, 1883-10-20
FROM THE MINES.

There is no abatement in the
Ceur d'Alene gold mine excitement.
One would suppose that the advance
of winter, accompanied by the
threatening frost and the warning
cloak of snow that rest on the higher
peaks would cool the desire Of the
plucky gold hunter, but no, the same
feverish anxiety, the same nervous
excitement attending the process OF
getting ready, the same blind faith
in "striking it" is noticeable among
the parties that daily fit out and start
on their journey from the Falls. The
excitement took a fresh start this
week, but the prospecting parties
were made up among strangers who
arrive by train and take road from
here. This is the wisest policy to
follow, as everything can be pur-
chased at Spokane from a horse to a
frying pan, and far cheaper than
elsewhere. There were fully fifty
men, putting the figures at the low
est estimate, who started into the
mountains from this point during
the past week. 1t is hardly possible
that travel can be kept up much
longer, and preparing for all acci-
dents those who left this week were
better fixed for a winter campaign
than any crowd that has yet struck
out. Several Of our people haveJUst.
returned to the city directly from
the diggings this week, among them
J. N. Windsor, and James Mccoy.
The latter gentleman is an old Cali
fornia and Nevada miner and pros
pectOr. He was in the placer dig
gings Of the former State in very
early days, and like all Of the delivers
for gold followed hither and thither
every rumOr of "richer strikes"
thereby visiting all of the richest
camps. He states that in all of his
experience he has never seen mines
that showed better indications than
those of the Cpur d. Alene. The form
alton is somewhat different but the
metal is. more plentiful, richer and
easier to clean up. When he left
several new claims had been opened
up and a common days work was
from $50 to $50 to the man. The sea-
son was getting late, but the chances
are that the miners would get in sew
eral weeks work before the snow in
terfered. Quite town has sprung
up on Prichard Creek, which is
named Eagle City. Men who have
decided upon staying during the
winter are preparing to make the
best Of the rigorous climate. Mccoy
does not consider that Prichard has
been treated fairly. All but one Of
his claims have been Jumped" and
he now has but a small part Of the
town site. Mr.. Mccoy has changed
his opinion regarding Prichard since
last winter. He was one Of the
crowd that was inveigled into trip
into the mountains, during the win
ter by Prichards letters. At that
time the party deserted the old pros
pcctor, and pronounced him a crank,
but since he has shown that he was
correct about the existence of gold
they discover their mistake. Mccoy
is Of the same opinion as Others IVha
have been in the mines, and that is
the country will contain an immense
population next summer. A great
many men are going in daily, while
others are returning with the inten-
tiOn Of going back next spring. Mr..
Windsor also expresses II rs his Opin-
ion that the mines are maTvelOusly
rich. lie saw a solid nugget worth
between one and two hundred dol
lars, and others Of a value ranging
below $50. The diggings appear to
grow richer instead Of 'Detering OUT