Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-10-19
SMITHS BAR, NoRTH FoRK, }

June ~, 1919.
DEAR FRIESD As ] have an oDnortun-
lty to send to San Francisco, which is the
nearest Post Office, hasten to write few
lines. First, then, ! shall not say ANYTHING
Of my journey this far. except 10 say that It
was hard enough. After arriving at Sacra-
mento City, | had to walk forty miIes-the
thermometer ranging from 100 to 40. and
scarcely any air moving. But | am at the
end Of my journey for the present. lam now
IN the mCuntaln>-in the Gold digpinps and
to-day was my first effort at gold WASHING
stood IN the water and snOok the pan. and
washed out some gold, but | cannot do much
until my rocker Is done, and then for an ounce
or more day; for if we do not make that
we will move TO some better dggings. Ii is
awful hard work, worse than mining in Wis
cOnsin- We work in the Valley, the Their
mometer at 90 and Ito, and not even cloud
TO prevent In slight degree the heat Of the
sun. A great many men who never worked,
have come here, got tired out, and returned
but come here to get money, and if | have
my health, and hard work will get it, (ay5ic6 II
UiH.) am bnundt Oh ave some After working
haTd all day In the water and sand, | made
my supper eli OF dry bread aud moasses-
| The bread We paid four dollars fora common
sized loaf-Hard fare, not Wisconsin Ering
flour "73 cts. per h.. pork rs cts. per HI ::
dried APPLES 81 per h.; lumber - Fer foot
and every thing else IN proportion. We can
not get anything hauled distance of 10 miles
tor less than ). 8 and go per hundred pounds.
Men can make more washing gold. wouId
Ike bed 10 sleep In tonight but I must take
the ground and find soft spot.-NearIv all
that has been written about this country is
humbug. The country is not fit for ANYTHING.
except for GOLD. There is plenty of that,
ana probably VIII be for fifty years or more.
cattle and hogs can be raised in abundance
and that is all. For nine months the soil i
dry and parched with heat. You could not
hire me to live here-money would not do il.
In appearance the country is verv well.-I
have not seen a great deal Of it. except this
northern part; but those who have heen thro'
the country say that this is fair sample
Men are foolish to bring their families here.
Most OF the Oregon men are going back to
the States; they say that they were deceived
In relation to that country. If a man is poor
ana wants money, and Is not afraid of any,
thing' and can endure hardship, he can make
a large sum III a year or two.-By beiuU in
oust!'ous mechanics are getting rich. But it
is hard country. We hear of men BEING
Killed by the Indians and Chilians almost dai-
~. short time since, about so Indians were
Killed, and the Chilians driven away. We
nave TO be well armed, and ready for any emer-
gehcy.-i know not how soon | will return
home l wish to accomplish my purpose first.
and hope my Heavenly Father will enable
me to do So soon. Gold is plenty, and ! am
satisfied will get enough. if am spared,
and can endure the hardship.
have not time to write half as much as !
wish to, but will try it again soon. will be
able to rock babies well, should be permit
tea 10 return, as we use cradle to wash gold
IN: The 4th Of July is near at hand. and |
mink CT Mineral Point. Say to our friends.
II they wish to come here for money. to come;
but Leare their .fqaliLes. Wisconsin. except
for Gold, is far ahead of this country.