New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-01-11

i
bers some fifty habiiatons clustered together.
The proprietor of one Of the largest huts-the
Empire Hotel" which stands in the center of
he town and is used for merchandise and lodg-
ing-has been offered several thousands OF dollars
to remove his building few PAGES back, thstthey
might dig under, but be refuses to accept being
satisfied with the profits of his present business.
Should it grow slack or give out, be falls back
upon his own grounds beneath the tent. They
have dug quite up TO the door, and without his
consent can 60 no further. The gold taken out in
this place is course averaging from pea up
wards; it, however, has so nearly given out, that
the miners have migrated elsewhere. Thus many
of these towns are depopulated as soon as the
gold gives out.
Nv stay here was short ride of two miles
over beautiful and, even road brought me
to q solitary tent, having marked on It's side with
profuse use of writing ink " Miners Hospital
This being somewhat an inauspicious sign, ven-
tured, instead of stopping, only to inquire my most
direct road 20 Murderer s.Bar, and was kindly in
formed that my route would be made better by
following an Indian trail. This led me three
miles 70 the brow Of a steep descent OF at least
$500 feet Reaching the bottom, the River which
above appeared but an imaginary line OF water,
had expanded to its full capacity while there was
opened to view a host Of Tents and living beings
along its borders Here one is literally cayed'
in the bowels Of the earth and is amostled TO be-
lieve in looking upward to the small portion OF
blue sky that the mountain tops are ready to
unite and bury you from the world. Yet most OF
these subterranean chasms are occupied by our
countrymen-cut off from the comforts OF home
and civilizations immured to hardships OF trying
severity 1t would seem indeed true that Gold
can assuage the most severe deprivations.
/ continued to follow this branch of the Amer.
can River, fully convinced that the best part OF
my tour was over in these mountain passes. Each
progressive step added renewed difficulties to my
Tuckilv the horses of the country appear
well studied in its perpexties, and it would seem
that they halt only at death | continued my pro-
gress by partial assent along the opposite de-
cvity by winding path so steep that was
obliged to lead the horse cautiously to prevent his
falling Thus l proceeded for quarter OF mile
when the path gave out. | was placed in crit
cal situation. ! could neither go nor turn;
voice from the stream below but confirmed my
situation without the power of lending me AID
All the consolation / could get was the iniorma-
ton that was stuck, was certainly not very
encouraging in such situation Ny animal stood
trembling and snortng behind me, looking here
and there for relief But one mode OF relief was
perceptble this was to give the horse the relns,
and let him 90 down. | gave him little push
and over and over he went, while l waited anX-
iously the result, expecting his last day nan
come. but | was agreeably surprised to find that
on gaining the bottom of the hill he got up quite
unconcernedly l was not long in following, by
sliding down, much to the amusement oil the
miners who were anXiously watching the Wnole
performance. The distance was at least 200 feet
Following the stream still halt mile, the river
was again forded by swimming the horse, crossing
myself over on log which had oeen thrown
across as q bridge Then kept along It's course,
up and down alternately, when scarce footing
for my animal could be obtained. This trail con-
tnued about two mesRSSssTE SeysFS Where Goa
templated sharing the hospitality of some New
York friends. / met them returning from Sun
day sermon delivered by negro slave. This was
nv first knowledge Of trespassng upon the pre-
cincts of the Sabbath but 1t is difficult matter
to keep them while travelling In this country.
My friends had the kindness TO unsaddle my
horse while lounged YEARLY before their tents
The comforts of q miners home were cordially
extended to me. A hot cup OF tea, warm baked
biscuits and Chinese ginger were placed before
me- in the usual rustic manner OF backwoodsmen
The Bar, which is one of the largest settlements
contains some forty tents scattered on either side
Of the stream, and receives its untorbidding name
from circumstances of its first settling, OF an un
fortunate nature. The entire section was but
few months ago in the possession OF Indians. The
first whites five in number, coming among them
TO work, were summary dealt with two OF the
five were absent prospecting, when brutal
attack was made on the three remaining. One
was tomahawked outright, the other, IN crossing
the stream was shot while the third made good
his escape into the woods. A detachment OF
whites making their appearance, the Indians were
finally driven from the ground
N~oke curly the morning, to commence
a davis labor In the mines The claim OF my
friends consisted OF a race % 10 feet square
which they had already dug ten feet deep, hoping
that three more would bring them to the bed OF
the rock where are usually found deposits OF gold
in pockets These pockets are the main seek
ing Of all miners, and they are very seldom dlsap-
pointed ia getting rich rewards for their labor
oh oil Of fba fak U
WELD good average. The claims are all re5u-
larly laid out and sold proPortionatey, titles be-
ing guaranteed by a register OF sale, kept by an
appointed party ia the settlement. The pur-
chaser also notes or secures the claim more sure
w. by turning up the dirt upon 1t, which answers
intrinsically the same purpose as survey. Inc
miners this season have beeH working principally
in constructing dams and forming races to
carry the water from the original bed OF the NV
er; for this, all who are working along the border
Of the stream adjacent are taxed Prcportlonately
to the interest like y to accrue-the company re-
serving the " bed for their own working
Taking account of stock at the close OF the
day, had rocked TO sleep" thirty buckets oil
dirt, which produced me the sum OF SIX dollars
the flow of water into the "hole having lessened
the amount usually averaged daily by my friends
AS 1t was but mere matter OF experiment, was
sufficiently satisfied, and next morning after not
rolls" babe my friends good by-purposlng 70
TeHCQ AuOuEu W u NiASiShk AONNS'
twelve miles further Instead OF lettering my
self by this course, the road was evenmore intrI-
cate in its ups end downs.
At noon / reached Kelly Bar, having nearly
the whole distance piOted my horse on foot
Over this stream had been built very suostan-
stal bridge of cut logs, with the surprising an
nouncement that it was " Free" Crossing the
bridge, an ascent was before me, more PerPendl'
cular than had yet encountered the road run
ming in zig gag course upward, full 5000 ieet,
my horse trembled in every limb, and was Obliged
TO rest every twenty rods, siding against some
NIT gained a very agreeable road led me back 70
Auburn at noon. As my funds began to e6b,
there was but little inducement to tarry IN the
place. Some friend, if found here would have
/. friand indaad - | therefore, TOOK tne