Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1850-06-19
From the Lewisburg CaIifOrnianS.
COUNTY SAN JOSE. CALF,
April 1880. J

apIh loJV.
The novelty Of speedy
and pleasan, trip. through finely tmbered
woodlands over rich rrairies covered with
.all grass and wild flowers, or crossing
mountains abounding in ever-varylng and
picturesque scenery. always surrounded by
un abundance of game-dwind!ed away
!l.o a tedious and toiIsome march, over
barren wastes and sterile mourtains, but
LILLE game, scarce enough vegetation to
keep our suffering auimaIs alive, and our
selves in frequent want Of the absolute
necessaries of lie. But.lhe journey was
nc; without incident. aud | should now
Ihlnk light Of returning 10 The States over
land. Ii requires at least one 'r: p TO initiate
person into The arts snl mysteries of the
t1sii:ess. ! do no, wonder that persons
become attached to wandering life amid
.he savage wilds and wastes Of our country.
The hardships and ex,osu,es which such
persons become Injured to, grow upon their
na,ure. and :hey can not res, unless in this
their favorite element.
A person could have realized a small
fortune out OF trunk full Of garden seeds,
this spring. Potatoes arc now worth 80
cts. per lb. by the cargo; onions sold for
81 per h., cabbage 81 per head. pumpkins
l2} cts. per h., &c. As soon as the new
crop Is ready for market. these prices must
decline some. although seIf-in,erest would
have me wish to the contrary. Since our
arrival in the country, the prices oi Amos,
everything have been sustained or increas-
ed, aud ut one time last winter provisions
rose to an enormous height.
We have not been TO The Mines since last
Fall. and very likely will not see them
this Summer but We have almost daily
intelligence from the PAGERS. The latest
news is flat,ering. The digsings are
crowded, but at present tie streans are
very high, and on the rise. They will not
subsids until July. which seriously inter-
feres with mining operations. There are
bu, abou, four month. in the year that gold
washing can be carried on wi,hou, inter.
:up,ion. Gold dust exchanges readily for
goods q, SIC per o.. and commands
$3.50 to rs in coin. have heard men
say .hu: they purchased II as low as 81 per
OF. from the Indians, whcn The mines were
frat discovered.
The population Of tie country is compo-
sed Of all sorts Of people, ,and The universe!
order and good feeling ,ha: prevail in The
absence of common law, is astonishing.
A few days ago, a lot Of Chinese passed
our ranch. on their way to the placers.
These 'ImperiaIs,' with their umbrella hats,
peculiar dress, and singular features, are
odd-looking fish. They were apparently
in good spirits, but We could not understand
their 'chow.woW' lingo. These were the
6rst Of that nation we have seen. bound for
the diggings; they generally stay about the
towns, being engaged in lhe restaraunt
business, &c.
The majority Of American families tina,
have settled upon land. are from the State
Of Missouri. Those who came Oh, in
ls48. and suffered so severely in crossing
the Sierra Nevada, were mostly Missouri
Ans, many Of whom are now independently
wealthy. One of them. who packed hi:
wife and child. and all tie traps and provi
sions be could carry, upon one poor ole
horse, and himself walked TO this country
is now worth hall million. Many young
men who came here penni!ess, are row
worth ten to fifty thousand dollars. alst
know persons who have dug as much, !" h'
have now no, single grain to show 'or l,
Gambling and dissipation are sure outlets
Tor the dust.
A great many persons who came int
the country abou, the time we did las
season, and made some money in the mines
came down country when the rains set in
and went to work 10 the Red woods, max
ing lumber, which was then worth e45
per thousand feet. They expected TO g
the fruits Of their labor 10 market ta
spring. when the roads became passabl'
and realize handsome wages but the va
carSoes Of lumber that have recently arr
vee, have reduced the price to $50 pt
thousand. Their winters hard labor
lost. for this price will 20, pay for hauliu