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1 1862 The severity of the winter the high floods and deep snows had financially ruined a large class of our population, and a tremendous mining excitement springing up in the Salmon River Country; up Snake Run in Washington Territory. and in consequence thereof a large portion of the laboring population drifted off in that direction in hopes to make up their losses by a streak of good fortune in the mines. Like most gold excitements this proved to be a humbug to a great extent. Yet extensive & rich mines were opened. Cities & towns built up, and a dense mining population crowded in & filled up the country drained by the Columbia River and even penetrated the Region beyon the summit of the Rocky Mountains. Prospecting the Rivers & their tributaries for gold, searching for choice valley for farming, locating sites for towns, and daily contending with the hostile Indians always to be found in way to check & harass and impede & annoy the pioneer advance of civilization. I had contemplated going in that direction myself and try & make up my