Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1922-05-04
SEES REVIVAL Of
ACTIVITY IN
MINING
NV E. NJ. GRIFFITH


Unless all signs fail, Idaho coun-
ty, otherwise known as central Ida
no, the greatest undeveloped gold-min.
ing section on the continent, will again
experience great mining activity as
soon as the snow goes sufficiently
for mining men and prospectors to get
into the various camps without hav-
ing to undergo too many hardships.
The first great mining activity in
this section was in the early Cos when
the sturdy pioneers of that time, in
their mad rush to the great EldOrado
of the west, dared to venture into
this unknown and almost inaccessible
region in search of the precious metal.
Many were the fortunes taken from
the then rich placer diggings, and
today, in many of our western cities,
are large buildings and structures of
I'll kinds erected by the more fortunate
gold seekers of that time, and many
Of these structures still stand
in memory of those days, and of the
brave men who dared to risk their
lives in going into such an uncertain
and hazardous venture.
Since that time the onward rush
Of civilization has wrought many
changes, such as the subduing of the
indians who were a great menace in
hose DAYS, and the settlement of the
adjacent lowlands and plateaus for
arming and stockraising, all of
which have caused better roads and
facilities for getting to and from
hese mining regions, even by automo-
bile in many instances. While It is
,onservatively estimated that one
hundred fifty millions of dollars in
old were taken from the many placer
liggings of those days, it is considered
comparatively insignificant to the
wealth contained in the vast number
If gold bearing veins, both high and
ow grade, that are so well known
exist in this section; and which
1nlv lacks capital to develop to the
,oint of producing.
SO with the advent of spring and
!oing of the snow there will undOubt-
,dly be much activity, if not border
ing on a rush, into the many camps
70 secure and develop the many rich
uartz properties already uncovered
md proven. as well as to prospect for
others in the yet unexplored and viz
gin territory.
Like all small towns, AMI large ones
90 for that matter. Grangeville, the
ountv seat of idaho county, has a
mall element which sees no good in
1nvthing pertaining to mining; but
he greater portion of the population
has long since realized that mining is
one of the principal assets of this
section, if not the greatest under the
present depressed condition of farm
'ng and stock-raising. That this is
true is demonstrated by the fact
ihat only recently a mass meeting of
mining men from different districts
of the county and business men gen
orally was held in Grangeville and
formed what is known as the South
Fork Road association. The purpose
Of this organization is to take more
active means toward securing fur
Their appropriations for the compile
lion of the road now under the course
IF construction from the county seat
10 Elk City, and into the heart of
he various mining districts. This will
De truck road and will solve tire
problem, the lack of
which has so long held up successful
mining in this section. The great
necessity for this road, and from many |
tandpoints Necessity knows no law |
viii demand and secure the compile
ion of this road at no far distant
ate.
Il is quite definitely settled that
he truck road now being built by the
government from Grangeville to Buff
alo Hump camp will be extended TO
,ithin a few miles of the camp this
oming summer, if not completed.
With the completion of this road in
o Buffalo Hump, many properties
ill be in a position to begin active
perations, whereas under present CON
itions it is too expensive in getting
efficient supplies and machinery in
1era for extensive oneratiOns.