2pp. To his brother, Israel, Idaho lawyer and entrepreneur, temporarily in San Francisco en route to a new home in Oregon.
Haines, who had come west from Ohio, describes his prospecting activities, on hold during the cold winter, and his “mundane” and costly life in Helena during the Montana Gold Rush. He eventually gave up and joined his notable brother, Israel D. Haines – pioneer lawyer, legislator, soldier, merchant and farmer - who founded the “biggest little city in Oregon” which still bears their family name.
Haines writes: “…I am still an inhabitant of this mundane sphere… I have moved into more comfortable quarters. And have prospected some, and located new claims but have not reached bed rock yet. As it has been too cold to prospect for some days past, have been offered an advance on the ground that I bought, but I think I can do better by working it, Two parties are engaged erecting wheels to hoist water from the river onto the bar, still another party talk of bringing an engine for the same purpose, from the different sources I think the bar will be supplied with the necessary element for mining purposes. It is somewhat irksome sitting around the fire with nothing to read except an old newspaper or magazine occasionally, but a very short while outdoors is sufficient to cause us to justly appreciate a good fire. Although it is colder here it is certainly not as disagreeable as Owyhee [Idaho]. The ground is barely covered with snow, though of course it is piled up in drifts on the range insight. Animals have made their own living so far, beef cattle are in good order, Hay is selling for 15 pr ton on the ranch…potatoes 6, flour in Helena 10cts. I have a 100 lb sack to run me til it thaws out”.