The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1878-07-19
Original Story.
FRONTIER sketches
NUMBER NINETEEN
By JOHN j. HEALY.

There is perhaps no class Of people on
the face of the earth who have encounter
ed more dangers and endured mora hard
ships in pursuit Of their calling than have
the miners and gold hunters Of the North
west. The lives Of the gold seekers in the
early days of our Territory were indeed
Z continuous scenes Of perilous adventure,
for they were constantly surrounded by
swarms of the most hostile Indians and
their journeys in quest Of new fields OF
wealth were attended with difficulties and
sufferings which no pen could properly
describe. Hundreds, yes, thousands, oi
the brayest men that ever sfOuldered a
rifle have perished miserably in the noun
tain regions of the West while searching
for natures stores of hidden wealth. All
the gold the mountains contained would
hardly have repaid the toll and dangers q
one expediti0n such as have endeaVored
to describe. But love of adventure had
perhaps more to do with this and similar
trips through enexplored regions than had
the hopes and expectations we entertained
of finding rich and extensive stores Of gold.
Though the obstacles We encountered
proved more serious than any of US had
anticipated, We knew almost to a certainty
at the start that we had perilous task be
fore us, while we felt that our prospects
for making rich discoveries were, to say
the least, extremely doubtful, for the exact
location Of the reported quartz vein was
not positively known and at no time dur
ing the trip could We feel quite certain that
we were travelling in the right direction Or
that we should live to reach our des
tination.
Other expeditions may have resulted
more disastrously, but few could have
been attended with more discouraging CIR
cumstances. Wherever we had prospect
Cd for gold the soil proved rich enough to
encourage Us to search still further, bat
after the Indians came upon as we had
little time to think Of anything but saving
our lives, and we soon parted with all our
mining tools and had not the means, If
we had tile time and inclination, 10 con.
ttnue prospecting.
The Indians were no longer in sight on
the fourth day after their first attack. We
had discarded everything except our arms
and an Ak. Drscoll and Perkins now
favored making raft and trusting our
selves to the river, but Bostwick and |
preferred being killed by the Indians. We
travelled unmoles;ed for three days more
ater the Indians had disappeared, aud We
considered ourselves safe from those be
hind US, at least, but did net know how
many might be ahead Of US, and only
waiting favorable opportunity to pounce
Upon us from some convenient point.
Our provisions were all consumed and
we had not tasted food of any kind for
two days, when we reached the north fork
Of the Salmon, and found spot where
Orr and party had evidently camped for a
day or two. Here BostWick killed one
grouse which he carefully divided, giving
each man an equal share. Our friends
ahead were evidently faring no better than
ourselves. The point where they had
rested was marked by tree which they
had used TO bridge the stream, and the
camp was at the point Of fine appearing
quartz ledge which resembled very much
the spot we were in search OF. II had no
interest for US now, however, as we were
thinking more of our stomachs th.n of
gold. Our condition was now alarming.
There was no sign of any kind OF game
and we were actually starving. We tried
to appease our hunger BY eating lamb
quarters, but they only sckened Us aud
added to our su1erings. We let the river
aud took to the mountaiss in hope Of fad !
ing game. Our route led through high, |
rolling hills with cement gravel pillars
and banks, we'll watered by numerous
streams and having the appearance Of !.
gold bearing country. But as We were
unable TO find any game We soon left the
high ground and took to the river again,
striking the latter near the mouth Of the
south fork While camped here, drying
our clothes, which had became saturated
rom heavy rainfalls, We Wele surprised BY |
the sudden flashing up Of a fire, three
tines in succession, on the opposite side Of
tie river, lowed by other flashes here and
there along tie stream. we knew the In
dian signal but too well and our proposed |
rest for that ght vas ended. We moved on
again until completely exhausted ne laid
down il clump Of willows and Gid not
wake until The sun was high Up il the
heavens.
The country now vas very open and
there was little chance for escape II case
Of attack. Hunger began To- tell seri-