Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1896-01-03

but the unbounded confidence
that Mr.. Witt has in his property
has led him to continne on
through difficulties, until now it
is returning good interest on the
investment, and from the prospects
will continue to improve until the
ground has all been worked.
THE property lies in q long
narrow gulch known as DeadwoOd,
which is miles in length and
averaging in width 200 #.
"The entire deposit contains APP
proximately 100000 Gu. yds. of
gravel that has pay in it. There
are numerous small gulches put
ting into Deadwood, nearly all Of
which have been worked by
ground sluicing, and all paid large
ly. The tailings from these old
workings now cover the valley of
Deadwood for depth of several
feet. In the early days when the
work was done hastily much fine
gold was lost, and as these tail
ings now show, they constitute
very good pay in themselves. The
virgin gravel deposits lies under
meath these tailings and averages
#. in depth. The gravel is small
and well rounded. 1t contains no
pipe clay, cement or large boulders
that would in any way hinder its
rapid working. The bedrock un-
DERIVING the entire deposit, as
gained from what has already been
uncovered, and from prospect
holes sunk to bed rock, is soft de-
composed granite. The pay is
confined principally to the last
three feet of gravel, and on the
bed rock. There is regularly
defined pay streak that is from 20
to $50 it. in width running through
the valley.
cold prospect holes sunk in the
valley show very good prospects,
five cents on shovel being
common occurrence. Gold is found
in nuggets weighing several dol
lars very often in the diggings, and
some of the gulches putting into
Deadwood in this vicinity have
produced large nuggets, the
largest that is recorded being
about 800, having been found by
Chris Michaelson. The gold has
an assay value of$17.50 per ounce.
Until a few years ago this val
ley of Deadwood has lain as
catch basin for all the debris from
the gulches above, as we'll as for
the original deposit of gold made
during the glacial epoch, and on
account of the expense of opening
the ground it was not worked un-
til Mr.. Witt purchased it.
ITO properly open the deposit
required a long and expensive bed
rock fiume, through hard rock and
where there was but little pay to
help the work along, but now this
has been accomplished, and Mr..
Witt feels that he is to be re-
warded.
"It only requires four men to
work the property and the ex-
penses are therefore small, so a
good cleanup leaves good mar
gin of profit.
"Water generally commences
running in this district the latter
part of April, while there is still
some snow. Mining work is car
ried on oftentimes until November
10Th. Snow comes early i'll the
district, but seldom lies on the
ground to hinder work until after
December.
THE writer has seen beautiful
weather in January in this camp
with not enough snow to hinder
regular mining.
1.-The property is well equipped
About 300 #. of bed rock fun,
has been put in, affording dump.
"The water rights are ample fol-
mining all the season, and Mr.
Witt is making certain ditch ex
tensions, etc, that will give hin
better service, not only in pres
sure but in volume, and can d.
better work next season than eve
before. Good buildings for men
blacksmith shop, ETC., are on tn
property"