Democratic banner., 1850-12-30

4Ou Will Soo Sudt j udto pcRcu SulS ACt-
ter, as / did not hava room to finish on one
sheet.
would be very glad, if il we're possible.
to see you, but as cannot, | would like to
hear from you at least once a month.
have written home some 8 or 9 times, but
do Lot know that you received any Of my
letters, the facilities for getting them being
very uncertain. John G. Moore, Christie
rber c. Moore and myself. are in very good
health at this time, in fact | am heavier now
than. when left home. had no sickness
to lay me up on the whole trip. bought
a set of mining tools for which ! paid $50,
consisting of a pickaxe, shovel and cradle.
Gold is obtained at these mines Nevada, J
by digging down from IL to $50 feet under
ground, aud then drifting in a horizontal
direction. The work is very hard and re-
.quires capital to operate to advantage;-
there are, however, mines in ~ravines and
crevices, and on bars in streams, that can
be worked easier, but they are not so prof
liable. The mining business is overstock-
ed this year-many are not able 10 procure
money enough in this land Of Gold, to de-.
fray their necessary expeDses,-others, BY
singular good luck, make fortunes in a short
time, and spend them again in speculation,
gambling, &c.
will now tell you something of this city.
Early last spring, there was only one store
in the place, it was kept by A. c. Stewart,
of Danville, Montgomery county Mo-, now
there are more than a hundred. Business
is brisk-houses being put up in rapid sue
c~ession. In fact, it looks like some fairy
work, or like Aladdin and his magic lamp
you pass along to-day and see a vacant lot,
Tomorrow you pass again, there is a house
up and goods in it, and men crowdlng in to
buy what they want. Yet it is sometimes
very difficult to obtain word Of any kind
John, Columbus aud myself, have been
working for IS per day, and boarding our
selves, though we do not get constant en-
ployment. When not employed, we are
"Prospecting," searching for gold. ! have
fonnd a place where | think ] can make
somethingtnext summer, if I should live and
have my health ; but it cannot be worked
now, because it is under the water, and be-
fore We could Drain it, perhaps the rainy
season might set in, and ali our labor be in
vain. We had a heavy rain a few days
ago, which swellsd the streams considers
bly,, so much that they will not 0e apt to be
very low again this fall.
DR.. B. +. Todd has located in this city,
and intends TO build a hospital. There are
a number Of Doctors here. When ! siriv-
ed here it yeas night, | went along the street
till l came to q house that was illuminated
very brightly, and was the finest house |
had seen. concluded to 60 in and see
what was going on. ! went, and behold !
it was q gambling house on a large scale
HeH lay thousands in heaps, piled on ia
bles. and men sitting round betting, Sunday
as il was.
left it and went Oh my way out Of the
city, laid down on the ground under tree
and stsid till morning. When ! swoke !
heard the Growing Of chickens, the first for
many months-it sounded like home, | tho't
of thee, of our children, of friends and of
home =, and no wonder I should feel sad.
\
Colatinus Moore is here, though l have
not seen him-John and Columbus saw
him. ] am sorely grieved in not getting
any letters from home, but l do not believe
it is your fault ; | believe there is great neg
.ligence in the Post Masters some here.-
| hope you will write to me as soon as you
get t%his--write all the news you can, abou,
crops, health, births, deaths, marriages, SC.
&C., and anything else of interest. Were
ceived the news Of General Taylor's death
about the 18th Of September--of the adj
mission of California, and elections in Mis-
souri,, Oct. LIST. There is an election here
for several State officers, but ! know moth
ing as yet of the rights of electors in this
Stfte, never having seen the constitution Of
California. If we get anything to read here,
say a newspaper. we have to pay % cents
for it. How l like California, ! do not o.
yet feel able to say, situated as l am; but
for a man of capital, this is the country fol-
him to operate in to make money fast, but
a man without means, lsbors under many
disadvantages. As to my advice in relation
to this country, ! will only say, that those
having good, comfortable homes, and g.
nough TO live on, had better stay at home,
and especially men having families. Many
no doubt, are looking anxiously to this coun.
try for news from their friends, and with
|hioh Lonaa oc eo1u.o .. L,-