Despite the distance which divides your valuable paper from me, I have determined to send you the inclosed subscription for one year, and, at the same, time, a few items from the modern El Dorado. The Bannock mines, of which Bannock City is the center, were discovered about the middle of last August, and have been worked since with a success almost unparalleled in any country (California not excepted); not so much on account of the big strikes but for the average pay throughout. The extent of the mines remains for time to tell. At present, for thirty miles around Bannock City, good pay, averaging eight dollars per day to the hand, has been struck. Several of the richest quartz lodes in the world have been opened, among which the " Dacotah" is averaging $20,000 to the ton, and in one day's crushing from the claim of Plumer & Ridgely I saw $3,800 in neat amalgam in the retort. The richest claim in Idaho Territory was discovered a few weeks since by a young man named E. Richardson, I believe at one time a resident of Sacramento City. It is situated about four miles from here, and is by far the richest claim ever seen. In one day s crushing, with three sluices and four men, there were $2,860 taken out, and on last Saturday they cleaned up in one afternoon's washing, $1,850. The proprietors have refused $25,000 for one half (25 feet) of the claim. The partners are E. Richardson, Henry Plumer [well known in Nevada], J. Cross and Cyrus Skinner, all old Californians. The Bannock mines are situated on the eastern slope and in a large bend in the Rocky Mountain range, about latitude 49, longitude 36 west, on a small stream called Grasshopper creek. This creek is a tributary of Beaver Head, Big Hole and Birch river, comprising Jefferson Forks, one of the main tributaries of the Missouri River. The population of Bannock City is at present about 1,800, among whom are counted 147 ladies and 64 children. Think of this, you old Californians! Society in a new gold country! Scarcely a day passes without a train arriving. It is estimated that over 8,000 are on the way and will arrive before the middle of June. Bannock City is distant 263 miles from Fort Benton, 460 miles from Great Halt Lake City, 175 miles from Boise River, and 800 miles from Lewiston. A large pack train arrived from Fort Walla Walla on yesterday, and I was fortunate enough to secure several old California journals, among which was the Sacramento Union, I wonder if 1 shall ever "stick" another "type" at your "case?" If my "form" is not "locked" up by some "shooting stick," and I have good luck, I will be in San Francisco before September.

As usual in all new countries, riots and scenes of bloodshed are the order of the day. Seven men have lost their lives through desperate affrays, and I suppose many more will go before the Summer is over. A notorious desperado from Salmon River, named Sam. Turner, at one time a resident of Virginia City, was killed, a few days since, under the following circumstances: Edward Richardson and Charley Reeves were engaged in conversation about some person in Carson City, and the name of Putnam Robinson was mentioned. Turner, who was standing by, exclaimed, "I know the d -- d s -- o of a b -- h." No reply was made, and in a few moments Turner asked Richardson if he was a friend of Robinson. Richardson replied he was and that he thought Robinson a gentleman. Turner said, " You are a d -- d liar, and I can whip you or any of your friends." Richardson arose from the table and walked to the bar, where he was again accosted by Turner and asked if he still considered Robinson a gentleman. Upon Richardson replying in the affirmative, Turner pulled his pistol and fired. The ball struck Richardson in tbe left side, ranging downward toward the right groin. Richardson fell, but arose with his pistol in his hand. Four shots passed between the parties at a distance of three or four feet. Turner received three wounds, the last one through the right eye, causing instant death. The affray caused no feeling, as Turner was a man of bad character and feared by all who knew him. Richardson's wound is now almost well, and before many days he will be out again. It is thought that Turner wished a partnership in a claim owned by Richardson, but was refused; hence his antipathy.

A large meeting was held here last Sunday for the purpose of making laws for the punishment of crimes, and the election of officers. Henry Plumer of Nevada City, California, was elected Sheriff by a majority of 307; B. B. Burchard, Judge, by a majority of 81; and J. M. Castner, Coroner, by a majority of 130. Speaking of Henry Plumer, I desire to say few words in connection with his name. For the last eight months the California journals have been filled with accounts of Mayfield and Plumer. Now, I have been a resident of Washington Territory for over twelve months, and Henry Plumer or W. Mayfield were never arrested on any charge in Lewiston, Lillooet or Florence. True, at Oro Fino, Plumer killed Ford, and had Plumer been caught at the time the people might have executed him. Since that time, however, the true circumstances have been developed, and all unite in bearing testimony that Plumer acted on the defensive. Plumer has been a resident of Bannock City since last December, and no man stands higher in the estimation of this community than Henry Plumer. Mayfield is at Boise River, worth some fifty thousand dollars; and all reports that either Plumer or Mayfield are hung, or have ever been arrested for robbery, are base lies, circulated for the purpose os injuring men who, by the force of circumstances have become fugitives from their country [!]. I do not attempt to justify Plumer or Mayfield in any acts they may have done in California for I am not acquainted with the circumstances.

The nearest way to this place for Californians is by way of Great Salt Lake City, thence by express at a cost of $50, board included. All our mail matter from California comes via Salt Lake City, thence by Conover's Express through from Salt Lake in ten days. Price, per ounce, fifty cents; papers and periodicals, five cents. There are some eight or nine boats expected at Fort Benton loaded with passengers and freight for Bannock. Before Fall Bannock will be second to no city north of Salt Lake. Over four hundred houses are built, and when the mills get to work many more will be completed. At resent every house is built of logs. Lumber is worth $25 per hundred, and has to be sawed by hand. Provisions are plenty, and for a new country very cheap. Flour, $10 per hundred; sugar and coffee, 80 and 90 cents per pound; syrup, $1 per gallon; potatoes, 18 cents per pound; tobacco, $4 per pound. Good board can be had for $15 per week. Wages are at present for laborers, $5 and $6 per day; mechanics, $8 and $10 per day. A few millwrights are needed, and could command good wages.

There have been no Indian troubles between here and Salt Lake, although immigration has been retarded on that account. I suppose long ere this reaches your paper you will have heard of a bugbear of Indian troubles in Bannock. There was no trouble with the Indians, and the circumstances are these: On the 1st of last March some fifteen or twenty horses were stolen from a ranch some three miles from here. A party under Joe Carrigan started in search. Up to this time nothing has been heard of them. Some three weeks since a friend of Carrigan, accompanied by some eight or ten others, went to the Indian encampment near town, and killed five Indians, among them Old Snag, the Snake Chief. Since that time no Indians have visited Bannock City, and it was feared they would retaliate on the emigration. Acting on this, the citizens have sent an express to Colonel Connor, asking for troops to protect the road, and his reply was "to let the Indians alone, and they will let you alone." Sensible to the last. (signed) M.