Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1878-07-18
NEW GOLD DISCOVERIES.
The Wind River Mountains Mineral
Researches.-ExiStin Geological
Evidence Reveals Good Indi.
cation Tor Rich Mines
Gold Found. but No.
thing Big.

Gold Found. but No.
thin. Big.
l FoRT CUSTER. Montana.
! July Z, 1873.
To the Editor Of the Arant Courier:
Having inst retul ned from prospecting
, tour, contribute to the COURIER som
, facts regarding this country. On tn
, stream called Stinkingxater, below tn
first citiyon. we found prospects rangin,
from ~ to % cents to the pan on bed roc
quality of gold, large scale and small
shot. These prospects were limited an,
by no means extensive, being confined t,
bed rock only. The gravel wash Or allu
vial deposits contained gold, but only fin
colors of dour and scale gold. and not il
paying quantities, even with the hydraulic
Prospects found at this place will probabl,
pay from So to So per day to the man will
a rocker. The origin Of the heavy gold il
undoubtedly in the lower canyon range
which view is substantiated by existenc,
OF sufficient geological evidence. | also
found virgin silver at this place. The ig
neous fOrittatiOn in this canyon is silicious
granite, or composition of which quartz
is predominant. The upheavel here was
not very great; the igneous rocks were
not thrown to the surface of the limestone,
consequently this range is capped with a
calcariot!s formation, of which its exterior
surface would possess no indication of a
metalliferous region to practical miner.
There are interesting subterraneouS cav
ems in this vicinity, reeking with noxious
fumes, and a person would think he was
near the crater Of an active volcano by the
ill-smelling gases and constantly exuding
sulphur. This stream can appropriately
be called Stinkingwater.
The observation-disclosures strata here con-
tains some interesting fossiiferous depos-
its. which would I've much sought after by
some scientists, but to the metalliferous
geOlogist of no interest.
The total length of the north branch is
Is miles. reached a point Is miles above
where the source of the stream 1.-THE north
fork comes from. Indications and pros
poets were not very promising On this
stream. The formation here being spe-
ces of lava and caicarious conglomeration,
some quartz was ferruginous, but other
wise bearing no indications OF being aur-
ferrous.
Length of the south fork, GO miles,
| reached the source, but it was rough
trip. From tile lower canyon, or the
junction of the two streams, to the first
canyon on the south fork ! found to be 80
miles. This stream possesses fair induce
ments to quartz prospectors. The igneous
geological formation commences IS miles
above the lower canyon range; its width
is II miles. east and west Its composition
is a fine grain blue and gray granite. Con-
siderable quartz in this belt, of which all
| saw was metalliferous, bearing iron, cop
per. silver and gold, or carrying such indi-
cations as could be considered Il criterion,
as have not tested it all yet.
Volcanic action was intense in this vicin-
ity. Much of the formation was once a
liquid scOriaceOus dross fused by the in
tense pleutOnic action. While on the
mountain side the lava flows and glacial
grooves portray the dynimical forces, and
leave evidence of the elements to which it
has been subjected. The altitude of the
highest peaks, judging from the limits of
vegetation. is about 1850 feet above the
ocean level, or being 5000 feet above tim
Der limits. This grat1ite belt widens. go
ing south. and in the vicinity of Gray Bull
and Wind River the gittering peaks loom
up like giant sentinels, with their snowy
crests tinged with blue glacial crowns. and
clothed with a polar cline. They are
looked upon with wonder. awe and admir-
alton as they tower in their picturesque
grandeur, and stamp on our mind IN in
delible impression, which can never be for
gotten.
Ipredict in some of these peaks towers
the eliminating point OF the United States.
l think all that is wanted to reveal the
mineral treasures of this unprospected and
region is the right kind OF
of science, and those
who are rot afraid of the pick and shovel
when they see indications. There have
been great many men about the foe hills
OF these mountains, and because they do
not find paying prospects they become
discouraged, leave the country, and call it
Il tirst-class deception, willie at tie same
time they were not in the mountains. Such
men here do as much good as the tender
foot pilgrims from the East, who expect
to find gold on top of the ground or grow
ing on the trees. We don't want pleasure
seekers, or tourists, nor broken down
dead-beats of 40, who only saw a crevice,
knife and pan in California, and go to a
new country witt, the superstition that
gold is found only in a certain formation,
which they know was indigenous to that
glorious State. But on tie contrary, pros
pectors should try any Of the primitive
geological deposits, or deposits of any Of
the igneus rocks when they know they are
in volcanic country, and as tie old by
word typities, "Gold is where you find it,
and from my experience l entertain the
same idea. However, science l think in
all cases can trace it to its origin, and
leaves no doubtful tenure or conjecture as
to its source. Therefore l shall say no
more on this subject.
The flora of this country is very inter-
esting. Flowers Of great diversity and
extensive diffusion are found in great pro-
fusion, rivaling the famous floral valley OF
the Black Hills in rs. The queen of flow
ers, the rose, is found here growing in re-
clusters on the green mountains,
while its fragrant aroma nelts on the
passing zephyrs.
Time and space are inadequate to give an
essay regarding the ornithology and 70
Ology of this country. Birds are found to