Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1886-07-30
Idaho Democrat.

TO before the world in ponderous and gilt
edged volumes of adventure and hair
breadth escapes, who in reality has not
encountered one-half the perls that are
yearly met and overcome by the fearless
and indomtable prospector. This latter
wanderer of plain and mountain, whose
life is made up of thrilling scenes of dan
ger. is ever reticent of his exploits, and
seldom alludes to them unless drawn out.
Idaho-the whole northwest-is alive with
men, each of whose experience, If reeled
OIL in chapters, would make book OF in
tense interest.
Two men, Edwin Clifford and w. M.
Sutherland, arrived in Boise last week, al
ter supplies, and while In Post IL Bilder-
backs store incidentally mentioned what
they termed ''some little hardships" re-
Gently undergone by them. Last tall they
fitted out in HALEY for trip INTO the
Salmon River mountains. Deep creek
was their objective point They went to
Sawtooth, thence to the Main Salmon !;
thence to Bonanza, and I. ON there to Loon
creek, down which they Travelled to Mid
die Fork, prospecting for Deep creek as
they went along. They finally took across
the mountains and got on 10 Hot creek,
leaving which they were several days
wandering about in succession of
swamps Getting ont of these they cross
ed the summit and descended into what
they named the Yellow Pine Basin. This
was the third or fourth of October. They
liked the appearance of the basin and
found prospects indicating good placer
mines. Their intention was to remain as
late as possible and then go over onto the
Salmon and winter, and return in the
spring. They had grub enough 10 last
until the first of December Their four
horses were accordingly turned out and a
cabin and smoke house were built, and
they prospected until a heavy snow storm
admonished them of the danger of remain
ing longer. They then attempted to get
out but failed in consequence of depth of
snow on the mountains. Realizing that
they were imprisoned and knowing their
supplies would last but few days longer,
they commenced killing deer-which were
plentiful--and jerking the meat They
had Winchester rifle, and killed alto
scther thirty five deer and two bears.
Meanwhile winter opened in earnest, and
when the temperature permitted, with n
,l.,1, ,af.ratrnatuI rAnEap thnNy liant ~
prospecting They got down to deer meat
straight the first week in December, but
saved enough provisions for Il Christmas
feast. Venison diet alone disagreed with
Clifford much more than with Switzerland,
and along towards spring he began failing
fast. The latter then saw that unless he
could reach the settlements and return
with proper nouiishment his partner
would starye to death. On the l2th of
March, fortified with three or four pounds
of dried deer meat Sutherland started out,
but after struggling four days in the deep
snow he WINS compelled to go back uusuc-
cesstul They both continued growing
weaker, and at last Clifford took the scurvy
On the 2Is. of April, with sure death
staring them in the face in II few days if
they remained, they both start, in DIES.
perale effort To go out for succor, They
made fifteen miles where deep snow was
encountered, when Clifford, unable to pro.
ceed further, told Switzerland that he
must make the attempt alone, They now
had but II few ca tidges left, and Clifford
who could still shoot tulcrable well, shot
three ducks for change of diet Suther-
land took the ducks and little deer meat
aud struck fur settlements stcaring south
west, but Without knowing To what par
ticular point his course would lead him
After seven days of beating about he
reached Garden Valley where he succeed
ad in getting portion of the provisions
pecessary To nurse back TO strength Clifford,
IL alive on his return lie could have
procured every teing necdnll ut Placcryille,
bur time WAS too precious to lose mo
Iuent--his partner IN the basin was almost
dying when he letl him Leaving Garden
Valley, he started ou his return via Dead.
wood Basin, where he bought of George
Wise enough more supplies to make his
Dad lS5 pounds. 10 transport which he
made sled, lie hauled the sled until the