The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1874-03-12
THE cAssIAR MINES.


We publish this from the Owyhee Avalanche
for the perusal of such of our readers as may
contemplate visit to that wonderful Eldorado
If the frozen North-the Stickeen mines.
The facts stated do not differ materially from
statements lately made to us by miner in this
vicinity, concerning the Stickeen mines aud
the difficulty of getting into the country. Our
informant was there for thirteen menths, and
thinks he was lucky to get away alive. As to
the mines there being richer than here, they
may aud may not be. All far away discover
les are rich, until visited, when their richness
generally vanishes. But if Stickeen is an ex.
ception, and is really rich, not one in thousand
who goes there will be as we'll of as if they
had staid at home:
A correspondent, writing from Victory, v.
l.. under date Of February 18th. says:
l wish to give friendly word OF caution 70
all miners who may think OF starting TOT tne
new mines that were discovered up in British
Columbia last Summer. During the last three
months about two hundred men lett Victoria
bound for the Cassiar mines. The trip up as
far as Fort Wrangle is q pleasant one, aud
this place is right opposite the mouth OF the
Stickeen river; distance. about seven miles
across. The climate at Wrangle is quite mild,
| hut when YOU leave the mouth of the river
YOU will be Citing into winter quarters. Every
three or four miles that you advance up, the
colder it becomes; and God only knows what
hurdships and sufierings those poor men have
had to encounter who have started up during
the last six weeks
| The steamer, Otter, Captain Lewis. ar.
k.en
board w. Farron, who got up the river about
forty miles. and as his glove on his left hand
was not long enough to cover or reach his coat
sleeve. in short time his wrist was frozen and
immediately began to swell up. and the result
WAS he had 10 turn back, with his hand IN a
terrible condition. from which be has lost three
of his fingers.
| When the thermometer is. say. twenty five
degrees above zero up there, II Is colder. owing
| 10 the bleak, cutting winds that you are sure
Ia meet all the way mp that river. fhap1t
would be- in ether places where 1t stood at
four degrees below. There are times when
these winds come down with such violence
tina, il is all a man can do Ia stand up against
them no, 10 speak OF packing pound. The
river as general rule is open between the
is, and 18th of May When it is open men
can go all the way by water. except about 80
miles Of trail which they have to travel.
As 10 the excitement of those mines but very
little as vet 10 known. but the three creeks al
ready discovered we're found very rich wherever
the, have been prospccted Tibbard's creek
lis about y, miles long, and from 40 la 90 feet
IN width The men who discovered this creek
told me that with rockers they could average
from one TO SIX ounces per day. and. having
seen Ia; of the dust they brought down, |
could mol think oi questioning their veraci'y
But YOU might ask. Is II Advisable Tor men
who are making from ~ I" 81 per da. IN Cal
lifornia Nevada and Idaho. Ia leave and run
the risk OF making their pile ar losing all they
hare got and their Summers wark besides |.
fnr one would say No" Why! Because
the mining season there is only about four
months: that u.s. from about the Isl of June
Ia the 18th or 2oih al September: and II the
country is rich this year. why. II Is natural.
| think, that il will be rich next year also: and
besides, thex. are hundreds al miners going Ia
ICassiar. from the Peace river and Cariboo
mines ! am of the opinion that there will be
in the ncighborhood of ? 1000 men there by the
LIST Of June. but l have grave doubts il halt
their number will find paying claims.
One very important item however. to all
who may think Of going up the river, s-to be
sure and take provisions enough TO last them
until the season opens for il will be late be-
fore merchants can get mp stores tn amount
10 anything. and then they will charge at the
rate Of starvation prices tor all they may ship
to that market.