, 1883-12-01

OiTGgOatCtll u llllle lllOlA lAld-loh ~
garding the routes into the mines
that is not entirely correct. The in
formation was contributed for the
especial benefit Of Heron, and in the
effort to make the public believe
that the only feasible trail into the
Ceur d'Alenes is from that point the
paper does other routes on the line a
great injustice. We do not desire to
be misunderstood in our reference to
this matter. In giving the list OF
trails into the mines we do not speak
from any prejudice, but with the
single desire to give information to
that large concourse of people now
contemplating trip to the new El
Dorado. 1t is an assured fact that
the amount of travel next season
will be large enough to people every
trail now in existence, and others
that will be opened. Still those who
are making arrangements to try
their fortunes in the new mineral
fields desire some knowledge re-
garding the manner and way Of get
ting there. The truth about the
Heron trail as we have received it
from parties from the place is this :
Some time this fall a sum of money
was contributed by the enterprising
business men Of that village to cut a
trail from that point into the mines.
A party took the contract, started
out, got lost and returned without
accomplishing the purpose. 1t was
then hinted that individuals were
interested in building a toll roal into
the mines from Heron, and through
the cOnnivance Of those persons the
effort proved failure. We have
been further informed that a trail
from Heron necessarily led over the
highest peaks of the surrounding
mountains, and if 50 constructed
the backwardness Of spring at that
altitude would greatly impede
travel, and prevent the use Of the
trail until long after other routes
were opened. If the natural tOpO-
graphy Of the country be taken into
consideration, and a trail follow the
canyons it would strike the railroad
several miles either above or below
Heron thus contributing no support
to that place. 1t is true that Heron
is only between 80 and 40 miles from
the mines, but the condition of the
country gives the advantage to the
longer routes. However Heron will
always be point of departure for
the mines, especially for prOspectors
from the east. The nearest point on
the railroad to the mines is Trout
creek, but no effort has been made to
put in a trail from that station. An
other route, which is ignored or mis-
represented by the OregOnidH, is that
from Rathdrum. Rathdrum is about
20 miles from the mines, but the
trail is good one, in fact stages
have been running from that village
to the Mission this fall. Many peo-
pie have gone into the mines by the
way of Rathdrum since the excite
ment commenced, and many more
will choose that route next summer.
1t will always be a good point to
start from. In the OregoRidR'S no
tice Spokane Falls is entirely ignored.
1t is not claimed that this city is the
nearest point to the mines, they be-
ing distant some 80 miles, but we do
claim that it IS the best point at the
present time to fit out for trip OF
the kind. As proof Of this we can
note the advantages that prospect
ors have Of securing every thing re-
quisite and necessary in the way OF
equipments. We may say that hun
dTeds Of men have fitted out and
started into the mines from the Falls
during the past several months.
From this city to the Mission the
road is as good as any in the terri
tory, and money has been subscribed
here to build a wagon road from the
Mission into the mines. This high
way will be free to the world, and
will be the best Travelled of any in
existence. Without doubt a line OF
stages will be running from the Falls
to the chief town in the Cgur
dAlenes. The report we refer too
says, "the route from Cpur d'Alene
Mission to the mines crosses the
Ceur dAlene river thirteen times,
and when that stream is swollen by
the spring freshets it will be impas-
sable" 1t was just for the purpose
Of Iremedying this drawback that
money was raised and the construc-
tiOn of a road put into the hands OF a
man capable Of carrying out the OBJ
jeet intended. We feel perfectly
safe in saying that on account Of the
general surroundings that the road
leading into the mines from Rath-
drum or Spokane Falls will be open
earlier in the spring than any trail
into the mines, II indeed it is not
open all winter, which is now prom
ised. Furthermore we will state
that parties can fit themselves out ia
a better advantage at Spokane than
any point on the road, and we be-
lieve that the greater portion of the
travel next year will be over the
Ceur d'Alene route.
VIII he ReDeated