The Forest Regio)i of Norther)} Idaho — Lelberg. . 95 



and exploration extremely difficult, demanding much time and 

 labor. The southern portion of the range has been proven to be 

 well mineralized, and the northern portion will be found to be no 

 less so. Enormous veins of rich magnetite and haematite iron ore 

 were found, also extensive outcroppings of galena, carrying con- 

 siderable quantities of silver. Copper, doubtless exists, probably 

 also platinum and at least the color of gold can be found in nearly 

 every ravine throughout the range. Reports of quarts veins car- 

 rying free gold were numerous during the Coear d' Alene excite- 

 ment, and they doubtless exist in many places. 



The country rock over large areas consists of red slates, the 

 strata of which in some places are tilted even to the vertical, for 

 long distances, and in other places are bent and twisted ia every 

 conceivable direction. The indications are very favorable for the 

 supposition that gold is disseminated through these red slates. 

 Support of this theory is found in the fact that quite a number of 

 paying placers have been discovered in ravines traversing this for- 

 mation. 



Until the Ca^ur d' Alene excitement of the last year, the 

 country was virtually a terra incognita. Then suddenly there was 

 a great influx of men, allured by the glittering tales scattered 

 broadcast over the land. Most of them went in there without any 

 definite plans or the requisite knowledge and experience, entertain- 

 ing the wild hope of suddenly acquiring immense riches. Of 

 course they were disappointed in the vast majority of cases. Most 

 of them went in without any capital whatever, and were soon com- 

 pelled to leave in the best way they could. The best way, and in 

 fact the only way, was on foot. For a while every trail leading 

 out frem the mines was crowded with small squads of half-starved 

 men, eager to reach civilization and a " square meal " once more. 



Mining is an occupation that demands skill and knowledge of 

 the highest order, also capital and patience. With these requisites, 

 .success in this region is almost sure in the end. 



