Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-11-07
Importance of Uagon Roads.

lnauC III IneSc cOlulnHS 10 the
importance of the State wagon
road now in course of con-
struction. The longest Of the
four sections is now approach
ing completion, and we will
soon have what the law defines
n practicable wagon road from
Camas Prairie to Florence.
This enterprise had its inccp-
ton in the necessity of uniting
the two sections Of the state
by some method of commune
cation superior to the mule
back and cayusc transportation
of the pioneers. 1t has been
,ided by the State to the ex-
tent of $4,000. There have
not been wanting since it's be
ginning chronic grumblers
who predicted, first, that the
appropriation could never be
occurred then, thata road could
not be built for that, or, in
Iced, any other sum; it would
not be passable when built; no
fridge could be made to stay
1T Salmon river; the road could
not be kept open, etc. The ex-
c-llent progress already made
guarantees its completion far
within the limits of the appro-
priation. OF its great ultimate
benefit to the two sections of
The State we will speak later,
Cntil its completion it is on
~ a local road, and its benefits
are mostly local, while those
benefits will continue to accrue
us the road improves and it's
traffic and Importance in
creases. Take the mining camp
Of Warrens, for example, as an
instance Of what this enter
prise may be expected to &C
complish. This is exclusively
mining section. 1t raises no
thing for export but the pre-
cious metals.
The quartz interests here,
though rich and extensive,
have, we may justly say, lam
guished for many years through
want of better means of COM
munication. So long as surface
ores continue rich, no very ex-
tensive or complicated machi-
merry is required for their re-
duction. But there comes a
period in the history of all
mines when surface ores are
exhausted, and pumping and
hosting works are necessary,
In the most important mines
of Warrens this period has ar
rived, or is near at hand. Sec
tional batteries, and all the
various parts Of small mills,
and reducing works Of many
styles may be carried into this
and similarly situated mining
districts by mule train; but for
pumping and hosting machi-
merry, and the requisite engines
and boilers to drive them, this
mode of conveyance is wholly
impracticable. The Little
Giant mine, a lead of great
richness and extent, only a.
waits the completion of this
road to set in operation all
these things The Knott
mine, and the "Keystone" are
similarly situated. The MAY
flower and "Silver King and
some others, have reserves of
ore above the water level, or
the line of natural drainage,
for one or two years, but the
inevitable pumping Is near
at hand.
The Cleveland Co, in Alton
district, have a mine sufficient
ly developed to justify the
erection of complete silver
reducing plant, but they are
awaiting a wagon road and will
take no steps in that direction
inlil it is in existence. Mills
for gold ores may be COMPARE
lively rude and still be sue
cessful, but for working silver
ores a complete outfit of ma
chinery and complete manipu-
lation is necessary. The items
Of salt and quicksilver are a.
mong the most important in