The Western news. [volume] (Stevensville, Mont.) 1890-1977, 1902-03-12

mined mineral regions. Both Idaho
and Custer counties, the former in
which Thunder mountain is situated
and the latter to which it is in close
proximity, are corrugated with noun
tain ranges which are scanned with
rich gold veins. The reports of the
miners are so contradictory, however,
that it will be some time before ac-
curate information is obtalnable as to
the extent and value of the ore in the
Thunder Mountain district, probably
we'll on into the coming summer.
Meanwhile it is we'll to know by what
routes the district is most easily reach
ed. There are three which are discuss
ed more than any others, two from the
north and one from the south. The
first is via Stitz, the present terminus
of the Northern Pacific railroad
branch, thence via Newsome, Elk and
Dixie by road, and from Dixie to
Thunder Mountain by trail, distance
of some seventy miles. This is the
present winter route, it being open and
travelled by dog teams, carrying mail
and supplies. By this route there is a
wagon road to Dixie, while the balance
of the way is by trail. The route from
Stitz to Grangeville, Mount Idaho,
Florence and Warren, thence to Thun-
der Mountain is by wagon road as far
as Warren, from which point trail is
the only highway. From information
gained it would seem that this route is
not quite SO short as the first, nor are
the roads usually in so good condition
but, upon investigation, the contrary
may be found to be the case. Warren
may also be approached via the P.& 1.
N. r. r. at Council, ninety-five miles
west. The third, or southern route,
via Bear valley, is from the terminus
of the Oregon Short Line, part of
the Union Pacific system,at Ketchum.
| Other routes over trails from more
remote points are pointed out, but the
three principal routes are given above.
1t is highly probable that the Dewey
company will materially improve the
southern route during the coming sum-
mer, as they are more heavily inter
ested there than anyone else and will
doubtless take in large stock of sup
plies and machinery. This company
has ten stamps about ready to begin
operation, and after they have thor
oughly tested their ground they will
be better able to Judge what additional
machinery they will ,Eequire.
The opening up of this new district
will be the means Of attracting atten-
tion to other camps and districts of
central Idaho. which are sure TO profit
largely by the wide advertising which
Thunder Mountain is getting.
| With such well known gold camps
as Elk. Dixie, Florence, Warren, Buff
falo Hump, Salmon City, Custer City
and others in Idaho, Lemhi and Custer
counties, the fact is pretty well estab-
lished that these alone are sufficient to
create a stir am ong the mining invest
| 1uR tpuUAlC, Oul WHICH, IL Is AAOWu llAGil
not half of the territory has been
prospected systematically, which by
any ordinary method of reasoning
should be as liable4to contain rich free
gold veins as that portion already To-
Gated, additional impetus will be added
to the boom.
| Although the country has the disad-
vautages of isolation, poor trails, where
there are any at all, and is pregnant
of every vicissitude common to wild, ),
rugged, mountainous country, there is
no question but it's more thorough ex-
ploration ard Development is close at
hand. The railroads, which are usually
slow about entering a raw and unde-
veloped country, are almost at the
forefront and show a readiness to ex-
tend their lines at the earliest favor
able moment. There is more than
ordinary reason for this. The develop
mentOf central Idaho, making railroad
building even excusable, will be quick
ly followed by the building of such
roads, las present lines may be much
shortened thereby, as means of cora-
municztion between the Mississippi
valley and the north Pacific coast.
The railroads are even now circulat-
ing information regarding central
Idaho in the east, and those who are
interested in any of the gold camps of
that portion of the state will do well
to take advantage of it.-Spokane
Mining Journal.