Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1900-02-02
SOUTH FORK EXCITEMENT.
Important Deep Mining Developments
About to be lnauSarated.

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4 miles from Mt. Idaho, continues
to increase and speaking conserv-
atively the camp bids fair to become
ere long a worthy rival of the now
world famous Buffalo Hump.
Through camp Dewey the south
fork of the Clearwater winds its
way here aud there through mar
row canyons, again widening out
with little valleys on either side
nestled close to the rolling mount
aims. 1t is typical ranching
country and at even this midwinter
season the hillsides are green and
dotted here and there with butter
cups and other wild flowers. On
the east the hills rise to the very
outskirts of Mt. Idaho while to the
west and north and in the direct
ion of Buffalo Hump the snow
capped peaks make striking
contrast.
The placer pioneers have left
their marks here. Relics of old
cabins may be seen in every can
yon and the big burrows of gravel
and remnants of wing dams attest
the energy Of the argonauts. We
are told that just opposite the
Dewey $50, 900 was taken from one
point and it is a matter of history
that the rich placers along this
stream have enriched hundreds.
But those days are past and the
attention Of the mining world is
now being drawn towards the
quartz lodes and porphyry reefs
which traverse this section Of the
Clearwater country, and to which
no doubt, the placer gold gathered
so easily in early days o> es its
origin. Our readers are all fami-
liar with the history of the Dewey
located last spring and standing
now away up in the list Of Idaho's
big mines. Work is being prose
cuted at the Dewey with unremit-
ting energy and the ore bodies
there alone are bound to interest
the railroad promoters Of the
country Frank Brown who re-
GENTLY purchased an interest in the
Grass Roots, which lies across the
river and above the Dewey was in
town lately and succeeded in
making arrangements with his CO.
owners whereby 100 foot tunnel
will be driven on the main Grass
Roots vein, and other development
work instituted on the property.
Mr.. Brown and his associates are
determined the property will be
thoroughly exploited before it is
put upon the market, and the
outlook must be encouraging when
it is considered that a pay chute
has already been proved for nearly
400 feet on one of the three lodes
which traverse the property.
With our limited space it is i'm
possible to mention in detail the
great amount of work being carried
on on the Grass Roots side of the
river. The Copper Stain, General
Butler, Cheese Box, the Hinkle
property, the Knickerbocker group,
Clearwater, Pride of Clearwater,
and the Andy Gilbert claims are
among those that are now receiv-
the attention of the owners in a
substantial way.
On this side of the river about
one-half mile above the Dewey,
work has been commenced on the
Anchor tunnel; this is the most
gigantic enterprise yet undertaken
in the camp. The promoter of
this tunnel is Mr.. j. r. Bennett,
late with the De Lamar company.
Mr.. Bennett has been spending
some time in the Clearwater coun-
try and was so well satisfied with
the formation and character Of the
veins that he purchased all the
interests in the Mountain Queen
which is located on what is known
as the Clearwater lode. This was
a private purchase on the part of
Mr.. Bennett and he will commence
work soon on crosscut tunnel
that will tap the vein at a consid-
cradle depth. In the Anchor
tunnel project Mr.. Bennett is
strongly backed by eastern capital.
The tunnel runs west by north
west, and starting at a point one
fourth of mile below Browns
ranch, will cut at right angles
five parallel quartz lodges which
have immense surface showings as
we'll as the Dewey porphyry reefs.
When completed as mapped out
this tunnel will be 5000 feet long.
On the McConville A. d. Bartley
is driving from the river on what
he believes to be the st. Patrick
vein. The Creole Girl, in which
Frank Brown, John Steadman
w. II. STAN and and Mr.. Van Slycl
are interested is giving phenome
nal assays. Herbert Rothwell ha
just moved an outfit on his claim
adjoining the st. Patrick and will
commence pushing developmen
work. On the Sheridan, Johl
See and partner have put in
windlass and will sink a fifty foo
shaft. Messrs Skaggs and Ear
are working on their claims whic