The Elk Mountain pilot., 1880-06-24
THE RESERHA I7ON.

this place, but prospects are very en-
couraging for some rich strikes before
long, as that whole region is being
thoroughly examined by competent
army of prospectors. The passage Of
the Ute agreement bill, and the ap-
polntment of the Commissioners to
accept the ratification Of the treaty
with the Indians, and to establish the
boundaries Of the new reservation,
gives us assurance that the President S
proclamation will socn be issued, when
titles to the land may be secured.
The whole region extending from the
Gunaison river north 800 miles, and
west to the Utah line is now practi-
cally opened to settlement and civil
zatlon, and we hope soon to be called
upon to chronicle the location of sey-
eral bonanzas.
There is considerable fine scale gold
on the North Fork of the Gunnison,
fifty miles northwest from here. Some
four miles in length On the creek below
the mouth Of the Muddy branch, have
been located some very fine placers
and leads, and a party Of about thirty
men are engaged in sinking for bed
rock, which is difficult undertaking,
as the water is high and the stream
fiat, with numerous large boulders in it.
The formation in this section is clay,
and black lava, without any
indication of ledges, and where the
gold comes from IS mystery, only
time and perseverance will tell the tale.
Where the country deScends
rapidly to the Man Mountains, near
Grand river, is very fine stock range,
both for summer and winter, and also
on the lower Plateau creek. There
are some fine farming lands on Grand
river, but as there is no indication of
mineral or paying mines known at
present within seventy-fve miles of
there, it is not likely that roads will be
opened into this section for some time,
nor a market for any produce that
might be raised for many years to
come. "San Juan" and :" Henry's
bands of Utes have occupied this sec
ton as a permanent camp for several
years, keeping herd Of cattle at the
west foot of the Man mountains until
last fall, when after the massacre at the
White River Agency, which is only
forty miles from the Grand river cross
ing, they left for more secure quarters
farther south. There is. apparently
not an Indian in the country for one
hundred miles west of Irwin, and north
Of here to Roaring Fork at least.
Three Indians were seen by a party
Of men the second day out from here,
west of Ragged mountain, moving
south out of the country, with small
band of horses. There were no other
signs of Indians in the portion of the
reservation west of here, as reported by
Hon. Richard Irwin and party, who
came into camp few days ago from
the North Fork. They say that there is
game in abundance, and not very
wild.
1t is presumed the Indians have been
south all winter and will not return
this summer. There are two small
sections Of the late reservation that
are now attracting a good deal of at
tention from experienced prospectors !;
one is the high point in the Elk noun
talns, some fifteen to twenty miles
north from here, and the other place
is on the west side of Owens peak and
On the most easterly branches of An
thracite, opposite O-Be-Joyful and
Yule creeks. Some low grade galena
has been found in there, but the snow
lies so long and SO deep on these steep
sides that it may be weeks
yet before that promising portion Of
our newly acquired territory can be
thoroughly ,prospected.
Another inviting section is the high
range lying from fifteen to forty miles
southwest from this place. Mr.. James
Pringle, of Rosita, with party of
about dozen friends, well equipped
for a months trip, left here for that
section, and will prospect the country
thoroughly before returning.