Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1899-03-17
GRAND OLD
BUFFALO HUMP.
An "Oregonian" Correspond
emit Turns Himself Loose
on it's Scenic Splendor.

on It's SCENIC opiCnuOI.
From the Buffalo Hump mining
strike great reports are coming.
Conservative experts OF sound
Judgment who have made personal
investigation of premises describe
them in phrases that have become
characteristic OF the boomer. There
can be no doubt of the richness of
the strike; the only question is as
to it's extent. The ledge has been
taken along a course Of about three
miles of it's length. Though its
value has been proved in only a
few cases, there are plenty of evil
dences usually regarded reliable
that this is one Of the most notable
mineral discoveries Of the west.
Men are fiocking in and taking
claims and preparing to work them.
Some are making good wages
through the winter pounding out
free gold in hand-mortars. The
first three claims are reported to
have been sold for 100000, after
a searching examination by the
parties who put up the money, and
there appears no lack of buyers for
other claims on the ledge.
The elevation which give its
name to the new mining district,
Buffalo Hump, reaches the altitude
of 800 above the sea. The view
from the stage road to the west is
the one in which it SO strikingly
resembles the hump Of buffalo.
The hump itself is only about 500
feet tall, and is about half mile
long north and south. The mines
are not on the Hump at all. They
lie Just to the eastward of it, and
the claims have been staked out
occupying tract perhaps three
quarters Of mile wide and three
miles long. The easiest way in is
by way of Elk City and up Crooked
river to Badger, thus coming to
the Buffalo Hump mines from the
east. To go west from the mines
to the stage road at Florence would
take one through a very rough
country. A dozen miles south OF
the mines is sheer drop Of 5000
feet to the Salmon river
Even people with the prostie
souls of prospectors never weary OF
describing the scenic splendor OF
the country. Looking from Buffalo
Hump the ragged heads of the
Seven Devils tear the western sky,
apparently SO near that Il rifle ball
would carry and kill bear on the
brown crags. A wealth of noun
tain scenery stretches in all dircc-
tons. But the most pleasing sigh
of all is the peaceful valley. where The
checkered fields roll away, showing h.
different. hued crops, interspersed viii
groves and cattle ranges. There art
several points of vantage. from which {
birds eye view of he smiling praifie !
had.
Labor and time will bring the devel
opmen of which that country is capable
Results may be fastened or retarded b,
incidental agencies or influences, In
the resources are too valuable and III
verse 10 admit of throttling or unau,
exploitation, T'ade will pass 10 ant
from tina, country, aud, in the Language
of certain poet of perspicacity, " III
vote many more poetic things, blu
none more true.
When trades spry,
The goose hangs high,
And everything's hunkey dorey.
This trade will be worth striving 10.
It will be worth an effort on the part Q
Portland to ge, it. 1t will also be W II
something to that inland country to hav
access to Portland for every diversion, c
commerce from its natural course, whe
there is a natural course, costs extra to
the commodities transported. Portlan
should follow the lead OF the o. R * n
Co., and hustle for trade in Idaho Will
developing agencies are at work.
-NA>
Elk City Stage Line.
Surridge Bros. have temperate