The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-11-24

been entirely abandoned. A few associ
atoms still.maintain unshaken confidenc'
in the plan, and the point at which tn
American river is turned near Mormon
Island is believed to promise more favor
ably than others. The company prosecu
ting this work have not yet overcome th'
obstacle presented by hidoen springs sup
plying that portion Of the bed of the rive
which it is proposed to drain. When th'
best is told, this association will have bu
realized paltry amount, compared witt
the labor and capital expended.
"From the Middle Fork we learn,
says the Times, "that the "diggings are
improving, and that an ounce day car
be obtained by all who acork." And tina
the most of the parties operating with rock
ers were doing well. There was party
of four who took out $4,000 apiece il
eight days, from one opening, and are nov
on their way home"
These certainly do not look like "dis
couraging prospects" for the diggers.
In connection with the above, 1t is due
the liberal yet truthful tone of this journa
from which we quote, to insert the follow
ing:
"FRoM THE PLAcER.-The most favora
bic news we gather this week is from Dry
Creek, at which point operators were do
ing surprisingly we'll. The great influx
of emigrants, however, has evidently rem
dered labor in the mines less profitable
and we hear of many who have given UP
digging and are about to turn their atten.
ton to other branches of industry.
We learn that Dr. Boynton's company
consisting of six, took from one hole, some
five miles above Mormon Island, in seven
or eight days, $4,000, 1t is said also that
no one in that vicinity who worked, made
less than an ounce per day, while the more
fortunate were getting several ounces by
few hours hard work.
The gold washings on the tributary
streams ST the San Joaquin continue to
attract much attention, "Foreigners" ii.
e. South Americans) have been expelled
from the different diggins, and though eve-
ry arrival in the harbor contributes to swell
the number of Americans already employ
ed in that section of the placer indicated
by the Costume, Calaverus, Mokelumne,
Tuolamne and Stainislaus streams, the
average result of labor is such as to en-
courage and stimulate the mass. Sickness
is abating and success is more general
than when we last prepared our summary
of intelligence. We are furnished, by a
young gentleman located in Stockton, the
following facts, which will be read with
interest:
81 saw, day or two ago, piece of
gold taken from the diggins on the Cavala-
rus, not very far from Stockton 1t was
the most singular, and at the same time
the most beautiful piece have yet seen,
shaped like the head of bullock with
pair of clear, solid golden horns more than
an inch long. | hear there has been a
lump taken out recently, on the Mokelumne
weighing thirty pounds, rock and gold to-
gether | am prepared to believe any
thing that hear about the gold in Cali
fornia."
Finally, this so-called mining, this back
breaking. sun-b browning. soul-frying labor
in the gold diggings-whether 'crericing"
with a jack-knife, "revolving an old tin
pan," or "rocking Of the CRADLE" is not
without its disappointments and rewards;
though that gold hunter must be singularly
unfortunate, who cannot, during the pres
ent and succeeding months Of favorable
weather and low water, derive speedy
and fair profit either in one part of the
placer or another, if in the enjoyment of
health he will apply his energies to the
work. Thirty thousand Americans (he
present probable aggregate) in the gold
region of California, are incapable of ex-
the treasures of that portion
which has been long occupied. The same
astonishing success has marked the assid-
uous labor, in little deposit not three
miles distant from the scene of the first
discovery of this gold, that attended labor
near the same place year ago. The con-
clusion then is justified, and we speak adj
visedly, as we'll as inferribly from the ten
or of our reports, that the world never pro-
duced a more magnificent opening for
immense fortunes, than are presented by
the gold mines of this country.
Extract from letter dated August 9TH,
Big Bar, Middle Fork:
"The miners here have assumed the
appearance and acquired the conveniences
of settled towns. Every bar has its stores
and its meat market. Here there are five,
and always fresh beef in the market
Every thing is sold at Mill (Columa) prices.
The miner should come to the bars with
nothing but his blankets, however, if he
comes with animals there are ranchors who
take to Craze at 800 per month.
DISCOVERY OF A VEIN OF GOLD.
The Alta Californian of the 22d of Sep.
tember has the following announcement:
Col. J. c. Fremont has denounced al
tract of land lying on the Mariposa river,
about 40 miles from the San Joaquin, upon
which has been recently discovered an
exceedingly rich vein of gold. The Ma