The Sierra citizen., 1854-08-05
NOW.
Letters from Major Downie.

Ours was the only tent in Downieville
at that time. Kelly and company came
up soon after, and directly after them
Messrs. Wood s. Co. arrived and built a
cabin on Jersey Flat.
One of our party, John Potter, set
about building the cabin, which is yet
standing in the rear of your office; the
shingles were fastened on with raw-hide.
Word came up that Mr.. Goodyear was
dead and | Immediately started down to
sec about provisions, and on the way |
passed the grave where he was buried in
an old rocker; rude coffin to be sure, but
in keeping with the wild wilderness where
he had come to die. His remains were
sfterwa, ds removed by his brother An
drew. He died November IL, lS49.
Andrew Goodyear, Dr. Vaughan. Nor.
rison and an Indian or two, were living
on BERT that was laying on the BAR
The flesh was all gone. but came in for
share of the bones; and tell you that
the kettle containing the savory mess was
kept boiling. Andrew had promised the
provision On the way to the Dr., but
agreed to let us have two head of cattle
when they should arrive. He brought up
six head and sold them to Woods, Kelly
& Co.. and only asked one hundred dol
lars head. have often thought of that
since, and it proves what great warm
heart Andrew Goodyear had in his BOSOM;
those starving men would have given
three or four hundred dollars, as readily
as one; little act like that makes one
think better Of his race. He gave me
little rice and few dried apples, which l
sent up to the Forks. We could not get
across the river, but had to wal, two or
three days at that point before we could
get over. William Griffith had a little
blanket tent about where Mr.. Robison's s
store now stanGs-I hailed him from the
opposite side, and desired him to fall a
tree across the river so that we could cross.
He Immediately set about it and think
worked two days, haggling away like a
beaver, before the tree feel; we were all
ready to cross, but sad to relate the tree
broke and went down the river. Sick at
heart with the disappointment, so momen-
tous to US, we turned toward camp, built
fire, and put on another kettle of bones.
l began to be apprehensive about get
ting down the river to look after the ex-
pected provisions. The bones were get
ting scant. especially those that had any
meat on them, and while we were wonder
ing how raw hide would 60, when boiled,
we got acr ,ss the river. Mr.. Wood had
partner in the tent with him, who had
a supply Of provision. I went to him to
see if | could get few pounds to send to
lLC 4 vi Nc. Aut HO OIcTcU uiIll a udi1
an ounce a pound for a few pounds, but
he said should not have it at any price,
though told him it was not for myself,
but for a sick man. No, no, che was left
there with the provision and he would
neither give nor sell pound of it." Mr..
Wood and Mr.. Murray afterwards ex-
pressed their regret at the inhumanity,
and had they been there I should have
got what wanted. AS it was, Mike,
Bill and myself had to take the hill to
look after something to keep us alive,
somewhere. We made the best of our
way up the hill, and went. down the di-
vide toward Slate Range
We were afraid some of US would give
out before we reached Simmons Camp,
1.-THE firm Of Hawley, Simmons & Co..
Poor Charley since died on his way
home, but better or more noble hearted
man never fell a victim to "the Reaper
whose name is Death" Mickey began
to give out about two mics from the
store, we tried to carry him on our backs,
but were soon exhausted and gave it up.
Bill and myself started on to simmons
camp, leaving Morrison with Mickey ~
We groped and toiled along, as it was
very dark, using the precaution when we
lost the trail to leave one standing still,
Whle the rest wandered round in search
OF It At last We saw dim light. which
proved to be at Simmons camp. Though
ne had but little himself he gave US STAR
jack or two, and bottle of brandy, and
after resting while Bill went back af{er
Mickey and Morrison.
At Simmons camp met with several