The weekly Placer herald., 1853-12-31
Trip to the Mountains.

Business calling us from home n few
days since, we mounted the Yankee Jim
Stage and started for the mountains.
We found among our travelling com
panions several persons who were "freSh
from the states" and with every turn of
the road they perceived something To ex-
cite their wonder and curiosity. As we
approached the North Fork Hill where
they could obtain view Of the beautiful
mountain country lying to the east, they
gave vent to their surprise in short and
pointed words Of delight. But that bill!
the hill down 10 the river, was more of
hi than they cared for. Asthe stage de-
scended the road cut in the side of the
mountain we noticed several of the "new
corners turn their face. away with dread
at sight Of the deep chasm, Mt the bottom
Of which runs the stream, as if dreadmg
an almost inevitable death by being upset
over the side of the mountain but no
such accidents ever happen on the Yam
kee Jim road Warden & Clark have well
trained horses and careful drivers.
As we neared Yankee jim the biting
coll an | hard sound Of the ground under
the horses feet, told us truly that we were
in the mOnntnins "Sure enough" ut
the warm stove at Herrick'S soon thawed
IFS, and the excellent supper made us feel
"like self again"
In appearance Yankee Jim has not nj
tered much in the lasr twelve months, but
still the trade of the place is regul If and
permanent. The miners in the nrqhbor
hood are steadily prosecuting their Inbnrs
with comparatively good success Like
all mining localities at the present time, n
great scarcity Of water is felt, although at
Yankee Jim they have the advantage Of
Water Ditch, still there il NOT enough
20 supply the wants of al the miners.
During the past summer some rich
claims have been discovered in the neigh
borl ood and Mt the present time the nj
ners who are at work upon Georgia Hill
have fair prospects of again striking the
lead Inch in former times paid so re-
markably we'll
We extended our trip TO Michigan City
and were truly surprised at the improve
mentS which every where met our view,
and all made during the past sum
mer. In February last there were
bur few houses in the town, and but two
or three hundred miners in the immediate
vicinity, now Michigan City is mt least as
large rs Auburn, and has population of
some two thousand inhabitants. This
magical improvement has been caused by
the discovery of rich dggings for miles
around.
One can find in the place as many of
the comforts and lnxurIes OF life as he
can in many Of our inland towns more
advantageously situated. The town is
well stocked with provisions and goods of
all kinds; we also noticed numerous ho-
tes, restaurants, saloons, Sc. and we be-
lieve the "mechanical department" is full
Lawyers and doctors-"Iegpn"
As good evidence Of she prosperity of
the place and its society, we note the fact
OF some so or 40 respectable ladies resi-
ding there, and that there is also very
dourishing lodge of Odd-Fellows, and
that the Masons will soon have one -
These are happy omens and speak well
for Michigan city.
No wthstandng the great prosperity
and business Appearance of the town t1e
miners have little or no water 10 work
their claims with. However il is thought
the FL Dorado Water Company will be