The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1922-11-16
CAPTAIN PIERCE FIRST
TO FIND GOLD IN IDAHO
ON oRoFINIo CREEK AFTER
WARD INCLUDED IN sHo-
sHoNE COUNTY.


such was the case of Captain Elias
D. Pierce, who led party of prospec-
tors into the virgin gold fields of tn,
Clearwater river country and startet
the second of the three great western
mining movements. This movement
was Of such significance that it result
ed in the creation of the state of Idaho
from portion of the Oregon territory
Little Known of Pierce.
No one knew much about Captain
Pierce and only few of the pioneers
around "Rich Old Pierce" one of the
richest diggings of the early times.
named in honor of its discoverer.
were able to recall details of his first
expedition into the country. Sixty
three years have elapsed since Captain
Pierce made his discovery and while
the rush was at hight tide he slipped
from sight. The story of Captain
Pierce has been so meager of substan-
tive proof that it sometimes has been
discredited.
Historians have been content to let
Pierce come in a shadow and after
playing his part vanish in a mist
Research work conducted this sum-
mer by Cornelius ]. Brosnan of the
department of American history at the
University of Idaho, brings to light
the only known details of Pierce's per-
sonal history.
Finds Cousin of Pierce.
In Moscow, the home of the uni
versity, Professor Brosnan found a
cousin of the discoverer and from her
continued the search until he had To-
Gated nephew and a niece in the
east. The cousin, Mrs. Clara Ransom
Davis, received her baccalaureate de-
gree at the university in 1898 and her
masters at commencement last
spring. She presented both the state
historical society and the university
with pictures of Captain Pierce a few
years ago. The universitys picture
shows Captain Pierce a much younger
man than the one presented the his
torical society. The latter, perhaps,
was taken before his departure for
the California gold fields
Pierce is mentioned by most modern
historians as an Indian trader and so
little was known prior to Professor |
Brosnan's discovery that he has been |
given but passing mention. Not even |
his first name was known. In 1918 |
Professor Brosnan had the unique
honor Of publishing a first picture in
his school history of Idaho.
Letters Tell Story.
A bundle of dim, faded letters, writ !
ten during the days of '49 between
Mrs. Henry Jenkins, Knox township,
Indiana, and her husband in the Cali !
fornia fields form a chain of histori-
cal facts telling of Pierce's work and |
operations before he moved north.
jenkins was evidently a close friend
of Pierce, for nearly every letter con-
tanned interesting sidelights on the
characteristics of the man who sever
al years later was to have the dis
tinction of being. the central figure in
the second western gold excitement.
Pierce and his party started pros
pecting in the Calaveras county sec
ton, but later moved to Shasta City,
Shasta county from where he sent
very bright reports From Shasta he
moved to San Joaquin county and later
to Yreka in the Siskiyou mountain,
where historians first find his trail.
Satisfied that California offered moth
ing better than the ground he had
already passed over he jumped across
Oregon and Washington into the Sim
Ilkameen river section In British Co
umbia, but returned to Walla Walla
IN 1858. He tried farming for a while
and succeeded in collecting a herd Of
10 cattle, when he was lured back t.
the trail by reports brought to Fort
Walla Walis BY traders. Confident
that gold could be found in the Clear
water country he organized a party
and in 1859 started into the mountains. {
His entry into the Nez Perez country
was opposed by the Indians, but the
party declined to turn back.
Found Gold in Creek.
"Colors" were found in the sands I
Of Canal creek, near the present town {
Of Pierce City. and additional prospect
miners returned TO. Portland with dust
% sell and their tales of the fabulous ]
'ichness of the new fields soon flood L
ID the trails with miners. The Cali t
ornia fields were quickly drained and s
he movement quickly spread into all 9
PARTS of Idaho and even into Montana.
md Washington. When the excite
nent reached it's crest Pierce disap-
'eared, but to this day the town which
rev around his first prospect ground
md placer diggings bears his name.
When it came time for historians to
rather in the story of the gold dis
'overy in Idaho they could find only
cattered fragments and the discovery
his summer seems to have saved this
incident from almost com
'lete oblivion.
Pioneer Judge" l. B. Cowen, who
vent into the Pierce Citv country in '