The weekly Placer herald., 1853-07-23
For the Placer Herald.
YANKEE jim, July %, Is

this respect over all those by which it is
surrounded. The mines, which have
been so long celebrated for their extent
and the value of their gold deposits, have
in no wise diminished in point of richness,
and almost innumerable known deposto-
rles of the precious metal still invite the
attention of the votaries Of Mammon.-
Although have long been resident of
this country and travelled many league,
footsore and weary, in quest of diggings,
| have never found locality where pro-
per application of the pick and shovel
paid as we'll as here. And too, there is
usually hillside or ravine which does
not yield much more than what is in Cal
ifornia generally considered average
wages.
One great advantage that this possesses
over the generality of mining distrioto i,
its abundance of water, there being sever
al canals centering at this place, affording
an abundance of that essential requisite
to successful mining operations. And Not
only these desirable facilities for the ac-
QUESTION of wealth exist here, but a rival
ry existing between the proprietors Of the
several water bitches, has had the effect
to cause repeated reductions in the price
of water until it is at length to be had for
the asking merely, and expect that the
next news from head quarters will be that
people will be paid for using it,
Under these circumstances we may well
say s'strike while the irons hot" and
Judging from present appearances it will
be hot for long time, inasmuch as one
company seems to be endeavoring to
drive the other into disastrous sale of
it's property or a consolidation with the
former. Appearances, however, indicate,
that this will prove either an up-hil bust
ness, as Mr.. Mcclure, the person who is
particularly expected to cave, possesses
to the fullest extent that quality of the
genuine "live Yankee" viz: great dis
like to acting from compulsion. The
San Francisco monopolist will therefore
probably find him as difficult to control
as did John Bull, once upon time, GER
tain individual known as Brother Jona-
than.
Mr.. Mcclure, the gentleman mention
ed, has recently commenced some pretty
ii w Ii nj u
class that must necessarily succeed here.
Those who are familiar with the manner
of washing among the bills about Neva-
da will understand the modus operandi
without explanation, as the means are the
same that have there been SO long in sue
cessful operations. 1t consists in convey
ing the water in hose from an elevation
sufficient, which can always be had to
give it the necessary pressure, and then,
after the manner of fire engine, throw
ing it with great force into the bank
sought to be worked, undermining it, and
conveying off the dirt in extraordinary
quantities and in labor saving manner
unparalleled. From my observation |
think this method is bound to surpass all
others here, for every convenience is had
that could be desired to ensure success.
The banks vary from six to fifty feet, and
the fact that they pay uniformly and in
the ordinary way of working, yield from
five to ten dollars per day, and that there
is an abundance of such claims to be had
free of expense, clearly shows that if
people do not make money hereabout II
is evident they do not try.
A gentleman whom | met yesterday in
formed me that a residence of eighteen
months here had convinced him that Yam
kee Jim held out superior inducements to
miners to any portion Of California that
he had ever visited, although he has been
at nearly every mining point of any
promise in both the northern and southern
mines. He also informed me that him
self and two others had averaged 800 per
dav. for the last two weeks, and that his
claim prospected no better than dozens of
others in its vicinity. Facts of this char
acter deserve the attention of those who
are working in other places for barely
sufficient to pay "grub," as mining is not