The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-09-24

Of Three persons went upon Bear river early
in July, a short distance below Steep Hollow,
where they turned the river and worked twenty
one days. Upon dividing their money they had
little over twenty-five hundred dollars each
In the aggregate, $7607 80.
ANOTHER DIscovERY-We have had pre-.
scented by Mr.. Billings specimen of quartz
taken from ledge just discovered by Mr.. Da-
wilson and three companions, at Oak Flat, on the
head waters of Rattlesnake creek The piece
in our possession is impregnated with gold in
large and palpable vein, which may be seen al
distance Of twenty feet; and the gold is so
thickly woven through the whole specimen that
although the rock is broken into fragments, still
the threads of gold hold the pieces together.
The whole vein, 80 far as has been tested, il
equal to the specimen given to us.
Mr. Billings says that number Of quartz
veins are being prospected in the immediate
neiphborhood of Oak Flat, and that without
doubt that vicinity is rs rich in the precious
| metals as any other locality in California
CHEERING News FROM MoKELUMSE.--NVe
have lust had a conversation with Mr. Currie, OF
the firm of Currie & Radliff, and learn that at
Union Bar, on the above stream, the miners gen.
orally in that section of the country are doing
WELL He says that one company, Of ten men
| only, who have been engaged in turning the
stream, are realizing large gains from their en-
terprise. They commenced working in the bed
Of the river on Monday, and at the close of their
labors, Saturday evening, had taken out rising
of t,oelre hundred dollars and every evidence
of its being richer AS they progressed in their
labors. This claim is about four miles above
Mokelumne hill, and our informant states that
at Bodkin's Bar, about half mile above the
former, there is a company engaged in turning
the river, with the best ct encouragement 50 far
having realized, in prospecting on their claims
in several instances, from two to dollars t.
pan full of selected dirt.
FROM SANTA JOSE, SANTA CLARA, &c.
At Santa Clara, on the 18th of August, itbeine
the anniversary OF the patron saint, festivitie:
and bull.fght were held. At the latter, a
staging gave way, severely bruising several peo
/ pie and killing young girl. The Indians who
were fighting the bull, were killed in the conflict
i Quite an excitement occurred in Los Angeles
on the lst of August, in consequence of the ap
prehension of man named Bill Wood, alias
Otis, who is suspected, among other offences, o
having murdered Capt. John Cardwell, the mail
rider, between Monterey and Los Angeles. II,
was implicated in the confession of Stuart, as
horse-thief He was identified by Professor
Mooney and Mr.. MCGEE, Of Monterey, as The
person who had broken Jail from Monterey
while confined upon charge of horse stealing
The citizens were very much excited, and pub
lie meeting held in reference to the matter. II
was finally resolved to surrender him to the au-
thorties Of the city of Monterey, as a fugitive
| from Justice, and he was accordingly placed in
custody. taken to San Pedro, and safely deliv.
cred at Monterey. He exhibited the utmost in.
difference during the whole proceeding, and was
perfectly at his ease when landed at Monterey
FROM OREGON
| We have files of Oregon papers to the 18th OF
Augustine midst of what is called I" the dry
season." The farmers around Portland were
busy harvesting. The crops were abundant.
The Portland Times says that notwithstanding
so many persons went to the mines last year,
there has been much cultivation, and there will
be large surplus Of produce after supplying the
home market
The same paper says that the mines Of Ore.
gon appear to be paying well, both the Chaste
diggings and those at Rogue river sending in
| good quantities Of gold dust.
/ The Portland and Valley plank road was
about to be commenced Immediately. The first
asses .ment of ten per cent. upon the capital
\
| work was to be vigorously pushed through.
OF the immigrants the Portland Times says
The immigrants have begun 10 arrive from
across the plains Those who have come through
this season represent that they have had very
pleasant journey. They found a plenty Of grass
most of the way, their cattle and horses are in
good condition, and they lost stock on the
way. They do not report 50 large emigra.
ton as we had been led 10 expect this season
We expected n larger from the fact that the
Oregon land donation law, which passed the last
Congress, secured a large and desirable farm
10 every one who would improve and live upon
the same--and We do not yet give up the idea
that there are more on the way than has been co.
timated by tho.e who have recently arrived
Those now in, left ST. Joseph on the 22d OF
Anril, which leads US to think that many more
left after that time.
On the same subject the Oregon Spectator
says:
The immigrants are pouring in upon us. Mr.,
F. l.. Raymond, from Indisna, one off company
Of packers, arrived here on Friday last. Mr..
Raymond made st. Joseph his starting point
i The persons starting from st. Joseph were
mostly destined for Oregon. Some one hun.
dred teams intended going to California.
Mr.. Raymond reports grass plentiful on the
South side Of the Platte, except for distance OF
about 100 miles in the buffalo country. Grass
on the North side Is represented as not so good.
/ Much the largest part Of the immigration across
the plains made the Council Bluffs their rendez-
vous. Among the number Of those assembled
| at the Bluffs there were over six hundred fami
lies for the Great Salt Lake valley. II is estima-
ted by Mr.. George Keller, Of Illinois, who ar
rived here on Saturday, that the number offam.
lies on the road 10 Oregon, who csme on the
North side Of Platte, were between 500 and 600
on that branch Of the road alone.
! Most Of those who came on the North side Of
the Platte did not cross that river at all, except
the Loup fork and the Elk Horn; travelling
through the Black on that side. The grass Is
thought to be equally as good on The North side,
above Fort Laramie. NJ on the South and the
crossing too, Of the Platte, saved thereby avoid.
| ing the dangers incident to the swimming Of the
stock. The bridge over the North fork Of the
Platte is considered a rickety affair, but II an.
swers the putpc sc "a!ter a fashion" Mr.. KEEL.
Ter was some 30 days coming from Council