The Sierra citizen., 1854-08-12
[For the Sierra Citizen ]
NO. V.
Letters from Major Downie.

Letters from Major Downie.
We carried the goods from Cox's. Bar
to the Forks on our backs, and in addi-
tion a quantity Of what we digni6ed with
the name of beef-not the sort of beef over
which an Englishman would button up
his great coat in temporary fit OF good
nature, but a sort only fit for carnival OF
wolves, or hungry woodsman. Some one
had lost an OK sometime before and trans
ferred to us the ownership if we could find
him. After diligent search, Potter
found the OK on ledge of rocks above
Cox's Bar, on the South side of the river.
How the creature got there no one could
tell, but the poor beast stood on the edge
of a precipice, looking down toward the
river in a sort Of mute despair, bewildered
and lost, and beyond the reach Of the
lowing of his fellows. When we climbed
up to his perch, he turned his great eyes
appealingly to us, as though he hoped for
relief even from the race who bowed his
neck beneath the yoke and lashed his
back when his strength failed. 1t was
hard case, but hunger was imperative,
and the poor animal was knocked over the
precipice and killed. The boys turned
away with shudder as he rolled down
the rocks. You may think such evidences
of humanity far-fetched, but if you have
ever sojourned in the wilderness, you know
that if little squirrel yentured up to
your tent and showed signs of confidence,
you couldn't find it in your heart to hurt
the little fellow.
The beef was, packed to Cayoteville,
and from thence to the Forks. After we
had done all the hard work, the snow
ceased and the weather became pleasant,
and during that time the boys brought
another mule load Of provision from Nye's
Crossing. ,,,
Wemoved into our cabin on. the 10th
day of December the shingles with
wooden frow, and fastened them on with
raw-hide. The beef was packed away in
snow drift. When packed in this man
ner, and kept from the air, it will keep
for two or three months.
Christmas came round, and we had but
one bottle Of brandy in camp. Sorely
we're we puzzled to determine whether it
was best to break on it on Christmas
morning or to keep it until New Year.
The discussion pro and con was very ami
mated, but resulted in the drawing of the
cork on Christmas. The contents Of the
bottle were poured out, hot water and
nutmeg added, and then we all drank to
absent friends, sweet-hearts and wives,
and growing more arniable as the sun
rose and the whisky went down, we
drained the tin cup in honor of the Uni
versal Yankee Nation. AS might be eA-
pected, we all felt ve-y fine. A small flag
that ! had slowed away was brought out.
for the occasion and got upon the roof
Of the shanty, flag in one hand and pistol
in the other, and made short speech to
the effect that this was q great country;
and at the close fred a uolley and -four,
ished the Stars and Stripes, gave three
cheers for the American Congress, and
three more for our happygo-lueky party;,
then we ran up our flag, and shouted for
JOY when we saw that humble representa-
tive ola proud ensign unfolding to the
breeze for the first time in the 'fastnesses of
the Sierra. 1t is strangeiwhat enthusiasm
is felt by whites and blacks, Americans
and foreigners, when under the shadow of
that flag; and even the wild Indian, when
pursued by his enemies, shouts in exulta-
lion and throws himself under its protec-
ton. z
After our Christmas spree we all went
prospecting in different directions, and all
with very good success. In the mean
time Mr.. Lord called upon us at our
camp, (his camp was on Jersey Flat and
made very dolefu( face about his hard
luck, and about his having family in
Tllinois-that he wanted to make small
raise, and would pay anything to anybody
that would show him good claim. |
gave him part Of my claim on the South
Fork, and he set to work making from.
.. one st..t TO two 70 hundred vi dollars day. One
day himself and partner took out four
teen hundred and sixty dollars in d few
hours, ~hileI onlyImade aafew ounces in
my part of the claim Soon after / OBJ