Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-02-17
Gloomy News from California
GREAT FRESMET!
Scarcity of Prooisions!-Great SAT
tering of the Observation-Disclosures
at .Acapulcom

Scarcity of Prooisieas!-G Great SAT
jering of the Observation-Disclosures
at .Acapuicom
MINING PRosPEcTs.-'rhe Marysville
Herald, in an article OH the mines. uses
the following language:
We never remember TO have exerienc-
ed a more unpromis,ng season than the
present for new conner in the mines
The earth is thoroughly surcharged with
water. making travel difficult and uncom
fpr,able; Alternate snow and rain keeps
continually pouring down on us; and the
whole atmosphere still appears loaded
with moisture. Gu, of door work is ex-
,remely disag agreeable. although many sill
continue il. Prices Of board and of pro,
visions is enormously high, with no pres
IN: prospec, of decrease. How differ
ens from the aspect Of affairs during last
winler!'
A VOICE FROM THE MiNEs.--A friend
writes TO the Union, from Rough and
Ready, unde, date Of December 25th, as
follows,
IL take the liberty Of troubling you as
to tie remote chance of getting something
To do in your city. for the enormous pri
ces of provisions puts il out Of the pow
er of man to maintain family here,
unless he has an income from ext:aor-
binary sources. mus, chang on, my
banner where "grub" is more reasona
ole. or shall be obliged 10 rush 10 the
high way. GO 6llibus;ering, or turn pa,ri-
ut and hun, for office"
DIAMONDS IN CALIFoRSIA.-The Go.
lumbia Gazette says thai it was shawn
on Tuesday last. large and brilliant
stone, which we learn had been properly
tested BY several jewellers and psonounc'
ed TO be pure and genuine diamoud.-
We examined il through glass, and no
diamond we haG ever seen, was more
brilliant, but not being judge of such
things we could form no correct opiniou
about it, The weigh, Of this beautiful
diamond-if diamond it isis LIZ cara,s.
and should i: prove real diamond. It's
value will be immense. II was found in
a gulch two miles from Columbia.
The San Francisco Times, OF the Is,
inst. says the amount of treasure TO be
shipped by steamer OF the LIST, from pana
ma. is 81 ,S2l, 1897, smahes, amount sell
forward by any one of these steamers fol
many months.
From the Alta Californian. Of Jan. LIST.
The present winter is conceived 10 be
The mos, severe experienced i, this coun.
try since it has been populated by Amer
leans. During the last fortnight il has
been raining and showing continually in
the mountains and valleys, and we are
daily in receipt Of accounts OF distress
and suffering in all paris of the State
The waters have been usually high. and
communication through the mining re-
gions almost entirely cut off, either by
snow or overturned streams. The river:
have been swellpd TO such an extent as &c
inunda,e all the low lands. causing i'm,
mense damage. and destroying stock and
agricultural products. The whole coun
try between Tehama and Sacramento
City was entirely under water, willis
Marysville was partly inundated. and
though Sacramento City was well pro
tec,ed by levee. the lower portions were
submerged. The waters at he presen
time have subsidized, although the rains
still continue.
On the mountain streams. The loss o
mining implements has been great. AM
all work for the present suspended. -
Bridges have been swept away, and fer
ries destroy ed, and some five lives los,
The Southern portion OF the mining dis
trici has suffered equally with tho north
ern. Stockton has been inundated par.
TALLY, aud properly to a considerable a
amour, destroyed. The bridges on tht
Ca!averas, Slanislsus. and other stream.
have been swept away, and communica'
tior with the mining towns for white
suspended. The food has been uniyer
sal. and The waters higher than in ,hs
memorable winter Of lSi9.
The great scarcity oil provisions, and
the consequent high price. have occaion
ed much suffering and distress already
and II is feared that many will actually
die from starvation. Many miners sub
sisl entirely on beef and potatoes. willis
in other portions of the mines there are
hundreds who haze nothing a. all but bar
ley and potatoes. In portions of Yuba
and Sierra county the SHOWS was alread,
ten fee, deep and still falling. and the mi
aers actually reduced to want. In oae
place they held meeting aud forced a
trader Il. sell what flour he had on hand
OF 40 cents per pound. TO all who were
unable To find their way through the snow
TO the valleys.
In some places, cabins are entirely GOV
cred with snow. and the roofs Of many
have been crushed 10, thus cutting off ,hs
the las, chance Of protection. The &C
counts received may be greatly exagger-
aied--neveriheless, there is much suffer.
ing and distress, aud il is NO. improbable
tia, some may perish by starvation, S
rom the San Francisco Times and Journal
Earthquake at Acapulco.
ACAPULCO, Dec. II.
Saturday evening, the 4,h inst, an
earihnuake took Mace in this city. more