Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-12-19
GOLD EXCITEMENT,
Story of al cid miner Just from Coear
d,AIene.

Portland (Oregon) Telegram. Dec. ~
Just now there is great deal Of excite
ment awakening ell over the country about
the great discovery of gold in the Coear
d'Alene country. People in this eity are
getting considerably excited over the mat
ter, and inquiries are coming to this oface
relative to this new Ell Dorado. In order
to be able to furnish some reliable facts
about this new discovery, and particularly
the manner of getting there, etc.. the
Telegram has interviewed a gentleman
who has just returned, and at our request
he has written out his statements for publ
cation. This gentleman can be relied upon
as coel headed and truthful man, and he
has taken special care not to ovsrstate any
thing. Here ia
AN OLD XrNE2's STATEMENT.
Having Just returned from the Ceur
d'Alens mine and meeting so many who
are ANXIOUS to learn the facts regarding
the latest find, I have concluded to give
you plain statement of the situation and
some information which may be of great
value to those intending to go there.
Having no interest there at present, I
think can, without prejudice, give as
clear statement and come as near the
facts regarding these gold fields as could
be desired by the public. shall, I think,
come nearer to the facts than those who
are interested in ''booming" the miues.
They are situated on Pritohard and Lagle
creeks, which are about seventy-five miles
above the mouth of the north fork ofC9ur
d'Alene river. Eagle creek empties into
Pritchard creek about four miles above
where the latter stream joins the river. At
the junction of Prltchard and Eagle creeks
is situated Eagle City, the largest camp
in the mines. About one and half miles
above on Pritchard creek is
being located the town of Lansing.
This is about ITO miles from Rathdrum,
on the Northern Pacific railroad. At pre-
sent the only practicable route to the
mines is via Rathdrum to the military
post on Occur d'Alene lake, which is twelve
miles from Rathdrum, thence by steamer
to what is called the Mission, distanced
from the post fifty three miles. From the
Mission to the diggings, forty Eve miles,
must be made with pack animals or by
snail boats up the river. The pack trains
have ali ceased operations, however, since
the heavy fall of snow. and the
mon running the boats seem to think
it their duty to fleece a traveller out of
every cent ne has for passage money.
Sons who attempted to keep up packing
operations lost their animals. From the
Mission to the mines one has to cross the
river some twenty-eight times, therefore
it is
UTTERLY IMPOSSIBLE AND FooLHARD1
to attempt to pack in afoot. The Indians
conducted most of the pack trains, charg-
ing enormous prices, and since the heavy
fall of snow have left for the valleys, re-
fusing to attempt further operations
at any price, although they could
get fabulous prices to continue. The
route by the old Mullen road, then by
trail over the mountains, is closed for the
season. there being about seven feet of
show on the trail when I lett there. Great
indignation is felt throughout tho camp
toward interested parties who have pub
llshed statements claiming that the mines
| could be reached from Heron Siding.
Some few managed to get in by that route
but it has been closed by snow for weeks.
No trail is yet cut through from there, al
though the attem pt has been made and
abandoned for the present season.
The last parties who atttem pied to
pao in from Heron lost five of their
horses and had to return without getting
through. Another lost his animal, but
managed to get through after being out
eighteen days, nine days of which he sub
sisted on fresh water naussels gotten from
the rocks along tina creek. In fact, it is al
most useless to try to get to the mines at
this season of the year by any route. And,
furthermore, should one reach them moth
ing could possibly be done in the way OF
mining, prospecting Or anything elee.
There is scarcely provisions enough in the
mines to do those already there and
prices for every thing are enormous. To
those who seem to be disposed to rush off
Immediately to the mines would Civ @
this advice: ''Stay where you are till
spring" The last of March or April is
soon enough to start. At that time at least
two light draft steamers (which are now
under construotion) will be plying on
Occur d. AIene lake. These boats will run
forty-two miles above the Mission, or
within three miles of the mines. And this
will be in ample time to secure claims, as
there is large scope of country not yet
prospected.
WORD ABOUT THE MINES.
Isonsider them the best prospect struck
sluOo SOi0 Was ulScoS6F0u Oh tuo COdbb.
The country abounds in rich placers and
quartz veins. The quartz ia free milling.
l found many specimens which will run
from $500 to $4,000 per ton. Many mug
gets are found from S. to $50. A few
days before LETT it was reported one was
found in side gulch worth over 800.
The creeks have been prospected for about
twenty five miles and found rich.
The placers will probably extend
in length fifty miles while the
side gulches will probably pay well. Only
about eight claims have been worked at
different points along the creeks. Most
of these are on disputed ground, and the
amount taken out is hard to get at. L saw
two days run divided between four
men, each getting eight and a half ounces
for his share. There are three different
qualities of gold, running from SIG TO $19
per ounce. The country is quito heavily
timbered. There are about thirty houses
in and about Eagle City. The stripping
runs from two to fifteen feet in thickness,
thu gold mostly being in slate bedrock.
NIX
LATE MINNEAPOLIS NEWS.
Last evening Daniel McCarty, employ
ed in the new elevator B, Of the Milwau