Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1884-09-07
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS,
Meagher Co., M. T.,


August 80, 1884.
M. B. Bsrtlett-Dear Sir: This tow ia
situated on thee eastern slope of the Smiths
River Valley, rs miles east of Helena, from
which place we get a daily mail. Eighty
two miles nearly north OF Livingston, on
the Northern Pacific Railroad, from here
about all the freighting is done to this
place and vicinity, but q new wagon road
is about completed to Townsend. on the
Northern Pacific Railroad, which will be
38k miles distant. The town is very
nicely laid out, and the surroundings are
very pleasant; even the whole valley looks
pleasant, and is such a place as would suit
all worn out Nevsdans, or rather those
who have been banged up against the hills
and mountains for years. Here you can
see the sun when it first rises and see it
set behind points 60 or 10 miles from
here. yet get the first and last glimpses of
old Sol. The valley is wide and the Lord
only knows how long it is. As to climate,
there are no two seasons alike. As near as
l can learn, it is about the same as Nevada
except the cold snaps in Winter, which are
somewhat colder than in Nevada. There
was no ice thick enough to put up for
Summer use until February last. The
town contains about 500 inhabitants, but
nearly all the buildings have been put up
in the last two years. From what / have
seen Of other towns l believe there are fine
prospects for this. As to the mines, the
discoveries are within the past two or
three years-discoveries on Bush creek, 16
miles from here lore rich); copper mine
south of this place IL miles; several lodges
discovered in June s miles east of here,
ore base, mostly lead, ledge 8 feet Z inches
wide, and getting wider in depth, assays
about $50 per ton; Copperopolis District,
IS miles east Of here. Neihsrt District,
So miles north, is the most promising. II
contains q great many lodges OF rich ore.
The ore is shipped through this place to
Omaha for reduction, giving good returns
All the other camps named new, no hurrah
about them, and not a great deal done on
them yet, but people speak favorably OF
all Of them. In fact, there are not many
prospectors in this vicinity, and / believe
there is a good field in the new find eight
miles miles from here. The most direct
route to this place white Sulphur
Springs) is by way Of Ogden, thence
north to Helena by rail, thence by stage.
First-class fare by rail about $40 and $40
stage fare. Dry goods, groceries, etc.,
mostly come from the East, and are
cheaper than in Eureka. We have Cali
fornis fruits, but they have q strong taste
Of money-seven peaches for so cents.
grapes So cents per pound. There are
some very fine buildings here-as good as
you will find in cities. The new three
story brick hotel, with plate glass front. 10
q fine building. Besides, there are two
other hotels. But things are not boom.
ing; everything goes quietly along, and
money il not made so fast as in some
places, but as the own increases all kinds
Of business will increase; so a person must
float along until the good times come. and
which must certainly come in three or
four years. We who have been in mining
towns can judge better of q place that has
advantages which the Eastern people do
not see, and they are mostly Eastern peo-
pie here.
As to the lumber business there is plenty
of timber in this section-four or five saw
mills within % miles, two lumber yards
and q third started. to be run by myself
on commission. 1 don't know how il will
work yet, but / am in hopes of making it
stick. Rough lumber sells at 1872, clear
lumber SAG to $50. I think it must come
down to $25 for common, as il can be sold
at a profit at that price. The mill men are
the only ones selling lumber, but l think
il q system Of trade was established in
town il would suit them better. In fact,
the mill men are not we'll enough fixed to
run mills and yards both. The mills are
small and l don't think any one of them
could turn out more than 5000 or 1000
feet per day. My regards to avery body
inquiring Of me. Yours respectfully.
A., BoUNGARD.