The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1880-10-06

GDItOR SILVER OIAiLs III loi hiVi
letters / gave some idea OF the rich
resources of the countries known as
Challis, Bonanza, Salmon, and Wool
River districts. Here we have net
work Of
RICH MINERAL DISTRICTS,
Embraced in country extending nearly
100 miles from north to south and east
and west. The many mines now SO far
developed that the world has some
idea of their wealth, is something of an
index for what we may expect from
the numerous prospect holes in the
hands of men lacking the energy and
means to make mines of them. In all
| countries it takes muscle, brains and
capital to bring rich returns from any
| and every class OF mines. vet there is a
vast difference in the quantity of those
demanded. because the conditions are
so different. No place in my expert
ence have I seen more flattering pros
poets than in the country under consid
Grafton, and yet prior to the present
| time. the obstaa les have been very grea,.
| Heretofore prospectors have had to con-
tend against the great distance from
| supplies. the absence of residents. and
an inferior knowledge of the country.
| Since good roads have been established.
the outfitting store, hotels, shops and
other necessaries are there, and the
| country is becoming so weil-known
| that information of routes can be had
| from almost every one there. Roads
! have been so we'll constructed and
marked out that points are reached
with ease. 1t is true that the vast net
! work of CANYONS, streams and noun
! tains lying between Salmon River and
Wood River has not as yet good road,
vet the numerous trails afford good pas
sage. and that portion of country to
much extent has been left untouched
nv the prospector. Taking Big Lost
! River as the present northern limit OF
| known mineral district we find numer-
Gus promising prospects along the range
skrting that stream. and such IS the
| fact with the numerous streams enter
ing the great Lava Plains. between Big
Lost River and Wood River. These
facts indicate rich mineral regions
throughout all the country | have
classed I'm a district 100 miles square.
because when we find it all around the
rim. it is reasonable to suppose the
center equally rich.
ADVANTAGES AND DRAWBACKS OF THE
COUNTRY.
Last Winter was one OF unprecedent-
ed fall OF snow, and depressed Their
mometer, and the Spring was very
backward in opening. so that it was as
late as Nav and June before people be-
gln to flock in there, and the result has
gwen a large influx Of people, who are,
with remarkably few exceptions, well
pleased with the situation. Capitalists
! are turning their attention thltherward,
ami we may expect very rapid future
| DEVELOPMENTS. The ores are nearly all
easily smelted, and with an abundance
OF wood, there is 10 lack OF fuel for
that purpose. The two smelters, one
at Bay Horse, and the other at Clay ton,
both ON the Salmon above Cnalhs, are
successfully reducing abont thirty tons
| of ore per day, and turning ont rich
bullion. Three CT four very poor
arastras, near Bonanza, constitute all
the other means OF reducing ores, so
the balance of ore mined las to be
shipped to Salt Lake City for reduc-
ton. Several smelters would find pro-
fitalile employment in the Woosl River
country. and are greatly needed there.
The Custer mill will be III operation
within the next month, but rs She work
done will be confined exclusively to
their own ore, its operations Will rot
help the other mine owner2 Several
similar mills could be operated in the
Yankee Fork district All along the
Yankee York, far above Custer and
Ronauza to its junction with the SAL
mon, mines are being opened up and the
ore sent abroad for reduction. Mine
owners in that particular district have
been holding out for high prices, and
the difference in prices as set by pur-
chasers and owners have been so great,
that few properties have changed hands,
but now owners are asking more rea-
sonable figures, and good investments
can be had. The demands at Bellevue,
ketchum and Galena for smelters are
such as to offer good inducements for
the erection of them ut those places.
The class of mining men gong in to
these districts can best be indeed by
the simple statement that Utah and
Nevada are supplying the greater pre-
portion of them, and the fact that not
| one OF these miners have urged obiec-
tions to these districts is, probably the
best eason 1 could give in commenda-