Idaho semi-weekly keystone. (Ketchum, Idaho) 1884-1885, 1885-07-15
RAMBLES IN CUSTER COUNTY.
The Outlook rs 1t Appears to the Eyes
Of n ssKeystOne'' Reporter,


interesting to the visitor than that
embraced in the boundaries OF Custer
county. Its territory is in many
respects similar to the most wealthy por-
camps, agricultural and grazing districts
all in close proximity to each other.
These different interests being success
fully developed and encouraged, give
the county many advantages not pos
sessed by other portions of the Terri
tory. The county is steadily increasing
in wealth through the energy and indus
try of its people in the development of
its diversified resources.
Custer county has number OF rich,
beautiful and extensive valleys, whert
snow seldom covers the ground, which
are being rapidly settled alEg improved
by a good, hardy class OF people. who are
coming to stay. The farming lands are
going under cultivation; the desert
lands" watered and made to bloom and
blossom as garden; the vast ranges
being stocked with superior breeds of
cattle and horses; while the mining
camps are fully as prosperous and pro-
ductive of the metals as any in the Ter
ritory. This is general outline of the
visible prosperity and consequent finan-
cial stability that is dawning upon Gus
ter, and which gives the county prece
dence over some Of her less fortunate
neighbors.
YANKEE FORK DISTRICT.
This the oldest mining district in the
county, is not increasing materially in
population, although the yield of the
precious metals continues unabated, and
the yerage annual output is very fiat
tering, and is doubtless the largest from
any one mill in the Territory. There
are no ores being shipped from the dis
trict as in former days. The Custer
Co.'s mill for two years past has reduced
which, however, are limited. Outside
of the company's mines there are only
two or three producing mines being
worked oany considerable extent The
Badger mine is extensively operated
this season on lease. by the Custer Co.,
and the ore, which is abundant, yields
$40 to $50 per ton, much of which is
gold. There are quite extensive ore
/ reserves in the old Custer mine yet, which
will be worked during the winter sea-
son, as it can be sent to the mill by
tramway. It is point with the manage
ment to keep about one years reserve
of ore in sight. The mill has now been
in operation about four years-the first
two years with 20 stamps, the last two
with 30-and the yield is well up in the
fourth million, leaving the owners a
clear profit to this time of about two
and one-half millions.
The Montana mine, on Mt. Estes,
a depth of 400 feet, and ore shipments
mill be made to the Custer mill this sea-
son as usual. The Whale, and possibly
one or two others, will complete the list
of mines at present producing ores for
milling. There are number of good
mines besides those mentioned, but the
owners are developing them at their
leisure and leaving the ores upon the
dumps.
There are in the Yankee Fork District
| probably 800 people; of families about
tuaptU fiyp rTbpra ora M iIIa y,,aY, in
the camp; in fact miners and laborers
have been in demand all season. Bo-
| nanza is unusually dull this saeson, ow-
ing to the closing of the Charles Dickens
mine since the death year ago of W..
| A. Norton, one of the proprietors.
When this noted mine goes into the
hands of q company, which it no doubt
will in the course Of q few months, Bo-
nGnza will again take on its wonted life
and prosperity. Last fall n wonderfully
rich vein of ore was found on the Wash
ington claim, on the Charles Dickens
belt and vein, and one claim west of the
Dickens, which is proof conclusive
that that great ledge carries its strength
and wealth a long distance to the west
as well as to the east. The richest part
of the vein in the new strike is about
sixinehes in width. had the privilege
of examining and sampling the vein.
1t averages close to $4,000, about 5000 OF
which is gold.
July, 1885. KEYSTONE.
f'fo be Continned.1