Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1852-11-10
FRANKLIN.

49, -gflzs tz.tt FRANKLIN.
For the Portage Sentinel.
Mr.. EDIToR:-The following extracts of let
ter from Robert o. Harmon, formerly of this
County, and late one of the publishers of the De-
troit Free Press, to his father, in Rayenna, may
be interesting to some of your readers. H.
WEAvERvILLE, California, Sept "a, 1862.
DEAR FATHER:-T embrace this opportunity of
a little leisure in town. to write you few lines.
the mail 1--WE have only weekly maiD is about
to close and it is the last mail for the steamer of
the first of October. 49,
/ have heard nothing from home since left
Since landed in California have had no settled
place of residence-have stayed but few weeks
in plaee-have earned some money and spent as
much; but, 1 think may say am settled here
for the winter. This is strange place. 1t con-
tains some or 10 stores, as many hotels, two
blacksmith shops, two butcher shops, two or three
carpenter shops, &c. There is great deal of
mining going on in the immediate vicinity, and
the ridges and flats sprinkled over with miners
cabins. We are surrounded by high mountains
This morning the standing pools of water were
covered with ice, the first have seen in Califor-
MIA.
When first arrived in California, found my
trade SO much crowded and overstocked, that
gave up all ideas of engaging in that for the time,
and started for the mines. My first trial was in
the Zuba mines, but for some good reasons did
not succeed well there, and returned to San Fran
cisco. l thence went to the Shasta mines, and
thence here. have been here five or six weeks,
and have done tolerab1y we'll, but nothing extra.
The mines have been pretty worked out, and wa
ter is very scarce-al that is used about here be-
ing brought by companies six or eight miles, and
is rented out at various high rates. But miners
are looking for better times when the rain comes
which is expected in November. Provisions are
extremely high, having to be packed by mules
from Shasta, 40 miles. Shasta is ls0 miles from
the head of navigation on the Sacramento Riv-
er.
Flour here is 40 cents per pound; beef 25 to
80 cents; salt pork 35, butter one dollar; Candies
IS cents; Potatoes % cents per lb; cabbages SO
cents per pound; and other things in full proper
ton, so that even miners humble fare costs
about one dollar s5 cents per day, and then he
must cook his victuals himself.
Three of us have a comfortable cabin about a
mile from town, and think we can pass the win
ter quite Comfortably. My pres mt mode of ly-
ing seems to agree with me well-am more stout
and hearty than ever was before. Still often
think of home, and rather think that within the
next year l shall bid adieu to mining Reading
matter is scarce and dear here, and sometimes
feel little lost And can hear nothing from
home. Do write soon, and tell my other friends
to write. Direct Weaversville, California
Our town is the scene of considerable excite
ment to-day. Yesterday the body of murdered
man was found, about four miles from here, on
the Shasta trail. The body was brought in, and
recognized as that of miner, who had left here
to go below-and man who came in from a
hunting excursion to the mountains was arrested
this morning, and circumstances seem to fasten
guilt upon him. While / am writing this, a
meeting of citizens is discussing the question
whether he shall be tried by the people or by
courts. You must excuse the hasty manner in
which this is written. write in the midst of ex-
citement, with my mind half engaged in listening
to speeches in the street.
Your affectionate son,
ROBERT o. HARMON.
P.S. Sunday 26th:-Alter writing the above
learned that the departure of the mail had been
postponed till this evening. The prisoner Ispoke
of, has been tried and convicted, and is to be