The weekly Placer herald., 1854-06-10
Auburn, JUNE 10, 1854.
Iowa Hill.


thriving place, we took the time to do so
during the forepart Of the week. On the
way thither we stopped at Illinoistown
This place has not increased any in pop
ulation during the last year; although
many pass through it on their way from
Auburn and Grass Valley to the Hill.
The large steam mill Of Messrs Brickell
s. Co., is doing an extensive business
The Hotels are crowded almost every
night with travellers who are vending
their way to the "rlch diggings."
From Ilinoistown the road to the Hill
crosses the river at Mineral Bar, on the
North Fork Of the American river. At
the present time, Mr.. Rice has a number
Of hands engaged in cutting wagon road
to connect the two towns, which will be
completed in about two months, and so
much improved as to admit Of pack mules
travelling it in the next fortnight. The
mountain on the east side of the river is
very abrupt, but it is thought by running
the road along its side very good grade
can be had. After reaching the top the
traveller finds himself upon an excellent
ridge road leading to the new mountain
town, which is situated upon the divide
between the North Fork Of the American
and the waters of Indian Canon, which
empty into the North Fork some miles
below. Iowa Hill is one of the magic
towns Of the monntans-a presto change.
The 18th of March last, there were but
two or three houses in the place; now,
what scene presents itself:-where but
a short time since the bold pine clad hi Is
resounded to the voices Of few solitary
miners, thousands have built themselves
homes, and gone to work taking out The
precious metals which enrich the hills
around. From morning until night the
saw and the hammer are heard, in the
erection of new buildings.
The whole ridge upon which the town
stands seems to be formed of bed of
gravel and dirt similar to that found in
the beds Of our streams, and wherever
properly prospected has proven very rich.
In company with Messrs. Scott and Huff
we visited the rich Jatnison claim. 1t
certainly could not fail to prove curios-
i.y even to forty-niner. The claim has
been worked from point of the hill ia
cling the North Fork into the claim some
$50 yards, to where the face of the hill
from the top to the bed rock is 100 feet
deep, about 25 feet Of which is pay dirt.
In one strata the gold is percept,be to the
eye, specimens of which we picked out
with a penknife. One of our compan-
ions found lying on the bed rock piece
Of pine limb, which was dug out of the
bed rock by one of the workmen, 100 feet
below the surface of the earth.
On this same claim we passed through
tunnel dug out Of the solid rock, about
IS feet in length, through which the dirt
is washed in the sluice boxes, which ex
tend to the head of ravine on the out
side Of the claim, and where all the tail
ings are got rid Of in very convenient
manner. So far, all the gold has been
fine, but owing to the quantity the com
pany has been able to make large divi-
dends. They have also gone to the ex-
pense of digging ditch and bringing the
water in from Indian Canon to supply
their claim, which is worked by hydraulic
power, and has been the means of saving
thousands of dollars to the company.
On either side of the Jamson claim
parties are running in tunnels, which have
prospected well, and bid fair to be equally
as rich.
On the south side of town, toward In
dian Canon, the miners are at work at
their tunnels, and have every confidence
in being successful. All along Indian
Canon, for several miles above town,