The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-09-17
From Thursdays Daily;

Il. P. Aspiring and Denis Halpin, who,
as reliable gentlemen and practical min
ers, were sent by citizens of Fort Ben
ton to the reputed rich diggings in the
Little Rocky mountains, to investigate
the same and make truthful report, re-
turned to the city last evening, and have
rendered a good account of their steward
ship. Their investigation was as thor
ough as IL could be made, considering
the development of the camp and the
limited time at their disposal. They
simply confirm the best reports that
have been received from the mines and
remove all doubt as to the existence of
big pay diggings at that place.
Following is their report, briefly *
pressed, Oh the camp and the Little
Rockies In general:
THE REPORT.
TO the Citizens of Fort Benton:
Your committee would respectfully
say that after some trials ana tribula-
tons, we reached the new mining camp,
in what is now known as Little Alder
gulch, near the head of Beauchamps
creek. We were surprised, not to say
astonished, at the evidence OF rich
mines that was presented. Our most
sanguine expectations were surpassed.
The gulch is six or seven miles in Iex-
tent and has been all staked.. Above
discovery it is from one to eight feet to
bedrock, while below it is deeper than
this. but in our opinion the deep claims
will prove the richest. The mines are
easily opened and worked. There is
about fifty inches of water now, whidh
will be increased considerably when
the mines are opened up, and in the,
early season the amount will be many
times this.
The only claim upon which they were
sluicing when we were there is No. IL
above discovery, owned by Aldrich.
Myers, Landusky and others. They
were making $40 to $l1 a day to the
man, and if they were prepared to work
clean up $25 to the a We washed
two pans on this claim, in the gravel a
foot or more above bedrock, and got
from 81 to $l.25 in the two pans. On this
same claim, we are reliably informed,
as high as $3.50 to the pan on bedrock
has been got, and we are ready to be.
lieye it from what we saw.
Main & Smith are working on No. %
above discovery. They were bringing
in lumber and getting ready to sluice
when we were there. On this claim
they have made good wages right along
with the pan, and one day took out $25 in
this way, so it is said and generally be-
lieved. Three and four dollar nuggets
have been picked up on their claim.
Dave Jenkins was running a drain
ditch ON his claim and a Mr. Murray the
same, and both had fattering prospects
in the drain.
This was the extent of the develop
ment when we were there. Wherever
"a claim was opened it indicated rich dig
g~ings-better prospects than we have
ever before seen in a new camp, and we
have been in a few of them. That it is
certain to be a good camp is our unre-
served opinion.
The general character and formation
of the country is good and as exactly the
same formation is found at the head OF
Peoples creek (which IS just opposite,
across d short divide from Beauchamps
creek Beaver, Little Rocky and other
streams, 1t is unreasonable to suppose
that gold will not be found in these
creeks when Little Alder gulch is SO
rich In the precious metal. These
streams have not been prospected to any
extent and if it is not an inviting Held
for the prospector there is not one In
America.
There were about fifty men in the
camp:when we arrived and we believe