The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1880-10-02
EASTERN IDAHO.
The Wood River Country ana IT'S Mines.
Correspondence of the Silver STATED
BLAcKFooT, Sept. %, so.

sonth of Chaflis and Bonanza, while
the distance between the two districts
is ONLY GO or 20 miles by dtaicult trail,
the usual mode of travel is by stage
from Challis to Areo Junction, 60 miles,
and thence to Bellevue on Wood River,
70 miles farther, and this was the
route | took.
AT BELLEVUE
We find a town of so families living in
in log houses, while at least 80 more
houses are in process of erection, to &C
commorate those wishing to occupy,
who are now camping on the ground
either in wagons or under improvised
shelter of brush or tents. One hard
ware, and two general merchandise
firms supply large quantities OF goods
to the numerous prospectors and ada
cent mining camps through this region,
aud of which the place seems the natu
raj centre. Although Bellevue is nicely
located, and has good start, having
been entirely built since last May.
there are in it, like there Is IN all new
towns. those restless spirits. who are
never satisfied, and they have organ
lied movement for the purpose OF
changing the base to a new town some
SIX or seven miles up the river, SO. ere
long there will be rival town to divide
the trade and population. Ii the Wood
River mining districts turn out as well
as present indications justify the belief
they will, 5here VIII be room for numer'
Gus towns as supply points. The nearest
mines Being developed are in what is
known here as the
BOYLE DISTRICT,
Where unlike other Wood River dis
rricts, the ores contain gold with the
silver. All of Wood River is known best
as silver producing, and the exception of
Soyle's camp suggests that south OF
there the mineral may develop into a
gold belt. The most noted and best
worked prospect is named OHIO, and
gives promise of rich yield. The fact
that the strikes there have been made
within the past few weeks, makes it
impossible to speak definitely ct the
mines and their value, but | can safely
say that indications are very tlattering
The camp known as Bullion is located
about eight miles from Bellevue, and
has come so prominently before the
public the past few months that par
tial descrip.:un will not be ort of the
way in the SILVER STATE. Here the
hills are neither high nor broken, but
rather uniform in structure. the coun
try rock bsing slate and. porphyry. In
May last the May Flower was struck,
and two extensions made on the north
and one on the south, the latter being
called Bullion. and work progressing
most rapidly upon it, gave the name of
the lode and town as
BULLION
Eirst sinking a shaft 66 feet on tbs lode,
then tunnel was ran in to intersect'
the shaft at it's base. This tunnel is in
vein matter nearly the entire length of
III feet, and at places the vein has
been cross cut, showing it to be six or
eight feet thick The ore is galena,
and runs frsm 200 to 500 ounces sill
yer per ton and good per cent. of lead
Twelve men are operating the mine,
working continuously and are taking
out largs quantities of ore, which is
hauled to the railway and shipped to
Salt Lake City, where it finds y ready
market. The May Flower was bonded
to Utah PARTIES. who in sinking shaft
at the discovery point, went down
straight, and in doing so cut through
the ledge twice, because the ledge at the
top dips to the west, then curved and
dips to the east, leaving an angle or
elbow on the west side of the shaft.
The fact that thoss sinking the shaft
refused admittanoe to the shaft while
in their hands, and that the vein was
not followed in sinking has given some
grounds for suspicion that there was an
attempt upon their part to secure good
mines at very low figures by causing
the mine to look badly, and by the cir.
culaton of reports that it had pinched
out, petered out, had no bottom, and
other such stories as became very com
mon at the time. Being on the same
lode, | see no reason why the May
Flower is not as good as the Bullion.
which at point over 100 feet lower
down has widened out, and. grown richer
all the while. When bonds were given
on the May Flower and'two extensions,
it caused an excitement in favor of this
district that became wild with enthus-
assn, and all predicted great things to
come from it,, aud when adverse reports