Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1884-05-01
BITTER ROOT VALLEY.
At Stevensville Venerable Mission
ary-Deep Canyon and Sweathouse
Mining. District Some of the
Quartz Leads-Pleasant Per-
sonalities.

closed my last letter with my arrival
at Stevensville. After arranging toilets,
Bill gave us personal introduction to
Captain Catlin, who, true to nature, in
vited the party to join him in an appetizer.
And the party, minus the chronic bear,
} enthusiastically went tor the Captains tip
pie. We were then ushered into the COM
Portable dining room and seated at
sumptuous table. Having enjoyed good
dinner Scott, Smith and myself decided to
remain over a few days for an examina-
tiOn of some silver mines few miles west
of town. Therefore, when the stage drew
up in front of the hotel we bade our fel-
low passengers good bye and waved
parting salute to William Keys.
Stevensville is located on the eastern
side of the Bitter Root river, thirty miles
north of Missoula 1t is situated in the
center of the richest agricultural district
in the Territory. Its present population
is rated at eight hundred. They have just
completed an elegant two-story frame
!
favor of western progressiveness. They
have also two frame churches, and the old
mission church, which is a combination of
dressed timber, adobe and frame. 1t is
presided over by the Rev. Father Ravalla,
who, as missionary priest, came into
this section forty years ago. He is held in
much esteem by all classes. He is now
over seventy years of age, and is an invalid
suffering from paralysis of the lower ex-
tremities. Many old Indians, with their
entire lodges, reaching into Oregon and
Washington Territory, make frequent pill
grimages to the bedside of their good old
friend. The town was named in honor of
Gov. Stevens, who accomplished the very
satisfactory treaty with the Bitter Root
Indians
In company with Mr. George Buck /
visited the Deep caf1on mining district
1t is situated in the foot hills of the Bitter
Root mountains, and is about 9 miles west
of Stevensville We were well mounted,
and the horseback ride proved very enjoy
able, at least to me- | found considerable
rich float scattered about, which, if | mis-
take not, is a sure indication of the exist
ence of body of ore in the neighborhood
There are no developed claims in the dis
trict. which indicate that their owners are
not miners. Among the many recorded
locations, the Elizabeth and the Carlew
have received the most attention. Still,
owing to their unskillful development,
they are in very unsatisfactory condition,
and therefore / only rate them as mineral
lied prospects.
As had expressed desire to see as
much of the country as possible during our
ride, Mr. Buck took the northern road to
the mines, and the southern one on our re-
turn These roads run across beauti-
ful little island, situated in the Bitter
Root river, about two miles north Of town.
AS there are no bridges spanning the river
south of Stevensville, we were necessarily
ter Root was running rapidly, owing to the
increase from the mountain streams, we
had lively time in crossing By one road
we crossed the northern erd of the island,
and by the other the southern end. This
beautiful island is without a name, but
should be called the Dairy Island, as it
would make the finest dairy farm in the
territory. 1t is nine miles long and one
and a-half miles wide, contains about four
thousand acres of good hay land, which, if
/ mistake not, could be secured for $4,000.
Five years hence it will be worth 100000.
On the following day, in company with
Mr.. Anderson Buker, visited the Sweat
house mining district 1t is situated in the
foothills of the Bitter Root mountains,
four miles south of Deep Canon, and about
twelve miles southwest of Stevensville.
After crossing the river, we passed many
fine farms, among which / was exceedingly
pleased with the home-like Improvements
of Mr.. S. Blake's We drove all the way
over good wagon road into the Pleasant
, View Mining Company's camp, where our
morse WAS TAKEN lIOu luC puSSy, "hu VIC
were made welcome. After climbing the
hill, we made an examination OF the Bitter
Root Prince mine. 1t is full claim, trend
ing easteIly and westerly, with northerly
dip. 1t has one shaft down, SKI, % feet.
Its groupings are about eight inches wide;
and. at the bottom of the shaft the ledge
matter has expanded to twenty-six inches
wide. Che ore is milling, but may re-
quire roasting. South Of the shaft, tun-
mel has been run in, Axe, forty feet.
Itiwas started with 9. view of tapping the
ledge below the shaft and when driven
sixty feet more should intersect the verticle
line of the shaft 100 feet below its face. 1t
is good prospect and its development
should be pushed.
After passing over several unprospected
claims we returned to camp, where we were
provided with good dinner. The potatoes
served were raised in the Sweathouse
district and cannot be excelled in any
portion of the United States.
We next visited the Pleasant View mine,