Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-03-18
The Rccourcss of Idaho County.
n. b. W., in the Commonwealth

The mining districts embraced within
the present limits of Idaho county.
though not the fret, were nearly the
first discovered in the state The placer
deposits OF Orc Elmo we're soon found to
be of insufficient extent to give employ.
ment to the crowd of adventurous gold
seekers who focked there, SO they
drilled away in every direction in par
ties of twos and threes or dozens, in
search Of new FL borados. There was
no method in their search; the country
was entirely unknown; one was as apt
to strike a placer deposit in one point
OF the compass as another. A party of
about dozen crossed Camas Prairie to
Salmon river and followed slowly up
the shores of that stream, prospecting
Ms they went. They found some gold
therei indeed, many paying claims
have been and some still are worked
there along its banks and bars. But it
was not rich. At the same point, be-
tween the mouth of Little Salmon and
the junction of South Fork, they left
the river and climbed its mountain to
the nofthward in the direction whence
they came. They camped for the night
In grassy valley, short distance from
the subsequent town of Florence. Their
experienced eyes told them it was a
place where gold might be found
Some proceeded to sink holes. others
attended to the duties of the camp, but
the first pan of dirt washed was taken
from the gravel disclosed by the roots
Ut al upturned tree and yielded about
two bits. Locations followed. and a
mining district, with recorder and
laws. was established. and within few
days. when the news spread abroad to
the outside country, crowd of miners
arrived, and Furnishing mining camp
Resulted. This was in July, 1861. The
town OF Florence in 1862 was city of
Streets lined for the most part with
Tents. A Heterogeneous mass of human
lily numbering several thousands. in
eeseantly going and coming. There
WAS not employment or claims for more
than a small portion of those who ar
fivsdJ the balance distributed them
selves through the mountains, as miners
Arc wont to do.
party of fifteen, under the lead OF
noted prospector named Jim Warren.
discovered "a rich guch near the head of
the creek, since called Warren's creek.
a.
III August, 1862. 1t is fort, five miles
from Florence, on the south side of Sal
mon river. The town of Warrens grew
10 importance, and has ever since
continued the scene of IA considerable
mining industry.
There haye been many other mining
excitements and stampedes within the
borders of Idaho county. but no extan-
sive gold deposits have been discovered
outside OF those mentioned. Its A vast
group OF mountains, measuring about
lOo by 100 miles. and very little of il
lies less than 5000 feet above the level
Of the sea,
A little placer gold may be found in
Every stream and gulch, In every ped
of gravel, but no paying digeinps have
been or are likely to be discovered. Ii
rs mineral country, all of it.
The formation belongs to the series
of the old granite rocks. A great
humber of metals and minerals ara m
be found, useful and curious. The vein
formations are very numerous and we'll |
defined in nearly all parts of the conn.
W, anu the precious metal which tbev
garry Is Tor The most part silver. The
Alton district WAS opened ND in 1855.
though rich samples of silver bearinv
ore were brought from there more than
twenty years previously. Many lodges.
some OF great extent. have been located.
considerable development has been
uone, but Its extreme remoteness and
inaccessibiity have prevented any
p'on'aoie operations. The Monu-
mental district. near by. and the Sheen
Mountain and Sea Foam districts. near
the Middle fork of the Salmon river
have some valuable prospects.
The agricultural capabilities of the
county are confined to "a few townships
ht the northern end. At an altitude of
o ooO ieet agriculture ends in this ls,i-
tnde. Salmon river, threading its way
through the country for $50 miles south
from east to northwest, cuts a chasm
100 feet deep and upwards below the
general level of tho surrounding couu.
Try. 1t is this that constitutes the i'm
pAssable barrier between north and
south Idaho, and not any mountain
Chain or mountain group. Oulv here
and there along its banks are isolated
patches of few acres in extent
watered and fertile, where the patient
Chinarnan or the miner plants his beans
'"d potatoes, and SAUNDERS beneath his
vine and apple tree.
Its minerals are its source of wealth
lt awaits but the coming of roads.
threading its mountain PASSES and fol-
owing its winding streams, to rise
rom its lethaIgy and take its place
among the productive centers of the
,arth. n u W
Few Verde From Eis City.