, 1883-10-27
THE MINES.


have met who has actually Nlslteu
the Cpur dAlene mining country
but who is so favorably impressed
with the prospects that he will re-
turn to the diggings at the first
favorable opportunity. Not only has
the camp become an object of inter-
est to the residents Of the northwest,
but the.marvelous rumor of its rich
ness has reached far and wide and
now old practical miners, with coin
to back their efforts, are tiOcking into
the mountains. Naturally, having
produced 50 mang experienced min
ers, California is supplying the ma
jority Of these prospectors. Among
those whOunderstand the most min
ute principles Of mining, and who
have studied and learned mining
from practical application, is Geo.
Henderson, Esq, Of Martinez, CAL,
who called upon us Tuesday, directly
from Hayes City. Mr.. Henderson is
not one of those who take the word
of another as to the value Of mine,
orwho travels with a pick and shovel
CHANGING fortune with pan. He
has been schooled in the diggings Of
California, Nevada, Colorado and
Arizona, and is fully competent to
pass Judgment upon the worth or
wOrthlessness of a mine. When he
makes up his mind from personal
observation he locates at once If
the prospects justifies, and if other
wise, otherwise. lie has been min
ing lately in Arizona, and is inter
ested in mines there now. He read
of the discovery o. gold in the C9ur
dAlene mountains and desiring to
learn from actual examination made
a trip north. One day spent in the
diggings satisfied him Of its extent
and value. lie wasted no time but
purchased and located claims. Be
sides this he had two houses con-
structed, and has men in his employ
to remain all winter. He also has a
considerable force of white men and
Indians at work packing in large
quantity of supplies. In CONVERSE
tion with us Mr.. Henderson stated
that the mines could not be eXag-
gcrated. There is gold over the
whole country in paying quantities.
Six or eight claims were being
worked, and the owners were max
ing hg money. lie says that there
will be a heavy influx Of people into
the country next summer. The gold
producing section is very extensive,
and he is confident that the lodges
from which the coarse gold has been
washed in past ages will be eventual
ly discovered, and from the appear
ancc Of the nuggets promises to be
the most valuable ledge ever un-
covered. So confident is he of the
existence of quartz that he has sent
to Arizona for his superintendent,
who will spend the winter, as far as
practicable, searching for the ledges,
and Mn IL. thinks that if there is a
man in America who can find them
his superintendent is the party. Mr..
Henderson goes back to California
for the winter, where business in
tcrests demand his presence, but he
will return early in the spring and
and push his mining operations at
Hayes City. II capital will prove any
assistance in developing the country
he is perfectly able TO develop. The
gentleman returned to the mines
Wednesday, where he will superin-
tend the transportation of the pro-
visions for continuing the work as
late in the winter as possible. We
found Mr.. Henderson to be a very
intelligent gentleman, and put a
great deal Of faith in what he says.
So far the weather has been good in
the mines, giving prOspectors ample
chance to work their claims. We
may add that it cannot be expected
that the trails will remain open much
later, and if people go in now they
had better prepare for a six months
sojOurn. A number Of persons have
gone up from here this week, but the
travel will not continue much longer.
We have received numerous let
tiers Of inquiry regarding these mines
and as the questions are all about
the same we will here answer a few,
which will enlighten the correspond
ents and others seeking information
Are the reports of the mines re-
liable?
They are If we can take the word
Of good and true men. Besides
quantities Of virgin gold have been
displayed, handled and sold in this
city coming directly from the mines
and brought in by those who washed
II out.
Are many going in?
Scores Of men are fitted out in this
city every week. This point Of de-
parture is only taken by those COM
ing from the south and west. Many
from Montana, Dakota and Idaho go
in from the east.
What time in the spring can men
get into the mines ?
That is a question hard to answer.
If we have an early spring perhaps
in May, but otherwise not until the
latter part of May or the first Of
June. One may be able to get in
earlier, but no work could be done.
What would be the cost from Spo-
kane Falls =?
This is another stumper, and de-
pends. One can hire a horse II only
on a flying visit or can buy one from