Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-03-15
F. c. Porter,s Letter.

kaloosa, to make the following extracts
from letter recently received from his
brother F. c. PORTER, now in Sacramen-
TO city, California. Mr.. Porter, is an
old resident of this State, and very well
and favorably known in this part of the
State, where great confidence will be pla-
ced in his statements: a.
SACRAMENTO Cry, CALIFORNIA,
Oct. Gath, 1910.
81 left Mt. Pleasant the 9Th Of April,
Oskaloosa the l lth and on the Ord day
of May bid farewell to ST. Joseph and
civilization, with 4 men, 2 wagons, 8
yoke of cattle and 3 horses; arrived al
Johnstor's Rancho, SO miles from this
city on The 22d of Angus, with three hor-
ses, and 2 of the men, having left the
Wagons in charge of the other two men
on Truckee River, who arrived at John.
sions Rancho on the 9th of Sept, with
Wagon and thirteen head of oxen:
thus loosing three head Of cattle and
wagon on the way. This was better
luck than some had, and worse than 9TH
ers had.
Il will now give you all the informa-
lion can, in regard to the mineri! and
agricultural wealth Of the country. In
regard to the gold, my candid and reas-
enable expectations are fully met. l
have imagined myself picking up gold by
the landfull: but | never really thought
| could do better than find it i'm my
power to do. | have only worked
days at washing, and made from Sl6 10
S44 pr day. The men who came with
me, have been making (those who keep
wel,) from Sl2 to $44 each per day.
The average all over the mines, to those
who use industry, is about an ounce pr
day 10 hand. Some have made $500;
some thousand in day, but these are
isolated cases, and last only or 2 days
together. The gold is found sometimes
in large Jumps, but most usually in fine
particles, such as the specimens send
you. have seen piece that weighed
10 ounces. The large pieces are found
in the dry Diggings, the fine particles
along the bars of the streams. Gold is
also found on the hills, but not generally
in sufficient abundance to pay for carry
! ing ii to the water 10 wash it out.
"There is great extent of country
here covered with gold, and were to
express an opinion in regard 10 it, |
would say IL Is co-ertensiUe Nth the
hills and erhaustless as the ocean. |
have only been here two months, so
cannot tell whether the climate is such
an one as would suit me or not. don't
think though, hat like the climate
much better than that of the west
ern States. We found it almost impos-
sible to travel during the heat Of the day,
or from o until 4 o'clock The part of
the country which | have seen, is made
up of narrow valleys, along the streams,
(after going below the mountains) and
very extensive and almost sterile plains.
The valleys produce very good wheat.
little corn and potatoes, and all kinds
Yof garden vegetables. | have seen no
good timber excepting on the mountains.
The talest and finest pine timber, in the
world grows on these mountains-every
description of pine-and fir. The val
Ieys near the sea coast, are said to be ve-
ry produ Give. The finest wine grapes,
ard pears ! ever saw, are brought TO this
city to market from Sonoma and other
valleys. don't think this very UNI
healthy country, although there is con-
siderable sickness here now; but there
are a great number of causes for sick
ness among the emigrants, such as go-
ing 10 work too soon after arriving, ex-
posture, &c. ! have never enjoyed bet
ter health in my life, than have in Cal
ifornia. A good many have died, some
from Iowa, some on the road some here.
81 am living in this place, and with
partner. engaged in the auction and com
mission business. and dealing in stock;
making (bo,h of u.s. from SO to $50 dol
lars per day. Price of lots from $500
$4,000. Lots rent per month for $500.
Buildings for $1,000 pr month, that
might be built in Oskaloosa for $780,
Provisions are high. | pay SIS per
week for board. Now have given you
all the information in my power at pres
ent, in relation TO the country and its
resources. Do you think any of you
will come here to try your fortunes!-
In the first place let me ask you; have
vOu anvthing If promise .t homa7 Arc