in richness,
to those of Oregon and the disparity in the number
Of men engaged in mining in the two localities VIII
indicate the greater extent of mines.
Gold has been found and usually in paying quantities.
in very many of the streams well in the bars AID
hills fronting and adjacent to them in all parts of
The Territory; aud new discoveries continue 10 be
made every year. Quartz lodges have also been found
in various localities, from many of which the most
catering prospects have been obtained both Of gold
and silver. Iron, lead. copper and plumbago have
been found in different portions Of the Territory in
quantities sufficiently abundant to justify the belief
that their production will hereafter become prof;a-
Bile sources Of employment; traces OF tin. bismu,h
md coal have also been found. aud in at leas: ono
ccality in the Territory aluminite occurs in large
Quantities. The few quartz mills in operation in the
Territory are. so far as known, paying handsome
dividends on the capital invested IN spite of the facts
hat the methods employed for Saving the metals are
rude aud unreliable; ard our quartz miners. as a
states and Territories. These latter inconvenience
lime and speedier and cheaper means of commnni
alton and importation will soon overcome. Tho
'ield Of our god-bearing rock ranges all the way
rom ten to one hundred and fifty dollars 10 the ton
hat OF silver bearing rock 10, ordinarily. about
wenty per cent. higher. Exceptional instances oc-
ur here, as Ia any other mining locality. Of much
,reatcr yields bat these should have bearing on
statement touching the average richness Of mines.
much greater drawback to the development Of
var mines, however, and the one from which they
AVE suffered moro In reputation than from all
thers, is to be found In the practice Of Eastern and
,uropean capitalists who become rested In fher,
ending out here as foremen and superintendent,
o-called mining experts and scientific ~ men, who
trut in fine linen, faunt their jewelry and din their
ifalutin jargon in the faces and ears of the popu.
'ce, to the complete mysthcation of the uniniatcd,
ut who, knowing even less about practical mining |
han they do about the metallurgc art, end by sink
,g the money Of their employers. and destroying
ne reputation Of their mires. Whenever this folly |
abandoned and men of sense and integrity, who
re practical miners, given the places now occu
led by fops and charlatans from New York and Lon.
on. the change will be found highly advantageous
, all concerned-our mines will pay, and will at
nee take q leading position in the confidence and
larkets of the country.
OF our placer mines. which have already been re-.
fred to extending almost the whole length and
readth Of the Territory, those of Boise Basin are
y far the richest most durable and important
ere the hills, bars and gnches have been worked
nee 1863 But portions Of Grimes. More and Elk
reek, and OF several of their tributaries, although
nown to contain gold in paying quantities. were be.
eyed to be too fiat to be Mined and were according.
deemed valuable only for dumping grounds and
sed Tor that purpose until sometime in 1871, when
company was formed for the purpose Of luming
t6o,,, n-n1 |
10 practicability of the enterprise established:
" Tor granting the necessary privileges 10 the Com.
my drafted and forwarded to our Delegate in Con-