Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1938-04-23

When the news that gold had
been discovered at Gold creek be-
came generally known men began
to flock into that part OF Idaho
from north, south, east and west,
but chiefly from the south Ihls
might seem str1nge-the exodus OF
persons from q warm climate 20
what was then regarded as little
short Of the frigid Z0ne-tf 1t had
not many times been explained
that It resulted from the Civil war
which was not conducive to the
comfort or safety Of those living
in disputed territory like Missouri.
On reaching Gold creek and observ-
ing what had taken place in that To-
caity, it occurred to the more adven-
turous that If gold could be found
there 1t might also be elsewhere in this
region, and they set out in search OF
it. The result Of this activity was the
rapidly following discoveries at Ban
mack, Alder gulch and Last Chance.
Rightly arguing that these camps did
not contain all the gold In the terri
tory, for many years later, and even
today, men engaged in its search. They
were called prospectors. Outfitted with
pick and shovel and taking with them
enough provisions to last during their
absence from town, they packed their
scanty store of food and tools on one
horse, and riding another, took their
way into some lonely mountain canyon
or along the bank of a river, until they
arrived at point where the rock out
groupings looked promising.
Here they made camp began work,
and remained until they struck a pay
ing vein, rich placer, or their supplies
we're exhausted, when they returned to
town for fresh stock.
The whole business was a gamble.
While they worked and until they
found gold, nothing was received in
the line of pay; yet they must live
To solve this difficulty, often man
who was in possession of money, and
confidence in the proSpector as q gold
seeker, either furnished the needed sup
plies or the cash to buy them, with the
understanding If a mine was found he
was to have claim near the discovery
or be paid in some other manner. This
providing the prospector with tools and
other supplies was called stalking"
man.
Poor Investment
In many instances the man who
staked the prospector had nothing for
his expended money, while again, he
might be made a millionaire without
himself doing a stroke Of work. II
rich vein was struck, the utmost secrecy
was preserved concerning it, If possible,
in order to give the one who furnished
supplies time to stake his claim before
others, getting wind Of the strike,
should first secure it.
A long time ago, but number Of
years after Montana had been divorced
from Idaho in true Hollywood fashion,
when Alder gulch was pretty well ex-
hausted and Cinnamon were making
fortunes from working over the dis
carded dumps Of Last Chance gulch,
a prospector thought he could find gold
In the Little Rockies. He thought so,
but he might not be able to make an
other think as he did, to the extent
Of stalking him for an indefinite period;
yet it was absolutely necessary, II he
went out into the mountains, that such
q confiding person should be found.
At length he CHANGED on the right
Individual business man noted for
his generoSity-and the proSpector
started out well provided for his under
taking, filled with the unfailing hope
which animated his kind, and made
their occupation possible The business
man dismissed the whole matter from
hts mind, being quite ready to set
down the cost Of the supplies on the
debit side Of his ledger.
Days, weeks, and perhaps months
elapsed before word came to him from
his proSpector, who wrote in a great
state of elation. He had found good
mine, and it behooved the business
man to make haste to reach 1t and
stake his claim. The prospector tried