Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1901-12-19

was IlTSt DTOuRHb luto pIOuiIncuCc
by Chas. Robbins and X. B.
Young, alias B. r. Rigley in Au-
gust, 1898.
Buffalo Hump, so-called, derives
its name from a prominent peak,
that has been landmark for 40
years. This peak or mountain
from the west appears to resemble
the form of a recumbent buffalo,
thus the derivation.
It is situated almost in the geo.
graphical center of Idaho county,
latitude 115o 40 west, longitude |
45o 3O' north. 1t is also the GEN.
ter Of a great geological upheaval,
the central and highest point in
which is the Buffalo Hump noun
tain itself, rising to an altitude of
S,4OO feet above sea level. This
great disturbance that caused the
formation of mountain ranges, also |
formed the mineral bearing veins.
The general geology of this dis
trict can be summed up in few
words. A mass of granite of sec
ondary origin having general
north and south axis. Irregular
fragments and dykes of schists and
quantities. running on the same
strike as the granite. The veins,
quartz, generally large, having also
northerly strike and lying in
schist castings. Some intrusive
dykes of diorite and traps cutting
the formation. The veins carrying
some high values in gold and silver,
the gold being partly in free state
and associated in an iron pyrite.
Other minerals associated are chal
copyrite, marcasite and galenite.
The ore of the district might be
called a milling and concentrating
ore, SO far as IL shown by the depth
reached; about 20 per cent of ore
values being saved by ordinary
gold milling, wet crushing and
amalgation process. and the bal
ance up to 90 per cent being saved
in form of high grade concentrates
The history of the camp briefly
told is as follows: Robbins and
Rigley, old time prospectors, were
camped along the old Dixie-Flor-
ence trail early in August, 1898.
While hunting they stumbled across
float rock about 500 yards to south
Of trail; tracing this up, they dis
covered an immense outcropping
of quartz, that, owing to its forma-
ton being harder than the surroun-
ding country rock, stood exposed
above the surface Of the ground for
some hundred feet, having width
of over ten feet. They broke of
some Of this quartz and to their
experienced eye it was ore. On
August Sth they located three
claims on this ledge, the Big ,Buf-
falo, Merrimac and Orc Fine
names that in few months made
Idaho county famous. Going to
Florence, the nearest Office to re.
cord their claims they had some
assays on the rock and were as.
founded at the results-nine feet
of ore $45S. II per ton; seven feet o.
ore $712.17. Inside of 12 hours
Florence was practically deserted
Every man who was able to find q
horse went, and some walked. Tht
women folks too, got the fever anG
joined the rush for the gold fields
For years it was generally known
that there were immense lodges il
the Buffalo Hump country and il
fact an old and time-worn trai
crossed through the heart OF thu
district, but the lucky find fell t.
Robbins and Rigley. Soon thu
news got abroad, and prospectors
promoters and capitalists were
headed for this new Eldorado.
A hundred locations were speed
lily staked and work commenced
With every foot of development
on the Big Buffalo the ledge GO
stronger and richer. On the 24tf
of August a district was organized
band Of determined prospector
met on the south shore of Buffalo
lake; there had been some jumping
of claims, and many matters of in.
terest were up for discussion
these men who were gathered
around the camp fire that Angus,
night were makers of history. II
reminded one of the old councils
during the days of French and In.
dian wars, when matters of deep
importance were discussed around
camp fire under the old council
trees. X. F. Carney was elected
charms and J. G. Moore secreta-
ry. Chas. III. Scott was elected
recorder and the district named
Robbins mining district, in honor
OF Charlie Robbins, the discoverer.
The limits OF the camp were defin-
ed as follows: Commencing at the
confluence OF Newsome creek and
the South Fork of Clearwater riv-
er, thence southerly to Fish lake,
thence down Lake creek, the outlet
OF Fish lake, to its confluence with
Crooked greek, thence down Crook
ed creek 10 it, junction with the
Galmo1sTiver, thence westerly down
~ snl&oe rive. e q; mouth Of