The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-12-25

the discovery of Boise Basin. in Boise
county. A party of men left Florence in
the fall of 1861, and in the following
summer passed into central Idaho. They
came by way Of Oregon and crossed
the Snake, at the mouth of Boise
river, and followed up that river to
the site of B oise city. They the struck
out for the mountains and subsequently
camped near Centreville. While prospect
ing on the creek, since bearing his name,
one Of the party named Grimes was killed
by Indians. This was in August 1862.
A short time after his death the party left
for Auburn, Oregon, and returned in Octo-
Der of the same year. The party then
numbered ninety three men. They were
soon joined by party from Florence.
Boise basin soon became known as the
greatest mining country out of California
and by the 1st of January over three
thousand men had made their way into it.
Idaho city, or Bannock, became the
metropolis and at one time could boast of
population, transient and permanent,
estimated at from seven thousand to ten
thousand. On the Sth of May, 1865, the
town was totally destroyed by fire; prop
erty to the amount of S1,25O, 900 was lost
and 1000 people were left houseless and
homeless. The town was rebuilt during
the same season and though three times
destroyed by fire has managed to retain its
position as the leading gold-mining placer
camp of Idaho.
A party from Placerville discovered the
placer diggings on Reynolds creek and Dis
covery Bar, in Owyhee county, in July,
1862. The first lode was discovered by r.
H. Wade. In the following month the
placers in the French district were discov-
cred, and also the Oro Elmo quartz lode. The
celebrated Poorman mine was not discov-
cred until 1865. The mines of middle and
south Boise, in Elmore county, including
Atlanta, Yuba and Rocky Bar, were dis
covered in 1864, and are worked to the
present time.
located in Custer county. A thousand dol
lars was crushed out by two men, with a
small mortar, in day. The Lucky Boy,
General Custer and others, very valuable,
have since been developed. The country
on Yankee Fork, Kinnikinnick and Bay
Horse creeks was prospected with good re-
suits, and large amounts of ore have been
shipped from that section of Idaho every
year since the discoveries were made.
In 1880 the Wood River country began to
attract attention, and large number of
silver mines were discovered. They have
produced as high as S5,000,OOO per year.
A great stampede occurred to the Cnur d.
named Pritchard discovered the ''Widow's
Claim which proved of more than ordin-
airy richness. Further discoveries were
made, which were rapidly noised abroad.
From the heart of the Ceur d'Alene
came the most exaggerated re-
ports. Advertising of the diggings was
overdone, and the result was setback.
and development continued.
however, and business has settled down to
/ legitimate basis. The amount of terri
5ory over which the mines extend is very
arge and many believe it will be the most
of any of the mining sections of
IDAHO.
In the summer of 1866 party of miners
discovered rich gold diggings in the Lees
,urg basin, about seventeen miles west of
he present site of Salmon city. These
liggings have since passed into the hands
If Cinnamon, who work them profitably to
he present time. There are many good
quartz lodes below Salmon city, at Gibbons
lille, Shoup and other points, principal
lmong which is the Kentuck, which paws
argely. The county is not half prospected,
)ut large amount of gold is taken out
early. At Nicholia, in the eastern part
# the county, village has sprung up
within the last five years fully as large as
Salmon city, consequent upon the discov-
ry of mines of argentiferous galena. A |
wo-stack smelter was erected, and until |
bout a year ago the town flourished. |
since then there has been a scarcity of ore |
nd the smelter has shut down. The COM
any owning the mines have been prospect |
ng for further deposits. In the mountains, |
few miles distant, many lodes have been |
truck, some of great promise, but they
re not of character of ore so readily and |
heaply smelted as those near Nlcholia.
All along the banks of the Snake river
re bars containing deposits of gold. In |
1any places they will pay with the ordinary
ppliances used in gold mining. For hun
reds of miles these bars show auriferous
eposits. 1t is believed that the bed of the |
tr cam is much richer than the banks.
Surveys, ordered by the general govern
lent, have been made the past summer
yith the design of diverting the water
rom the stream, both upon Its north and |
outh sides for purposes of irrigation.
When this has been done it will leave |
asst amount of territory that can be taken |
p and worked. 1t will doubtless prove |
be most extensive gold field in the world.
10 one can even form reasonable esti-
late of the amount of auriferous metals
idden in its sands. 1t must be immense
The copper mines at the Seven Devils in
county have been developing
uring the past seven years. They are
rich and the amount of ore is
aid to be practically inexhaustible. Dis
ance from railroads is what is now
roubling the mine owners. Thousands of
ons of ore, much of it running as high as
lxty per cent. and carrying gold and sill
err are upon the dumps. A large ship
lent was made to the great smelter in
wansea, Wales, about three months ago.