P a g e 2 G h o s t T o w n s a n d H i s t o r y o f M o n t a n a N e w s l e t t e r The town lies at the base of an abruptly wooded mountain on a level table land, admirably calculated for a large and permanent city with every facility for fuel and water at hand. A solid and substantial fortune awaits any man of energy who plants his stake here and no more important service can be rendered to the community than the erection of a big town at a point where heavy goods can be brought in by water, avoiding the weary journey and casualties of a pilgrimage across plains. Let no man say there is not gold here, for the ground is full of it and indeed the grass roots are heavy with it, while the bars are lined with nuggets.” CONDEMNED AS “FIZZLE” Still another report stated: “Ophir gulch has fizzled, or at least a large portion of it. It is said that ground between the mouth of Dry gulch and Pence and Co.'s discovery is good but there is nothing certain with regard to it and the whole thing is looked upon as a failure. There would be less of such work if filing recorders were disposed of when there would be no particular object for parties to raise stampedes at least to such extensive gulches.” Several months later the first correspondent who was so skeptical concerning “spotted gulches,” rePhoto by Jolene Ewert-Hintz Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz versed his opinion by saying, “I remember being rather sleepily argumentative on the subject of 'spotted diggings' in my last communication, and I averred that I disbelieved as a rule in 'spotted gulches.' One exception, however, I must admit and that is where a slate bed pitches, it frequently happens that it is worn so smooth by the action of water that no gold will lie in it. In this case, the gold will be found at the bottom of the incline. Blackfoot country or Ophir gulch is one of these exceptions and as for its scenery, it is a true American Switzerland.” It was not long after pay dirt had been discovered that Blackfoot City became a real mining town. It consisted of one long and very wide main street and another range of mountains on the west. Cross streets connected the two. Although it grew rapidly, yet the very richness of its surroundings was a threat to its permanent population, as miners were likely to stampede at any time, perhaps packing their frying and gold pans late at night, prior to
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