The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1851-02-28
From the Shelby County Banner.
FROM CALIFORNIA.
HANerowN, Cal, Nov. 10, 1850.

hANSTOWN Sai., NOV. AZ, AOoo'
DEAR SiR:--You may perhaps have
been already informed that on my arrival
here, | received, through the in'erven-
tion Of my SON, the appointment OF an
assistant marshal to take the ceLsus of
the United States. I have since my ap.
pointment, been ard:ously g. industrious.
Iy laboring in that vocation; and besides
affording me heal,hful exercise and de.
lighnul employment, exhibiting TO my
view the most romantic scenery OF hill,
rock and dale---poi,raying TO the lmag.-
nation Of poet, the most picturesque
and sublime displays Of natural scenery
lii affiuds me the opportunity Of learn.
ing the habits and disposition of, more
especially, the mining community. and
also their succ ess, wants, necessities and
induleencies, the more especially ne
am bound TO enquire and enter the ayefs
age Of their mining per day. ThisSe
perence has greatly disabused main
reference TO The many discouraging fet-
ters circulated through Ohio and else.
where. For then believed those letters
10 have been written by the idle, reck.
less, and dissolute, alone; and tina, pros
pecting, as il is called, was the bane OF
mining, a mere pretext for wasting time,
or the Qualification of an idle curiosity;
the resor, oftbose who were never VIII.
ing 10 "let well enough alone;;" but OF
the converse o. this l was very reluc.
ianily convinced, Cor found that they
we're the emerprizing portion of all the
world, and no, Of the extravagant and
dissolute chaps v ho inhahit 'ne cities,
and that the richest mining beds very
soon become exhausted, and that the
propretors must GO TO prospecting as
matter of necessity; and when you read
Of persons averaging their onnce per
day, rely upon il, i, is only for few days
in Succession, or weeks at the outside,
and perhaps, after waiting weeks in pros
pec,ing, they may be, compelled to mine
where they will average from so cents TO
S2 SO per diem. And in addition 10 the
delay of prospecting. it is labor e'f no
slight magnitude TO sink their share to the
rock which forms the substratnm Of the
gold field. The mining has doubtless
been better than at nresan,, but the mi
ners who have remained here for years,
are no, worth cent, and tell me that
III y have not averaged over dollar per
day for the whole time, and the cheapest
bachelor mode Of living costs about a =
dollar per day; my living now, in trayell-
ing round costs near So per day. So SO
per night, and would cos, over $3 so, (.
but that am frequently invited to dinner
by the miners, amongst whom have an
inconceivable number of acquaintances.
la this state Of the case, few residents
would remain here, had they the means
of going home. The Irish generally be.
lieve that the United States government
will send ships to carry them back, and l
do not disturb their fond dream Of fell
cltv.
Notwithstanding this, there is doubt
less much gold in the country, hui il is
| nnaitainable save by regular systematic
mining companies, possessing sufficient
capital, and paying their operators IS
cents per day. and So SO per week for
their boarding. This system vii! Doubt
less be adopted, and the country will ba
par,slly deserted. Blu. in addition 10
this, there will be companies Of timber
men and lumbermen engaged at ihe
same rates, to procure and appropriate
the vast amount Of pine timber afforded
| by the mountains and slopes of this
country. This is the best, ship timber,
perhaps, in the world. II is almost uni,
formly as straight as an arrow, as taper
as practicable, and often three hundred
feet high, admirably adapted 70 the use
Of shipping for every description Of
spas.sa on i4ag ess.. s.s..s lc "a .s
/ I,is said, however, thai noiwiihsiand-
ling the drought os pummer. sbe counirY
PRODUCES some rich vegetables II great
/ mxuriance, ard discover that SOME are
now making and planting their gardens,
although the thickness Of the ice, Of .
morning, will average halfsn inch. How