Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1899-05-05
Record OF Gold Mining Booms

O~ss 70 e.es''SAAo Dp' ~ ~~
elements, have marked the history
Of the Pacific coast. The first of 40
to California, the second was the
Fraser river excitement in 1857,
the Florence boom of 1852 was the
third, and the latest has scarcely
yet passed, the Klondike hegira OF
1897-9S. Each of the rushes drew
from nearly every civilized land
under the sun and gave character
to the early life of the respective
communities. But as development
came the character impaired by the
mining craze has been greatly al
tered where anything like perma-
nent results followed. Small evil
dence remains OF the Fraser river
or Florence booms; for the most
part they are mere matters of
romantic history. The mines
forced the growth of California i'm
five years beyond what it would
otherwise have been in 20, and the
development of other Industries
was vastly promoted. None Of the
other excitements has been produc-
tive of such important results as
have come from the discovery of
gold in California.
Minor mining excitemcnts have
been numberless, and the Pacific
Northwest has had its share of
them. Quite furry was caused
by the discovery of gold in the
Clearwater country of Idaho as the
Fraser river tide was ebbing and
the camps at Orc Fino, Pierce City
and Elk City were established
then, and were staid and common
place, though not Improbable,
and, later, at Warren and in the
Boise basin. The Cpur d'Alene
silver mines drew much attention
q dozen years ago. Trail creek is
British Columbia's contribution to
mining districts of recent develop
ment-the Republic camp is max
ing an excellent representation tor
Washington, and Idaho's claimant
for honor is the Buffalo Hump
country, over which prospcctors
swarmed during the PUSHES to the
Clearwater diggings and to Flor
ence and Salmon river placers.
The big excitements have been
caused by discoveries of placer
gold. More moderation has at
tended the influx of miners tc
quartz camps. The prospect Of
hard work has a tendency to tone
down many natures that grow
mercurial under visions of unal.
loyed wealth.
1t is rock proposition at Buffa
10 Hump, however, and still the
miners flock thither. Rumors Of
rich placers came from there in
1862, but they turned out to b,
nothing more than rumors. Som.
gold was obtained, and prospector,
in several instances believed them
selves to be on the point of open
ing rich mines, but the hope ano
belief were never realized, and tn,
locality was abandoned as IL iielt
for prospecting. Occasionally sine,
then q prospector, knocking about
the mountains, has wandered
across the Buffalo Hump ant
struck few pans of earth that
yielded gold in promising quaint.
ty, but results never warranted
staying with the country any con,
siderable time. Now discover,
takes another line, and the quart.
and porpbyry Of the mountains is
made to yield the gold that coult
not be PANIED from the sand and
gravel. Reports of great richie,
come out, but most OF them depend
for actual proof on developments o
the future.
The trail to Buffalo Hump i,
now lined with men bound to tes
for themselves the value of tn,
new camp. Though the district i,
yet covered with 1c or Is feet o
snow, and in many places the APP
proach to the mines is ove.' snow
10 to 20 feet deep, the men VIII,
want mines and gold are in NJ
wise daunted. The ,ributar,
towns are overlooking with pros
perity, while the oncoming miner,
are Overlooking all accommoda
tions. New towns are being plan
ned and old ones rejuvenated
The Buffalo Hump boom has NOR,
than one side. 1t calls farmer,
and merchants and manufacturers
as we'll as miners, to the new
country, and the transportation
lines cannot ignore it.
The mining excitements of earl,
days in the Clearwater and Salmon
river country were scarcely war
ranted by results, yet it is sale
500, 900, 900 in gold has come oul
OF that region to enrich the world.
Disappointment met those who ex.
pected to scoop up gold by the Int.
full, and the throng was moved by
sueh expectation, but the yield d
40 years proves that distric, OF
Idaho to be rich. Indeed, no pl os-
pector or miner has doubted the
richness of the abundant placer
ground: the trouble has haan ta