Year: 1863

MAN, from Florence, little more than
year ago, over the signature of "Typo," ar
rived here last week from East Bannack,
where he has been engaged in mining du-
ring the past season. From him we obtain
the following in relation to the mines and
other matters of Eastern Idaho


He left Virginia City, on Alder Creek,
branch of the Stinkingwater, the 5th Nov.
AT that time there was no work going on in
the mines, nor had there been for two weeks
previous, owing to the severe cold weather
winter having already set in. There has
been a great deal of prospecting done this
summer in that region, but as yet nothing
has been found of Importance, outside of the
Grasshopper, Horse Prairie, Alder Greek
and Bivens' Gulch Districts OF these three
districts the miners have been the most for
tunate on Alder Greek, and although it is
believed by many to be the richest gulch
ever found outside of California it will only
bear favorable comparison with Rhodes
Greek of the Orc Fino mines There is only
about two miles of Bivens' Gulch which
pays more than wages. 1t is nearly worked
out The Grasshopper mines, of which
much has been said, are confined to about
four miles of that creek and few men have
done well working them. There are some
good leads near by which fully make up for
the lack of richness in the gulch. From
one claim in the Dakota, the snug sum of
100000 has been taken out with the use of
an Arastra the past summer. One eight
stamp mill with steam power attached, has
now taken the place of the Arastra, and two
others will shortly be in operation, crushing
quartz


On Horse Prairie there is party of
twelve men using all the water and doing all
the mining that is done in that vicinity.


In Prokley Pear valley there has been
but little mining done this season. A St.
Louis Company of inexperienced miners,
numbering twelve men, own the best ground
and have secured all the water in the valley
which could possibly be brought so as to be
used in working the bars. The place is de-
serted now in consequence of cold weather


The valleys of the Jefferson, Madison &
Galatin are warm and pleasant during win
ter as well as summer. Stock find plenty of
feed as no snow falls to stay on the ground
more than a day or two. BY irrigating, fine
crops of wheat, barley, oats and corn can
be raised A distance of forty five miles
below Virginia city these three streams
form junction and the head of the Mis-
souri,. The town of Galatin has been laid
out here and holders of real-estate in it
place high value upon it. Game is abun-
dant in the vicinity and many miners have
gone thither to winter 1t is believed that
at some day not far distant, the whistle of
steamboat will be heard in the streets of
Ga latin, as the Missouri is said to be navi-
gable above the falls at Fort Benton to this
place.


AT, and near Virginia City, there are
four saw-mills in operation. Two more, to
run by steam are on their way from Benton.
A school for the education of the young has
been established, and all that is lacked to
make Virginia place of importance, is the

inevitable newspaper.


1t is believed that there has been an in
crease of ten thousand persons to the popu-
lation of eastern Idaho this last summer,
and should the unhappy state of affairs in
the States continue year longer, an addi-
ton Of ten times that number is looked for.
Provisions of all kinds command high
price Flour brought from Salt Lake, is
selling for $45 per hundred and bacon at 80.
Groceries and dry goods are brought from
the States via Ft Bridger. Sugar com
mands 6Octs per tb coffee, 100 tea, 80
dried fruit, 60 and IS. A route has been
opened and viii be travelled next season,
running directly West from Ft Laramie
and will shorten the distance to the mines
from Omaha, N. T., about 400 miles over
the one at present travelled.


During the summer, there has been seye-
raj parties out prospecting on the head wa
ters of Yellowstone and Snake rivers
One party returned and report having found
good diggings on Big Horn, branch of the
Yellowstone, but say they cannot be worked
unless by large party as the Indians are
hostile. 1t was on this stream that the un
fortunate Bostic met his fate last spring =
Reports have been in circulation for some
time at Virginia that rich diggings have
been found about eight days travel north
ward from Benton, on the head-waters of
the South Saskatchewan. Benton is re-
ported deserted.


The mail-carrier between this place and
Colville informs us that many of the citi-
zens in CoIville valley are making prepara-