The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1917-02-01

doing so will be set forth IN the fol-
lowing narrative;
During the spring of that year, 1888,
was with a fishing concern at AS
toria, ore Among the flotsam and
io+sam of those who follow the sea
md the season of fishing, and who
wore at that time men chiefly of for
eign nationality, I took notice of one
strikingly American. He was rug
cod grizzled, bearded. His hair, once
black. had recently been flecked with
gray His erect and compact figure
WAS lust short of six feet, and his
aoa might be placed at fifty-fiVe. The
falling years had not broken his iron
constitution nor the will that domin-
ated it. He was one to command
vour second attention in any crowd of
men. first noticed him repairing the
dories. He was clever workman
and must have served full term at
the trade.
Soon enough / came to know that
he belonged to the men Of another
age men who at that time, 1888 were
passing swiftly into the shadows un-
der the impulse of changed spirit in
new age. came to know that he
was one of those who had ridden up
on and who had outridden that tur-
bulent stream of humanity that had
surged across the Rockies, and from
overseas, to spread and spend it's
force along the Pacific during the
years following 40.
Call of the Occur d'Alenes.
He was among the first in many of
the excitements of Oregon, Washing
ton. Idaho, Montana and Dakota, as
well az the Frazier river and the Cas-
sias.
Immense distances melted under his
feet as if by the touch Of enchant-
ment.
He came to the Occur dAlenes dur
ing the season of 1880. Here he spent
three successive seasons in search OF
placer ground along the streams OF
north Idaho, but his search was with
however, he met Mr.. A. ]. Prichard'
and in a way was associated with
him. This was his story briefly told
The season had now advanced to
the month of May and my Argonaut
Qor so | had come TO designate him)
like ship at her cables, was fretting
to renew the voyage.
At this time he came to me, IN his
open hand holding a letter, with the
invitation to read it. The writer told
of prospecting trip made during the
previous season, the season of ~.
He had found field of virgin gold in
placer deposit. 1t was extensive, ana
yielded SIS to $35 to the pan; the dl-
rection and the distance from the OLD
Mission was given. 1t closed with
the appeal: "Come as soon as you
can. There will be room and wealth.
for us ALL There will be stampede
here the like of which the world has
not known since 40"
It was signed A. ]. Prichard, and
the enyelop containing 1t was post
marked Spokane Falls, Washington
Territory.
Starts for New Eldorado.
Here indeed was a situation A
new Eldorado was opening beneath
my very feet in which I was invited tc
take an active part ! advanced
sum of money which made our unitec
capital almost $780, The agreemen
between us was that l should bt
counted a full partner in any claims
he might locate or any business N
might undertake
A few mornings thereafter l tool
his hand in friendly farewell as n
stepped aboard one Of the fast HUI
boats that piled the river of that ia
between Astoria and Portland.
After his departure the week
dragged along with leaden monoton!
No one knew my secret At lengt
the hour came / was handed a lei
ter from the office window. l kne
from the postmark, Rathdrum 1dah
Territory, it must be from MN. 4
feverish Impotence / opened it
read a story of disappointment
He, with Mr.. Prichard, had mac
the long hard trip to find nothlh
absolutely nothing. Mr.. Prichard ma
failed to make any provision for
return No trees had been blazed, I
topography of the hills had been tai
en- either mentally or by notes ~
whole situation was most discourse
ing. The entire STORY might be col
sidered a hoax were it not sustain'
by a small quantity of moderate
coarse gold, possibly $175. This mu
have been found in the district D
where? To answer that questi'
would require another season OF pro
necting. The letter closed with t
admonition: do not come in. L
winters are long and severe. The
is nothing to do. The cost OF llvl
is high. You will only meet WI
disappointment"
Shortly theree fter another letter
the same tenor, adding, however, u
he and Mr.. Prichard were to rep
the trip, and that he would be una
to write me again until mid winter
.lY,, .rrino They were the OF