Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 June 1902 — THUNDER MOUNTAIN, IDAHO, A MINERAL TREASURE HOUSE. [ARTICLE]

THUNDER MOUNTAIN, IDAHO, A MINERAL TREASURE HOUSE.

Vartan** of Gold Are Belas Found In the Center of the State of Idaho, Thunder Mountain, the new Idaho «old field, is the most promising mineral region In the United States. Tho richness of this country was not known until late in the fall of 1901, after heavy snows had closed all avenues by which the region might be reached except upon snowshoes. Notwithstanding this fact, Colonel W. H. Dewey of Idaho, and others who have had wide experience in mining, have expended vast sums in the purchase of undeveloped claims. The surface indications are marvelously rich. These gold bearing ledges, from 100 to 300 feet, will run through a mountain parallel to each other. In the Dewey mine, this vast deposit has values running from $7 to $4,000 per ton, and the plates of the 10-stamp mill which rung on the ore have to be cleaned of their accretions of gold every six hours. In a few weeks two miners last spring cleaned up $7,500 in placer gold, using a small cotton hose to wash the gravel, the water coming from a small reservoir oh the mountain side. The mineral zone covers a large section of hitherto unexplored country, and is about 175 miles from a railroad. There are five routes leading to the Thunder Mountain country, viz.: via Ketchum, Mackay, Boise and Weiser, Idaho, and Redrock, Montana, all on the Oregon Short Line railway. A great rush to this mecca for miners is predicted, and “On to Thunder Mountain” will be as familiar as the old watchword, ‘‘Pike’s Peak or Bust,” as soon as the snows disappear so that the camp may be peached with supplies, which will probably be between May 15 and June 1. A scarcity of provisions at present keeps miners away, as flour at SSO per sack is considered somewhat of a luxury even in the golden land. Surrounding Thunder Mountain is a large section of country adapted to agriculture and stock-raising. D. E. Burley, general passenger agent of the Oregon Short Line railroad, at Salt Lake City, sent an expert to report upon that country, and will cheerfully give any information required as to the routes and general conditions in and around the great mining camp.