The Big Bend Mines

FROM SHUSWAP AND BIG BEND – IMPORTANT NEWS. – Mr. Louis Vernet, who arrived yesterday by the Enterprise from Thompson River says about 180 men were on Cache Creek unemployed.  Owing to the severity of the weather and there being nothing to do for those who were short of funds.  Some were talking of returning.

            We have been permitted to make the following extract from a private letter dated Little Shuswap lake, 18^th February, received yesterday by the Enterprise: “I have not heard much news from the mines (Big Bend) only that the accounts we heard in Victoria are substantiated.  On the way up D______ came on with a party of men with whom he was acquainted; they have claims on one of the creeks, at Big Bend, out of which they took, in one day, thirty ounces from an open cut five feet in width,; this I think is perfectly reliable.  They advised D________ to go up early, but the great want is grub, as there is none in there, and will not be until late in the season.  It will be as well to bring the horse if you possibly can, and as much grub as possible; in fact I expect mining tools will be very scarce at the outset and rubber boots and coats altogether out of the question.  We have been having extremely cold weather here, just about as cold as I ever felt it; but it is now more moderate, and I hope will continue so.  The lakes are all frozen up, excepting the big one, which I believe never freezes, and I have heard there is five feet of snow at the head of the lake.

            From Mr. John Johnston, who has wintered at Seymour, and who left that place on the 20^th ult., we have obtained the following items:

            The snow was four feet deep at Seymour, and the lakes were frozen over sufficiently strong for teaming.  He met two teams laden with goods on the way across the lakes.  A considerable number of buildings are going up at Seymour.  Messrs. Smith & Ladner have completed one building 26 x 40 feet, and they have two others in course of construction.  Twenty tons of excellent ice have been put up by their agent.

            George Ruxton, of Cairnes’ Creek, and four others, had come over.  They crossed over from Columbia river in two days, without the use of snow shoes, the road being well beaten by Smith & Ladner’s dog trains.  They report the weather very cold and the Columbia river frozen solid, but bring no mining news of importance.  The snow is said to be ten feet deep upon the summit between Seymour and the Columbia river, and had it not been for the enterprise of Smith & Ladner, in keeping the route open and sending over provisions at great expense, not only would all communication be cut off but there would be absolute starvation at the diggings.  The people at Seymour, as well as in the mines, speak in the highest terms of the enterprise of these men, not only in opening up the country and supplying the half-famished prospectors last year, but in keeping open communication this winter, and sending in provisions while others are hoarding up for a more favorable opportunity.  Smith & Ladner have six dog-teams steadily employed in carrying provisions over the trail, more with a view to keeping the trail open than anything else.  There are three dogs to each team, and they average one hundred pounds to the dog, the round trip occupying from eight to nine days.

            At the head of the little lake Capt. Moore has his boat nearly completed.  It will carry about forty tons, and is a smart looking craft.

            At the foot of the same lake the Hudson Bay Company’s party, about 60 strong, are at work getting out and preparing material for the new steamer “Marten”.  The keel was laid, and the work was being pushed forward.

            In the neighborhood of Kamloops there was little snow, and stock was wintering well.  On his way down our informant met large numbers of people going in.  The miners wintering at Seymour spoke of starting for the mines in a few days.