The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-07-18
Fl WEATHER
PROSECUTORS OUT IN ARMIES

An immediate benefit OF the nttacl
upon silver results from the new energy
given to the discovery and development
Of gold and copper properties. From al
mining sections Of the state we hea'
gratifying reports in this line. The re.
ceipts of tho assay Office in this city t.
which we have referred, are substantial
evidence that gold mining this year will
return at least one million dollars more
to the state than was received last year
The indications are hat this amount will
be much larger il the work is carried on
with the success apparent within the
last month.
ttu From the Anaconda Standard we
learn that new strikes have been made
in the famous French gulch, abandoned
years ago because Of finds in other Sec
o~tions; the rich placers In the vicinity Of
Helena are being worked on a larger
scale than in recent years, and plans are
now under consideration for large devel-
opment work. Perhaps the best sign is
found in the activity OF prospeotors.
OuIlllk uuo Adou ohA WCChS AOSuCAOA AS-
tees on placer ground have been filed in
great numbers, and hundreds Of men
are now out in search of gold producing
ground. This is true not only Of Lewis
and Clarke county, which is shown by
figures to be one Of the richest gold re-
gions in the country, but Of all other
sections Of the state where gold has
been discovered. Large deals which
contemplate extensive operations have
lately been made in Madison county,
and many eastern capitalists are becom-
ing interested in old as we'll as new
properties. Recent improvements in
machinery and methods Of working
have made it possible to mine gold in
the old gulches at a fine profit; an illus
tration Of this may be cited in the sue
cess of several large companies in Alder
gulch where gold was early discovered
In Montana, and which was supposed to
have been worked out under the crude
methods Of early days. The rich fields
around Pony are also attracting deserved
attention, and will be rapidly developed.
The Butte papers tell us that prospect
ors are leaving that city by scores, and
have already made fine discoveries in
gold and copper within the vicinity OF
the great camp.
This satisfactory outlook is of special
interest to the people of Helena, be-
cause within ten miles Of the city lie
~undeveloped gold properties greater
than any yet ever discovered, and we
predict that within the coming two
years the results will be far more inn
portant than those of the fabulously |
rich placers in the early days. The
slump in silver is a direct cause OF the
new interest in this direction, and until
the white. metal receives that justice
which must certainly be accorded in the
near future, the characteristic energy Of
Montanians will be finally rewarded by
work in these long neglected fields. We
are told in a good old hymn that "God
moves in a mysterious way his wonders
to perform" Perhaps this is a righteous
method of Providence to visit judgment
on the people OF this state for allowing
the gold properties to go undeveloped.
In the meantime the outlook for sill.
yer grows brighter each day. There is
such an awakening among friends OF
the metal as was not anticipated, and
whenever congress is polled by the gold
bug press the results show new converts
to Onr carse.