Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1897-09-18
Four Hundred Miles in the Saddle
OUIIIIHUtU from last week. !
THE MUssELsHELL,

THE MUssELsHELL.
Before the tired campers awake itmipbt
be we'll to describe the strange land into
which they have penetrated.
In the vicinity of the camp the Mussel.
shell IS fair-sized trout stream: one
that man either hunts log to cross on
or has TO wade to his knees. The waters
OF the stream are clear, but have a
slightly yellow color derived from the
swamps. The creek ploughs through a
series OF meadows varying from ten ieet
to hall mile in width. From this main
series of meadows radiate many other
smaller meadows following the lines of
the creeks. On all sides the meadows
are surrounded by the primeval forests
that sweep up over the surrounding hills.
Here and there in the woods one will
lind small meadow entirely surrounded
by the forest. 1t is in these meadows
thai ne deer feed. One has strange
sense OF freedom while living in these
meadows, and yet at times feeling
comes over him that tells how complete
ly shut in he is by the forest. For though
travel along the meadows may look easy,
it is often made dangerous by the bog
holes along the creeks, and when one
turns to the forest he finds the path
barred by hundreds of fallen trees. In
fact the forest is so thoroughly INSTRUCTED
that the domestic animals never venture
any distance into the gloom. The few
persons living here take advantage of the
fact, and by extending brush fence a
few hundred feet into the forest on each
side OF the meadow they can keep the
stock from going down the creek as eff
fectually as though the entire meadow
were fenced. There are four OF these
fences across the meadow, and the spaces
enclosed are called Martins lower
meadow, in which the party were
camped Martins upper meadow, which
contains his cabin and Hartmans place,
which contains his hay fields, garden,
pasture, barn and house.
1t was nearly two hours after the sun
had looked into the camp when the four
wanderers heard some one rounding up
horses near the camp. Bill arose and
saw his old friend Martin on horse back
Just coming into the camp. 1t was soon
ascertained that Martin was going into
the hills to mine that he was interest
ed in. After some conversation with
Martin, he departed with his horses,
and the party proceeded to get breakfast.
Two OF the party walked up to Martins
cabin to get description OF the trail to
the mines. The camp was made secure
against inroads from the horses and
cattle in the meadow by stretching ropes
around the tent and packs.
1t was the middle of the forenoon be-
fore the four started for the mines. After
passing Hartman's place the trail COM
menced, and the bridge across the creek
is only a narrow pole affair for pack
horses. Upon leaving the open meadow
the trail winds up steep hill to the
ridge, which it follows for several miles.
The ridge is by no means level, but con-
sists of a series OF hog backs, and the old
trail is blocked by great many fallen
logs that have to be climbed over or
travelled around After following the
old Lo-Ls trail for about an hour, the
branch trail leading to the mine was
reached. 1t took another hour OF travel
on this trail to reach the mine. In one
place the trail crossed the dam OF an old
placer mine. At the mine there was
ouite a collection of bark shelters and
tents in which the miners live. Mr..
Martin invited the outfit to dinner, and
then showed them the mines.
The quartz lead struck here is inn
mensely rich, being Of the easiest OF tree
milling ore. The vein was first struck
nv Frank Peters while ditching on placer
ground, and he and Martin located
quartz claims. The vein has been fol-
lowed about 60 feet, and runs from two
to twenty inches wide. Peters claim Is
named the Pioneer; Martin calls his the
John Day, and John Baker, Who with
Harry Wray, has located an extension
to the Pioneer, gave the name Lo-Le to
theirs. Mr.. Baker will be remembered
bv many in the vicinity OF Pullman he
having lived near here till last year, and
all will rejoice in his good fortune, for
the Lo-Lo as we'll as the other two claims
is showing excellent prospects. Samples
Of the quartz brought home show the
richness OF the vein, being thickly
atudded with glittering nuggets
II was near four o'clock p. m. when
.ho marty left the mining camp ana re-