Year: 1866

ED. Post: Allow me- first to congratulate you upon
the success of your paper as journal whose mechanical
and literary excellence places it amongst the foremost of
newspaperdom making it credit to Territory and
giving character abroad medium of reliable ntei-
gence as to the vast and varied contained within
our lines OF boundary. Since my advent in the Rocky
Mountains have derived both pleasure and profit from
frequent perusa of your columns and in looking over
your list of correspondents from various sections of the
Territory, have queried why it is that Backfoot should
not put in an occasional word if nothing than
"growl"


We just in transition state-passing from the
dormant to the aetivefrom the tediousness of hold
up existence rendered necessary by long and severe
winter to the hum and hustle of business and the change
IS nailed with no small degree of pleasure. Owing 10 the
depth of frost in the ground probably three weeks
will elapse mining in full force is commenced; but
appears to be actively making preparations for
as early start possible; and already few of the
favorably located claims have commenced washing and
invariably with results highly satisfactory. Ophr creek
will be worked for miles above and below town. and the
creek undoubtedly contains many rich claims The mines
on Carpenters bar and Prairie gulch considered by
many to be the best the vicinity of this place aud
sve preparations being made by the holders for the
most advantageous working of their claims have no
doubt but large yield of gold will be the result of their
energy Besides there many smaller gulches and bars
that will pay we'll Several discoveries, both
and west of Blaekoo have been made during the winter
and between SnowshOe and Little Backfoot creeks
new districts have been found ditch has been surveyed
and understand will DO prosecuted to eompetion as
early as possible to convey the water from the latter su
GENTLY high to cover the new dggngs. There is large
scope OF country between these two streams that prospects
we'll and only remains untenaned from the want of water
to work the ground


From No. below discovery, on Mcclellan gulch
S2 54 taken last week. the result of FIVE days
with string OF sluices am also informed that 50 744
was cleaned up from single day the claim
since. This considering the disadvantages of working
this season OF the year pretty good even for Montana


Many are leaving Elk Greek. The prevailing opinion
appears to be that while there probably good
claims there nothing has been found to the excite
ment which has caused many TO rush to that locality


The town of Blackfoot is Just dishabHe-ehang
ing her sombre and somewhat seedy garb for light and
VVhq with hnrg gUara fronts
niced painted and highly ornamented she presents an
appearance quite hoydenish Business too is brisk
merchandise particularly whisky has a downward ten
dency, and the people happy. On Carpenters gulch
town is sprngng up, which bids fair to do lively trade
during the mining believe it is net named yet
but will probably have city" affixed to whatever rame
it may 1t is generally thought that Baekfoot will
be one of the best business localities this side of the
mountains and from the extent and wealth Of the pacers
in its vicinity dc not why should not be- The size
and duration of town like this is measured and governed
by its surrounding mineral wealth and do not believe the
Territory has more favorable locality in that respect


see it publicly stated that Greathouse and Kelly are
about starting line of stages between Boise and Helena
They are men of capital and enterprise and whatever they
undertake will be well DONE trust, however they will
not stop at Helena but will push through Blackfoo for
Oliver Co have used very shabby. to draw the
as mildly as may be. 1t has been common
during the whole winter to hear of mail and express
matter lying at Helena the side and Deer Lodge on
the other ten days aud two weeks before coud get it.
and sometimes have had to send for get it at all





probably because quiet unObtrusive people and
have not seen fit to parade grievances every endu
rance OF wrong things have gone from bad worse
until forbearance ceases TO be virtue At the present
writing, large mail for this place lies at Deer Lodge
where it has been for week, and although there
large daily travel between the two points, cannot get
it. Should Wells, Fargo & Co. establish express route
with Greathouse & Co. to carry it, the people of Montana
would have swift and reliable of communication
with the outside world.


see by proclamation notice. that the Territorial Con-
vention was to have met yesterday and go unrepre
sented Two delegates elected in this place pledged
against State organization, and prepared to go
Helena when the word that the meeting of the Con-
vention postponed. The Missoua delegation had
reached here their way to the Convention and had
travel back the almost impossible roads having made
their journey to purpose. They said they would not
attempt again. The papers containing the second call
did not reach here until the Saturday preceding the Mon
day of meeting and of the delegates living of town
did not the notice until late Sunday. Had the
ter been of importance with good roads and full moon
the delegates might possibly have reached Helena before
another adjournment but the people generally consd
sdered of little consequence whether they went
stayed at home they did not make the attempt trust
the wseacres of the Territory will fix matters suit them
selves. FAUST.