The Coeur d'Alene Stampede Through Spokane Falls

We are informed that the famous 'Widow claim' has been jumped. Through the instrumentality of the mines Rathdrum is undergoing a healthy boom. There must be over 1,000 persons now in the mines considering the travel now in progress. It is expected that there will be lively times over the ownership of claims in the spring. Letters reach this place from the mines in 24 hours — fast time considering the vicissitudes of travel.

No mining excitement in the history of America has attracted so much attention as the present fever that is upon us. We see it stated that the Northern Pacific has a contract to transport 2,000 men from Miles City to some point on the road near the new mines. A. J. Prichard owns the claim on which Eagle City is built; it looks as though a vast amount of litigation was to come out of that neck o' woods. Coeur d'Alene City is a lively place just now and promises to be still more so. It will be always an important station on the route to the mines. It is evident that the railroad will be taxed to the utmost of its capacity to accommodate the passenger traffic that will use that line for the next few months.

Every train brings in a delegation of prospectors. It is but the beginning of the tide that taken at the flood will bring hundreds of people to this country. Several parties are arranging to put saw mills into camp as soon as the roads open sufficiently to enable teams to get in with heavy freight. W. H. Rue is fitting up a saw mill for that destination. A great many men are going into the mines over the Trout Creek trail, but in that respect it requires the use of new shoes and is dangerous and difficult; it can hardly be called the means of ingress. Weeks & McGee, the first individuals to put a stageline on between this place and the Post, are meeting with a great deal of success. Their coach goes out loaded three times a week and in a short time they expect to put on a daily line. Their enterprise deserves ample reward.

It is no exaggeration to say that hundreds of letters are received at this post once every day asking for information regarding the Northwest and the mines. Would it not be a good policy for the board of trade to call the attention of some intelligent agent to answer this correspondence? It would be time well spent.

We take the following extracts from a letter written by Thos. Gibson from Spokane Falls to the Billings [Montana] Times: This town, Spokane, where I stop over three days, is said to be one of the best, if not the best in eastern Washington Territory. It has two large flouring mills and room for 100 more and splendid sites for 20 immediately near town. The milling utility and water power is second only to that of Minneapolis, and there is no doubt that this must become a large city. I am informed that flour is only $1.50 per barrel here. There are two weekly papers, four churches, two banks, two private and one public land offices, and quite a number of fine brick buildings, and they claim a population of 2,600, but I think 2,000 would be nearer the fact.

For a while Spokane and Missoula will probably divide the trade to the mines on account of being the nearest large towns on each side. Old experienced miners say that the Coeur d'Alene mines will more than rival the Leadville mines, that they are chiefly noted for the large extent of country they cover and their immense richness. At the mines at present provisions and supplies are sold at fabulous prices; a barrel of flour selling for $70. At present the heavy shipments are made from here (Spokane) by way of Fort Coeur d'Alene, thence over the lake (Lake Coeur d'Alene) to a point six miles from the mines near Eagle City. A number of steamers are now being built near Fort Coeur d'Alene and a regular line will be established from the Fort to Eagle City.

A man without some capital should not come to the mines at present, but a man with capital can do well by bringing a supply of goods or by buying them here. Here in Spokane a regular stampede to the mines is expected in the spring and the same is said at Missoula and all along the line. The city council here has just authorized the building of gas and water works at a cost of $50,000; the water works to be the Holly system. Mr. Garrison, our old townsman, and Charley Jones, who was formerly with Clark & Co., are here. Garrison is running a fine pack train and in connection he is now prepared to take any one to the mines, bag and baggage, and anyone intending to come can save time by dropping him a letter or postal card informing him when they are coming and when they want to start from this city or here.

There is no doubt that big fortunes will be made and lost in these gold fields. Even now from four to six leave the train daily at Spokane, two or three at night, to go to the mines. The great difficulty is getting in, on account of the glut of depth at now. The mines are not worth the placer mines, but they seem to be taking an astonishing hold on the country.