Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-07-31

o1rThe following letter from Mr..
v. A. GArks viii Be read with interest
BY his numerous friends. Mr.. G.'s
former associates here have every con-
6dence in his statements as containing
the ezaet truth about California. so far
as he has seen it, and If he don't derive
advantage from a California trip with
his good judgment, correct habits and
industry, the next one need not enter
tain very positive anticipatiOns Of the
wealth to be gathered there:
ONION VALLEY, CAL, June Ist, 81.
Ny DEAR FATHER: | embrace, this
opportunity to send you a few lines,
and have only time to tell You that am
still we'll and have been in the noun
tains since the middle Of February, du-
ring the greater part Of which time it
has stormed, and even to-day the snow
is falling.
The Northern. mines, 10 great ex-
tent, have proved failure. lifelong to
company Of four persons who have
taken claims on Kanyan Creek, tribu-
tary of the Yuba, and we have good
prospect for s or 10 dollar diggins.--
Our claims lay about eight miles from
this place, and all of our provisions we
have to pack from this place on our
backs over the hills that form the divide
between Feather and .Yuba rivers. |
came in this morning and have TO go
back this evening with so pounds Of
flour, which accounts for my haste.
received four letters and four news
papers, on the 18th ult., by private ex-
press. at a cost Of two dollars per letter
and fifty cents per paper. Two Of the
letters were from You, dlted Nov. 24th
and Feb. 9th, one from &C. Hawkins,
Dec. 7lh, and one from cousin Austin.
dated Jan. 18th. The papers were two
Journals Of March 18th and Goth, which
looked more like an old acquaintance
than any thing | have seen since | left
home, and two Couriers, dated March
18th and 18th. The news contained in
Your letters was highly gratifying, and
You may rest assured that | will not
neglect to keep you informed Of my
whereabouts, circumstances, &C., but
do not always expect letters by the pack
cts. for ! have no idea when the vessels
sail, and don't believe | know as well
what is going on in the CITY as you do.
| am getting tired Of the gold mines,
and am determined to go home this fall.
| would not experience another snowy
season in the mountains Of California
for a fortune. If our claims fail this
time | will quit the mines and try some-
thing more slow and sure. person
could make money in most any part of
the mines if it were not for the high
price of every thing ne consumes. |
have been forced in by the snow and
obliged to board by the week at ; so
! per meal. might answer mothers
question show we live," &c, with two
words, but when | have more time
will give her description and let her
draw her own conclusions.
Junius Hereford did not come up in
the mountains, and understand he has
been doing we'll down below.
You never acknowledged my Laramie
letter. made great mistake in say
ing that there was no fort there. There
were two divisions of the place and |
was not aware of il until we were dri-
wing past.
weigh thirty pounds more than when
1 left home.
! | will now have to conclude this let
ter by sending my love to all our folks
and my best respects TO all of my
friends, hoping none of the boys have
started to California. | remain
Your affectionate son,
V. A. GATES.