The Ketchum keystone. (Ketchum, Idaho) 1881-1884, 1883-11-03
THE EMIGRATION EXCEEDING THE
INFLUX.


l6psotaI Correspondence TO the KEysToNEJ
Mr.. John r. Kelly, well known pio-
moor Of Wood River. who left here in
june for Northern Idaho has arrived at
the C@ur dAlepe gold fields, and writes
III the following interesting letter from
Lower Prichard under date Of Oct. Goth
EDrroK KEYsToNE:I am in the scene
OF the great gold excitement; arrived
here with pack animal via Mission on
the 18th; have spent one week among
old timers in the cndeavor to discover
the true merits OF the so-callcd paradise
Of gold and already stakedsout Que claim
in which, by three days prospecting, |
have found as high as Ave cents TO tho
pan. The country is overrun with ex-
migration turns around and may be
seen going out within ten days from it's
arrival. II | have friends on Wood
River contemplating trying their luck, z
perhaps n few unprecedented words of
warning will save them many hard
deal aud many dollar. The stories
heard before coming here, have found
10 have been generally magnified about
ten times. mud must express my disap-
pointment, sncil as IL only the usual fate
OF nine tenths now daily arriving.
There arc q few elaims here that have
been worked with profit, the best pay
Ing about SIS per day, and others much
less. While the excitement Is grossly
unfounded. still there is some good
gravel here, that VIII pay when the conn
try is properly developed and capital
Is obtained sufficient to bring In water.
The country is very fiat, and most of the
ground lying between Upper and Lower
Pnchard, the two camps, can be worked
only by bringing water u distance of
from twelve to twenty five miles "The
Widow claim, owned by Pricbard and
| others, IN the only one producing any
considerable amotint now, and this has
yielded about 81 900 10 date to five dig
gers The Ives caim is also considered
good, Thcrc Is plenty OF ground here.
bat hundreds Of acres OF apparently
good ground that doesn't contain the
miners salt" There nre 400 men here
who haven't any ground whatever, and
those Who are not preparing to leave
manage to make living ut ehopping,
building mud gambling. A few moneyed
men with fair ground furnishing work
in the PREPARATION of winter quarters,
tiume building etc.
The altitude la very high. tho weather
cold and an early, hard and long winter
is anticipated. II is said TINT snow falis
hero TO the depth Of from ten to twenty
feet, and Judging from the nature OF
vegetation. should think it very likely.
Those who are not nbnnduntly supplied
| With grub, blankets and other neeessa-
nes. will suffer Winter Is threatening
now, IN faet, we hive had several light
SHOWS. and once set ii It viii not break
up hefore June lst,
The trip Ia Is a miserable one. The
tra!tes mrs very rugged and steep in
many plaees. while the timber is often
troublesome ind number of the
streams ire almost inpassahIe.
10 my Wood River friends | would
shy don't come hsys VI. unless oil want t.
taka desperate chances and endure ii
heap of hardships. . I am not preiu-
diced ngainst the country. but know
whereof speak 4 vast extent of conn.
| Try has heen staked off eaeh why from
FrIehara creek. hui some Of it, md |
venture to say much Of it. doesn't con.
/ tain u color. There Is some chance for
1t is settled TINT there is SOME good
ground here; but 1t can be found only
by extensive prospecting. There Is no
earthly foundation fer an excitement.
send this letter by parties going ont
md viii write again il opportunity pre-
SCENTS itself am fixing to stay for tile
winter because, 10 be honest, am mn
able ia get ont. Give my regards to the
Wood River boys aud tell them hope
they Will take care Of their own interests
/ by staying where they are.
Respectfully. j. r. kEIr.EY,