, 1883-12-29

y
Aiizon', Sonora, or Mexico. 1t Is
simply impossible to estimate the ex-
tent Of the new mines. There is not
a stream or gulch so far prOspected
that does not SHOW color in paying
quantities and the quartz bearing
lodges p~njably seam tie entire
range Of mountains for miles and
miles! from present appearances it
would appear that the mines are al
most inexhaustfbIe, and so far there
is no reason to doubt that the ledges
will continue to hold out. The
plIcers, as far as worked, have paid
wonderfully, and as this process Of
mining is yet to be developed it may
yet exceed the expectations OF the
most sanguine.
The C9ur dAlene mines are stu;
ated in the businesses Of the range OF
mountains of the same name situated
about 80 miles east, or d little north
Of east, from Spokane Falls. There
are several routes into the mines,
but very probable next spring the
best and easiest of travel will be from
this city. The route from here on
the now projected road is by Tire way
of the old Mission, and the distance
between 80 and 30 miles. The road
to be built will cut down the distance
now necessary to travel and as it will
be constructed 80 as to escape CROSSE
ing the numerous streams, the route
will be practicable to wagon travel
all the year round. There are sew
eral stations on the trlil, the
chief ones being Post C9ur dAlenG,
the Mission and Evolution, the lat
ter being feeding station. Besides
the overland travel there will be-
cOnveyafices by water from the Post
to within short distance of the
junction Of Prilhard and Eagle
creeks. a company Of experienced
steamboat men has been formed for
the purpose of putting on a light
draught boat to make the run. BY
this means transportation of goods
will be cheapened. There are one or
two towns now laid out in the minesy
Hayes City, that boasts Of the most
houses, rude as they afe, being lOcat-
ed near the junction of the two
streams above mentioned. Next
year there my be several preten-
tious cities spring up, one of which
is bound to assume the importance
of a metropolis. The news Of
the existence of gold was spread
too late in the fall to draw
people from great distance, but the
number going in from sections in
juxterpOsitiOn to the panhandle of
Idaho can be calculated by the hun
dreds. The travel too and fro has
never ceased, and strange to say we
have yet to meet single individual
who has had a word to say against
the gonuinere IS ofthe find, and every
man coming out has expressed ms
determination to return mt an e,Irly
day. These men spread the excite
ment, that travels like a viruIent
catagion, and the result is that there
will be a stupendiOus rush for the
camp next spring. 1t has beer CAB:
culated that fully $4,000 men will go
into the mountains next year, and
we do not consider this an exagger-
alton. There are several hundred
in the mines now and the trails have
been kept open by the steady travel
lack and forth. Jas. II. Kennedy
was down from Rathdrum this week
and states that people are going fn
constantly. BY hard labor the worst
point on the road has been kept pass
able. or course provisions and
everything else is very high in the
mines, though there is little danger
of any great suffering for the neces-
stiles of life. Freighting is 10 cents
per pound, and that is not high con-
sidering horse feed and board. The
charges are 81 for one man and horse
for lodging and feed. Oats are %
cents per pound and hay 81 cents
per pound. Provisions of all kinds
command fabulous prices, and sow
belly and beans are considered %
sumptuOus repast. 1t is plainly evil
dent that Spokane Falls is to figure.
as the principal depot of supplies for
this mining section Situated as il
Is within easy reach Of the camp
containing as It does large wholesale.
houses that are able to ceFaplete In,
prices with those Of Portland or the
mercantile houses Of the east, it is,
but natural to anticipates that the
greater portion Of the trade will drift
in to this point. The minest are
bound to work to the advantage Of
Spokane Falls, ffOt 10 the detEiment
o. other points on the Northern Pa
cific road, that will catch their full
share Of the trade, but from the sit
uation Of the place. ProspectOrs and
Others going into the mines will find
1t to theF financial advantage 10. se-
cure their outfits here, from whence
there will be a. straight and easy
road into the mines. SpokaAe Falls
Is bound to be the great supply de-
pot, all statements to the centrary
Notwithstanding, and fFoa4 that
great source we may loolV for much
of our prosperity during the year to-
come. Already have our merchants
tittedOut hundreds whohave depart
ed to seek their fortunes, and the
trade that has once been. established.