Weekly miners' express. (DuBuque, Iowa) 184?-1849, 1849-02-13
STARTLING NEWS FROM THE
GOLD MINES.

-.r4 - p .
| The following extract from a letter, which
appeared recently in the St. Louis Rev,ile,
indicates more fully the incalculable wealth of
the mines in California, than any statement
we have yet seen; the truth Of which cannot
be doubted, as it is endorsed by the editors of
the Reveille, in their usual bold and command.
ing way. We should infer, from the extract
which we give below, that pet pigs are Of great
value in facilitating the operations Of the ''dig-
gcrs;' and by adding thereto Don Jose's Cold
ometer, man is perfectly at home in 1.-THE re-.
gions." ...
| Here is the document: ~
Nov. lst-Margaret and myself arc labor
ing under violent attack Of the fever. 1t is
the strangest circumstance that have heard
of. You see, my dear friend, I have little
pet pig, who stays u DO ut the house, who used
to feed from the hands Of Mary's children,
(by the bye, forgot to say that the two others
have left me, and suppose they are now all
three foddling to the Mines and played with
them when the fine weather allowed them to
| be in the yard. Yesterday, as sat on my
door sill, and smoking my pipe very comlor,a-
bly,, and Illuminating on !ho very siguIar excite
ment which possessed the country, l was dis.
turbed in my rcveries by un agonizing squeal
from my little pet swine. l looked up, and
saw bis nose all dripping With blood. From
curiosity looked to whers lie had been root
ing, and saw something bright and sharp
sticking up. l took it out, removed all the
earth from its surface; after which it appear
ed to me about the size Of large piece Of 70.
sin, of bright yellow color, and very heavy
A strange doubt seized me. l rushed in the
house, tried it with acid and my philosopher
i t,,rp f>k he III
of about twcnty.one carrats and three quarters.
then called my wife, and we both common.
ccd digging; in three hours and half. we dug
two bushels of pure gold, not to mention a
peck OF platinum, and few diamonds Of the
best water about the size OF crab apples of or.
binary dimensions The following morning
we resumed our labors, and in the course OF
ABOUT q quarter Of an hour | struck on a hca.
Wy lead of platinum 1T was solid branch,
| could not affect with spade | uncovered
it for about ten yards, and then rolling out u
ikeg of powder, sprnkled it picntifuIly all a
round. Then placing slow match in the
centre, and applying the fire, we retired TO the
house to await the explosion. We staid there
in breathless expectation for bout ten min
utes. In fact, it was rather dangerous expe
riment, owing to its close proximity to The
house. Al last it came. Heavcns such a
CTdCk.-duu SuCH d sIiO"cT Vi platinum, gold
and few diamonds! You cannot form the
least idea about it. The sun WAS darkcnce
for fifteen minutes. Ipicked up several SINAI
pieces Of gold (about the size Ola medium ink
stand) in the shade. We have been gathering
the two metals for about six days. 1t is allnos
needless to say, that all our barrels, bags, ant
!, sacks are filled. Margaret and are discuss
ing the propriety Of using the crib to stor.
1t III; think we shall have to doit. We hap
pen to have located Immediately on one of tn,
? richest "placers.'' Our fortune is made. You
must come over, my dear friend. and brin,
oil of your acquaintanees along with you.
! insure you all vast fortune in ten minutes
S or a quarter of an hour at the very most
S Bring plenty of cruibles along with YOU brin
I them Of large size, to hold bout ha Ir ton o
= so. You need not take any merchandise, I'LL
less, indeed, you could get good supply o
muffs. The Indian beauties are very fond c
them, worn as head dresses.
Farewell, my dear friend, and believe IN
very sincerely yours,
g TIMOTHY HUNTER.
=, P. Son reading this letter over, W.
afrad that my enthusiasm had betrayed IN
into little exaggeration. ! have shown
to several gentlemen, however, and they a
| assure me on the contrary, it falls far short
: the reality. II. II.