Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-01-03
From California.

low-citizen, Presley Dunlap, ESQ.,, 10 Mr. VIM Gar
rett, of this place. It is of the most interesting
letters we have seen from California, and it must
be peculiarly so to readers in this part Of Iowa.
Of its very proper particularly in men
tioning the names and whereabouts Of SO many who
formerly resided in this vicinity. The announce
ment Of the melancholy news ofthe deaths of JOSH
VA HOLLAND, who was well known as valuable
Representative in the Iowa Legislature from this
County, and Of Lieut. BECKETT, who distinguished
himself in the Mexican War, has thrown quite
gloom over the circles of their former associates.
Through another channel we have learned that
young K1LBouRs is also dead. Wetender our war
NEST sympathies to his bereaved parents in view of
their great loss.
In connection with the above, we would an
nounce that WM. L. May Esq, Of Peoria, and for
merly Representative to Congress from the San
CANON District in Illinois, also died at San Francis
CO, shortly after his arrival.
SACRAMENTO CITY, fAlta Cal))
Ocr. 18th, ls49.
Dear Garrett: Your kind letter of
July l>t, was received by me a few days
ago, and you may be assured that it was a
source Of much satisfaction, although it
conts,ned intelligence that 10 me was in
deed melancholy, but still satisfaction TO
know what was transpiring am ing my old
acquaintances. You have doubtless heard
through other channels than ty me of the
safe arrival of all the Burlington emiera-
ton in this valley therefore l shall not
give you any Of the particulars of our
journey across the plains. The Des
Moines boys were all quite we'll. the las,
l heard from them, but they are scattered
over the gold diggings for a space of three
or four hundred miles. Creegan, Charley
Miller, Jake Leffler, Sturgis and Seydel,
are about 30 miles north east Of here, on
Yuba river doing well. Henry Ander-
son has gone up Sacramento river and
have not heard from him. Jonathan Dom
aid and his brother, (whom he found
here, are trading to the mines. Henry
Vile is driving team; and hi. father,
(Capt. Wile) and 7. Hutchinson, Moore,
Arrich, Burkhelder, Gordon. Hughes and
Jim Taylor, have gone on the Mocaluny,
about 70 miles 10 the south east of this -
The Lindemuths have spent most OF their
time here trading in cattle and mules, and
have done well. Ira &. Smith and family
got here week ago, all well. Oliver
Cottle and party are on the Mocosma, so
miles from this. John $. David ami
Royal Cotte came down here last week
and have bought lot and are building a
house. The Col. Gas every body does
here, } works like a horse. D. Reddine
and Charley Denmark have gone ahou,
25O miles snuthlo the mines OH the Mara
posa, tributary of the San Joachim river
tpronounced SIN Vaaeen.)
! | go, here on the l7th August, and the
next day obtained a situation in a store,
one of the hest establishments in Upper
California, at $500 per month and board
ed. where continued until five days ago,
when | was appointed Sheriff of Sacra-
menlo City aid district, in which, if it
pays. will continue for the winter; il
not will qni. and 60 at something. The
fees are tair--we are allowed an ounce for
serving a summons. $40 for a subpoena,
So per mile for travel, and 10 per cent.
on all collections. Ask Carpenter what
he thinks of tha, fee bill.
This place is situated two miles from
Suffers Fort, and was laid off in Febru-
ary, and on yesterday, at Charter cleo
tion, there were 1874 votes cast. be-
lieve that at this time there are at least
5000 persons located in ami about the city,
This certainly is one Of the proligies ol
the nineteenth century il has grown more
than one half since | arrived here. We
for the most part live like the good people
Of old, "dwellers and ,ojourncr> in tents;
a majority ofth houses are light tempo
rarv frame, covered with duck, and in thi,
mild climate il answers a good purpose
but the chief reason for building cloth
houses is the scarcity and dearness OF
lumber. Good lumber is now. and has
been all the season, $3.50 per 1000 fee,
Don't mistake the price--,ix hundred and
fifty dollars per l00o--chiefy brought
from Oregon.
Real e>ta,e--that is, lots in the business
part Of town--is enormously high, vary
ing from $500 to $4,000. A bowling
saloon, with one room Is by 25 feet, rents
a, $l5OO per month, and only shell al
that, being weather boarded and lined
with domestic. Twill cite you an instance
of the facilities there have been of making
money. The firm have been doing bus
mess for commenced here in February
last, with capital Of $4,000, and now
they are worth a, least 5500O00. Their
monthly rents are about $4,000 per month
or $l3O, 900 per year. They are closing
up business and going to leave the coun.
try a. soon as they .elI their property
The Parker House, in San Francisco
rents for $4,000 per year. and all other
rents are in proportion. Common labor.
ers receive from So to SIG per day, but
the ordinary wages a: this place is about
$40 per day.
Since my arrival l have had good op.
porlunity Of Judging OF the richness OF the
mines, and l find that all that gl,ters is
not gold or in other words, the best dig.
ging is by trade. But ofthe richness and
extent of the mines there is no question
but digging for gold is like mining in the
lead reglon-a lottery. Some are making
their 6 and ounces, while the great mass
of operators do not make over their hall
ounce to their ounce per day, (every
thing is here counted by ounce>.) 1t i:
certainly as hard work as can easily be
scared up, but any one that is hardy ane
can stand camping out the year round, an(