Year: 1864

OS MADISON RIVER, THAT EMPTIES INTO THE
Missouri RIVER 20 Mnks Easr Of
a5. VIRGINIA CRY, IDAHO Oct. q, 1854. !
At present, from all accounts this is
the most desirable section. Why we did not
60 to East Bannock first is because of new
route to this section opened this season, and
most Of the immigration has taken 1t, on &C
count Of its being nearer, so said; but very
many doubt it now. 1t has been q little
over two weeks since We got here. In that
time have been very busy seeking out a sec.
ton 10 go to work in the hay business, as
we had machine. We have now got fairly
at it in cutting on shares. We got here 50
late that all hay claims this far, and even
farther, were taken up, SO that our best and
only chance was to cut on shares. The claim
we are now camped on was sold the other
day for $500. think it is very poor hay
claim compared to the one we are now cut
ting on, which will probably yield two tons
per acre. This one will not yield over one
per acre. We have probably got over 90
tons cut on this claim. Hay is now retailing
in the city for over one hundred dollars per
ton; but where it is run in by those com.
PEELED to sell they only get from forty to fifty
dollars per ton. There are variety of opin.
ions as to the price of hay this winter Most
of them think it will not be less than one
hundred dollars, and some go up as high as
two hundred dollars.


We had a rery hard time coming through
but some had it harder, by losing every.
thing. We got through with nearly every
thing. For Ave weeks we were in hostile
Indian country, but all that we saw were
very friendly. The emigrants bought great
many buffalo robes. Our company bought
nine. bought two. What We traded for
them was mostly old worn out clothes, or
something Of that sort, and which we could
spare as well as not, SO that the real cost of
robe would not exceed one dollar.


have not been here long enough yet to
give you much Of history as to real gold
country. At Virginia City the gulch mining
district is from twelve to fifteen miles long.
Some say one, and others the other, viii!
probably average one mile wide. Some of
the claims are paying well, and others not
much; but the most Of them are doing well
l have heard of one man who works twelve
men, night and day, that is taking cut one
thousand dollars per day. In one claim was
takon out a nugget valued at over four hun
dred dollars. In the same claim, since we
got here, another nugget was taken out of
1928 value. Where claims can be bought
they sell from $5OO,o to O,O00. This fall
will be the time TO purchase claims by those
that can raise the dust, for that is the only
standard currency here. Greenbacks pass
for one half their face.


There have been quite number Of quartz
claims found in this country, the richest one
from present indications, was found a few
days after we got here. The discovcIer was
offered $4,000 for it. but would not take it.
He went to one Of the banks to have it test
cd. After they tried it they offered him
$4,000, but he asked fifty thousand. A
man told me yesterday that he knew of over
twenty seven quartz mills on the way to this
section. We hear of good many gulch
claims being discovered, as yet cannot say
whether it is true or not. Only one which
is said to be in Cotncy in the British donn-
ions, which is from three to four hundred
miles north Of this, which many are leaving
here for. We also hear Of parties leaving
here on the sly, prepared for mining. l have
not much doubt but very many mines are
discovered and they will keep them on the
sly as long as they can. am told by old
experienced miners that they never saw so
many indications of gold country as this.
On our way through the Indian country, at
nearly every stream, in washing pan Of dirt
from the sand bars, We would find some
specks Of gold, as they called it, the Color
At some future time can probably give you
some more definite history Of this country
as to gold. The general face OF it is very
mountainous; but the roads are not as bad as
one would think. i.


As for tn. safety Of living here it is nov
considered qnite safe for every one in every
part. The Vigilant Committee are very strict
and watchful. Since We came here one man
was hung, and another received forty.eight
lashes, and have heard he was followed up
afterwards and hung. His sentence was so
lashcs, and to leave the country in twenty
four hours. lie snapped pistol twice at
man but it did not go off. The other one
shot a man, but not inortally. The Vigilant
Committee are now after another man. The
Committee are all over the country and nun.
Der two hundred and Fifty.


We do not have any rain here. Very
warm days, but it is cold nights. have not
been out Of sight Of snow for six weeks past
I can see il now while writing this to you,
for my table is in the open air on wagon
box. Our meals are all taken on the grass.
- our kitchen is very large, also our bed
room. At present we have no cabin. Shall
c~nt ,hiv t,:tI M, ,Her b,,;,r Thai "a.