, 1890-09-04
IDAHO PLACER MINING.
A Ten Mile Ditch and Flune
to Be Constructed.
AN EXTENSIVE UNDERTAKING
The Waters of American River to
Be Turned on 400 Acres OF
Placer Mining Grounds.

For the pnst four years, says the
Idaho County Free Press, Il. b.
Stuart and Mr.. r. $. Rackliff, of
Elk City, have been engaged on a
most important undertaking, aud
but for unfortunate and unavoid-
able delaysl would have had it
practically completed this year.
The enterprise involves the con-
struction of ten miles of ditch and
flume, and the purpose is to divert
the water of the American river so
that 1t can be conveyed upon 400
acres of placer mining ground situ-
ated in the forks of Elk creek and
American river.,i
This enterprise is one which has
been talked of in the camp ever
since the early days. The ground
located Is In the line of direct drain
age of the qcountry, and has
lain idle hitherto on account
of the absence of hy-
draulic power to work 1t
economically. It's situation in the
basin is of such nature, surrounded
as it is by claims that have been
producers ofgold dust for years, that
it is naturally presumed by the pro-
jectors of the ditch enterprise to be
equally valuable as placer mining
property. The ditch itself is n costly
and elaborate piece of engineering,
and shows the confidence of its
promoters in the value OF the ground.
The ditch is fully 81 miles in length
on the American river slope, and
then by boring n tunnel 100 feet in
length, it is brought into the ELK
creek watershed. In all there are
about 1900 feet of flume and trestle
work in the undertaking. In
one place trestle has to
be constructed twenty-six fee,
high for q distance OF
|, 500 feet. Upou this trestle flume,
4N4x2 feet Is to be laid, with n capa-
city for carrying 500 inches OF water
The ditch itself is completed, and
but for the unfortunate destruction
of the company's sawmill by fire
this summer, together with lumber
and logs, the enterprise would have
been so far advanced that the water
| NObttl DuNc bttIl oii tiC Eiobh' Nso'
ing the present season. AS Ii Is, this
consummation must be postponed
for another year, pending the con-
struction OF IA new sawmill, and at
| tendaut delays incident thereto.
1t is the Intention to open the
ground by bedrock flume from
American river, which will enable
permanent work to be continued
without intcrmission. The COM
pany have given employment to
twelve men this summer and have
disbursed thousands of dollars in
pushing on this important under
taking. The work has been con-
stantly under the personal super
vision of Messrs. Stuart and Rack
liff, and 1t stands to-day monu-
ment to their energy aud perse-
verance In the face of obstacles that
would have caused Others to give up
in despair. The destruction Of their
sawmill caused loss of $1,000 In
money value alone, but this was
nothing compared to the delays and
Inconvenience caused by the lack ol
lumber, and which compelled al.
most total suspension of work In
the interval.
| Sush enterprise deserves to be re-
warded with IA degree ofsuccess com.
mensurate with the magnitude OF
the undertaking, and it Is the earn.
est wish of all that Messrs. Stuart
and Rackliff may speedily reap a
rich harvest of results far exceeding
their most sanguine expectations as
a reward of their toll, patience and
energy.
Mr.. Stuart Is an old-tlmer In Elk
City and made a fortune across
American river on ground neal
where Henry Ternan Is now work
ing. May his faith in old Elk nevel
be misplaced.