The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1898-08-16

written for the MEssENoER.)

August lst, In company with Charlie and John
Frost, started over the old road from Chall1s
to Custer: AT this season of the year trip
through the mountains is delightful.
The road is far better than one could have
expected for one that has been neglected for
years. 1t is not washed as much as many
were removed 1t would be very passable. There
are few places that would require little
extra work-on the whole, small repairs are
needed to make che old route for teams and
carriages comfortable.
Custer Is quiet. Many OF the old landmarks
are to be seen, but business is duh that their
hopes are at very low standard However
there is a good deal of hope among some that
the new developments up Jordan creek, near
that through this new field times will greatly
improve. These new discoveries are mostly
gold and described as very rich. did not have
time to examine them. From Custer and Bon
ANA went down Yankee Fork to its mouth
and then turned up the Salmon river on the
State road arriving at Moses Storrer's store
and residence on the evening of the Bird. Here
was stop waiting for w. ID. Pierce, Bert
Wilson and Archie Howell. They came In at
noon from Ketchun on the 4th. We all waited
few hours here for the cool Of the evening and
the vacation OF the fies-oh, these big, green
headed black flies is awful bad Nose is going
on in his usual quiet manner, although he tells
me that travel Is very light this year and bust
ness dull. There Is a little excitement over
the porphyry belt runging across the head OF
Joe's guIce. This seems to be the source from
which comes the rich placers in that canyon,
and it is said that the deeper they have driven
into this body or belt the more abundant has
been found the gold. This will make O great
gold field, II the different bikes in it should
prove of this nature. 1t would hardly be pos
sible for this lode to have fed the other rich
gulches of the Stanley country; so there must
be others of a like, or perhaps better grade.
Those who have looked long and examined very
closely have great hopes of the extent and
richness of this field. I can not judge, not
having examined them; but it Is sure there
must be rich fountain head somewhere and
1t may rest entirely in these porphoretic veins.
Stanley may, yet, prove greatest as 1t was first
From Mr.. Storer's place, on the evening of
the 4th we made up to Pat Hyde'S diggings on
Elk creek. This stream was probably named
on account of the many elk that run there for
we saw an abundance of fresh elk tracks as we
journeyed along its waters. This must be q
good game country for saw tracks of deer
and bear; but we were on q prospecting tour
and, of course. without chance, we would go
carelessly that all wild animals would fee far
in advance OF us.
At Mr.. Hyde's place we stopped over night
and he showed us around his placers. They
have found on the edge of the high bench of
gravel, in latter days, small vein of fair pay
wash; but 1t seemed broken and mixed with q
better looking kind than the common run of the
ground. This proAes to Mr.. H. that this better
pay gravel came from an inner vein that will,
most surely be In place. II this theory shall
prove to be correct, he undoubtedly, will reach
1t and become one of our most successful min
ers. It will be just good enough for him. He
has done vast amount of work here, and it
would be in place for him to find an abundance
reward to comfort him.