Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1899-03-03
PLACER PLACES.
Master Miner Mentions Likely
Locations.

Master Miner Mentions Likely
Locations.
1t isnotOrious that quartz mining,
however productive, has not the
universal fascination that placer
propositions possess for the general
public.
"The days of old, the days Of
gold, the days of 40" that thrilled
the world were not quivering with
excitement over quartz. 1t was
placer, the pick, shovel and pan
proposition that drew the adven-
turous with magnetic force to
California.
So with Alaska. There was no
talk Of stamps, smelters and con-
centrates, but of coal oil cans chOck
full Of gold dust, and nuggets the
size of nutmegs. One newspaper
in Frisco, in the first frenzy of the
Klondike craze, published a detail
ed story with illustrations of a
whole mountain of free gold report
ed to exist on one of the small
islands off the coast of Alaska.
Both the particulars and pictures
of this piece Of golden gossip had
their origin in the inner conscious
ness of reporters brain fertilized
by Dago foot-juice, but the public
were eager to swallow even noun
tains, 50 that it was placer.
While the Buffalo Hump is
rightly attracting the attention of
the mining world, the fact that the
discoveries are in quartz form may
make many unfamiliar with this
branch of metallurgy hesitate to try
their fortune in Idaho county.
These should not overlook the fact
that finer field for placer pros
pecting does not exist in the United
States.
j. Witt, one of the oldest and
best known residents of this coun-
ty, has followed placer mining in
Idaho county since 80 A repre-
sentative Of the DAILY PRESS there
fore felt fortunate in being able to
get a brief talk with the gentleman
and obtain some important inform
alton concerning placer mining in
Idaho county and particularly to
discover if there was any ground
that offered a virgin field to the
prospector.
''Fine, flaky placer gold, rs al.
most everyone knows" said Mr.
Witt this morning, sis to be found
almost anywhere along the bars OF
the Snake or Clearwater rivers
There is still considerable placer
mining in operation around ELL
City. Some seven years ago
owned the Buffalo Hill placer mine
in that district. 1t was atterwardl
sold to Montana parties, and Is still
productive.
"Another placer proposition il
that district which has been know,
|for long time but never tackled
until six years ago, is the Deadwoo'
Gulch mine. l was obliged t.
build eight thousand yards Of fun
to operate this with any hope @
success. 1t is now doing well, how
ever, and amply repaying the cos
of development.
Regarding your question as t
an unworked country, can answe
in the affirmative. There is such
country in this county. and
: covers wide area. l believe tina
anyone with the sand to tackle tn
difficulties of the trip into tina
section would be well repaid.
"The locality l refer to extend
up the Middle fork of the Clear
J water. in an easterly direction fror
Elk City. 1t is exceedingly rock
! and rough, heavily timbered an
practically impossible for horses G
pack animals. A few men hav
!, made short prospecting trips i
e there, with such grub as they coul
pack ON their backs. The gol
r found there was all of rounC
heavy order. The wash that run
through the country has its tren
from that direction, and there
D little doubt that the fine gold fOun
lower down on the river break
n largely has it's origin in the regio
mentioned. 1t is directly ON til
gold belt range that intersecis thi
county,
Mr.. Witt carries in his pocket
!. magnificent specimen of rock in
S pregnated with free gold. The roc
!. is hard, and the gold shows u
I. bright and yellow. The specime
I. weighs about half pound an
would cut up into a number I
4 handsome pieces of jewelry. Thi
0 gentleman also owns 1000 acre
some seven miles north of this cit!
), Of the finest land the county a
fords, where he raises immens
~ crops OF wheat and great numbt
4 of cattle. April Of every yea
however, finds him starting for h
placer property in DeadwOod gulcl
q nIn nllccll0