Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-02-25

small tributary Of Prickly Pear creek
they discovered rich pay dirt. The
men had given up all hope of finding
anything on their trip so they named
the discovery Last Chance.
When the news reached Virginia
City and other places q stampede fol-
lowed. In a few months Last Chance
had grown to such size that the miners
changed its name to the more digni-
fled one Of Helena. However. to this
day, many old-timerS refer to Helena
as Last Chance Gulch
In the winter of 1864-65 Confederate
Gulch, in Meagher county, was dis
covered. It is situated 20 miles from
Helena and six or seven miles from
the Missouri river. This is the g1lch
that produced some claims that were
phenomenons of wealth, Montana bar
and several claims that yielded as high
as $3.50 to the pan One pan of dirt con-
tanned more than 81 900. In 1855 ship
ments Of gold from Montana bar and
Confederate Gulch amounted to more
than one and half million dollars in
gold.
Shortly after these discoveries came
the rush to Bear Gulch, first known
as First Chance Gulch. From this area
the miners took about $11, 0OO,O 600 in
gold. Then came the stampede TO Cedar
creek In MiSSoula county, now In Min
eral county. There was q rush to Wash
mgton Gulch and the Nevada creek
placers in what is now Powell county,
and the discovery of rich digg1ngs IN
Henderson Gulch, Granite county. Be
sides these there were many other
Stampedes including deserted Black
foot City In Powell county.
Rumors Started RumOrs
In those days it took but a mere
rumor to induce men to leave diggings
where they were certain of good re-
day Of high prices, to rush madly to
some unknown gulch In the hope that
they would strike 1t even richer. Good
horses that could run fast were worth
their weight in gold.
In the stampede to Cedar creek there
was wild rush to be first on the
ground. More than one prospector lived
on gophers and berries because thev
had thrown away all their baggage In
order to tighten their load. Strips of
bacon tied on a saddle, blankets, pack
horses, changes Of clothing were all
abandoned in the mad rush Everything
except six-gun, rifle and bowie knife
were tossed to one side in a wild en-
deavor to put on more speed. Death by
and death by violence were
equally disregarded.
There was no order, no system, no
law. 1t was just q search for gold:
riches to the first and devil take the
hindmost. Good mountain roads were
few, the Mullan trail was lust being
built. Indian trails were the main
routes Of travel. Supplies were packed
IN by mules.
But out Of this chaos has grown the
present site of Montana with some of
the finest industries In the United
States. The roads are oiled and paved,
the state Is well policed and has less
crime than probably any other state
IN the United States transportation
Is Of the best available In both the
railroad and. bus industries.
During the last so years Montana
can point TO amazing progress. It's
cities are growing and agriculture and
have Joined with min
ing to make Montana potentially the
greatest state In the union Thousands
Of tourists come each year TO see It's
scenic wonders The citizens of Mon
ANA viii have lots to celebrate during
The Golden anniversary In November.