Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-08-09

with no success and was given up as
hopeless. From the time Of the dis
covery on Benetsee creek in 1852,
miners flocked in from all parts of
the country, crazed with the desire
for gold. 1t took but little time for
the story of Montana's rich strikes
to be broadcasted verbally among pio-
neers on other boundaries. The Stuart
brothers were on their way to Cali
fornia. Gold was also discovered on
bars In Salmon river where the grains
were said to be as thick as wheat on
a threshing floor, and about the size
and color of wheat.
Avalanche of Prospectors
During the same year, 1852, gold
was discovered at Big Hole and at
Wizards creek. The yellow dust was
then seen near Bannack and this
caused a virtual avalanche of pros
pectors to rush there, deserving Gold
creek. A party of miners started from
Bannack for the Yellowstone country
In 1858 but Indians drove them back
and caused them to camp at Alder
gulch, where the richest gold deposits
in the world were uncovered.
1t is a historical fact that gold has
been PANIED there as high IN value
as $500 to the pan, and for several |
years fabulous amounts were taken |
out Of these mines. This wealth was
discovered June /, 1868, by Fairweath- |
er, and 1t was surely then that the |
initial fair weather for the Treasure |
state began. 1t Is conservatively es-
timated that 500, 100000 worth Of the |
yellow metal has been mined out Of
Alder gulch alone. OF course, this
seems rather exaggerated but, In a
few Of the rich strikes In Montana
that old-timers tell about, 1t would
not be hard to extract close to a mil
ion dollars worth of mineral in q
short time. But figures were never
xept to show the amount Of ore that
vas taken out of the ground because
Zach prospector tried to keep this a
secret. With such desperadoes as
2lummer and his organized bands
each move Of the treasure
Ieekers, 1t was not only dangerous to
heir fortunes but also to their lives
20 make their wealth a matter Of
common knowledge Much OF either
he gold dust or nuggets was not
urned into the banks of Montana but
vas taken out Of the state, and for
his reason, the banks have no way
# accurately estimating the total
mount Of wealth the many mines
reduced.
Develop Copper Mines
In that day, but few miners thought
{ working their claims very far be-
ow the surface. When no more gold
ould be found IN the dirt and gravel
op 1t was usually considered that it
1as time to move on to another loca-
ION. 1t was not until 1t was found
ear Butte that after the gold supply
q one Of the claims was exhausted
liver was found beneath, that there
'as much interest taken In deep min
1g. This developed into the rich de-
ostts OF copper, later found embed
ed In the mountains surrounding
lutte.
ax1iest Cities
With the first settlers In this new
,rritory, such as trappers and miners, I
nd after the many government In
Ian trading posts were established
migrants began arriving with the ex-
ress purpose of establishing farms
omes and business. Federal posts
hich dotted the country In q short
me encouraged settlement and the
ice great distances between trading
nters and towns gradually dizntn-
he'd. Among the earIiesf cities were
lrgtnia City, fars4 known as East
annack; Alder Gulch, Helena. Fort
snton and Bozeman. Butte was also
le OF the earlier communities found
! but tt was several years after the
ming camps dotted the gulches and
oImtain bases Of what b now Silver
W. county, before there was any IN
nse interest taken In civic govern
snt In 1867, q miners comment is
ted. Eyes, they have laid out Butte
last, said a doubling Thomas In
moan Of despondency, ~and Il It
d any frtends n0w that II "a laid
{, they would bsmy It. Butte new
Ehe largest eaxy IN NO seate and