The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-03-21
JallaarN 25kh. 1850.

DEAR BROTHER AFTER you left the Dry
Diggings James and /, moved three miles
down the creek and lived, or stayed, under
the tent fly, doing about as we we were at
the time of your departure bat we were com
pelied to make different arrangements to pro-
tect ourselves against the incessant rains that
began to prevail. We procured a mule from
Randell Echols, (who at the time was killing
lot OF beeves at Auborn) and moved our
tent, provisions and baggage to the small fiat
one mile and halfbeo the town, and our
tools and tent-hy up to the same spot, and ar
ranged things for comfortable living.
without having struck upon prospect for
digging, more fattering than when yoa were
with US, concluding if we could find no better
diggngs than those we had been working, we
would take it more easily and await ltient-
ly for Spring. Our first effort towards Gold
digging at our present location, was on the
bar in the middle of the creek. and we found
by steady work, two Of us could make but ten
to twelve dollars per day, the weather so
stormy at the same time as to prevent us
from working more than two or three days
during the week. So one rainy lay the Dr.
and |. pr pared ourselves, and started out
prospecting, with pick shovel spoons and tin
pans. We travelled from mouth 10 source of
number OF small streams emptying into the
main creek, and finally, at noon, it till rain
ing, we crossed the large creek half mile be-
low our tent and about the same distance
above the encampmsnt Of the Mexicans We
thought the bank worth trying, and COM
mencsd digging at the waters edge, and pan
ming out the drt-the first pan yielded about
thirty cents-second the same anount-third
one dollar-fourh, fifty cents, &c. We soon
made two openings in the bank, and left our
picks therein. As soon as the weather iusll-
fled it, we went to washing at our newly dis
covered prospects" In the meantime dur
ing the rain, (James having made TWO at
temFts and failed) he and started with a de
termination to fad Milton Black & Co, and
succeeded in finding their cabin after travel
ling half day through mul and rain, over
the precipitous points Of the mountains Dor
dering the river. John Welborn was not with
the company; he had stopped on Bear river
and there commenced digging. We succeed
ed in obtaining good dinner at the cabin.
and in company with Mr.. Black and Mr.
Hinckly, (who accompanied US to the noun
tain top) started for our tent in the "Dry
Diggings."
Blacks Company were making from ten to
twenty dollars to the man. per day, and they
advised us to pack our kit, and come to the
river along side OF them, promising to help us
raise and complete a cabin for the coming
winter. We had made up our minds to move
to the river if our newly discovered prospect
did not prove 100 per cent better Than any
digging we had heretofore met with. and
parted with Mr.. Black and company with that
understanding, On the first good day follow
ing, we commenced at our new place washing
the dirt for gold, and worked hard. Just be-
fore dark, James started to the tent to pre-
pare supper. while | washed out the gold. |
drained the dirt and gold from the cradle. and
wasoverjoyef at witnessing rich harvest.
compared to the turn out of our lermer DAYS
labor. And Just as had commenced wash
ing out the sand, the rock upon which was
sitting gave way, and precipit,,ted myself pan
gold and all, into the creek, in a deep hole =
saved the pan, but lost the gold | think
never met with loss of property, more
deeply regretted in my life. than the loss of
our first days work at the newly discovered
prospect" Next day we tried it again, and
at night had the satisfaction to pan out S33,
63 cts. We continued working with like sue
cess for two weeks, and finding that provis-
ions were becoming scarce, and very high at
Auborn. concluded to go to Sacramento and
lay in sufficient stock to insure our safety
through the winter. therefore prepared for
the trip. On the Goth of November started
and arrived at the city on the night of the
31st-bought 200 lbs. Flour; $50 lbs oil Pork;
Is lbs. Coffee; 50 lbs. Sugar; 20 ms OF dried
Fruit; together with Tea. and other small
stores; also an extra pair Of heavy Blankets
heavy shoes for both Of us, and paid six dol
lars for halfsoling and Gaping my boots, got
an extra pair of boots for James and mysel
out cf our respective trunks, and at the SINE
time purchased Al yards oil blue drilling to
cover cabin we contemplated building in
front Of our tent, on my return.
We lad to pay 3oand 80 cents carriage per
pound On articles from Sacramento city to
Auborn, and yet we obtained our provisions
5Oper cent less than we could have procured
them here. Or my return or few days af-
ter John Welborn came TO the tent and wish
n