The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-06-19
IDAHO GOLD DISCOVERIES.
The Thunder Mountain Region and Routes
to tho 0old-Fields.

The Thunder Mountain Region and Routes
to the 0old-Fields.
EDITOR NAT1oNAA TRIBUNE: The
Thunder Mountain gold discoveries, which
have created such widespread interest
throughout the country. IL gaining fresh
impetus from the daily arrivals here Of
prospectors who have struck rich finds In
| the new camp. The rush which has been
under way ali Winter Is rapidly develop
ing into stampede. and the present indi-
cations point with certainty to the estab-
lishment at Thunder Mountain Of one Of
the richest gold fields which has ever been
opened in Idaho. State that has already
yielded over Eve hundred millions in gold.
The district which embraces Thunder
Mountain is of vast extent, and although
it has been generally rumored for several
years past that fabulously rich gold-bear-
ing lodges Of almost incredible magnitude
had been uncovered in that vicinity, yet,
on account OF its isolation and the success
with which the discoveries guarded their
secret, positive news of the wonderful
richness was slow in reaching the outside
world.
claims to Col. Dewey for $10O. 1000, which
Col. Dewey at once bonded with Pitts
burg capitalists for several millions, and
the subsequent refusal of the Caswells Of
S1JO,0OO for an interest in another group
Of claims, directed the energy Of other
nrgOnauts toward the frozen Businesses Of
Thunder Mountain. and row that capital
lists are eagerly paying hundreds Of thou
sands of dollars for locations miles away
ha nr;u nj ha
rich lodges which have been uncovered at
scores of places within radius OF p
miles, indicate the vast extent of the gold
bearing district.
Several years ago the Caswell Bros.
came to WeiSer and were employed by the
writer in the development OF his copper
mines in the Seven Devils Mining Dis
trict, located about 100 miles north Of
Weiser, afterwards going on a prospecting
trip through the Thunder Mountain cOun
try, where their discoveries have in
short time not only made them wealthy,
but have been instrumental in opening up
one Of the greatest mining camps ever dis
covered.
AS thousands Of inquiries are being
made for information concerning this dis
trict, and so many misleading statements
are extant. perhaps a few words from one
in the field may be of interest The GER
has resulted in every town within radius
of 300 miles announcing itself as the
gateway to the best route" Previously
these sO-called "gateways" had never
been heard of. and it was only when there
appeared possible chance to sell sup
plies to Thunder Mountain travellers that
these chimerical routes have been doomed.
The construction OF the Pacific & Ida
no Northern Railway from Weiser to
Council makes the latter town the near
est railroad station; the distance be-
ing 131 miles. From Council to Meadows
by daily stage the distance is 80 miles;
from Meadows a State wagon road leads
for 60 miles through one of the most beau
tiful and fertile valleys in the West, past
Payette Lakes, n scenic Summer resort,
surrounded by heavily-timbered mountain
peaks. which is commencing to attract at
tention from all parts of the country for
its quiet, awe-inspiring beauty past the
Hot Springs and Marshall Lake to War
rens. one of the old mining camps of the
early sixties, from which vicinity millions
of dollars in gold has been taken. From
Warrens to Thunder Mountain is 30 miles
over good pack trail.
All along this route are ranches and set
Elements, so that the traveller can sleep
with a roof over him every night; while
all other routes are over barren trails,
where for miles there is no sign of civil
ization. The route via Council is the only
one which has been successfully travelled
all Winter: having the lowest elevations,
the snow disappears soonest in the Spring.
The trip by any route is certainly diff
cult enough. but the misrepresentation as
to other routes is nothing short of crimi
nal, and has caused untold hardships to
people who have attempted to follow
them, rs they lead over trackless noun
tains with small pretence OF trails, to say
nothing OF wagon roads, so extensively ad
vertiscd. i
a great number of prospectors with
pack animals are scattered along the route
between Council and Thunder Mountain,
and those coming ont are enthusiastic over
the new camp satisfied that the thorough
prospecting which the country is to re-
ceive during the coming Summer from the
thousands who will go in there will as
tonish the country with its results.
The West presents the most attractive
field for the investor; Idaho offers the best
Inducements in the West. and in Idaho
there is no place alluring as Thunder
Mountain.-C. +. d.